Lmst

Describe It: Lightning

When writing, you can use weather to help or hinder characters or set a mood (sometime to a cliche level re: thunder and lightning = scary). We’re going to get into how you can use lightning in a more dynamic way than “lightning flashed overhead”, and help you establish other areas it might be useful in using other than just creepy factor.

In a separate D-Script, we’ll talk about thunder. This was just getting longer than I wanted, so I separated the two for everyone’s sanity.

TIP: It’s LIGHTNING not LIGHT*E*NING. Lightening is it’s own word, which technically means to become less dark. Like your hair lightening in the sunlight.

Get Around This D-Script

Briefly, What is Thunder and Lightning?
Types of Lightning With Descriptions

Thunderbolts and Lightning, Very, Very Frightening
Affects of Being Struck by Lightning
Misconceptions About Thunder and Lightning

Related D-Scripts

This area will fill in the more subjects we’re able to get to.

Briefly, What is Thunder and Lightning?

Lightning is a massive electrical discharge in the atmosphere. This is created when differences in charge build up between clouds or between a cloud and the ground/object. That imbalance eventually breaks down the insulating air, causing a sudden, high-energy spark that releases light, heat, and sound.

NOTE: Thunder is a sound. Lightning is visual. Some people have difficulties remembering which is which. If so, just remember that “light” is something you see.

Thunder is the sound produced by that lightning. When lightning super heats the air, usually to over 25,000°C (five times hotter than the surface of the sun!!!), the air expands explosively. That shockwave of rapidly expanding and contracting air creates the rolling, cracking, or booming noise we hear.

Then what is a thunderbolt? This is lightning that happens at the same time as it’s associated thunder. This typically happens when the lightning was directly overhead and it tends to be fairly loud!

Additional Reading

Types of Lightning with Descriptions

In the descriptions of different type of lightning, I’ll provide example sentences. At the end of this section, I’ll provide a long list of descriptors with example use.

Cloud-to-Ground (or something tall) Lightning

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lightning/safety/index.html

Note: Cloud-to-ground strikes can hit trees, buildings, open ground, or anything tall and conductive. Additionally, they don’t always strike where logic says they should.

Example of ground-to-cloud lightning
Source: https://cosmosatyourdoorstep.com/2018/04/25/how-lightning-strikes/

Cloud-to-ground lightning is what people generally think of when thinking of lightning. As the name implies, it’s an electrical discharge that forms between a storm cloud and the ground (or object).

A negatively charged region near a storm’s base seeks “balance”. The ground below which is rich with a positive charge, becomes a target. Once the electric field grows strong enough to overwhelm the air’s resistance, a stepped leader is formed and begins seeking the best conductive pathway. We talk about stepped leaders below.

When that leader connects with an upward streamer from the ground, the connection snaps together. A powerful return stroke surges upward along the ionized channel, super heating the air and producing the brilliant flash we all know and love (I’m kidding, so many people and animals DO NOT love lightning. We also talk about this later).

Related phenomenon: Ground-to-Cloud Lightning
Ground to cloud lightning is, weirdly, a thing!

“An upward-moving leader initiates a discharge between cloud and ground from an object on the ground. Ground-to-Cloud lightning strikes – sometimes called upward-moving lightning – are common on tall towers and skyscrapers. GC lightning can also be either positive or negative in polarity. Lightning that demonstrates upward branching indicates a ground-to-cloud flash, though some upward-moving lightning is branchless below the cloud base.”
Source: https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/types-lightning

Video of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning

https://youtu.be/OTYuU4vPBHM?si=muZ4a06FTdGV5Xjw&t=12

Example Sentences

Lightning tore out of the cloud and struck the ground in a blinding white stroke, giving an instant, ear-splitting crack.
A jagged bolt split the sky and slammed into the earth beyond the trees.
The lightning descended in a ragged arch, striking the nearby bell tower.
White fire crackled from the storm and hit the ground, the afterimage burning into her vision.
The sky cracked open and a bolt speared the ground, brilliant and merciless, as though the storm had chosen a target for its wrath.

Intra-Cloud (Intracloud) Lightning/Sheet Lightning

Source: my own photos (Shonna White)Source: https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/lightning-cloud-discharges.html

This is the most common form of lightning. Intra-cloud lightning never touches the ground. Instead, it leaps between regions of opposite charge in a single storm cloud, usually between the negatively charged lower regions and the positively charged upper layers.

These flashes usually appear as diffused, pulsing light that illuminates the cloud from within. Intra-cloud lightning is sometimes silent (or appears that way), may only flash occasionally, or might happen several at a time or in rapid succession.

With sheet lightning, you tend not to see the bolt, but see the cloud light up from within. These may or may not come with thunder.

Related phenomenon: Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning
Cloud-to-cloud lightning happens when lightning jumps between separate storm clouds or into neighbouring clouds. It can appear more horizontal or arcing than intra-cloud lightning.

Video of Intra-Cloud/Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPPk7OLI_rs

Example Sentences

Lightning leapt from cloud to cloud along the horizon, branching strokes of brilliant white illuminating the darkness.
A cold flash ripped sideways across the sky, arcing between distant clouds like veins of primal magic.
The storm flickered with horizontal bolts, crawling across the darkness in long threads as though searching for something.
Lightning rippled high above, leaping between towering clouds.
A jagged arc snapped between two clouds, illuminating the sky with intense blue-white light.

Cloud-to-Air Lightning

Source: https://www.emich.edu/geography-geology/weather/cloud-to-air-lightning.php

Cloud-to-air lightning is a discharge that exits a storm cloud and extends into the air without reaching the ground or another cloud. It tends to appear as a branching bolt that just ends abruptly. These happen when a charged area within the cloud finds a conductive path into the atmosphere but not toward the Earth’s surface.

Related phenomenon: Bolt from the Blue
A bolt from the blue is a dangerous type of cloud-to-air lightning. It starts in the upper areas of a storm cloud and travels horizontally for kilometres before turning down and striking the ground far from the storm itself—sometimes under clear skies!

Example Sentences

Lightning spilled from the cloud and reached into empty sky, its branches dissipating vanishing without a strike.
A jagged bolt lunged out of the storm and died midair.
The lightning flared bright, branching wildly before dissolving into the open night.
A white fork burst from the cloud only to end abruptly, leaving the air glowing where the strike had failed momentarily.

More Types of Lightning

Source: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1051149/FULLTEXT01.pdf

UPWARD STREAMER / LEADER (we’ve referenced this a few times now)

Not technically a type of lightning, per se, but interesting none the less. Inside a storm cloud, electrical charge separates. Negatively charged regions build up, usually near the cloud base. The imbalance between that charge and the positively charged ground beneath gets extreme to the point that the insulating air starts to break down. Yikes!

