Actually, it's something I'm trying to get authors to stop doing, at least so often. If you use any one device 183 times in 160 pages, perhaps you need a new device to break things up. You've got this trick in your bag of tricks--now what other tricks do you have to show emotional reactions?
There are a LOT, a LOT of authors who rely on the eyes to show emotion. But at the same time the character might turn her back, he might sigh, she might lick her lips, he might pick at his cuticles. Each of these actions denotes an emotion as well, and are just as telling or more so than the eyes.
(Also: if you ever have someone "nod his head," don't. What else are you going to nod? Your elbow? But that's a pet peeve of mine... :) )
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2007-05-01 06:03 am (UTC)There are a LOT, a LOT of authors who rely on the eyes to show emotion. But at the same time the character might turn her back, he might sigh, she might lick her lips, he might pick at his cuticles. Each of these actions denotes an emotion as well, and are just as telling or more so than the eyes.
(Also: if you ever have someone "nod his head," don't. What else are you going to nod? Your elbow? But that's a pet peeve of mine... :) )