Longing in Love Starters
❥ I notice everything about them, and I hate how naturally I’ve memorized the way their laugh curves at the end.
❥ Every time they look at me, I forget whatever clever thing I was about to say. Which is probably a blessing.
❥ I don’t know when it happened, but they’ve started showing up in the spaces between my thoughts.
❥ I sit closer than I need to. Not close enough to be obvious, just close enough to feel the warmth.
❥ They touched my hand for a second. A blink. A breath. And I’ve been replaying it for hours.
❥ I tell myself it’s nothing, but my heart keeps writing poetry anyway.
❥ Sometimes I think I hear their voice in a crowd and my chest tightens before my brain even catches up.
❥ I want to tell them. God, I almost do. But the fear of losing what we have keeps my mouth shut.
❥ There’s a tenderness in the way they say my name that makes me believe they see me.
❥ I don’t want to fall for them. I just want to stay where we are forever. And maybe that’s worse.
(How your character defends their soft core and what could shatter it) Because protection becomes prison real fast.
✶ Sarcasm as armor. (Break it with someone who laughs gently, not mockingly.) ✶ Hyper-independence. (Break it with someone who shows up even when they’re told not to.) ✶ Stoicism. (Break it with a safe space to fall apart.) ✶ Flirting to avoid intimacy. (Break it with real vulnerability they didn’t see coming.) ✶ Ghosting everyone. (Break it with someone who won’t take silence as an answer.) ✶ Lying for convenience. (Break it with someone who sees through them but stays anyway.) ✶ Avoiding touch. (Break it with accidental, gentle contact that feels like home.) ✶ Oversharing meaningless things to hide real depth. (Break it with someone who asks the second question.) ✶ Overworking. (Break it with forced stillness and the terrifying sound of their own thoughts.) ✶ Pretending not to care. (Break it with a loss they can’t fake their way through.) ✶ Avoiding mirrors. (Break it with a quiet compliment that hits too hard.) ✶ Turning every conversation into a joke. (Break it with someone who doesn’t laugh.) ✶ Being everyone’s helper. (Break it when someone asks what they need, and waits for an answer.) ✶ Constantly saying “I’m fine.” (Break it when they finally scream that they’re not.) ✶ Running. Always running. (Break it with someone who doesn’t chase, but doesn’t leave, either.) ✶ Intellectualizing every feeling. (Break it with raw, messy emotion they can’t logic away.) ✶ Trying to be the strong one. (Break it when someone sees the weight they’re carrying, and offers to help.) ✶ Hiding behind success. (Break it when they succeed and still feel empty.) ✶ Avoiding conflict at all costs. (Break it when silence causes more pain than the truth.) ✶ Focusing on everyone else’s healing but their own. (Break it when they hit emotional burnout.)
Words To Use Instead of Said (Advanced Version)
Reminder to use these sparingly and not every line of dialogue needs a dialogue tag.
To Say Something Quietly:
whispered
murmured
breathed
sighed
simpered
hummed
mumbled
muttered
To Say Something Loudly:
exclaimed
cried
squealed
shrieked
shouted
bellowed
roared
declared
declared
proclaimed
hollered
To Say Something Angrily:
snapped
snarled
growled
barked
grumbled
complained
huffed
nagged
blustered
thundered
seethed
fumed
ranted
demanded
taunted
scoffed
cursed
grunted
insulted
hissed
badgered
sneered
To Say Something In An Amused Manner:
laughed
chuckled
giggled
joked
quipped
teased
cheered
crowed
To Say Something Unsurely // Nervously:
faltered
stammered
stuttered
hesitated
guessed
blurted
trembled
speculated
quivered
equivocated
denied
countered
babbled
slurred
squeaked
yelped
cautioned
gulped
squales
quavered
hesitated
trailed off
The use of action tags will make your writing more interesting and creates variety in conversation-filled scenes. Make sure to add both in your writing and do your best not to over do it.
Reminder: When using action tags that aren’t one word, always use periods instead of commas. Example:
“Idiot,” Camille rolled her eyes out of annoyance, continuing to file her nails. Wrong.
“Idiot.” Camille rolled her eyes out of annoyance, continuing to file her nails. Correct.