The cloud sends out a jagged, invisible stepped leader—a branching path of ionized air, creeping downward in fits and bursts toward the ground. As it nears, objects on the ground such as trees, buildings, and even people may launch tiny upward streamers that are fingers of positive charge reaching skyward.

The moment one streamer connects with a descending leader, the circuit closes and the blinding return stroke races back up that path, which is what we actually see as lightning.

Rare Types and One Misnomer

These forms of lightning happen above storm systems or under unusual conditions. They’re rarely seen from the ground without specialised equipment. In fact, for centuries they existed only in pilot reports and folklore before being confirmed scientifically. Still, they may be inspiring to writers.

Note, this is not an exhaustive list.

What’s a misnomer? It’s “a wrong or inaccurate use of a name or term.”

Sprites
Sprites are large, reddish flashes that appear high above thunderstorm clouds, and are often shaped like jellyfish or branching tendrils. They happen in the mesosphere (the third layer of Earth’s atmosphere, located above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere) and are typically triggered by powerful positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes below. Sprites last only milliseconds but can span tens of kilometres vertically, briefly turning the upper atmosphere where they are an eerie red.

Click here for images from Google Search

Blue Jets
Blue jets erupt from the tops of storm clouds as narrow, cone-shaped beams of blue light, shooting upward toward the stratosphere. Unlike sprites, blue jets are thought to start in the storm’s upper regions and don’t require a ground strike. They’re shorter-lived and less expansive than sprites.

Click here for images from Google Search

Ball Lightning
Here’s one only recently agreed upon that it even exists. Ball lightning is one of the most debated and poorly understood atmospheric phenomena, even if it’s one of the coolest (in my opinion). It’s basically a spherical ball of light (go figure) that can be white, yellow, or orange. It may drift slowly through the air, hover near the ground, or move unpredictably. Reported duration range from a few seconds to over a minute.

There are some accounts that ball lightning can pass through windows or end silently, though some reports have them exploding too.

Heat Lightning (Misnomer)
Despite its name, heat lightning is not a type of lightning at all. The term refers to distant lightning flashes that are visible on the horizon while the accompanying thunder is too far away to be heard. Atmospheric conditions, terrain, and the natural dissipation of sound prevent the thunder from reaching someone in the distance. It’s a misnomer because heat lightning doesn’t actually require hot weather. Nor does it behave differently from ordinary lightning. It’s simply lightning viewed at a distance (usually from storms tens or even hundreds of kilometres away).

Writing Tip: Distant, rolling thunder can be a soothing sound for some people. When it’s closer, it can be—forgive the pun—energizing to listen to. Other people might find it ominous. However, the other side to this is that sometimes lightning flashes nearby bright enough to appear to blank out windows with the glow. The crack of thunder that follows is usually instant and loud enough to be considered ‘ear-splitting’. These bright, loud cracks can make even the most storm-loving person (like me) jump with how sudden and intense they are.

So, don’t forget that some people absolutely LOVE thunder and lightning. They find them enthralling! Other people might find them absolutely terrifying (which we’ll get into soon). Some still might simply find it all a bit unsettling. Don’t forget to explore the gambit of reactions that can come from people in regards to extreme weather.

What Lightning Damage Looks Like

Here are some types of damage that lightning leaves behind for you to consider in your writing. And remember, if lightning strikes something flammable, that thing MIGHT just catch fire. In Canada (we have a lot of forests), 45% of forest fires are started by lightning but also these fires make up 81% of the total areas burned by forest fires*.

Another thing to consider before you get into what damage might look like is the era your story takes place in. For example, in medieval times, a lightning strike may cause massive damage. It might be that the struck item itself burns down, or that fire spreads to surrounding flammable buildings. NOW, this story I’m linking to is not associated with lightning, but I’m putting it here to show an example of what happened historically when fires broke out, and how bad it could get: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/the-great-fire-of-1886-and-the-birth-of-sandstone-buildings-in-calgary/

When it comes to fires spurred by lightning, lightning rods weren’t invented until 1749, and by about 1753 these rods provided a much safer way for electricity to be channeled to the ground, preventing fires. This means that prior to this, taller buildings such castles and church steeples were prime targets for lightning (though lightning will hit the best option not just the tallest). Things woud be much worse if that lightning struck around say gunpowder reserves.

Without modern firefighting, fires could spell the end for that building and everything in them, including potentially people.

Going the other direction in time, when writing in the future you might be dealing with no damage at all! Systems might be set up to gain charge from strikes, or perhaps shielding ignores strikes except for maybe a little shake here and there. But consider what happens if systems fail over overloads? Consider lightning being conducted along vulnerable surfaces (like metal), exploding electronics, or frying systems.

To be fair, Star Trek (image) is terrible for cinematographic explosions. You’d seriously think but this age they’d have figured this out.

Other Types of Lightning Damage to Inspire You

Some of these are written as just facts, others as examples of how to write them.

Bark explodes off trees in all directions
Trees crack open and burn from the inside out
Sparks fly
Bell tower splits open to the ground
Leaves a dead, bare slash down the tree bark
Building caught fire
Roof shingles curled and rippled
Falling tree branches break power lines
The control box was charred, and the systems they control fried.
The grass seemed unharmed but for the root-like streamers burned into the green
Even though they thought they were safe inside, part of the ceiling exploded a second later and there was an instantaneous concussive boom.
When she’d been fifteen, Amelia had been struck by lightning that had left reddish, fern-like scars all down her side.
Stone exploded from the steeple, leaving a large hole in the masonry.
Leaves a large, scorched hole in the side of an airplane

Left a large black explosion of soot on the surface
Dirt is blackened and erupted
Trunk of the tree turned red with fire
Surge protector explodes
Ground is littered with branches and leaves that broke off the tree
There was nothing left of the tree but a shattered stump
Cement exploded outward
The sand had melted into a hollow, branching tube of glass.
A six-foot high mark singed the side of the building
The metal was warped and black
Siding is melted and split
Overloads and destroys breaker boxes (which control electricity in houses. This would cause power to go out until the box was fixed)
May kill crops around the struck earth
Tree falls over and crushes a house
Lightning punches a hole in the wall, and the structure catches fire
High-voltage surges can melt internal components, scorch circuit boards, and permanently damage semiconductors
Surge protectors are generally insufficient to stop the surge from a direct strike

SMELLS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER

Here are a list of smells you could use that are associated with fire. Note, try to use ones that suit the time your novel takes place in. For example, if we’re talking medieval or even pseudo-medieval times, avoid using smells like ozone (a word made in 1840) or carbon (1787) as this can throw your reader out a bit. Consider *what* is burning.

