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Indie Author Resource #1
Character Reactions from Head to Toe
As an author, are your characters always sighing and nodding?
Did you just sigh and nod?
If so, this book is for you!
Jam-packed with 1,000 physical reactions a character can have, organized by body part from head to toe to internal organs, you'll never be left scratching your head when you need a unique way to describe your character's reactions!
Did you just sigh and nod?
If so, this book is for you!
Jam-packed with 1,000 physical reactions a character can have, organized by body part from head to toe to internal organs, you'll never be left scratching your head when you need a unique way to describe your character's reactions!
92 pages, ebook
Published June 7, 2019
1498 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Howard
45 books124 followersValerie Howard
Contemporary Women's Christian Fiction
"Real women. Tough issues. Powerful God."
Valerie's goal in writing is to bring people closer to Jesus one chapter at a time.
Valerie has been writing stories since she was in second grade when she wrote "The Mystery of the Missing Crayon." She gave up writing mysteries soon after and now concentrates on real-life stories that tackle tough issues such as homelessness, unplanned pregnancy, family tragedy, childhood trauma, foster care, poverty, and terminal cancer. All of her books are filled with the hope and love of Christ and are uplifting and feel-good with happy, though sometimes tearful, endings as her characters overcome their obstacles with God at their side. She also writes biblical non-fiction, indie author non-fiction, children's books, allegorical fiction, and small church Christmas plays. (She's a little obsessed with writing.)
Valerie is a fan of summer, warmth, and flip-flips, so she often wonders why she lives in Maine where she is frozen for the better half of the year. But her amazing husband and adorable sons live there with her, so it's not all bad. She graduated from Bible College with a degree in Bible and Missions a long, long time ago in a state far, far away.
Contemporary Women's Christian Fiction
"Real women. Tough issues. Powerful God."
Valerie's goal in writing is to bring people closer to Jesus one chapter at a time.
Valerie has been writing stories since she was in second grade when she wrote "The Mystery of the Missing Crayon." She gave up writing mysteries soon after and now concentrates on real-life stories that tackle tough issues such as homelessness, unplanned pregnancy, family tragedy, childhood trauma, foster care, poverty, and terminal cancer. All of her books are filled with the hope and love of Christ and are uplifting and feel-good with happy, though sometimes tearful, endings as her characters overcome their obstacles with God at their side. She also writes biblical non-fiction, indie author non-fiction, children's books, allegorical fiction, and small church Christmas plays. (She's a little obsessed with writing.)
Valerie is a fan of summer, warmth, and flip-flips, so she often wonders why she lives in Maine where she is frozen for the better half of the year. But her amazing husband and adorable sons live there with her, so it's not all bad. She graduated from Bible College with a degree in Bible and Missions a long, long time ago in a state far, far away.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 28, 2020
Useful to read through before writing, but not very helpful to use as a quick reference book while writing.
May 23, 2019
I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this upcoming release. I'm an editor, and, in my opinion, if you're a writer, you need to check out this book!
As an editor and reviewer, I read A LOT of books (traditionally and indie published). On more occasions than I can count, I come across stories where the characters do the same thing multiple times during the book or series (way beyond the action being a character trait). Readers want variety (and so do editors and reviewers)! Howard's latest will help writers give the readers what they want.
The book is divided by body part (such as shoulders, lips, cheeks, arms, feet, skin, muscles, and bones) vs. emotions. However, some emotion tags are provided, as well. The writer can easily flip (or click, as I read an electronic copy) through the book to mix and match reactions. The author even includes a link where the reader can download a printable PDF checklist to be sure that things are spread out and varied in their story.
This book would be useful for writers of all levels.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
As an editor and reviewer, I read A LOT of books (traditionally and indie published). On more occasions than I can count, I come across stories where the characters do the same thing multiple times during the book or series (way beyond the action being a character trait). Readers want variety (and so do editors and reviewers)! Howard's latest will help writers give the readers what they want.
The book is divided by body part (such as shoulders, lips, cheeks, arms, feet, skin, muscles, and bones) vs. emotions. However, some emotion tags are provided, as well. The writer can easily flip (or click, as I read an electronic copy) through the book to mix and match reactions. The author even includes a link where the reader can download a printable PDF checklist to be sure that things are spread out and varied in their story.
