Show Don't Tell: Envy

Hey there, it's great to be back! It's been a while, but I'm excited to announce that I've got a brand new 'Show Don't Tell' blog post for you today. If you're looking to improve your creative writing skills and learn how to convey emotions and experiences in a more powerful way, then this post is for you. So let's dive right in!

Today we're diving into the fascinating world of envy and how to write it effectively in your creative writing. Envy is a complex emotion that can be tricky to capture in words, but don't worry, I've got you covered! And the best part is, this is just the beginning - I'll be covering other emotions too, so stay tuned for more writing tips and tricks coming your way.

First let's start off with a question: What is envy?

Envy is a tricky emotion that arises when we feel discontent or resentment towards someone else's success, qualities, or possessions. You may have experienced envy when you see someone who has something you really want but can't have. It can show up in many different ways, like feeling bitter or jealous towards that person, or even talking behind their back. Dealing with envy can be tough for everyone involved. But in creative writing, envy can be used to create interesting characters, develop a compelling plot, and explore themes like power, status, and ambition.

Now let's explore one of the most effective ways to portray envy in your characters - body language! By combining physical cues with sensory details, dialogue, actions, and setting, you can create a powerful depiction of this complex emotion. To help you get started, I've compiled a list of some of the most common signs of envy that you can incorporate into your writing.

• Narrowing eyes
• Glowering
• Clenching fists
• Grinding teeth
• Tightening jaw
• Gritting teeth
• Curling lips
• Sneering
• Forced smile
• Sarcastic laugh
• Crossing arms
• Legs defensively
• Squinting eyes
• Furrowing eyebrows
• Turning away
• Avoiding eye contact
• Biting lip or Inner cheek
• Looking down
• Shifting gaze
• Tensing muscles
• Body posture
• Fidgeting
• Restless movements
• Rolling eyes
• Making snide comments
• Slouching
• Hunching shoulders
• Breathing heavily
• Hyperventilating
• Swallowing hard
• Gulping
• Sweating
• Clammy skin
• Paling complexion
• Blushing
• Stiffening
• Freezing in place
• Trembling
• Shaking
• Sighing
• Heavy exhalation
• Scratching
• Rubbing hands together
• Tugging at clothing or jewelry
• Blinking rapidly
• Fluttering eyelashes
• Holding breath
• Exhaling sharply
• Curling toes
• Gripping surface with toes
• Rubbing or scratching face
• Rapidly tapping foot or fingers
• Raising eyebrows
• widening eyes

It's important to remember that some of these physical cues may not make sense on their own, but when you combine them with other cues, thoughts, and actions, you can create a powerful portrayal of envy. Keep in mind that envy is often accompanied by other negative emotions like anger, frustration, bitterness, and even resentment. Depending on your character's personality, shame may also play a role in their experience of envy. If shame is combined with envy instead of anger, then sadness or hurt may be more appropriate emotional responses. The key is to experiment and find what works best for your character and the story you're trying to tell.

Let me give you some examples of different characters and how they might show envy through their body language. First, let's take a proud and self-assured character. They wouldn't show their envy by hunching their shoulders or biting their lips. Instead, they might try to mask their feelings by exhaling deeply or swallowing their bitterness. They might use snide comments and sarcastic laughter to bring down the person they're envious of.

On the other hand, a nervous and shy character might be more on the timid side. They may feel ashamed of their envy and try to hide it by biting their lips, looking away, and hunching in on themselves. They may avoid eye contact and stare at the floor or wall.

Finally, a jittery and anxious character may be more obvious in showing their envy. They may tug at their clothes, tap their feet or fingers, and hyperventilate as they obsess over their feelings of envy. They may constantly look around to distract themselves, and even glare at the person they're envious of.

Remember, these are just examples and each character will show their envy in their own unique way. So, don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your characters.

Another way to convey envy is through sensory details, which can include what your character sees, hears, and physically feels. While this method may not be as detailed as using body language, it can still be effective, especially when combined with actions and dialogue.

• The character's heart rate increases, causing their pulse to throb in their ears
• Their throat tightens, making it difficult to swallow
• Their mouth feels dry or bitter, as if they've just tasted something unpleasant
• The character's skin flushes or grows hot with anger or jealousy
• They may feel a knot in their stomach, or a feeling of queasiness
• Their hands may feel clammy or sweaty with nervousness
• They might feel a lump in their throat or a burning sensation in their chest
• Their vision may become hazy or blurred, or their eyes might dart around the room
• The character may experience a ringing in their ears, or a feeling of being trapped or suffocated
• They may experience a sense of frustration or hopelessness, like they'll never be able to achieve what the other person has
• The character may feel a sense of inadequacy, like they're not good enough or worthy of the success or possessions of others
• They might feel a strong desire to possess what the other person has, like a physical ache or hunger
• Their breathing might become shallow or rapid, as if they're struggling to catch their breath
• The character may experience a tightening in their chest or a lump in their throat, as if they're on the verge of tears
• They may feel a sense of rage or bitterness, like they've been cheated or wronged in some way.