Ozone
Burnt plastic
The smell of char
Metallic
Acrid
Fishy (like with electrical fires)
Ammonia
Chemical (especially modern)
Wood smoke
Creosote

Sharp rubber scent
Acidic
Carbon
Turpentine
Resinous
Hot soil
Sweet wood smoke
Synthetic

All About Smoke Inhalation: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/smoke-inhalation. Keep in mind, smoke inhalation in modern buildings is exceptionally dangerous due to the amount of chemicals in it from burning furniture and similar things.

Read more about lightning damage:

* Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/lightning/forest-fires.html

Describing Lightning

Below, you’ll see the word with (hidden) next to some descriptors. This is indicating that the lightning is not visible because it’s hidden within the cloud/doesn’t leave the cloud so the only thing people see is the cloud lighting up from within. See Sheet Lightning above.)

WordExample UseAblaze (hidden)The clouds were ablaze from within, rain-swollen and glowing.Arced Lightning arced from the sky in a jagged sweep, cutting the darkness in two.Backlit (hidden)The storm clouds were backlit by roiling flashes that were eerie and silent.BlazeA sudden blaze of lightning struck the earth beyond the treeline, brilliant enough to turn the night white.Bloomed (hidden)Light bloomed inside the cloud in flickering waves before fading back into shadow.Blossomed (hidden)The sky blossomed with muted shuttering glows as lightning jumped around inside the dark clouds.Bluish (hidden)A bluish glow pulsed behind the clouds, cold and ominous.Bluish-whiteA bluish-white bolt ripped downward, stark and unforgiving against the stormy sky.BraidedBraided strands of lightning twisted as they shot toward the ground.BranchingBranching light forked toward the ground, limbs spreading wide and bright.BreachedLightning breached the cloud and struck downward, violently lashing out with the storm’s wrath.BrilliantA brilliant flash of lightning slammed into the earth, leaving everyone for miles gaping.BrokeLightning broke from the cloud and rushed straight to the ground with a merciless boom.BurntA burnt afterimage lingered in her vision from the flash of lightning moments before.BurstLight burst inside the cloud, illuminating the storm from within.ClawingClawing fingers of light raked scraped the sky.Cold glow (hidden)A cold glow seeped through the clouds as distant lightning stirred deep inside the storm.Cold whiteA bolt of cold white tore from the cloud. It struck the ground, stark against the surrounding darkness.Contained (hidden)The lightning stayed contained within the clouds, its glow swelling and dying without breaking free.CrackedThe sky cracked open and lightning snapped brutally through the sky.DartedA bolt darted from the storm, hitting the ground before she could protect her eyes.Diffused (hidden)Pale, diffused light spread through the clouds as lightning flared deep inside.Dimmed (hidden)The clouds were illuminated briefly, then dimmed as the lightning withdrew.DischargedCrackling light discharged violently, leaving the air buzzing in its wake.DistantDistant flashes flickered behind the clouds, too far away to be seen.EruptedLightning erupted from the thick, dark clouds and slammed into the earth miles away.ExplodedThe sky exploded with a bluish glow as a bolt struck the ground.ExtendingLight extended through the cloud mass as bolts reached outward without breaking free.Failing (hidden)The bolt failed inside the storm, dissolving before it could escape the clouds.Far-reachingFar-reaching lightning stretched from the storm and struck well beyond where the rain fell.Flared The clouds flared from within, briefly illuminated by trapped lightning.
(Any lightning, not just hidden, can ‘flare’ as it’s a sudden ‘flare’ of light)FlashedA single violent stroke flashed followed by a terrible boom of thunder that rippled through the floor.FlickeredLightning flickered behind the clouds, i n a restless pulse.FlittedLight flitted through the layers of clouds, quick and hard to track.ForkedForked lightning split toward the ground, its jagged limbs racing each other.GlancedThe bolt glanced across the sky before striking the castle at the top of the hill.GlareA sudden glare nearly blinded him, momentarily bleaching the world white.Glowed (hidden)The storm glowed from within as lightning moved through its depths.Hazy (hidden)Hazy, transient light filled the clouds.HuntingLight surged downward in a ragged, hunting bolt.IgnitedThe clouds ignited with trapped light, flaring deep within.IlluminatedLightning back-lit the storm, revealing layers of cloud before fading.JaggedA jagged streak of power tore from cloud to cloud, raw and wild.LacedLightning laced through the sky in sharp lines in its wild wrath.LatticeA lattice of pure energy spread outward.Launched A bolt launched from the cloud base, and in the next moment, a tree exploded.LeaptLightning leapt from cloud to ground in a single violent motion.Luminous (hidden)The storm turned luminous as lightning flooded the cloud’s interior with cold light.Milky (hidden)A milky glow spread through the clouds, the lightning diffused and distant inside the storm.Muted (hidden)Muted flashes stirred behind the cloud cover, never sharp enough to reveal a bolt.NakedA naked bolt fell through open air, gleaming from sky to ground.NetworkedNetworked channels of lightning spread across the sky before.Pale (hidden)A pale light seeped through the clouds as lightning shifted inside them.PitchedLightning pitched downward at an angle, driven hard by the storm.ProbingProbing fingers of lightning reached toward the ground, searching for a path.ProwlingProwling arcs of light crept outward before one finally struck the antenna.PulsingThe clouds pulsed as lightning flared and faded within.RadiantThe storm grew radiant from the inside, lightning washing the clouds in a cold gleam.RaggedA ragged bolt tore downward, uneven and primal.RupturedThe cloud’s base seemed to rupture as lightning burst free and struck below.SearchingSearching tendrils of lightning reached downward, testing the air before striking.SeekingA seeking bolt lunged from within the cloud.ShatteredLightning shattered the darkness as it struck, breaking the night into fragments of white.SkeletalA skeletal bolt flashed into view, stark and stripped of anything but raw form.SlashedLightning slashed through the rain in a violent attack.SlicedA bolt sliced through the sky in time with the wizard’s threat.SmotheredThe lightning was smothered by thick cloud.SnakingSnaking lightning wound its way toward the ground, twisting sharply as it fell.SnappingLightning snapped from the cloud to strike the beach with such force the sand melted.SpanningA bolt spanned the distance between sky and earth in a jagged series of blazing lines.SparkedLightning sparked from the cloud base and struck with a simultaneously deafening boom.SpectralSpectral light skulked within the clouds as lightning flickered unseen within them.SplinteredThe bolt splintered, breaking into branching shards of light that painted the skySplitLightning split the sky and drove straight into the ground.SpreadingLight spread through the cloud mass, the occasional bolt becoming visible for just a moment.StarkA stark bolt of light dropped from the cloud, brutally clear against the dark sky.StitchedLightning stitched the sky together in bright seams.StreakedLightning streaked downward, fast and merciless as it struck the pylon over and and over.StreamedLightning streamed downward from the black cloud, in what seemed to be a continuous flow of white fire.StretchingA bolt reached from sky to earth, stretching in broken flow.Strobing (hidden)Strobing light pulsed inside the clouds as lightning fired repeatedly but stayed trapped out of sight.SurgedLightning surged from the storm, slamming into the ground with sudden force that set the grass on fire.ThreadingLightning threaded its way downward, weaving a narrow path through the air.Undulating (hidden)An undulating glow moved through the cloud layers as lightning shifted beneath the surface.Veiled (hidden)The lightning was veiled by thick cloud, visible only as a soft violet glow.VeinedVeined light traced through the clouds.Violet-tinged (hidden)A violet-tinged glow flickered within the storm, cold and distant.WanderingWandering light drifted through the cloud mass as lightning searched without breaking free.Washed out (hidden)The lightning appeared washed out by dense cloud, its brilliance dulled to a ghostly haze.WebbedWebbed lightning spread across the sky, multiple channels crossing before collapsing into a strike.White hotA white-hot bolt tore from the cloud and struck the ground,.