This book would be useful for writers of all levels.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
February 26, 2022
It took me just 20 minutes to read this “book”. The thing is, as the title also suggests it’s just a list of a 1000 different character reactions to help writers avoid getting stuck using the same ones over and over again. And this is the three reasons I’m so glad I bought this book:
1) It was cheap so no reason to get annoyed by the fast read.
2) All the times I said “Oh, I’m already using that one” telling me maybe the body language in my book is not that bad after all.
3) All the times I said “Oh, I’m gonna use that one” making the body language in my book better still.
Now I’m gonna read it again to figure out which ones I will use in my book and how to make them my own. And unfortunately for me, I also need to figure out if it still makes sense after being translated to danish. I wish we could get books like this in danish as well but no such luck.
1) It was cheap so no reason to get annoyed by the fast read.
2) All the times I said “Oh, I’m already using that one” telling me maybe the body language in my book is not that bad after all.
3) All the times I said “Oh, I’m gonna use that one” making the body language in my book better still.
Now I’m gonna read it again to figure out which ones I will use in my book and how to make them my own. And unfortunately for me, I also need to figure out if it still makes sense after being translated to danish. I wish we could get books like this in danish as well but no such luck.
Read
March 1, 2023The book I'd been lamenting about, wishing it existed...that had been sitting on my Kindle for months. Glad I stumbled upon it in my library and read through it. It's a quick read that I'll definitely use for reference, which is certainly what I feel and believe it is meant for, but I wanted to familiarize myself with the content first. It quite literally is a book of 1000 reactions. I think all fiction authors could benefit from having this.
February 18, 2022
A helpful guide to writing about reactions in a more interesting way! Looking forward to glancing over this list again.
June 14, 2019
Someone on one of the groups I'm in on a social media site suggested this book. It's only 90 pages yet it has earned a coveted place on my shelf of writer's research materials.
This isn't a book you read, instead it's a reference book. You'll soon keep it close to where you create or edit your manuscript.
Each character reaction is listed according to the body part you're interested in. A unique thing the author did was to include underlined blank lines after the group so you can add notes.
Excellent resource to fire up the creative juices and spice up your manuscript.
This isn't a book you read, instead it's a reference book. You'll soon keep it close to where you create or edit your manuscript.
Each character reaction is listed according to the body part you're interested in. A unique thing the author did was to include underlined blank lines after the group so you can add notes.
Excellent resource to fire up the creative juices and spice up your manuscript.
July 1, 2020
This is a nice resource for writers who are looking for something quick so that they don't have to keep using the same reactions over and over.
I like this one especially as there is room for the person to add their own reactions in the sections so if you're reading and find one you want to remember, you can write it down.
I like this one especially as there is room for the person to add their own reactions in the sections so if you're reading and find one you want to remember, you can write it down.
Read
July 8, 2023I would have found this more useful if it was indeed "character reactions" and not a list of 1,000 ways the body can move. Having the action tied to a specific emotion would be helpful, but I suppose that is what our imaginations are for! 🙂
June 7, 2019
Nice listing of reactions and movements
Nice list of bodily actions and reactions. It will be helpful for varying what my characters do.
It will be very helpful.
Nice list of bodily actions and reactions. It will be helpful for varying what my characters do.
It will be very helpful.
June 12, 2021
This was a handy little book, although I do think that it’s more helpful to read before writing rather than to reference while writing. Most of the reactions are fairly common for characters in books today, in my opinion, although I did find some good, unique ones to keep in mind for my writing.
Content: none of the reactions listed are horrible or terribly inappropriate, but some lean in that direction (some slightly suggestive actions, a certain finger motion, some actions that hint at self-harm)
Content: none of the reactions listed are horrible or terribly inappropriate, but some lean in that direction (some slightly suggestive actions, a certain finger motion, some actions that hint at self-harm)
September 1, 2025
Helpful resource for writing !
I picked this up as something to help me in writing (character behaviors, actions, expressions, etc.) and found it to be a good resource that also gave me ideas.