Positive:
smiled
grinned
smirked
beamed
his eyes twinkled
flashed a chesire smile
looked pleased
her ears reddened
his cheeks flushed
the corner of her lips tugged up
Neutral:
crossed her arms
folded their arms
blew their hair out his their face
twirled her hair around her finger
massaged his temples
bit her lip
chewed the insides of her cheek
batted his eyes
angled her head
tousled his hair
nodded in agreement
feigned confusion
Negative:
clenched his fist
dug her nails into her palm
picked at his nails
glared
narrowed her gaze
withheld his anger
his head pounded with anger
You can mix and match, using a dialogue and an action tag as well. Example: Dialogue, Action.
“I don’t think I can,” she stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Updated 9th September 2024 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes
Facial Expressions
Masking Emotions
Smiles/Smirks/Grins
Eye Contact/Eye Movements
Blushing
Voice/Tone
Body Language/Idle Movement
Thoughts/Thinking/Focusing/Distracted
Silence
Memories
Happy/Content/Comforted
Love/Romance
Sadness/Crying/Hurt
Confidence/Determination/Hopeful
Surprised/Shocked
Guilt/Regret
Disgusted/Jealous
Uncertain/Doubtful/Worried
Anger/Rage
Laughter
Confused
Speechless/Tongue Tied
Fear/Terrified
Mental Pain
Physical Pain
Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted
Eating
Drinking
Warm/Hot
Signs a Character Is Falling in Love
ෆ They Start Noticing the Small Things: The way the other person laughs. How they stir their coffee. The exact shape of their handwriting.
ෆ Hyper-Awareness of Touch. A brush of fingers becomes a full-body event. They replay it later. On loop.
ෆ They Look for Them First in a Room. Just a glance. A check. Not because they care. Obviously.
ෆ Jealousy They Can’t Explain. A spike of irritation when someone else makes them laugh. What’s that about? They don’t want to know.
ෆ Their Defenses Go Weird. More sarcasm. More teasing. Or less of everything. Silence, suddenly.
ෆ Uncharacteristic Generosity. Lending a book. Making a playlist. Bringing coffee “just because.” They’re not in love. They’re just nice.
ෆ They Get Irritated by Their Own Reactions. Why do they care so much? Why are they thinking about this? Why won’t it stop?
ෆ They Start Mirroring. Their speech patterns shift. Their posture echoes the other person. It’s subconscious. It’s terrifying.
ෆ They Avoid Eye Contact More Than Usual. Because they’re afraid if they look too long, the truth will pour out.
ෆ They Rehearse Conversations in Their Head. Over and over, what they could say, what they wish they said. They’re not in love. Nope. Definitely not.
╰ Behavioral Red Flags
They assume the worst intentions in themselves, even when they act out of love. They brought you coffee? Probably just guilt. They helped you move? Must be manipulating you so you "owe" them later. (They just care. But they can't believe that's true.)
They over-apologize for existing. You bump into them and somehow they’re the ones apologizing, looking like they've personally inconvenienced your entire bloodline.
They self-monitor everything. Every joke they make. Every word they say. Every look they give. Constant little glances at people's faces, desperate for signs that they’ve messed up again.
They let people treat them badly because they think they deserve it. Rudeness? Sure. Being overlooked? Of course. Public humiliation? Absolutely par for the course. Standing up for themselves feels wrong, like a thief demanding a refund.
They preemptively distance themselves when things get good. Got a close friendship brewing? Time to pull away before they find out I'm terrible. New romance? Better end it now before they hate me.
They assume jokes about "bad people" are secretly about them. "You know those selfish jerks who never change?" someone says. Their inner monologue: That’s me. They mean me.
They play up their flaws. Self-deprecating humor, but not cute self-roasting, deep, almost aggressive, like they’re trying to hand you the knife before you even think about stabbing.
They struggle to accept forgiveness. Apologizing feels natural. Being forgiven feels alien. Like wearing shoes on the wrong feet.
╰ Thought Patterns That Wreck Them
"Even when I try to do the right thing, I mess it up." Trying doesn't absolve them. Trying just delays the inevitable hurt they’ll cause someone else."People are nice to me because they don't know who I really am." Kindness isn't acceptance to them — it's a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode when the "truth" comes out.