Emotive Examples

The lightning struck the building behind her like the storm had a vendetta. Minnie screamed and darted away the second the shock of nearly being struck by a white-hot bolt faded enough that her legs would move.
Elsie’s hands clenched tightly as the window beside her went glaringly white. In an instant, her shoulders were nearly up to her ears, breath ragged before the roll of thunder came.
The clouds glowed from within, lightning breathing softly through them in random flashes. It reminded him of his own thoughts flickering through his mind, never seeming to find their way out.
The smile that lit up Finn’s angular face was as bright as the flash of light that had brought it on. The young man leapt from the couch and darted to the windows.
When the storm caused the power to go out, the kids gathered in the same room with their blankets. At first, it was for comfort, but soon they were spinning scary stories to suit the weather.
A single bolt split the sky and hit the ground beyond the houses. They had barely registered the brutal flash before the house shook with thunder, and half of the occupants screamed.
Muted flashes bloomed behind the clouds, distant and uneasy. It was so though the spirits themselves wanted to remind her they were still watching. Still angry.
The dog barked and whined when the lightning cracked overhead, running under the bed with its tail between its legs.
The incoming storm was violent. Lightning stitched the horizon together in pale seams against eerie black clouds.
The bolt came down jagged and feral, tearing through rain and darkness with a violence that left her hands shaking.
Lightning surged from the cloud and shattered the dark, and for a breathless instant the world felt fragile enough to break.
The whole family gathered by the windows, watching the beauty of the storm roll in.

Environmental Examples

Lightning struck somewhere beyond the ridge. A moment later the smell of burning crept in on the wind, sharp and green, like sap set on fire.
The bolt flashed and every window lit at once. Lightning flooded the rooms so brightly it felt as though the walls had turned transparent.
Lightning hit close enough to knock the power out, plunging the street into sudden darkness broken only by car alarms screaming awake.
A strike slammed into the tree line. By the time the thunder finished shaking the ground, one of the trees was split in half and crackling with flame.
Lightning flashed and the power flickered, buzzing once before dying. The silence that followed was more deafening and seemed to breathe.
Lightning struck somewhere overhead, and the rain changed instantly—harder, louder—like the storm had been given permission to break.
The flash came with no warning, lighting the interior of the shuttle as it tried to breech the storm and escape into space.
A nearby strike sent a shock through the ground, rattling dishes in their cupboards and making the floor feel briefly untrustworthy beneath her feet.

Thunderbolts and Lightning, Very, Very Frightening

Several times in the above, we’ve talked about the emotional affects of lightning. I wanted to touch base on that here. Lightning affects nervous systems for a lot of people. For example, people who are naturally fearful may find that storms trigger a deep, instinctive response that has very little to do with logic. In the case of lightning, it’s unpredictable, overwhelms the senses, and reinforces a lack of control or safety. Even when someone knows they’re physically safe, the body and mind may react as if danger is imminent, flooding with adrenaline, tightening muscles, and sharpening attention in ways that feel exhausting rather than useful.

Note: links in this section go to D-Scripts about writing that emotion

For children, this response is often amplified. Young brains are still learning how to interpret threat, and storms combine several things children find frightening: darkness, loud noise, sudden light, and the inability to stop what’s happening. I mean, my kids didn’t even like the rumble of the car wash! Because children rely heavily on adults to model safety, their fear is often shaped by how the people around them respond. A calm, steady presence can reduce fear over time, while visible anxiety can unintentionally reinforce it.

People with certain mental health conditions—particularly PTSD (this link goes to my personal account for understanding of what PTSD is like), anxiety disorders, or sensory processing sensitivities—may experience storms very differently from the general population. Lightning can mimic sudden flashes associated with traumatic memories, and the lack of predictability can erode a person’s sense of grounding. In these cases, the reaction is not simply fear but a full nervous system response: hypervigilance, dissociation, panic, or emotional flooding. Importantly, these responses are not choices. They’re automatic survival mechanisms that kick in before conscious thought has a chance to have a say.

Animals are often even more sensitive to storms than humans. Many species can hear lower frequencies than we can, meaning thunder may be noticed earlier, seem louder, and be longer-lasting for them. Changes in air pressure, static electricity, and the smell of rain can signal an approaching storm well before the first flash even appears. Pets may hide, pace, vocalize, or cling to familiar people, while wildlife may alter behaviour, seek shelter, or fall silent.

Affects of Being Struck by Lightning

This image isn’t really an affect of being struck by lightning, but what happens just before. This sad story is from 1975. You can click the image to be taken to the news article about it.

The following Daily Mail article has a whole gallery of images of what lightning strikes can look like on survivors. Unfortunately, it didn’t want to imbed so here’s your link!: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/lifestyle/article-6054687/Lightning-strike-survivors-incredible-markings.html

A person may be struck a number of ways:

Direct Strike: The current passes through the body, potentially causing severe organ damage, burns, and nervous system trauma.
Ground Current: The most common cause of injury/death; current travels through the ground and up a person’s legs.
Side Splash: Current jumps from a nearby object or flash to the person.
Water Current: This is where lightning strikes water that someone is in contact with. Salt water is a better conductor, so the current often travels around the body (this does NOT make it safe), whereas in fresh water, the human body is more conductive than the surrounding water, making it a more direct path for the electrical current.

