When you want to write the emotion curiosity, 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 not telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Curiosity is the strong desire to learn or know something new. It is the emotion that drives us to seek out information, explore new ideas, and ask questions. Curiosity can be sparked by a variety of things, such as a personal interest, a sense of mystery, or a desire for adventure. It's a powerful emotion that can inspire creativity, innovation, and personal growth.

Different Types of Curiosity

Here are some different types of curiosity:

• Intellectual curiosity: an eagerness to learn new things, explore ideas, and seek knowledge.
• Sensory curiosity: a desire to experience new sensations, such as taste, smell, touch, and sound.
• Social curiosity: an interest in understanding other people's lives, perspectives, and behaviors.
• Creative curiosity: a passion for discovering innovative solutions to problems, creating new things, and exploring different artistic expressions.

Situations Associated with Curiosity

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

• Encountering something new or unfamiliar
• Hearing a rumor or gossip
• Being presented with a mystery or puzzle
• Witnessing an unusual or unexpected event
• Feeling a sense of boredom or restlessness
• Discovering a hidden or secret location
• Meeting someone with a unique perspective or background
• Being challenged to learn or explore something
• Experiencing a change or disruption in routine

Physical Reactions to Curiosity

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

• Dilated pupils
• Raised eyebrows
• Leaning forward or tilting the head
• Open body language
• Fidgeting or restlessness
• Asking questions
• Seeking new experiences or information
• Engaging in exploratory behavior
• Showing enthusiasm or excitement

Thoughts Associated with Curiosity

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing curiosity might have:

• I wonder what's going to happen next
• What's the story behind this?
• How does this work?
• I want to explore more
• I need to know more
• This is interesting, I want to learn more
• I wonder what will happen if I do this
• I want to ask questions
• I need to find out more information

Atmosphere of Curiosity

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

• Describe the environment in detail, highlighting unusual or unique elements that might pique the character's curiosity.
• Use sensory details to create an immersive experience that draws the character in and makes them want to explore.
• Include characters or objects that embody the spirit of curiosity, like an adventurer or a book collector.
• Use dialogue to reveal the character's curiosity or to spur them on to investigate further.
• Use foreshadowing or hints of mystery to create a sense of intrigue and make the reader and character eager to uncover more information.
• Establish a sense of discovery or exploration, whether it's through a new location or a previously undiscovered aspect of a familiar setting.
• Utilize symbolism or metaphors that suggest a deeper meaning or hidden truth waiting to be uncovered.

Verbs Associated with Curiosity

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

• Inquire
• Explore
• Investigate
• Question
• Examine
• Probe
• Scrutinize
• Study
• Analyze
• Discover
• Wonder
• Ponder
• Contemplate
• Speculate

Emotions Before Curiosity

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

• Confusion
• Skepticism
• Boredom
• Frustration
• Disinterest
• Indifference
• Apathy
• Ignorance
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Apprehension

Emotions After Curiosity

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

• Excitement
• Satisfaction
• Disappointment
• Confusion
• Surprise
• Frustration
• Fascination
• Empathy
• Joy
• Fear
• Anger
• Awe
• Enthusiasm
• Anticipation

Telling Curiosity Examples to Avoid

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

• She was feeling curious about what was inside the box.
• He was curious to know what the new neighbor did for a living.
• The detective was curious about the suspect's alibi.
• They were curious to learn about the history of the old house.
• She couldn't help but feel curious about the strange noise coming from the attic.
• He was curious about the taste of the exotic fruit.
• The journalist was curious to hear the politician's response to the tough question.
• They were curious to see what the magician would do next.
• She was feeling curious about the meaning of the cryptic message.

Practical Examples of Showing Curiosity

Here are some examples of showing curiosity in a sentence:

• She couldn't resist the urge to peek inside the forbidden room.
• He spent hours researching the history of his family tree.
• The old book caught her eye, and she eagerly flipped through its pages.
• With wide eyes, she leaned in to hear the whispered conversation at the next table.

Exercises for Showing Curiosity

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing curiosity:

• Start by asking yourself questions: What would my character be curious about? What motivates their curiosity? What are their expectations and assumptions?
• Write a scene where your character discovers something unexpected. Show how their curiosity drives them to investigate and explore.
• Write a scene where your character observes something they don't understand and tries to figure it out. Show how their curiosity leads them to ask questions and seek answers.
• Write a scene where your character takes a risk to satisfy their curiosity. Show how their curiosity overrides their fear or caution.
• Write a scene where your character's curiosity leads to a breakthrough or discovery. Show how their curiosity helps them solve a problem or uncover a secret.
• Try writing from the perspective of a character who is not naturally curious. Show how their lack of curiosity affects their actions and decisions.
• Write a dialogue between two characters, where one is curious and the other is not. Show how their different approaches affect their interaction.
• Write a scene where your character's curiosity gets them into trouble. Show how their curiosity can have negative consequences.

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