"If someone is angry at me, they must be right." They don't even question it. Anger directed at them must be justified. They deserve it.
"If I succeed, it's by accident. If I fail, it's because I suck." Zero credit for wins. Full credit for losses. The math of their self-esteem is so rigged it should be illegal.
"If I ask for help, I'm manipulating people." Needing something feels like emotional blackmail in their mind. Better to suffer in silence than risk "forcing" someone to care.
╰ The Tiny Physical Tells
Laughing after their own serious statements, as if to soften the blow of speaking honestly.
Keeping their hands visible when talking (subconscious "I'm not a threat" behavior).
Flinching when someone raises their voice, even if it’s not directed at them.
Making themselves physically smaller—shoulders hunched, arms crossed, shrinking into themselves like they can disappear if they just try hard enough.
Dropping eye contact when complimented.
Holding their breath without realizing it when waiting for someone's reaction.
╰The Relationships They Gravitate Toward (And Why):
Fixer-Upper Friendships: They think they have to earn affection by being useful, by helping, by being "the strong one."
Unbalanced Dynamics: They let people use them because "at least I'm being helpful, even if they don't actually care about me."
Romantic Partners Who Validate Their Worst Fears: They often fall for people who treat them like they’re a burden—because it matches the script in their head.
Or... Relationships That Terrify Them: Because if someone genuinely loves them, they’re always waiting for the moment that person "wakes up" and sees the "monster" they believe themselves to be.
╰ How They Might Heal (If They’re Lucky)
(And if the author isn’t an emotional sadist. 👀)
A relationship where mistakes are allowed, not punished.
Someone calling them out, not for being bad, but for being unkind to themselves.
Tiny acts of trust that stick over time, slowly poisoning the idea that they’re inherently toxic.
Learning that being flawed and being villainous are not the same damn thing.
Being told, over and over, "You don't have to earn love by being perfect."
Can you do some more body language descriptions? For different emotions like Worry, sadness, love, etc!! Ty🩷🩷
Body Language Descriptions
-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.
She wrung her hands together, her fingers twisting nervously as she struggled to keep her thoughts in check.
He glanced over his shoulder, his gaze darting anxiously around the room.
She pulled at her sleeve, the movement repetitive and absentminded as her mind raced.
He bit the inside of his cheek, a habit that betrayed his inner turmoil.
They hugged their arms tightly across their chest, as if trying to hold themselves together.
She paced the room, her steps quick and uneven as she tried to shake off the nagging sense of dread.
She wiped at her eyes, even though no tears had fallen yet.
He let his shoulders sag, his whole body slumping as if the weight of the world rested on him.
She clutched her scarf tightly, her fingers gripping the fabric like it was the only thing grounding her.
He kept his head low, staring at the ground as if afraid to meet anyone’s eyes.
They let out a shaky exhale, the sound heavy with unspoken grief.
She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile soft and shy as she met his gaze.
He brushed her hand lightly, the touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
They leaned closer, their knees nearly touching, as if drawn together by an invisible force.
She tilted her head slightly, her expression tender and full of quiet affection.
He laughed easily, the sound warm and unguarded, his gaze never leaving her face.
She reached out to fix his collar, her fingers lingering as she adjusted it carefully.
He avoided her eyes, his gaze fixed firmly on the floor.
She rubbed her temples, her hands trembling.
He shifted his weight from foot to foot, unable to stay still.
She clasped her hands tightly behind her back, her knuckles white as she fought to remain composed.
They bit their lower lip, their jaw tightening.
He fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve, his movements jerky and hesitant.
She took a step back, her breath quickening as her eyes darted to the nearest exit.
He clenched the fabric of his shirt over his chest, as if trying to steady his pounding heart.
She froze in place, her body stiff and her movements tentative, like a deer caught in headlights.
He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing visibly as he fought to calm himself.
They pressed their back against the wall, their hands splayed out.
She whispered under her breath, her words shaky and barely audible.
He crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw tightening as his gaze followed her every move.
She tapped her foot impatiently, the rhythm sharp and irritated as she forced a smile.
He clenched his fists at his sides, the tension in his knuckles betraying his calm demeanor.
She cast a sideways glance, her lips pressed into a thin line.
