As requested, I’ve reblogged a few body language reference posts. Please note I haven’t reviewed them in detail; there may be weird stuff in there. Please note also that when describing body language, show don’t tell, and less is more.

If you’re mad, I know you’re mad pretty quickly - I don’t need to know exactly what your knees are doing, AND shoulders, AND back, AND eyebrows. Think for yourself how you know that someone’s mad - one or two quick tells. That’s what your character sees.

My two cents anyway, and they’re worth exactly as much as anyone else’s.

Got an ask about body language and dialogue that might be useful: basically, the dialogue is easy, but the body language along with it is agonizing, any tips?

My response:

I’m ALSO awful at body language. Because of this, I’ve almost studied it. I need to read people for my job (pharmacist), and so I’ve practiced and practiced. Now if I’m trying to read someone’s mood, I read it literally like I’m spelling a word off a page: eyebrows down, mouth tight. Eyes looking sideways. Hmm. I think they’re mad, and then I literally confirm verbally, “It doesn’t look like you like what I just said very much.”

I think because I catalogue like this, I’ve never had trouble writing body language?

There are some really good body language references floating around. Might be a good place to start.

If you can dialogue, you’re already there. You just need to figure out the associated moods.

What I often do is write the dialogue first, then go back and build the body language around it, like…

“You’re upset.”

“You’re imagining things. As you always do.”

becomes

“You’re upset.” Because he clearly was: arms tucked tight against his chest, eyelids low, posture perfect, tight as a drum.

“You’re imagining things. As you always do.” Now the eyes came up. Looking to see if you’ve scored, eh?

I usually have to do two-three body language passes because the first time I over-write it, and then I have to peel some away once I’ve stepped away for a few hours.