How do emotions develop? How do they feel? What happens to our bodies? How do we recognize them in others? How do other authors describe them? Here is an overview of all the emotions we have dealt with in the manther blog so far—with links to the respective articles, of course.
Most women learn early on to cover their bodies. Not because they feel the need to, but because they are taught to feel shame. Certain parts of the body are considered private, others public, and early on, an inner control mechanism develops that monitors which skin is “still acceptable” and which is already considered a … Continue reading The inner world of exposure – Why female nudity tells us so much in stories
Shame is not just an emotion; it is a system. It is learned, enforced, and mapped onto the body. It defines what may be shown and what must be hidden. In the history of female sexuality, shame is the invisible architecture that shapes posture, voice, breath. When you feel shame, you don’t only shrink inward; … Continue reading Utopias of Desire – What If Shame Did Not Exist?
Erotic dissociation describes a complex feeling. Pleasure and fear are intensely mixed. The body reacts with arousal. At the same time, the mind signals danger. This phenomenon fascinates many authors. It often arises in intimate moments. The psyche splits. One part enjoys the touch. The other part fears the consequences. Such experiences are real. They … Continue reading Erotic dissociation – When pleasure and fear are felt simultaneously
Empathy begins in the body Some emotions we don’t just read — we feel them. Shame is one of them.When a character loses control for even a second, readers experience a strange echo: their own heartbeat quickens, their skin warms, their breath catches. This is not just imagination; it’s mirror-neuron empathy.Embarrassment makes readers physically react. … Continue reading Why Embarrassing Moments Captivate Readers
The body reveals what words conceal Shame is one of the strongest emotions you can bring to a scene. It burns hotter than anger and freezes faster than fear. Shame is not a thought — it’s a physical event: the sudden flush, the racing pulse, the dry throat. Only later comes the thought: What have … Continue reading Shame as a Driving Force – How Embarrassment Makes Characters Grow
Erotic literature does not only live from shame or taboo, but also from the moment of triumph. This moment emerges when a character overcomes inhibitions and embraces their body and desire. Often it is small gestures that precede great inner liberation. When Shame Turns into Strength Imagine a student standing naked before her partner for … Continue reading Triumph in Erotic Literature
Why Confusion Creates Tension In erotic stories, confusion is never just a side effect. It often drives the plot forward. A character who feels shame doesn’t always know whether to run away or to stay. Someone who suddenly finds themselves naked in front of others feels heat, insecurity, and at the same time a strange … Continue reading Confusion in ENF: When Feelings Start to Stumble
Why Rebellion Is So Closely Linked to Sexuality When young adults begin shaping their own lives, sexuality almost always plays a central role. The first great love, testing the limits of the body, deliberately crossing moral lines – all of this is rebellion. It is defiance against parents, traditions, and what is considered “decent.” In … Continue reading Rebellion and Sexuality in New Adult Fiction
Erotic literature often dwells on desire, shame, or lust. Yet one feeling tends to remain in the background: awe. It is that blend of astonishment, respect, and inner trembling that makes the breath catch and the body feel both small and receptive. In erotic scenes, awe can be powerful, because it frames beauty, vulnerability, and … Continue reading Awe in Erotic Literature: The underestimated feeling
Self-doubt manifests not only as thoughts but creates a complex interplay of physical and mental responses. In New Adult fiction, we can utilize these multifaceted symptoms to give our characters authentic depth and resonance. The Externally Visible Signs Body language often reveals more than words. During acute self-doubt, we observe typical behaviors: arms crossing to … Continue reading Self-Doubt in New Adult Fiction: The Physiology of Uncertainty
