Today, we’re diving deep into the world of excitement – a state that often plays a major role in prose. Describing excited people can create a compelling and dynamic atmosphere in our stories, but sometimes it can be a challenge to authentically portray all the different facets of this state.
In this post, we’ll look at the physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive signs of agitation. We will learn how to bring the characters in our stories to life by vividly describing their nervous movements, their exuberant thoughts, their intense emotions, and their racing minds.
From fluttering hearts to sweaty palms to restless thoughts and a storm of emotions, we’ll explore together how to use these characteristics of excitement to engage our readers and make them feel like they’re right in the middle of the action.
Whether it’s a thrilling car chase, a nail-biting romantic encounter, or the defining moment of a competition, the ability to put excitement into words is a valuable tool in any writer’s toolbox.
Physical signs of excitement:
- Increased heart rate and accelerated breathing.
- Increased blood pressure
- Muscle tension and tremors
- Sweating and increased body temperature
- Faster digestion or gastrointestinal distress
- dilated pupils
- Dry mouth
Mental signs of agitation:
- Faster thinking and increased alertness
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- Easy distractibility
- Excessive thinking or ruminating
- Increased thinking ahead or worrying about future events
Emotional signs of agitation:
- Feelings of tension, nervousness, or restlessness
- Excitement or enthusiasm
- Anxiety or tension
- Happiness or euphoria
- Irritability or irritability
- Impatience or restlessness
Cognitive signs of excitement:
- Quick thinking and rapid thought processes
- Lack of creativity and flow of ideas
- Difficulty making decisions
- Excessive thoughts or worries
- Changes in memory, such as increased recall of exciting events or impaired recall of details due to increased arousal
Example:
An example from the rough draft of my new novel with the working title: EATS – Emma’s Way
Emma felt a wave of excitement pulsing through her body as she entered the room where the hundred other hopeful women had gathered. Her heart beat wildly in her chest while her hands trembled slightly. The mixture of nervousness and anticipation created an electrifying tension that permeated her entire body.
Her mind was on overdrive and thoughts were shooting through her consciousness like firecrackers. The excited conversations of the other contestants blurred into a background hum as Emma focused on her upcoming performance in front of the judges. A cascade of worries and doubts tried to overwhelm her mind, but she fought them off resolutely. Now was not the time for self-doubt. It was the time to bring her skills and talent to the forefront.
Emma’s emotions were a storm of hope and fear that ignited within her. A fluttering in her stomach and a tingling on her skin intensified the feeling of excitement. Every glance she caught of the other women revealed similar feelings – a kaleidoscope of expectations and dreams gathered in that room.
As she felt the judges’ gazes on her, her eyes reflected both determination and vulnerability. She wanted to take this chance to show her talent and touch the hearts of the jury. But at the same time, she felt the butterflies inside her fluttering and taking her breath away uncertainly.
In the midst of the exciting hustle and bustle, Emma found a hint of confidence. She knew she was not alone in her pursuit of success. The energy of the room, the collective desire for fulfillment and recognition, united them all in that moment. And as she prepared for her first performance, her determination to overcome her fears and bring her passion to the stage grew.
It was a dance between uncertainty and determination that propelled Emma and sent her emotions whirling through her veins like a whirlwind. She was ready to take on the challenge and make her dreams come true.