Being struck by lightning is not the same as being electrocuted by household or industrial electricity. Lightning delivers an enormous amount of energy in an extremely short burst (we’re talking milliseconds). That changes how it interacts with the human body. While lightning strikes are frequently fatal, survival is more common than many people assume, though survivors often experience lasting effects.

Electrical current may travel over the body rather than through it, which is called a flashover. This might still cause clothing to blow apart or leave branching, fern-like surface burns (Lichtenberg figures). Lichtenberg figures tend to heal over hours or days rather than be permanent.
Effects on internal systems can be severe! Lightning can disrupt the heart’s electrical rhythm causing cardiac arrest or arrhythmias, and it can interfere with the brain’s signaling leading to loss of consciousness, confusion, memory gaps, or seizures. Respiratory arrest (stopping breathing) may also happen if the muscles controlling breathing are temporarily paralysed. In some cases, a person may appear unresponsive even though the heart can restart on its own, which is why immediate medical attention is critical.
Neurological effects (these are nerve issues) are among the most common long term consequences. These can include chronic pain, headaches, sensitivity to light or sound, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and problems with balance or coordination. Some report changes in personality or emotional regulation as well.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1022790/
Other effects can be the shockwave rupturing eardrums, muscle soreness, cataracts, and hearing loss. Full affects might not be visible immediately as well, and might happen overtime. Thus, anyone hit by lightning (or really any electrical current) should be checked out by a doctor ASAP.

Secondary Injuries

The explosive force of rapidly heated air may throw a person several metres, leading to blunt trauma, fractures, or spinal injuries. Muscle contractions triggered by the electrical surge can be violent enough to dislocate joints or cause internal damage. Burns may happen from the lightning but also from heated metal objects, jewelers, or electronics in contact with the body.

Social or Cultural Ramifications

Lightning strikes tended not to be seen as a natural event but as a message, punishment, or selection by divine or supernatural forces. Thus people who were struck were often looked at with suspicion, awe, or fear.
These reactions could also be from people perceiving a lightning strike survivor as someone who has been altered, marked, or touched by gods or spirits.
In many cultures, lightning strike survivors were believed to have been judged by gods, spirits, or fate itself. Some were thought to be cursed, others blessed, and some both at once. Sudden personality changes, memory loss, or altered behaviour following a strike reinforced these beliefs. And side effects were often interpreted as possession, madness, or moral corruption.
In some cultures, survivors were treated as chosen messengers or feared as dangerous conduits of unstable power.
Lichtenberg figures (patterns on the skin) look very tree-like and could be seen as sacred patterns, or as markings left by the gods.

Misconceptions About Lightning

Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Lightning will happily strike the same spot if conditions favour it.

If it’s not raining, you’re safe from lightning. Lightning can actually strike several kilometres away from a storm cell, even under clear skies!

Lightning always hits the tallest object. Height makes a strike more likely, but it’s not a guarantee it will be struck over other objects. Lightning follows the path of least resistance through charged air, which isn’t always to the tallest thing nearby.

Lightning only happens during severe storms. Lightning can turn up in ordinary thunderstorms that don’t look particularly violent, and even weak-looking storms can produce dangerous strikes.

Rubber soles or rubber tires protect you from lightning. The small amount of rubber in shoes or tires offers no meaningful protection; safety comes from being inside a properly grounded structure or a closed vehicle.

If you’re indoors, you’re completely safe from lightning. While much safer than being outside, lightning can travel through wiring, plumbing, and structural metal, which is why avoiding showers and corded electronics during storms is recommended.

Contribute to Descriptionary

Each D-Script can be dozens of hours of work, and we’re not at the point of being able to monetize the site without losing money. If you’re able to contribute even $5 to keeping my sanity intact until we can, it would be appreciated. I love helping people and am not going to stop, but … well, I think we all know what things are like right now!

Sharing this site also helps, if you can’t contribute financially. More traffic=closer to being able to support the site without donations.

SITE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Disclaimer

SHONNA WHITE
Artist, Writer, Gamer, and GIANT GEEK

www.lostinfernal.com

#DescribeIt #environment #Lightning #nature #Rain #weather #writing

Ideas for Writing Dream Magic

In the magic series, we’re going to review a whole host of magic types! Magic systems are more than flashy spells and glowing hands. They’re rules, rituals, and consequences—the invisible architecture behind every fireball, healing touch, or whispered curse. Regardless of the type of magic, it needs structure and purpose to truly resonate with readers. We get into how to build a magic system and the importance of it in the D-Script Creating a Magic or Supernatural Power System. Now let’s delve deeper into it!

This series will dive into how they work, feel, shape the world, and their cost. You’ll find breakdowns on mechanics, symbolic meaning, worldbuilding implications, combat tactics, and you’ll even get worksheet prompts to develop your own unique systems. Near the end, I’ll give you some ideas on using sensory information to actually write the casting of this magic type, complete with an example scene.

As we get into this, remember that these are simply examples and suggestions to help you get started on your journey. Let your creativity flow!

Related Posts

This area will fill in the more subjects we’re able to get to.

Dreams are amazing places where everything is possible but, that said, dreams are all about a person’s psychology. Let’s talk about that.

Ancient cultures saw dreams as divine messages or spiritual journeys, where modern science views them more scientifically. Still, there’s no single agreed upon explanation. What we do know is that dreams typically occur during REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement)—a phase when the brain is nearly as active as when we’re awake, though technically they can happen in any stage of sleep. Your muscles are paralyzed to keep you from acting out what you’re experiencing, but your mind is wide open!

Biologically, the Activation-Synthesis Theory (Hobson & McCarley, 1977) argues that dreams are the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neurological firing during sleep. Essentially, your cortex tries to stitch together a story from the noise. Then there’s the Threat Simulation Theory, which suggests dreams are a form of evolutionary rehearsal. Think of it as a virtual reality where we practice facing dangers without risk, a feature that would’ve been useful for our ancestors avoiding sabretooths and rival tribes. (Can you tell yet that I personally have a fascination with dreams?)

Recent research has expanded the scope: some believe dreams play a role in memory consolidation, emotional processing, or even problem solving. Ever heard the phrase “sleep on it”? There’s evidence your brain does cognitive clean-up at night, sorting through the day’s data and storing what matters. You might even wake with a solution you didn’t know you were hunting for!

So, why am I telling you this? Well, because if you understand the reason WHY we dream, you can use that to figure out how to use this abstract idea in a more concise way! Sure, you could just have your villain showing up in people’s dreams and messing with them, but if you can tie what’s being shown and done to struggles the character already has, than you’re going to get an amazing narrative tool!

Types of Dream Magic

DREAMWALKING AND DREAMTRAVEL

Entering or navigating the dreams of others.

Pros: Espionage, emotional insight, intimate connection
Cons: Unstable, subjective, vulnerable to the target’s subconscious
Scene idea: A mage slips into a sleeping enemy’s dream and finds the location of the hidden vault carved into a recurring nightmare.

PROJECTION AND DREAM-CRAFTING

Shaping environments, events, or illusions from memory and imagination.

Pros: Flexible, immersive, emotionally intense
Cons: Easily disrupted by logic or disbelief
Scene idea: An executioner watches her daughter walk into the chamber… except her daughter died ten years ago. The mage waits for her to scream.

NIGHTMARE MANIPULATOR AND FEARCASTING

Inflicting fears, doubts, or traumatic echoes.

Pros: Brutally effective in interrogation or combat
Cons: May traumatize caster as well
Scene idea: A soldier charges then sees his commanding officer dissolve into ash in front of him, reliving a moment he never told anyone.

ONEIRIC MEMORY AND TRUTH-LIFTING

Extracting secrets, locked thoughts, or repressed feelings through symbolic dreams.

Pros: Access deep, guarded truths
Cons: Interpretation required, symbols are dangerous
Scene idea: A crown floats above a mirror—but the reflection is a traitor’s face. The dream ends, and now the mage knows who to fear.

TIP: Here are some names you might call a dream mage: Oreiromancer, Dreamweaver, Somnomancer, Nightbinder, Wyrdwalker.

Types of Dream Magic

Dream TraitMagical InterpretationSymbolicExperiences are layered in metaphor or desireFluidSpace, time, form—all bend freelyEmotionalAffects mental state deeply, not just visuallyIntimateRequires knowledge of the target—or vulnerabilityVolatileThe dreamer can fight back without knowing how

Worldbuilding Tip: Can you enter any dream or only those of the willing, the near, or the marked? Can dreams spill into waking life? What happens when two dream mages clash?

What Can Dream Magic Do?

Enter, alter, or manipulate dreams
Create waking hallucinations or emotional bleed
Trap someone in a loop, vision, or symbolic space
Heal or harm through psychological experiences

Learn secrets encoded in metaphors
Bring dreams into reality (or take reality into dreams)
Blur memory: did it happen, or was it a dream?

The Caster: What Dream Does to Them

Skill LevelDescriptionNoviceInduces sleep, causes mild visionsTrainedCan enter dreams, alter dreamscapes, lift emotionsMasterWields shared reality, traps enemies in symbolic loops, alters memoryCursed/WarpedCannot distinguish dream from real, bleeds metaphor into waking life, body moves as it dreams

Character Hook Idea: A dream mage keeps a knife under their pillow, not for protection but because they don’t remember what they do while asleep.

Symbolism of Dream Magic in Storytelling

Emotion/ThemeRepresentation through Dream MagicLongingDreams of what was lost or never hadFearNightmares made real, weaknesses exposedRegretRecurring loops of “what if”DesireHallucinated truths, obsessive visionsTraumaRepressed memories clawing through dreamscapesRedemptionFacing yourself and coming back alive

Dream Magic in Combat: Psychological. Surreal. Devastating

A mage who handles dream magic might be active on the battle field, or they may slip into the dreams of the troops, or the leadership, destroying their sleep and their self confidence. Tactical Writing Tip: One the battlefield have people falling over, weeping, screaming, or just not seeing what’s happening. Or talk about how weary they seem, or how disorganized they’ve become.

OFFENSE

Fearspike: Forces target to relive worst memory
Sleepcurse: Drops enemy into sleep mid-action
Dream Lure: Creates a beautiful distraction—while they walk off a cliff
Loop Snare: Traps enemy in a repeating dream-state

DEFENSE

Dreamveil: Cloaks caster in illusions drawn from others’ expectations
Oneiric Shift: Momentary dislocation—target “misses” the caster
False Wake :Makes attacker think they’ve already won
Memory Curtain: Removes memory of the caster from a scene

SUPPORT AND UTILITY

Dreambinding: Shares dreams with a target to learn them
Emotional Mending: Heals trauma through dream confrontation
Symbol Reading: Finds answers in a dreamscape’s metaphor
Sleepwalk Gate: Opens a door between dreams to travel

Dream Magic & Worldbuilding

CULTURAL ROLES

Dreamwalkers / Oracles / Wyrdweavers: Interpret, guide, or manipulate futures through dreams
Sleeppriests: Hear prayers only whispered while asleep
Nightmare Inquisitors: Extract truth through fearcasting
The Slumber Court: Rule from dreams, never waking

GLOBAL IMPACT

Laws may protect dream sanctity or allow weaponized sleep
Certain cities may never fully wake
Some rulers keep dream mages on staff as emotional assassins
Prophecy may come only in dreams and be riddled in symbols

Unique Spellcrafting : Naming & Design

Spell TypeExample NameDescriptionDream TrapVelvet CageTraps target in endless, beautiful dreamNightmareGlass WolfSends dream-beast shaped by target’s fearMemory MagicAsh MirrorReveals repressed truth through dreamfireSleep CurseNeverwakeLocks target in dream state until condition is metTravel SpellThread of SleepConnects two dreams for safe passage

Dream vs Other Elements

ElementInteraction with Dream MagicFireShapes dreams into feverish intensity or burning fearsWaterFluidity of emotion. Deep subconscious poolsEarthAnchors or limits dreamscapes. Reality intrudes.AirBreath links dream and mind, used in dream travelLightBurns away falsehood, forces awakeningShadowEnhances secrecy, allows dreams to linger into wakingSpiritSoul journeys, emotional healing or hauntingVoidDestroys dream logic creating dreamless sleep or oblivion

How to Write the Casting of Dream Magic

Sight (What Dream Magic Looks Like When Cast)

Reality frayed around the edges, colors bleeding into one another like a waterlogged painting.
As the spell took hold, stars bloomed across the walls, pulsing like fireflies beneath her skin—impossible, beautiful, and wrong.
His shadow detached first, slipping upward instead of down, curling around the ceiling like ink in water.
She blinked, and suddenly there were mirrors that hadn’t been there before. Each showed different versions of the same room … and not all were empty.
He stepped forward and the floor turned to sand, to glass, to a childhood bedroom, flickering with every heartbeat like a stuttering reel of film.

