Hey, SE Readers. Joan with you today. Do you ever struggle with describing a character’s emotions or how they would react in a particular situation? I do. Even though I have several reference books, at times I feel as if I keep repeating the same thing—an arched brow for surprise, a pricking sensation for fear, slamming door when they’re angry, etc.

I’m in the middle of editing a manuscript and have given a lot of thought to how to better describe character reactions. I call my little formula, Picture It, Portray It, Pen It.

Every novel, every chapter, every scene starts with an idea. You may spend weeks brainstorming. Some writers use a journal or a notebook to jot down ideas. Others use a computer program. This is where planners begin their outline. It’s also the time to conduct any necessary research. Finally, it’s time to write.

Picture It

Imagine…