Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 18
February 26, 2019
The new EMOTION THESAURUS can help you grip readers.
Emotion is really important in writing fiction; it powers characters and scenes, is at the heart of every story that matters, and is key to getting your readers to feel and to care about your characters. So writing emotion well is really important, and THE EMOTION THESAURUS can help you with that.
I loved THE EMOTION THESAURUS, first edition – but the second edition is even better. It has so many more emotions and so many more valuable tips on technique – 130 expanded entries in total. The first edition covered 75 emotion entries; this new edition covers 130 emotions (and the body language cues, thoughts, and physical responses), as well as connections between the emotions. If you’re a writer, this is a book you will want to have on your bookshelf or next to you while you edit.
For instance, in a new manuscript I’m working on I was in a scene where my character is panicking. I know how I feel when I panic, but I wanted to make sure that some of it not only matched, but also write the panic slightly differently for this character than another in the same book. Panic isn’t addressed in the first edition, so I was happy to see it was in the second edition. And I was even more happy to see that the body language I’d written for my panicking character not only fit, but also moved into terror, which I’d written intuitively.
On each spread for an emotion, Ackerman and Puglisi not only list the body language someone might show for that emotion, but also the internal sensations, mental responses, acute or long-term responses that might happen if you keep experiencing that emotion at that level, signs the emotion is being suppressed, and–one of the most useful sections–what that emotion may escalate to (panic to hysteria, paranoia, or terror) and the corresponding pages, or deescalate to (panic to anxiety, dread, fear, sadness, unease, and worry). The thesaurus works to make you think about the ways you react when you feel something, how your character might respond (some people suppress emotion, others express it easily), and add to what is there in the thesaurus, making it your own.
On every emotion spread there are short, helpful writer’s tips; for Panic, it was: “To dig deeper into a character, think about shame. What makes them feel this painful emotion? Drill down to important backstory to understand what happened, and then make them face their shame on the page.”
Want to delve more into the writing technique of using emotion? THE EMOTION THESAURUS has that, too. There are some great articles in the beginning of the book, including on how to use dialogue to write emotion; using subtext; additional ideas for brainstorming emotion; and of course how to use THE EMOTION THESAURUS.
THE EMOTION THESAURUS, 2nd edition, is a truly useful tool for writers, prompting us to think and write more deeply about emotion, and keep our readers reading. I already had the first edition, but I bought the second edition as soon as it came out. I think I write emotions well, but I always want to make my writing better, and be encouraged to think more about how to make my writing MINE. Highly recommended!
You can find it on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.
I love the new, expanded second edition of THE EMOTION THESAURUS
by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi! It contains so much more truly useful, helpful information, writing tips and articles, and is such a good resource for writers. My review coming soon!
theemotionthesaurus #angelaackerman #beccapuglisi #writingtechnique #writingtips
cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit
February 24, 2019
February 22, 2019
It always feels so good when readers love my books and let others know –
and even more when they see a need for my books, when they know my books can help others feel less alone, stop hurting themselves, know they are strong, and heal. Books are such a safe and powerful way to explore painful issues and be reminded of our own strength.
So I was delighted when reader Linda Hall-Webster posted this. Thank you for your generosity, Linda, in buying a copy for your library, too! You are a sweetheart.
From Linda Hall-Webster: “One of my favorites! Found it in the wild and had to grab it – Cheryl Rainfield, I knew I’d find one . 
This is actually my second copy purchased for myself. The first I donated to the library I used to work at because I knew it needed to be there.
This work resonates with me for various reasons, mainly it’s a great story of over coming strife, leaning to trust not only yourself, your thoughts and memories too and that over all love is stronger than anything.”
#cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit #YAbooks #bookstagram #bookrecs #scars #hunted #STAINED #selfharm #selfinjury #cutting #sexualabuse #trauma #healing #MeToo #csa #sexualassault
loveisstronger #lovewins #lovetrumpshate #lgbtqYA #lgbtqia
February 21, 2019
In case you need to hear this: I believe in you.
I believe in the goodness inside you.
I believe in your strength.
I believe in your ability to cope on a hard day, and celebrate on a good day.
I believe in you.
And I know that you can get through hard times.
If anyone’s ever told you differently, if anyone’s ever told you that they don’t believe in you or they told you negative things, I hope that you let that just wash off you and drift away.
Because here and now, I believe in you.
And other people will too.
Much love to you all, Cheryl Rainfield, author of SCARS, STAINED, and HUNTED.
ibelieveinyou #positivevibes #positiveaffirmations #loveisstronger #lovetrumpshate #lovealwayswins
cherylrainfield #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit #SCARS #STAINED #sexualabuse #csa #selfharm #selfinjury #healing #hope
February 20, 2019
I am SO looking forward to reading THE MOON WATCHED IT ALL
written by Shelley A. Leedahl, illustrated by Aino Anto! I have loved Aino’s gorgeous, beautifully rendered art for years, so I’m excited to read this book! I love picture books. They bring me such joy….
#ainoanto #shelleyaleedahl #themoonwatcheditall #picturebooks #kidlit #kidlitillustration #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #bookworm #booknerd
I know I’m doing something good when I start getting trolls.
A troll posted a rainbow flag beneath a crossed-out sign on my You Don’t Deserve To Be Hurt video on Instagram. (I also posted the video here, on FB, an YouTube.) I blocked them. It was funny because I didn’t mention #LGBTQ content in that video – although I AM always out/proud.
I find it interesting that he left a homophobic comment on that video – reminding survivors and everyone that they don’t deserve to be hurt by anyone. Unless he chose randomly, that means he found something in my message threatening. Avoiding abuse & self-abuse IS political.
Because abuse keeps those with power in power, and keeps those that are oppressed oppressed. Finding ways to escape abuse, including self-abuse that we’ve been taught (or turned to because of abuse and/or trauma), is not just healing, it is revolutionary and political.
Keep taking good care of yourself!
#BelieveSurvivors #LoveTrumpsHate #LoveAlwaysWins #feminist #feminism
