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We’ve all heard “show, don’t tell”.  It’s pretty much the first piece of advice a new writer hears.  But how best to make that truism come to life?

One way is to give your characters a vivid body language.  How we move, manipulate our facial muscles, even cross our legs tells a great deal about our inner dialogue.  As a writer, the more you understand about body language, the more you can avoid telling, and really begin showing.

Here’s an example:

Emma didn’t trust Martin.  She thought he was a liar.  When he told her that he wasn’t responsible for the broken glass, she knew he wasn’t telling the truth.

Now, here’s the same exchange with body language incorporated:

Martin’s eyes darted around.  He couldn’t look Emma in the face.  “I didn’t break that glass”, he muttered.  Emma watched him silently.  Martin could only stare at the ground, slowly making a circle in the dirt with the tip of his sneaker.

We all have what poker players refer to as “tells”.  Give your characters their own “tells” and they’ll become more vivid and memorable, and your writing will grow sharper.

Here are some excellent resources for learning about body language:

http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Body-Language

http://www.ismckenzie.com/05/15/control-your-body-language-for-effective-communication/

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We’re big fans of writing advice that goes beyond “show, don’t tell.” So I’m happy to point you to some that goes way beyond the usual.

Jack Kerouac certainly marched to the beat of his own drum, and he left behind a little of his sheet music, in the form of 30 bits of advice for writers.

Here are a few of my faves:

Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition

Write in recollection and amazement for yourself

No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge

Composing wild, undisciplined, pure, coming in from under, crazier the better

and my absolute favorite:

You’re a Genius all the time

Indeed you are. Head over to http://www.writingclasses.com/InformationPages/index.php/PageID/464 to dig the whole list, lit cats. You’ll feel like you’re sitting in Cafe Vesuvio with Jack, Neal and Allen just shootin’ the karmic breeze.