When you want to write the emotion affection, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing instead of telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Affection is a feeling of fondness, tenderness, or attachment towards someone or something. It is a positive emotion that is expressed through actions or words, such as hugging, kissing, or saying "I love you." Affection can be felt towards family members, friends, pets, romantic partners, or even objects. It is a warm and nurturing emotion that brings people closer together and strengthens relationships.

Different Types of Affection

Here are some different types of affection:

• Romantic love
• Familial love
• Friendship
• Admiration
• Appreciation
• Fondness
• Devotion
• Caring
• Tenderness

Situations Associated with Affection

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of affection:

• Spending time with loved ones, such as family or close friends
• Having shared experiences or memories with someone
• Receiving acts of kindness or thoughtfulness from another person
• Feeling supported or understood by someone
• Sharing intimate moments with a romantic partner
• Seeing someone achieve their goals or dreams
• Enjoying the company of a pet or animal companion
• Finding common ground or shared interests with someone
• Remembering fond memories or past experiences with someone

Physical Reactions to Affection

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing affection might have:

• Smiling and laughing more often
• Blushing or flushing of the cheeks
• Dilated pupils and widened eyes
• Increased physical contact, such as hugging or holding hands
• Leaning towards the object of affection
• Playing with hair or clothing
• Giggling or talking in a higher-pitched voice
• Offering compliments or expressing admiration
• Increased interest in spending time with the object of affection

Thoughts Associated with Affection

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing affection might have:

• This person means a lot to me.
• I feel a warm glow inside when I'm around them.
• I want to do everything I can to make them happy.
• I enjoy spending time with them more than anyone else.
• Their happiness is my happiness.
• I feel protective of them and want to keep them safe.
• I want to express my love and appreciation for them.
• I feel grateful for their presence in my life.
• I can't imagine my life without them.

Atmosphere of Affection

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of affection in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use warm and welcoming colors such as red, orange, and yellow to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
• Create a comfortable and intimate setting, like a living room with plush couches and soft lighting, to convey a sense of closeness.
• Incorporate soft and gentle textures like fluffy blankets, plush pillows, and warm rugs to create a cozy and nurturing environment.
• Use comforting scents like vanilla, lavender, or freshly baked bread to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Introduce familiar and sentimental objects like family heirlooms or favorite photographs to evoke a sense of nostalgia and affection.
• Use soft and soothing sounds like a crackling fire, gentle rainfall, or soft music to create a relaxing and comforting environment.
• Emphasize nonverbal communication like warm embraces, gentle touches, and loving gazes to convey a sense of affection between characters.

Verbs Associated with Affection

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of affection:

• Adore
• Cherish
• Treasure
• Love
• Embrace
• Hold
• Hug
• Caress
• Cuddle
• Kiss
• Nurture
• Protect
• Support
• Comfort

Emotions Before Affection

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences affection:

• Admiration
• Attraction
• Interest
• Fascination
• Curiosity
• Friendliness
• Warmth
• Appreciation
• Respect
• Trust
• Comfort
• Fondness
• Closeness

Emotions After Affection

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences affection:

• Devotion
• Admiration
• Fondness
• Love
• Attachment
• Tenderness
• Warmth
• Care
• Concern

Telling Affection Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion affection in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• John felt an overwhelming affection for his wife.
• Sarah was filled with affection for her newborn baby.
• The old man's eyes were filled with affection as he watched his grandchildren play.
• Despite their rocky past, Mary still felt a deep affection for her ex-husband.
• The dog's tail wagged with affection as his owner petted him.

Remember, telling an emotion can sometimes be necessary for pacing and plot, but it's always better to show it through actions and dialogue whenever possible.

Practical Examples of Showing Affection

Here are some examples of showing affection in a sentence:

• She hugged her friend tightly, feeling her warmth and comfort after a long day.
• He smiled at his daughter and tousled her hair, glad to see her growing up so fast.
• She rested her head on her partner's shoulder, sighing contentedly and feeling at ease in their embrace.
• He placed a gentle kiss on his wife's forehead, silently communicating his love and support for her.

Exercises for Showing Affection

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing affection:

• Write a scene where the character is expressing affection towards someone they care about, without using any physical touch or dialogue.
• Choose a mundane activity, such as making breakfast or doing laundry, and write the scene as if the character is doing it for someone they love.
• Write a letter from the character to someone they deeply care about, expressing their feelings of affection and gratitude.
• Write a scene where the character has to say goodbye to someone they love, and explore how they express their affection in this difficult moment.
• Create a list of specific actions the character could take to show affection towards others, and choose one to incorporate into a scene.
• Write a scene where the character is trying to comfort someone they care about who is upset, exploring how they show their affection in this context.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full set of emotions.