I picked this up as something to help me in writing (character behaviors, actions, expressions, etc.) and found it to be a good resource that also gave me ideas.
June 20, 2019
Some I thought were unnecessary but I liked and enjoyed this and I think it's very helpful
March 20, 2020
Not what I expected but not bad either
A sprinkling of helpful ideas mixed with some I didn’t know what to do with. Will work fine as a quick reference guide.
A sprinkling of helpful ideas mixed with some I didn’t know what to do with. Will work fine as a quick reference guide.
September 8, 2020
Perfect for finding the right word...part of my writing musts...
June 27, 2021
Helpful but wanted more
August 26, 2019
A wonderful resource for writers! She breaks down reactions by various body parts and offers blank lines for you to add more. Short, to the point and no extra fluff. Perfect!
June 11, 2019
The best book of its kind! Every writer needs this!
The best book of its kind. Every writer needs this! Highly recommended. I've checked out most of the books in this category, and this one always stands out!
The best book of its kind. Every writer needs this! Highly recommended. I've checked out most of the books in this category, and this one always stands out!
August 23, 2021
1000 Character Reactions from Head to Toe by Valerie Howard is simply a list of potential physical reactions organized by body part. I'm glad that this was free in Kindle Unlimited because I would have felt cheated if I purchased it. This book could be useful if it were organized by emotion, but the way it's currently set up is impractical and inadequate.
If you're looking for a great resource for character reactions, I recommend The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi. It's useful, well organized, and each emotion included has a list with physical signals/behaviors, internal sensations, mental responses, acute or long-term responses, and signs of the emotion being repressed.
If you're looking for a great resource for character reactions, I recommend The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi. It's useful, well organized, and each emotion included has a list with physical signals/behaviors, internal sensations, mental responses, acute or long-term responses, and signs of the emotion being repressed.
October 17, 2019
Writing character gestures is my main struggle when writing. Any author who can list more than ten, has my respect and appreciation. Thank you. I one-clicked this baby, so it will forever have a home in my kindle library. Plus, it will be easier to access when I nee it instead of downloading, and deleting. :)
May 5, 2021
Too many clichés
All the descriptions are very bland and used so many times. Half of these I've read most of these in books I've already read while the other are just ridiculous. I was hoping to be inspired by this book and wasn't. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
All the descriptions are very bland and used so many times. Half of these I've read most of these in books I've already read while the other are just ridiculous. I was hoping to be inspired by this book and wasn't. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
December 9, 2023
not very creative
I was hoping the phrases offered in this book would be at least a little creative, but they are very basic.
I was hoping the phrases offered in this book would be at least a little creative, but they are very basic.
February 8, 2022
Great!
I gave this book a 5-star review, because of it being so easy to read. It enumerates, (quite un-fetteredly, I might add) - each body part and what those body parts are capable of saying, in terms of communication without words. It has been said that body gestures communicate 80% of what a person may be trying to say. Verbal plays only a small part in communication. I especially loved how each one of these body parts described, really was true to life. It was very clear to me that the author studied long and hard, to come up with the perfection that is in this book, in terms of describing exactly how people communicate without words. I would recommend this book to anyone who writes fiction, to perhaps give the characters more of a chance at better expression.
I gave this book a 5-star review, because of it being so easy to read. It enumerates, (quite un-fetteredly, I might add) - each body part and what those body parts are capable of saying, in terms of communication without words. It has been said that body gestures communicate 80% of what a person may be trying to say. Verbal plays only a small part in communication. I especially loved how each one of these body parts described, really was true to life. It was very clear to me that the author studied long and hard, to come up with the perfection that is in this book, in terms of describing exactly how people communicate without words. I would recommend this book to anyone who writes fiction, to perhaps give the characters more of a chance at better expression.
October 1, 2019
A Great Asset To Any Writer’s Library
I’ve seen a few other books like this but if you’ll pardon my cliche, this is hands down the best one I’ve come across. Very helpful and the suggestions are given in a way that makes it easy to blend them into your own writing style and voice. It is going to be a book I keep next to me when I write for reference.
It’s so important when you write to show the reader as much as possible instead of telling the reader what is going on. I tend to get stuck on certain phrases or expressions without realizing it. This helps immensely.