Sound (What Dream Magic Sounds Like)

The air murmured like voices underwater, whispering in a language no one knew.
There was a lullaby in the background of the spell, soft and echoing, played backward on broken strings.
Every footstep echoed too long, like time hadn’t agreed on where they’d landed yet.
It sounded like breathing, but not hers. Not anyone’s in the room. Something deeper. Older. Just listening.
The words she spoke to cast it didn’t sound like language, but an echo too far repeated it no longer made sense.

Touch / Feeling (What Dream Magic Feels Like)

It was like falling—slow, endless falling—but without fear, as if the air itself was holding him in a lover’s embrace.
The moment the spell touched him, his skin went cold and warm at once deeper beneath.
Dream magic pressed gently on the soul, like a thumb against a bruise.
The floor felt too soft beneath her feet, like stepping on thick fog.
There was a tingle at the base of their skull, a sense of fingers brushing the inside of their mind.

Smell (What Dream Magic Smells Like)

The air smelled of old perfume, like a grandmother’s house long burned down.
It smelled like sleep and sweat, sheets clinging to skin after a nightmare she couldn’t quite recall.
There was the subtle sweetness of lilies left too long in water, the rot hidden beneath the beauty.
He could smell dust, the kind found in forgotten books and unopened letters, not of old rooms.
The scent changed depending on who cast it—regret for some, longing for others, and for one mage, the sharp, impossible tang of a dream she hadn’t dreamed yet.

Example Scene Using Sight + Sound

The moment he began to cast, her reflection in the window blinked out of sync—once, then twice—and didn’t blink back at all. The world around them blurred at the edges, objects softening like they’d been remembered badly. Somewhere overhead, there was laughter that was faint, childlike, and coming from behind the walls.

Dream Magic Creation Worksheet

TIP: You can pick multiple options for each. Just keep in mind the more you pick the more you have to keep track of!

What Is the Source of Dream Magic?

Subconscious emotion / memory residue
Astral or spiritual plane
Collective unconscious / dreamrealm
Sleep gods / oneiric entities
Magical sleepwalk rituals / lunar alignment
Other: _______________________________________

How Is Dream Magic Cast?

Meditation / sleep / trance state
Through emotional resonance (love, fear, grief)
By connecting to a dreamer or their memory
Symbol-carving / mental sigils / spoken names in sleep
Through artifacts (dreamcatchers, sleepstones, memory talismans)
Other: _______________________________________

What Is Dream Magic Best At?

Entering / manipulating dreams
Causing sleep or waking
Emotional influence
Nightmare casting
Extracting memories or secrets
Travel between minds or places
Healing trauma or emotional wounds
Other: _______________________________________

What Are the Limits of Dream Magic?

Can dreams be made real in the waking world?
How long can someone remain trapped in a dream?
Can a dreamer resist or fight back—and how?
Are nightmares more powerful than pleasant dreams?
Is it dangerous to sleep near a dream mage?

What Is the Cost of Using It?

(Check or define below.)

Sleep deprivation / chronic insomnia
Loss of memory or sense of time
Nightmares that bleed into waking hours
Emotional overexposure (absorbs target’s trauma)
Ego erosion / confusion of identity
Other: _______________________________________

Visual & Sensory Signatures

What does dream magic look like when cast?
(Mist, shifting symbols, light distortion, glittering threads?) ____________________________

Sounds?
(Echoed voices, lullabies, reversed whispers, heartbeat thrum?) ____________________________
Physical sensations?
(Sleep pressure, warmth, falling, floating?) ____________________________
Aftermath?
(Tears without memory, symbolic marks, changes to the room?) ____________________________

Signature Spells or Effects

Create 1–3 defining dream-based spells.

Spell Name: ____________________________
Effect/Visual: ____________________________
Cost: ____________________________
Emotional / Psychological Risk: ____________________________

(Repeat for more.)

Cultural / Narrative Role

How is dream magic perceived in society?
- Revered as sacred or divine
- Feared as manipulative or dangerous
- Studied scientifically as mental warfare
- Reserved for priests, lovers, or healers
- Other: _______________________________________
Who practices it? (Sleep-priests, spies, grief healers?)
Are there temples, rituals, or guilds tied to it?
(Lunar sanctuaries, dream duels, sleep rite passage?)

How Does Dream Magic Change the World?

Are certain people unable to dream and what does that mean?
Do rulers seek out dream mages to predict rebellions or spy on allies?
Are there laws protecting dreams, or allowing them to be used in interrogation?
Can two dreamers meet and interact in a shared dream and what happens when one dies there?

Bonus Challenge:

Create a spell that allows two people to share a dream, but only if both fall asleep holding something that matters to them.

What’s the object?
What happens if one of them doesn’t wake up?

Contribute to Descriptionary

Sharing this site also helps, if you can’t contribute financially. More traffic=closer to being able to support the site without donations.

SITE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Disclaimer

SHONNA WHITE
Artist, Writer, Gamer, and GIANT GEEK

www.lostinfernal.com

#ByRequest #DescribeIt #dreams #engageYourReader #psychology #sleep #surrealism #writing

How to Describe Dancing in Writing

Dancing scenes offer writers a goldmine of opportunities for character development and storytelling in a non-standard way. Think about it – when do people dance in real life? Often at pivotal moments, when emotions are running high, or when social expectations demand it. Each of these situations creates natural tension and reveals character in ways ordinary dialogue can’t touch. It’s also a great opportunity to show, not tell.

You probably automatically think this is constrained to romance, fantasy, or period novels. However, dancing scenes can also be utilized in spy novels, thrillers, or many other situations where you want to show connection between to characters, strain between two characters, or display grace or even clumsiness. It can offer a unique way to move around a room or create an option to gather insights into characters that aren’t the point-of-view character. ce

A first dance between potential lovers is loaded with unspoken communication – the careful distance between bodies gradually closing, the tentative touch of hands, the struggle to maintain eye contact or the inability to look away. Even the way someone leads or follows in a dance can speak volumes about their personality and the developing relationship dynamic.

Consider the delicious tension of a reluctant dance – perhaps at a diplomatic function where two rival politicians must maintain a peaceful façade while exchanging barbed whispers. Or imagine a warrior learning to dance for an undercover mission, their usual grace with weapons suddenly awkward when translated to the ballroom. These scenes can reveal vulnerability in otherwise strong characters or strength in seemingly fragile ones.

Dance also offers us a window into character growth. A teenager practicing alone in their room before a big school dance shows determination and self-consciousness. An elderly character teaching their grandchild traditional dances passes down cultural heritage while creating opportunities for intimate family moments. A grieving widow returning to the dance studio where they met their spouse lets us explore loss and healing through movement.