They shifted in their seat, their shoulders stiff.
He ran his fingers through his hair, his movements brisk and frustrated as he fought to contain his thoughts.
She exhaled deeply, her shoulders dropping as the tension melted away.
He ran a hand down his face, his smile faint but unmistakably genuine.
She laughed shakily, her hand pressed to her chest as if trying to steady her racing heart.
He slumped against the nearest chair, his legs suddenly too weak to hold him up.
They let their head fall back, their eyes closing as a soft, contented sigh escaped their lips.
She smiled faintly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the surface of the table as the weight lifted from her mind.
She tugged at the collar of her shirt, her cheeks flushing as she avoided everyone’s gaze.
He rubbed the back of his neck, his lips twitching into an awkward, forced smile.
She bit her lip, her hands fluttering nervously.
He let out a strained laugh, scratching the side of his head.
They hid their face in their hands, peeking out between their fingers with a sheepish grin.
She stumbled over her words, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt as her cheeks burned bright red.
Instead of openly sharing their emotions with others, they keep their feelings locked inside, letting their inner thoughts do all the talking. You get a glimpse into their mind, where a storm of conflicts, doubts, and desires brews quietly beneath a calm exterior. This internal monologue allows readers to understand what’s going on inside their head, even if they don’t show it on the outside. It’s like seeing the world through their eyes, where every little thing stirs up a wave of emotions that they never express out loud.
For these characters, actions speak louder than words, but even their actions are restrained. They communicate their emotions through the smallest of gestures—a slight tightening of the jaw when they’re angry or hurt, a brief flicker in their eyes when they’re surprised, or a controlled change in posture when something makes them uncomfortable. These tiny, almost imperceptible movements can say so much more than an outburst ever could, hinting at feelings they would never openly share. It’s about what they don’t do as much as what they do.
When they do speak, every word is carefully chosen. Emotionally reserved characters don’t ramble or spill their feelings in a flood of words. Instead, they speak in a measured and controlled manner, always keeping their emotions in check. Their sentences are concise, sometimes even vague or indirect, leaving others guessing about what they’re really thinking. It’s not that they don’t feel deeply, they just prefer to keep those feelings close to the chest, hidden behind a mask of calm and composure.
For these characters, what they do is often more telling than what they say. They might not say “I care about you” outright, but you’ll see it in the way they go out of their way to help, the quiet ways they show up for the people they love. Their actions reveal their emotions—whether it’s a protective gesture, a silent sacrifice, or a kind deed done without expectation of recognition. It’s these unspoken acts of kindness that show their true feelings, even if they never say them out loud.
They often have strong personal boundaries. They keep their private lives just that - private. They don’t open up easily and are cautious about who they let into their inner circle. They might deflect conversations away from themselves or avoid sharing personal details altogether. It’s not that they don’t want to connect, it’s just that they find it hard to lower their walls and let others in, fearing vulnerability or judgment.
When they do show vulnerability, it’s in small, controlled doses. These characters may have moments where they let their guard down, but only in private or with someone they deeply trust.
Sometimes, emotionally reserved characters express their feelings through objects that hold special significance to them. Maybe it’s a worn-out book they keep close, a piece of jewelry they never take off, or an old letter tucked away in a drawer. These symbolic objects are like anchors, holding memories and emotions they can’t express in words. They serve as tangible reminders of their inner world, representing feelings they keep buried deep inside.
When these characters communicate, there’s often more to their words than meets the eye. They speak in subtext, using irony, implication, or ambiguity to convey what they really mean without saying it outright. Their conversations are filled with hidden meanings and unspoken truths, creating layers of depth in their interactions with others. You have to read between the lines to understand what they’re really saying because what they leave unsaid is just as important as what they do say.
Despite their calm demeanor, there are certain things that can break through their emotional reserve. Specific triggers - like a painful memory, a deep-seated fear, or a personal loss - can elicit a strong emotional response, revealing the depth of their feelings. These moments of intensity are rare but powerful, showing that even the most reserved characters have a breaking point.
Over time, emotionally reserved characters can evolve, gradually revealing more about themselves as they grow and change. Maybe they start to trust more, opening up to those around them, or perhaps they experience something that challenges their emotional barriers, forcing them to confront their feelings head-on.