Let's talk about actions - these are the little things your character can do to subtly hint at their envy. Depending on the genre of your story, you'll need to make sure these actions fit the setting. For example, if you're writing a medieval fantasy, your character can't obsessively stalk the person they envy on social media. However, they could still have a spy network or keep a close eye on any news about the person..

• Making snide or sarcastic comments about the person they are envious of
• Comparing themselves unfavorably to the person they are envious of
• Trying to one-up the person they are envious of
• Expressing disinterest or disdain for the thing or person that the other character possesses
• Obsessively checking social media or other sources of information about the person they are envious of
• Seeking validation or attention from others to compensate for their feelings of inadequacy
• Gossiping or spreading rumors about the person they are envious of
• Sabotaging the other person's success or progress in some way
• Blaming external factors or the other person for their own lack of success
• Becoming overly competitive or aggressive in order to prove themselves superior
• Feeling physical discomfort, such as a tightness in the chest or stomach, sweating, or trembling
• Withdrawing socially or avoiding situations where the other person will be present
• Overcompensating by purchasing or acquiring similar items to the person they are envious of
• Displaying a lack of interest or enthusiasm in the achievements or possessions of others, even if it is something they would normally appreciate
• Seeking reassurance or validation from others that they are still valued and appreciated, despite not having what the other person has.

Alright, we've gone over body language, sensory details, and actions. Now, let's move on to dialogue!

Using dialogue is a great way to show envy in your character because it allows the reader to hear directly how they feel. Here are some examples of how you can use dialogue to show envy:

Sarcastic comments: A character who's envious might use sarcasm or snarky comments about the person they're jealous of. For instance, if a character is envious of their best friend's new relationship, they might say something like, "Oh, congratulations on finding your perfect match! Just don't forget about us single folks."

Backhanded compliments: A character who's envious might use compliments that are actually insults to the person they're jealous of. For example, if a character is envious of their neighbor's garden, they might say something like, "Your flowers look lovely, even if they're not as colorful as mine."

Constant comparisons: A character who's envious might constantly compare themselves to the person they're jealous of, pointing out their own shortcomings. For instance, if a character is envious of their coworker's popularity, they might say something like, "I'm happy for you that everyone likes you, but I'm just not as outgoing as you are."

Dismissive remarks: A character who's envious might try to downplay the achievements of the person they're jealous of. For example, if a character is envious of their friend's new car, they might say something like, "That's a nice car, but it's not as good as mine. I mean, I could have bought a luxury car too, but I don't need to show off."

Exaggerating their own achievements: A character who's envious might try to make themselves seem more impressive than they really are to compete with the person they're jealous of. For example, if a character is envious of their sibling's academic success, they might say something like, "You got an A? That's great, but I got straight As all through college and graduated with honors."

Let's move on to setting! The setting in a story can be a powerful tool to show a character's envy. By using the character's surroundings, you can highlight their feelings of inadequacy or frustration. For instance, if your character is envious of someone else's wealth or success, they may feel out of place or uncomfortable in a luxurious mansion or at a fancy dinner party.

Moreover, the setting can be used to create opportunities for the character to act on their envy. Suppose your character is envious of someone else's job or position, and they find themselves alone in the office after hours, they may jump at the chance to undermine that person or sabotage their success.

Lastly, the setting can be used to contrast the character's feelings of envy with their desires or aspirations. For example, if your character is envious of someone else's happy family life, they may feel out of place or isolated in a cozy, warm family gathering. Alternatively, if they are envious of someone else's freedom and independence, they may feel stifled in a strict, oppressive society.

• Comparing living spaces: A character who is envious of someone else's wealth or success may feel uncomfortable or inferior when visiting their lavish mansion or apartment.
• Events and gatherings: A character who is envious of someone else's social standing may feel out of place or jealous at fancy dinner parties or events.
• Workplace: A character who is envious of someone else's job or position may act on their envy by undermining or sabotaging the other person's success.
• Travel: A character who is envious of someone else's travels or adventures may feel jealous or resentful when visiting a destination that the other person has already been to.
• Family gatherings: A character who is envious of someone else's happy family life may feel out of place or isolated at cozy family gatherings.
• Oppressive society: A character who is envious of someone else's freedom and independence may feel stifled or resentful in a strict, oppressive society.
• Display of wealth: A character who is envious of someone else's wealth may feel jealous or resentful when confronted with the other person's expensive possessions or lifestyle.

Great news, we're almost finished! We just have a few more topics to cover, and the one we're moving on to now is all about your character's point of view. This is where we get to explore their thoughts and internal dialogue, which can really bring their feelings to life. After all, nothing can reveal a character's emotions more than what's happening inside their mind.

