Emotion: Enchantment

When you want to write the emotion enchantment, 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 emotions and immerse your readers in your story.

Enchantment is a feeling of being captivated or charmed by something or someone. It is a sense of wonder and delight that can arise from experiencing something beautiful, inspiring, or magical. Enchantment can be a positive emotion that brings joy and happiness to a character, but it can also create vulnerability and lead to a loss of rationality or control. In writing, enchantment can be conveyed through vivid descriptions, sensory details, and engaging dialogue to immerse readers in the world of the story and make them feel the same sense of wonder and enchantment as the characters.

Different Types of Enchantment

Here are some different types of enchantment:

• Infatuation: intense and short-lived attraction or desire towards someone or something
• Admiration: a feeling of respect and approval towards someone or something
• Fascination: a strong interest or attraction towards something that is captivating or intriguing
• Rapture: a feeling of intense pleasure or joy that comes from experiencing something beautiful or delightful
• Euphoria: an intense feeling of happiness and excitement that makes one feel elated and energized
• Enthrallment: a feeling of being captivated or entranced by someone or something to the point of being unable to resist or escape from it

Situations Associated with Enchantment

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

• Meeting someone who is charming, attractive, and interesting
• Discovering something new that fascinates them, such as a hobby, a place, or an idea
• Experiencing a moment of bliss or wonder, like watching a beautiful sunset or attending a magical event
• Falling in love or feeling a deep connection with someone or something
• Achieving a long-awaited goal or dream
• Being praised or admired for their talents or qualities
• Being offered an opportunity that seems too good to be true
• Feeling a sense of belonging or acceptance in a group or community
• Having a positive change in their circumstances or environment

Physical Reactions to Enchantment

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

• Dilated pupils and wide-eyed expression
• Smiling and giggling
• Leaning forward and showing interest
• Being easily captivated or mesmerized
• Nodding and using positive body language
• Engaging in conversation and actively listening
• Being open and receptive to new experiences
• Feeling a sense of wonder and awe
• Feeling a rush of excitement or energy
• Being drawn in by beauty or charm
• Being curious and asking questions

Thoughts Associated with Enchantment

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing enchantment might have:

• This feels like magic, like I've been transported to another world.
• I can't believe how beautiful this is, it's like something out of a dream.
• I feel so alive, like every sense is heightened and everything is more vibrant.
• I want to stay in this moment forever, to never let it end.
• I've never felt so connected to someone/something before.
• I feel like I can do anything, like the world is mine for the taking.
• This is what life is all about, experiencing moments like this.
• I never knew I could feel so happy, so free, so...enchanted.
• I don't want to think about anything else, I just want to bask in this feeling.

Atmosphere of Enchantment

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

• Use descriptive language that creates a magical or dreamlike setting.
• Incorporate sensory details that appeal to the senses, such as the scent of flowers or the sound of a babbling brook.
• Use symbolism that invokes a sense of wonder or magic, such as a full moon or a shooting star.
• Create a sense of anticipation or excitement through pacing and tension.
• Use a metaphorical language that suggests the character is under a spell or bewitched.
• Incorporate fantastical elements, such as mythical creatures or supernatural powers.
• Use a lyrical or poetic writing style that echoes the feeling of enchantment.

Verbs Associated with Enchantment

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

• Captivate
• Fascinate
• Mesmerize
• Enthrall
• Charm
• Enamor
• Spellbind
• Delight
• Beguile
• Bewitch
• Enchant
• Entrance
• Enrapture
• Transport

Emotions Before Enchantment

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

• Curiosity
• Interest
• Fascination
• Intrigue
• Delight
• Joy
• Hope
• Trust
• Admiration

Emotions After Enchantment

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

• Fascination
• Infatuation
• Joy
• Delight
• Euphoria
• Excitement
• Wonder
• Awe
• Admiration

Telling Enchantment Examples to Avoid

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

• She was enchanted by the beauty of the landscape.
• He felt enchanted by her voice and couldn't stop listening to her.
• The painting enchanted her, and she spent hours staring at it.
• The magical forest had an enchanting atmosphere that made her feel alive.
• The music was so enchanting that the audience was completely captivated.
• The old castle had an enchanting charm that made her want to explore every corner.
• The book was so enchanting that she couldn't put it down until she finished it.
• The fairy tale had an enchanting ending that left her feeling happy and fulfilled.
• The delicious aroma of the cake was enchanting, and she couldn't resist taking a bite.

Practical Examples of Showing Enchantment

Here are some examples of showing enchantment in a sentence:

• The flowers seemed to dance in the breeze as she walked through the meadow.
• The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, making his mouth water with anticipation.
• The melody of the music swirled around her, lifting her spirits to new heights.
• The sun set behind the mountains, painting the sky with a breathtaking array of colors.

Exercises for Showing Enchantment

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing enchantment:

• Describe a setting that your character finds enchanting. What details make it so special to them?
• Write a scene where your character experiences enchantment for the first time. What do they see, hear, feel, and smell? How do they react to this experience?
• Create a character who is enchanting to others. What are their physical attributes? How do they speak? What is their personality like?
• Write a monologue from the perspective of an enchanted character. What thoughts and feelings are going through their mind? How do they express their enchantment?
• Develop a character who is struggling with enchantment. What are the obstacles they face? How do they overcome them? What lessons do they learn in the process?
• Write a dialogue between two characters where one is trying to enchant the other. How does the other character respond? What tactics do they use to resist or succumb to enchantment?

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