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Q&A Dealing with quick shifts in emotion

Just because a shift in expression or body language happens quickly doesn't mean you have to describe it quickly. You could expand the above to something more descriptive. For example: C1 doub...

posted 9y ago by Neil‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T04:20:22Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/17640
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T04:20:22Z (almost 5 years ago)
Just because a shift in expression or body language happens quickly doesn't mean you have to _describe_ it quickly. You could expand the above to something more descriptive. For example:

> C1 doubled over cackling maniacally at the scene in front of him. The fires of hell had nothing on the carnage unfolding around him. His stance was relaxed, one knee on a cracked cornerstone. The light flickered around him, illuminating the broken stone church and the satisfied expression on C1's face.
> 
> "I thought you said you were going to bail them out," C2 muttered in exasperation.
> 
> C1 straightened up, surprised to hear the remark. He turned to regard C2, planting both feet square on the ground.
> 
> "I get it. Business before pleasure." His expression a match for C1's look of grim determination, C2 stepped into the fray.

To the reader, it's clear that this all takes place in a few seconds, but examining the scene more closely gives a better picture.

(Of course, I've invented details that likely have nothing to do with your story to make a point, but this is just an example.)

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2015-06-09T02:28:23Z (over 9 years ago)
Original score: 4