Emotion: Whimsy

When you want to write the emotion whimsy, 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.

Whimsy is a feeling of playful or fanciful imagination, characterized by a sense of lightheartedness and a lack of seriousness. It often involves a sense of joy and wonder, as well as a willingness to embrace the unexpected or the unconventional. Whimsy can be expressed through various creative mediums, such as writing, art, music, and film, and is often associated with elements of fantasy, magic, and surrealism.

Different Types of Whimsy

Here are some different types of whimsy:

• Playful
• Witty
• Quirky
• Eccentric
• Lighthearted
• Curious
• Imaginative
• Fun-loving
• Mischievous

Situations Associated with Whimsy

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

• A character stumbling upon a magical place or object
• An unexpected and delightful encounter with a person or animal
• A character daydreaming or letting their imagination run wild
• A character experiencing a moment of childlike wonderment
• A character exploring a new and exciting place
• A character engaging in playful activities or games
• A character experiencing a sudden and pleasant surprise
• A character discovering a hidden talent or passion
• A character enjoying the beauty of nature or art

Physical Reactions to Whimsy

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

• Playfulness: Whimsy often involves a sense of playfulness, so characters feeling this emotion may engage in childlike behavior such as skipping, dancing or playing pranks.
• Facial Expressions: Smiling, grinning, giggling, or laughing are all facial expressions that can be associated with whimsy.
• Creativity: Whimsy is often linked with creativity, so characters might engage in imaginative activities such as painting, writing, or singing.
• Curiosity: Characters feeling whimsical may exhibit curiosity, asking questions and investigating their surroundings.
• Spontaneity: Whimsy is often associated with spontaneity, so characters may do things on a whim without much thought or planning.
• Nonconformity: Whimsical characters may reject societal norms and expectations, embracing their own unique style and way of being.
• Lightness: Whimsy often has a lightness or carefree quality, so characters may exhibit a bouncy or airy gait, or speak in a high-pitched or sing-song voice.
• Absurdity: Characters feeling whimsical may find humor in the absurd or nonsensical, and may engage in activities that seem illogical or nonsensical.

Remember, these are just some general physical signs and behaviors associated with whimsy, and each character may express this emotion in their own unique way.

Thoughts Associated with Whimsy

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing whimsy might have:

• This is so exciting!
• I wonder what could happen next?
• Everything seems possible.
• I feel like a child again.
• Let's try something new and spontaneous!
• This moment is magical.
• I want to explore and discover new things.
• Life is full of surprises and wonders.
• Let's forget about rules and expectations for a while.

Atmosphere of Whimsy

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

• Use bright and playful colors in the description of the setting
• Incorporate magical elements like talking animals or enchanted objects into the scene
• Create a dreamlike or surreal atmosphere with unusual or unexpected details
• Use playful or whimsical language in the dialogue between characters
• Set the scene in a fantastical or otherworldly location like a fairy tale forest or a carnival
• Use music or sounds that evoke a playful or lighthearted mood
• Use humor to add a whimsical touch to the scene
• Show characters engaging in childlike activities like playing games or having a tea party

Verbs Associated with Whimsy

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

• Imbue
• Enchant
• Infuse
• Delight
• Amuse
• Play
• Sparkle
• Fantasize
• Marvel
• Explore
• Create
• Dream
• Imagine
• Surprise

Emotions Before Whimsy

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

• Curiosity
• Playfulness
• Wonder
• Amusement
• Delight
• Joyfulness
• Optimism
• Enchantment
• Excitement

Emotions After Whimsy

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

• Delight
• Playfulness
• Amusement
• Mischief
• Wonder
• Joy
• Cheerfulness
• Enchantment
• Lightheartedness

Telling Whimsy Examples to Avoid

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

• She felt whimsical as she walked through the park.
• The book she was reading had a whimsical tone to it.
• His writing style was whimsical and light-hearted.
• The room was decorated in a whimsical fashion.

Practical Examples of Showing Whimsy

Here are some examples of showing whimsy in a sentence:

• The flowers danced in the wind as the sun peeked through the clouds.
• She twirled around the room, her skirt billowing like a cloud.
• The old bookstore was filled with creaky wooden shelves and dusty, forgotten tomes.
• The child's laughter echoed through the park, contagious and carefree.

Exercises for Showing Whimsy

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing whimsy:

• First, define what whimsy means to you. What images, sensations, or memories come to mind when you think of whimsy? Write them down and use them as a reference.
• Imagine a character who embodies whimsy. What does this character look like? How do they move? What do they say? How do they interact with their environment and other characters?
• Write a scene in which the character experiences a moment of whimsy. It could be a sudden impulse, a playful interaction, or a serendipitous discovery. Focus on describing the character's physical and emotional reactions to this moment.
• Use sensory details to convey whimsy. Incorporate descriptions of sounds, textures, smells, and tastes that evoke a sense of playfulness and lightheartedness.
• Experiment with wordplay and linguistic quirks to infuse your writing with whimsy. Try creating puns, using alliteration or repetition, or inventing new words that capture the essence of whimsy.

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