I need some more ideas for ways to convey how the characters are feeling/thinking during a verbal fight. One character is quite dominant. Both women. They don't fist-fight, but they're tempted. Well, the dominant one is.
Words I have but feel tired of: stormed, steamed, simmered.
Fists balled at her sides Knuckles white Clench/unclenches her hands Face white
What are some other ways to characterize emotions during a heated conflict? I feel like I'm stuck in a rut.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I should think what they say, and the way they say it will do the most to convey their emotions. Unless, like a parent and child, they really care deeply for each other, but they are also spiteful. That should also be conveyed through the dialogue, huh?
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
Sarcasm during a battle is a good tool... Spiderman is famous for bantering with his foes and lobbing off some pretty good insults.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Gritted teeth. (Also talking through gritted teeth.)
How about stuttering over their words? I'd see a decline in the ability to express one's self as an indicator of powerful emotion. (I've never bought into the "witty while fighting" syndrome---it seems as much utter nonsense as the couple that go straight from passionately arguing into passionately making out.)
Posted by DebbieKW (Member # 5058) on :
The dominate one might act out her anger by pounding her fist against a table. Angry people tend to glare at each other. Narrowed eyes can show anger. Depending on the nature of the fight, rude gestures might indicate anger. Thrown items. Okay, okay, more subtle! If it's more internal, maybe letting one of them have a letter or piece of grass in their hands and have her slowly shred it. Yanking on her own (very long) hair to keep from saying something she might regret. Or yanking on the other's hair...but that would led to a physical fight. I'd better stop before people start laughing at some of the ideas I'm coming up with.
[This message has been edited by DebbieKW (edited June 16, 2007).]
Posted by Wolfe_boy (Member # 5456) on :
Good way to research this topic.... Go start a fight with your husband/wife/significant other/mother and pay attention to how you act.
Gritted teeth, firm set lips, narrow eyes, explosive gestures, deep breathing, flexed shoulders, getting in each others face, bellowing, shouting, shaking hands, blood pounding, tasting adrenaline in your mouth... there's a vast world of words to describe anger.
Jayson Merryfield
Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :
I've always been fond of "skinning your teeth" or "their" teeth, to describe a forced smile or in context a toothy grimace.
I don't see it alot but find it effective.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
A bit gross, but I like the flying saliva trick to indicate anger during a fight.
Posted by Matt Lust (Member # 3031) on :
It depends also on person to person. Some people when truly "angry" not simply annoyed/frustrated but really pissed do in fact get veins on the forehead or flex the jaw so hard the jugular and trachea emerge from the neck.
Other people have ice water in their veins and instead of being exothermic venters they become endothermic plotters, essentially becoming more and more "cold" as the confrontation progresses.
Posted by Matt Lust (Member # 3031) on :
I guess what i meant to say is what type of angry person is your dominant woman?
That would determine the adjectives used to deepen the character.
Posted by debhoag (Member # 5493) on :
most people cycle through fight and flight. adrenalin is up, they are racing in place if the fight stays verbal and there is no outlet for their aggression. Blood flows to the large muscles for defense and away from the digestive system. Breath gets heavier, drawing in extra oxygen to supply the muscles whatever is needed. alternate white face with red face/flushing, mottled skin. Acrid smell of fear or rage. Twitching muscles, hair standing up, rigid muscles/control, strain of holding back, jerky muscle movement.
Thrown items. Okay, okay, more subtle! If it's more internal, maybe letting one of them have a letter or piece of grass in their hands and have her slowly shred it. Yanking on her own (very long) hair to keep from saying something she might regret. Or yanking on the other's hair...but that would led to a physical fight. I'd better stop before people start laughing at some of the ideas I'm coming up with. 
