PHYSICAL FEATURE THESAURUS

SKIN



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HELPFUL TIP:

Physical features should do more than simply describe how a character looks. Just like their occupation or area of giftedness, a character's appearance can say a great deal about them. Hinting at traits through clothing choices, alluding to an emotional state through movements, and highlighting certain details for comparison or contrast purposes can help readers form opinions on who the character really is.
DESCRIPTORS AND KEY ELEMENTS:
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COMMON ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVE WORDS TO DENOTE THEM:
Shiver: shudder, jitter, tremble, quiver, tremor, shake, twitch
Tingle: prickle, sting, tickle, prick
Blush: flush, bloom, gild, pinken, redden, stain, tint, tinge, color, darken


EMOTIONS AND RELATED GESTURES:
  • The skin's response to fear often involves prickling or tingling and an overall tightening sensation. It can tremble and shiver and will sometimes even go numb in the extremities. The skin can become over-sensitive to stimuli and the hairs will rise over much of the body, creating a sensation of the skin “crawling”
  • At the onset of embarrassment, the skin will quickly blush and pink up. This flush usually starts at the neck and crawls upward, bringing with it warmth and a feeling of being overheated.

SIMILE AND METAPHOR EXAMPLES:
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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BODY DESCRIPTION NOTES:
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