Emotion: Lust

When you want to write the emotion lust, 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.

Lust is an intense desire or craving for someone or something, often associated with strong sexual desire. It is an overwhelming feeling that can be both exciting and dangerous, as it can lead to impulsive actions and clouded judgment. In literature, lust is often portrayed as a powerful force that can drive characters to both great pleasure and great pain. Writing a character who experiences lust can add depth and complexity to a story, and can create opportunities for exploring themes of passion, desire, and temptation.

Different Types of Lust

Here are some different types of lust:

• Physical attraction and desire towards someone
• Obsession and infatuation with a person
• Sexual hunger and arousal
• Coveting or longing for something or someone
• Lust for power or control over another
• Temptation and craving for forbidden or taboo experiences
• Lust as a means of escape or distraction from emotional pain or stress

Situations Associated with Lust

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

• Seeing someone attractive for the first time
• Physical touch or intimacy with a romantic interest
• Fantasizing or daydreaming about a romantic interest
• Being in the presence of someone who exudes sex appeal
• Admiring someone's physical appearance
• Obsessively checking someone's social media profiles
• Engaging in flirtatious or sexual banter with someone
• Watching sexually explicit content or pornography
• Feeling lonely or emotionally disconnected from others

Physical Reactions to Lust

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

• Flushed skin or blushing
• Dilated pupils and increased eye contact
• Physical arousal, such as increased heart rate and breathing
• Touching or caressing oneself or others
• Sexual innuendos or suggestive language
• Leaning in close to the person of interest
• Seeking out opportunities for physical contact or intimacy
• Becoming fixated on the person of interest and unable to focus on other things
• Exhibiting jealousy or possessiveness towards the person of interest

Thoughts Associated with Lust

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing lust might have:

• I can't stop thinking about them.
• I need to be close to them.
• Their touch sends shivers down my spine.
• I want to explore every inch of their body.
• I can't resist the urge to kiss them.
• I feel like I'm on fire when I'm around them.
• I want to lose myself in the moment with them.
• I can't wait to see them again.
• I'm willing to do anything to be with them.

Atmosphere of Lust

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

• Use sensual descriptions to evoke the senses of touch, taste, sight, and smell, such as the feel of silk sheets, the taste of a lover's kiss, the sight of candlelit shadows, or the scent of perfume.
• Set the scene in a location that is traditionally associated with lust, such as a luxurious hotel room, a dimly lit bar, or a secluded beach.
• Use music to create a seductive atmosphere, such as slow, sultry jazz or romantic ballads.
• Add subtle hints of sexuality, such as the sound of heavy breathing or the brushing of fingertips.
• Use lighting to create a mood, such as dimming the lights or using candlelight to create an intimate setting.
• Focus on physical descriptions of the characters, highlighting their attractiveness and sensuality.
• Use dialogue to create tension and build desire between characters, such as playful banter or suggestive language.
• Show characters engaging in flirtatious behavior, such as lingering touches or suggestive glances.

Verbs Associated with Lust

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

• Crave
• Desire
• Long
• Yearn
• Hunger
• Thirst
• Covet
• Burn
• ache
• Lust after
• Want
• Need
• Fancy
• Itch

Emotions Before Lust

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

• Attraction
• Curiosity
• Infatuation
• Admiration
• Fascination
• Desire
• Fondness
• Affection
• Intimacy

Emotions After Lust

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

• Guilt
• Shame
• Regret
• Confusion
• Satisfaction
• Love
• Disappointment
• Embarrassment
• Anger
• Sadness
• Longing
• Envy
• Jealousy
• Betrayal

Telling Lust Examples to Avoid

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

• John felt a deep sense of desire for the woman standing in front of him.
• As soon as she walked in the room, Mark couldn't take his eyes off of her.
• Sarah's heart raced as she thought about the man she had been secretly admiring for months.
• Tom's thoughts were consumed by the woman he had met the night before, and he couldn't wait to see her again.
• When Rachel saw the handsome stranger across the room, she felt an overwhelming urge to be near him.
• The mere thought of the person she had been crushing on made Emily's heart skip a beat.
• Tyler's mind was filled with fantasies about the woman he had just met, and he couldn't wait to make them a reality.
• Every time he saw her, David felt a stirring in his loins that he couldn't ignore.
• Lisa's body tingled with anticipation as she thought about what might happen with the person she had been flirting with.

Practical Examples of Showing Lust

Here are some examples of showing lust in a sentence:

• Her eyes lingered on his muscular arms as he lifted the heavy box.
• She felt her pulse quicken as he leaned in closer, his breath warm on her neck.
• He couldn't help but imagine running his hands through her long, silky hair.
• She bit her lip as she watched him walk away, wishing she could follow him.

Exercises for Showing Lust

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing lust:

• Write a scene where the character is physically attracted to someone they just met.
• Describe the character's inner desires and thoughts as they watch their crush from afar.
• Write a monologue from the character's perspective, as they struggle to resist temptation and stay faithful to their partner.
• Write a scene where the character indulges in their lustful desires and the consequences that follow.
• Write a letter or journal entry from the character expressing their deepest, most intimate desires.
• Write a dialogue between the character and their love interest, where they flirt and express their attraction to each other.
• Write a scene where the character's lust blinds them to the potential dangers of their actions.
• Describe the character's physical sensations as they experience lust - the quickening heartbeat, flushed skin, heightened senses, etc.
• Write a scene where the character's lust leads them to take risks or make impulsive decisions.

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