• Comparisons: A character's envy may be revealed through their tendency to compare themselves to others. They may often find themselves measuring their own achievements or possessions against those of others, feeling frustrated and inadequate when they don't measure up.
• Resentment: A character may feel resentment towards others who have what they desire, leading them to become bitter and even hostile towards those individuals.
• Self-Doubt: A character's envy may stem from a deep-seated sense of self-doubt or insecurity. They may believe that they are not good enough or worthy enough to achieve the success or possessions that they desire, leading to feelings of envy towards those who have what they want.
• Fixation: A character may become fixated on the person or people they are envious of, constantly monitoring their social media or obsessing over their every move. This fixation may lead to a preoccupation with the other person's life and a sense of despair over their own.
• Self-Pity: A character may feel sorry for themselves and their situation, particularly in comparison to others who seem to have everything they want. This may lead to feelings of resentment and bitterness towards those individuals.
• Rationalization: A character may rationalize their feelings of envy, convincing themselves that the other person does not deserve their success or possessions. They may tell themselves that the other person had an unfair advantage or that they do not work as hard as they do.
• Admiration: A character may feel envy towards someone while also admiring them for their success or possessions. This may create a sense of internal conflict within the character, as they struggle to reconcile their feelings of envy with their respect for the other person.

Here are some thoughts a character may have:

• "Why does everyone else seem to have it so easy?"
• "I wish I could have what they have."
• "Why do they get all the attention and praise?"
• "They don't deserve that success, I do."
• "I hate feeling this way, but I just can't help being envious."
• "If only I had their talent/looks/money, my life would be so much better."
• "Why can't I catch a break like they do?"
• "I can't stand seeing them with what I want."
• "They don't appreciate how lucky they are to have what they have."
• "Why do they always get everything they want while I'm left with nothing?"

You could use these relatively directly such as:

As she sat hunched over on her bed, the room around her dimly lit, she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of inadequacy. Her mind kept wandering to a single thought: "Why does everyone else seem to have it so easy?" She opened up her phone and scrolled through her social media feed, bombarded with pictures of her friends laughing, traveling, and simply enjoying life. The world in those pictures seemed so far from her reality, and the weight of envy crept into her heart. She wished she could have what they have, that carefree life.

When it comes to conveying your character's feelings to your readers, their direct thoughts and internal dialogue can be a great tool. However, it's important to use it in moderation, as using it too much can lead to telling your readers how your character is feeling instead of showing them through actions and description. So, it's all about finding the right balance to ensure your readers can fully immerse themselves in your character's world and experiences.

Let's talk about metaphors and analogies now. They can be a powerful tool in your writing to convey a deeper meaning or to make a comparison more vivid and relatable. However, be cautious not to overuse them as it can shift your writing from showing to telling. Moreover, too many metaphors and analogies can also become overwhelming and irritating for your readers.

Metaphors and analogies can be used to show envy in a character by using comparisons to convey their feelings. For example, a character who is envious of someone else's success could be described as feeling like they are drowning in a sea of missed opportunities, while the other person is sailing smoothly on a luxury yacht. Or a character who is envious of someone else's beauty could be described as feeling like a withered flower compared to their radiant glow.

• "Her envy was a green monster, gnawing away at her insides." (Metaphor)
• "Watching her friend's success was like a knife twisting in her gut." (Analogy)
• "He was like a dog with a bone, unable to let go of his envy and obsession with his colleague's success." (Simile)
• "Envy was a heavy cloak draped over her shoulders, weighing her down with bitterness and resentment." (Metaphor)
• "Her envy grew like a weed in her mind, choking out any other thoughts or feelings." (Analogy)
• "He was a snake in the grass, secretly wishing for his rival's downfall." (Metaphor)
• "Envy was a contagious disease, spreading through her heart and poisoning her relationships with others." (Metaphor)
• "Watching others succeed was like a constant reminder of her own shortcomings and failures." (Analogy)
• "Her envy was a fire that burned hot and bright, consuming her from the inside out." (Metaphor)
• "He felt like a shadow, always lurking behind his more successful peers and longing for the spotlight." (Simile)

And a final take, let's combine some of these things to show an envious character:

Nal chewed on her lip, watching as Mark laughed with their boss. She exhaled a harsh breath and abruptly turned to her computer before they noticed her staring. Glaring at the screen, she felt envy burn through her body like a raging fire. She knew her work was better than Mark's; she had even received more responses from the public. But because Mark was the boss's favorite, he had received the promotion instead. Nal felt cheated and bitter, and couldn't help but wonder why she was always the employee that everyone left behind. Why was everyone else always the favorite, but not her? She smiled bitterly at her screen, contemplating typing up a resignation.

Hey there, hope you found the show don't tell guide to envy helpful! Let me know your thoughts, I always appreciate feedback. I have more guides like this ready to go, but I'm curious - which emotion would you like to explore next? Just drop me a line and I'll make it happen. Until next time, take care and catch you later!