I recommend this to any serious writer and to anyone who wants to improve their writing skills.
I’ve seen a few other books like this but if you’ll pardon my cliche, this is hands down the best one I’ve come across. Very helpful and the suggestions are given in a way that makes it easy to blend them into your own writing style and voice. It is going to be a book I keep next to me when I write for reference.
It’s so important when you write to show the reader as much as possible instead of telling the reader what is going on. I tend to get stuck on certain phrases or expressions without realizing it. This helps immensely.
I recommend this to any serious writer and to anyone who wants to improve their writing skills.
May 16, 2024
This is a list of physical character reactions, organized (bafflingly) by body part and not by emotion. For example, under "ear" we have some items like this:
- ears ringing
- ears burning
- ears freezing
- covering ears
- hearing everything as if under water
- ears picking up an out-of-place sound
- pressing ear to a door to hear more closely
A lot of these items are clichés. Some of them are actions, some are reactions, and some of them are just figures of speech. Strangest of all, none of them are "linked" to a specific emotion. Unfortunately, this is a largely useless reference and I doubt I'll ever reach for it.
- ears ringing
- ears burning
- ears freezing
- covering ears
- hearing everything as if under water
- ears picking up an out-of-place sound
- pressing ear to a door to hear more closely
A lot of these items are clichés. Some of them are actions, some are reactions, and some of them are just figures of speech. Strangest of all, none of them are "linked" to a specific emotion. Unfortunately, this is a largely useless reference and I doubt I'll ever reach for it.
February 15, 2022
This book is a quick read but definitely worth the $5 it costs new on Amazon. The book definitely looks self-published from the interior design to the simple cover and the (somewhat annoying) lines set aside for you to enter your own character reactions. But personally, the reactions it includes (organized by part of body) are worth it for the help they’ll provide my current WIP and novels to come. I would have liked to see more actions (especially ones I wasn’t already using/didn’t already think of myself) but what it did have was great. Get yourself a copy!!!
May 9, 2020
Great reference guide
This is a quick and easy to use reference tool any writer can use to up their game.
This guide may also be good for those running Table Top RPGs and actors looking for lists of behaviors to mimic.
While not absolutely exhaustive this resource provides an excellent list to get those creative juices flowing and turn dull scenes into vibrant loving ones. 10/10 will reference forever.
This is a quick and easy to use reference tool any writer can use to up their game.
This guide may also be good for those running Table Top RPGs and actors looking for lists of behaviors to mimic.
While not absolutely exhaustive this resource provides an excellent list to get those creative juices flowing and turn dull scenes into vibrant loving ones. 10/10 will reference forever.
September 11, 2021
This book has a straight forward list on how a persons body reacts or is used. The lists are split by body parts, not emotions. Many of which I knew because of my extensive reading habits. But some I do tend to forget when I myself am thinking and it would be a decent reference book for the basics. I was hoping for a more extensive list, with unique options and examples, but like I said its pretty straight forward.
November 23, 2021
A brief and useful reference to improve your writing. It's basically a list that you can refer to, no waffle or filler. I was guilty of using nodding and shrugging more than I should, so this has been helpful with finding other ways to describe a character's reactions. I got it as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I load it on my PC in Kindle Previewer so I can refer to it when writing.
June 7, 2019
Useful, but could be more comprehensive
I think the information in here is useful, but it could be more comprehensive. The book is divided into sections by body part and each section has a list of actions. Some of these have an emotion attached and others don't, so you need to have experienced it to know why you would make your character do it.
I think the information in here is useful, but it could be more comprehensive. The book is divided into sections by body part and each section has a list of actions. Some of these have an emotion attached and others don't, so you need to have experienced it to know why you would make your character do it.
March 28, 2020
Not what I expected from this book
Just phrases thrown together and not particularly helpful
I expected a bit more than just sentences
I would have expected the author to have woven the phrases together in a more text based conversational way and explain how the phrases could be used differently in different contexts
Just phrases thrown together and not particularly helpful
I expected a bit more than just sentences
I would have expected the author to have woven the phrases together in a more text based conversational way and explain how the phrases could be used differently in different contexts
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews