Tag: ShowDontTell

Craft Edge—Emotional Beats in Holiday Scenes: Using the Emotion Thesaurus

CRAFT EDGE - SATURDAYS
Welcome to Craft Edge, my Saturday focus on fiction writing craft. Here you'll find deep dives into writing techniques using One Stop for Writers and Fictionary resources. Whether you're developing characters or structuring scenes, Craft Edge helps you master the tools of storytelling.

Holiday scenes can easily fall into cliché territory. Today, we’ll explore how to use One Stop for Writers’ Emotion Thesaurus to create authentic emotional moments in your seasonal scenes.

Common Holiday Scene Pitfalls

Before diving into solutions, let’s identify what makes holiday scenes feel flat:

  • Overused physical responses (tears of joy, racing hearts)
  • Predictable emotional patterns
  • Surface-level sentimentality
  • Lack of emotional complexity

Using the Emotion Thesaurus Effectively

The Emotion Thesaurus offers multiple categories for each emotion. Let’s explore them:

Physical Signals

Instead of common responses, consider:

  • Micro-expressions
  • Unconscious gestures
  • Physiological changes
  • Action tendencies

Internal Sensations

Layer emotion with:

  • Visceral responses
  • Body temperature changes
  • Muscle reactions
  • Nervous system responses

Mental Responses

Show thought patterns through:

  • Memory triggers
  • Focus shifts
  • Decision-making changes
  • Perception alterations

Complex Holiday Emotions

Let’s examine some holiday-specific emotional combinations:

Joy + Grief

Physical Signals:

  • Hands ghosting over old ornaments
  • Humming carols that break mid-note
  • Setting an extra place before catching yourself

Anticipation + Anxiety

Internal Sensations:

  • Stomach butterflies with acid edges
  • Tingling fingers that can’t quite steady
  • Heart skipping between excitement and dread

Love + Frustration

Mental Responses:

  • Counting breaths while wrapping imperfect gifts
  • Rehearsing responses to familiar criticisms
  • Finding humor in chaos to avoid explosion

Building Emotional Scenes

Structure your holiday scenes with emotional beats:

  1. Opening State
  • Establish baseline emotion
  • Show normal behaviors
  • Set emotional stakes
  1. Triggering Event
  • Create emotional catalyst
  • Show immediate reaction
  • Layer in complications
  1. Emotional Progression
  • Build through multiple responses
  • Mix emotional signals
  • Create emotional turning points
  1. Resolution
  • Show emotional impact
  • Leave room for resonance
  • Connect to character arc

Example Using the Thesaurus

Let’s transform a basic scene:

Before:
Sarah felt sad as she hung the ornaments on her first Christmas tree alone.

After:
Sarah’s fingers traced the rough edge where last year’s card still clung to the ornament. The glitter had worn away, just like everything else. She hung it anyway, adjusting it three times before letting go, her hand lingering as if the empty apartment might shake it loose.

Tips for Maximum Impact

  1. Mix emotional categories
  2. Layer responses over time
  3. Connect emotions to backstory
  4. Use setting to amplify feeling
  5. Allow emotional complexity

Moving Forward

The Emotion Thesaurus isn’t just a reference—it’s a tool for emotional authenticity. Use it to dig deeper into your holiday scenes, finding fresh ways to express timeless feelings.

Remember: The best holiday scenes don’t just show emotion—they make readers feel it.