Comments on: The Uses of Body Language http://exchangeofrealities.today.com/2008/10/06/the-uses-of-body-language/ Where gaming and writing mingle Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:18:34 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 By: ravyn http://exchangeofrealities.today.com/2008/10/06/the-uses-of-body-language/#comment-597 ravyn Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:18:43 +0000 http://exchangeofrealities.today.com/2008/10/06/the-uses-of-body-language/#comment-597 Welcome to the Exchange! Don't sweat not looking at it like a gamer; I try to cater just as much to writers here, last week's emphasis to the contrary. You might've seen my riff on "What's Wrong With Spec-Fic" linked on the bloggers' forum; that's one of my primary goals, doing something about the writing in this genre. Agree with you on the Standard Body Language; my writing prof was downright fanatical about people doing more than just "smiling" and "grinning". I think one of the things a writer can do to figure out what else there is is to get up and act out that paragraph or so, paying close attention to what she's doing in the process. (Or stay seated and act it out.) People-watching helps, too--I've got a Family Event coming up, and I plan on taking up my writer's journal and doing a ton of research for further pieces on body language--no good saying what not to do if I'm not going to say what to do, right? Hope to see you again! Welcome to the Exchange! Don’t sweat not looking at it like a gamer; I try to cater just as much to writers here, last week’s emphasis to the contrary. You might’ve seen my riff on “What’s Wrong With Spec-Fic” linked on the bloggers’ forum; that’s one of my primary goals, doing something about the writing in this genre.

Agree with you on the Standard Body Language; my writing prof was downright fanatical about people doing more than just “smiling” and “grinning”. I think one of the things a writer can do to figure out what else there is is to get up and act out that paragraph or so, paying close attention to what she’s doing in the process. (Or stay seated and act it out.) People-watching helps, too–I’ve got a Family Event coming up, and I plan on taking up my writer’s journal and doing a ton of research for further pieces on body language–no good saying what not to do if I’m not going to say what to do, right?

Hope to see you again!

]]> By: tracycharles http://exchangeofrealities.today.com/2008/10/06/the-uses-of-body-language/#comment-594 tracycharles Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:59:04 +0000 http://exchangeofrealities.today.com/2008/10/06/the-uses-of-body-language/#comment-594 I'm both writer and editor, and body language is a big issue . It's something so ingrained we don't think about it, so when we write stories it's a layer we tend to leave out - or minimize. Then, when someone makes note of it, and we try to layer it in - well, it flops. How many novels have you read where the main character "flips her hair" or the hero "rakes his fingers through his hair"? One character's fists clenched in every chapter! :-) It's difficult to come up with a variety of movements to sound unique and fresh. This is a great post, and even though I'm looking at it from a non-gamer perspective, it still applies! :-) I’m both writer and editor, and body language is a big issue . It’s something so ingrained we don’t think about it, so when we write stories it’s a layer we tend to leave out - or minimize. Then, when someone makes note of it, and we try to layer it in - well, it flops. How many novels have you read where the main character “flips her hair” or the hero “rakes his fingers through his hair”? One character’s fists clenched in every chapter! :-)

It’s difficult to come up with a variety of movements to sound unique and fresh.

This is a great post, and even though I’m looking at it from a non-gamer perspective, it still applies! :-)

]]>