*photo in banner: Photo by Marko Zirdum on Pexels.com

Related D-Scripts

Using Dance to Describe a Character

The way a character dances can tell us more about them in one scene than pages of exposition. A person’s natural movement – or their struggle with it – reveals layers of their personality, background, and current state of mind with beautiful efficiency.

Consider confidence levels: A character who spent their childhood in cotillion classes might move through a formal ballroom with practiced ease, each step suggesting privileged upbringing and social polish. Meanwhile, someone who’s never attended a formal dance might betray their nervousness through stiff shoulders and counted steps, giving us insight into their social background and current discomfort.

Physical grace (or lack thereof) in dance can subvert expectations in fascinating ways. Picture a burly blacksmith who moves with unexpected lightness across a tavern floor, or a seemingly delicate noblewoman who clomps through a minuet with all the grace of a cart horse. These contrasts create memorable character moments while challenging readers’ assumptions.

Here are some examples of scenes that use dance to describe a character:

Contemporary Literary Fiction (Third Person Limited)

Sarah watched Marcus dance alone in the empty studio, his reflection multiplied in the wall of mirrors. His movements were all angles and sharp turns, like a man trying to break free of invisible restraints. Each time his feet struck the hardwood floor, the impact seemed to travel up through his entire body, tensing his shoulders before releasing in a controlled explosion. This wasn’t the graceful ballet he performed for paying audiences—this was something raw and private. She knew she shouldn’t be watching, but she couldn’t look away from this glimpse of what lay beneath his careful smile and polite small talk.

Science Fiction (Third Person Omniscient)

Ambassador Lin Wei moved through Europa Station’s grand ballroom, more in control of the dance than her partner. From across the room, Hayes noticed how other dancers unconsciously adjusted their paths to avoid disrupting her trajectory. The Centauri delegation’s cybernetic augmentations were subtle—you’d only notice the faint silver sheen of their retinal implants. But in the way Lin Wei danced, Hayes could see the mathematical precision that betrayed her enhanced nervous system. Her movements were too smooth, lacking the minute corrections that purely organic bodies made.

As she came within range, Hayes maintained his own careful waltz with his partner, letting his augmented cufflinks collect their data. The ambassador’s quantum encryption would be harder to crack than most, but her dancing had already revealed more than she intended about the sophistication of Centauri biotech. Every perfect step, every flawless turn was another piece of intel.

Gothic Romance (First Person)

I shouldn’t have accepted Lord Ravencroft’s invitation to dance, but something in those storm-grey eyes made refusal impossible. His hand was cool against my waist as he guided me through the waltz, each turn bringing us closer than propriety should allow. Unlike the other gentlemen who had partnered with me that evening, he moved with an otherworldly grace that seemed to belong to another century. The candlelight caught the silver at his temples but left the rest of his face in shadow, and I found myself wondering how many others had danced with him in this very ballroom over the decades, their feet tracing the same patterns we followed now. When he smiled, I glimpsed something sharp behind his lips—but by then, I was already too enchanted to pull away.

Using Dance to Develop Character Relationships

Dance scenes offer a unique opportunity to explore the dynamics between characters through physical movement and nonverbal communication. The way two people move together—or fail to—can show what their relationship is like more vividly than dialogue alone. The dance becomes where power dynamics, attraction, conflict, and emotional bonds play out.

A couple maintaining a strictly proper frame while dancing tells us something very different from one that keeps drifting closer despite social conventions. Allow the reader to watch how characters lead and follow—does one partner subtly resist guidance, or do they move in perfect synchronization? These details can foreshadow romantic tension, establish trust issues, or reveal hidden conflicts.

Here are some examples of scenes that use dance to develop relationships between characters:

Historical Fiction (Third Person Limited)

Mary had danced the Virginia reel a hundred times, but never with someone who watched her quite like Thomas did. His hand was rough with calluses when it met hers for the turns. These were a working man’s hands that somehow managed to lead with more gentleness than the merchants’ sons she’d partnered with before.

They weaved between the other dancers, and she found herself noting the way he adjusted his longer stride to match her steps, and the way he telegraphed each turn with a slight pressure of his fingers rather than pulling her along. When the dance required them to separate, his eyes stayed on her face instead of darting to the next position. By the time they came back together, she had forgotten to count the measures until dinner and forgotten to worry what her mother would think of her dancing with the new blacksmith’s apprentice. Truly, she’d forgotten everything except the way his smile crinkled the corners of his eyes each time their palms met.

Contemporary Romance (First Person)

“I don’t really dance,” Jake protests, but I’m already pulling him onto the floor of my sister’s wedding reception.

His basketball player’s frame towers over me, and for a moment I wonder if this was a mistake. But I’ve spent four months teaching third-graders their multiplication tables—I can handle teaching one reluctant adult to sway in time to a slow song.

“Here,” I say, positioning his hands. “Just think of it as a really slow-motion layup.”

He snorts at that, tension easing from his shoulders as I step into the frame of his arms. We start moving, and it’s … not great. His focus on his feet is so intense I’m worried he’ll strain something in his neck. But then I purposely stumble, just a little, and his hands instinctively steady me with the same quick reflexes I’ve seen on the court.

“See?” I tell him. “You’ve got better rhythm than you think. You just need to trust it.”

He finally looks up from our feet, meeting my eyes with a rueful grin. “Yeah? You say that now, but I haven’t stepped on your feet yet. Give it time.”

Epic Fantasy (Third Person Omniscient)

The great hall of the Winter Palace had hosted a thousand diplomatic functions over the centuries, but never one quite like this. The Herald of Summer, hair flickering like captured sunlight, extended her hand to the Prince of Northhaven. The assembled courtiers held their breath—the last time representatives of the two courts had attempted to dance together, the resulting magical discharge had shattered every window in the palace.

But times had changed. Where Summer once would have tried to dominate with quick, aggressive turns, the Herald now matched her partner’s more measured pace. Where the Prince traditionally maintained rigid distance, he now allowed himself to be drawn incrementally closer with each revolution. Their powers mingled in the space between them—frost flowers blooming in mid-air, steam rising from their clasped hands, yet neither losing control.

The watching nobles recognized the political implications unfolding before them: two courts finding ways to move together without losing their essential natures, the first step in a delicate peace. But even the most cynical observer could see something more personal in the way the Herald’s fingers lingered when the music finished, in the way frost crystals clung to her skin without melting.

What to ask Yourself Before Writing a Dance Scene

Like everything that happens in your manuscript, you’ll want to have a specific purpose behind why you’re dedicating part of your word count to the dance. Ask youself:

What story purpose does this dance scene serve beyond pure description? (Character development, plot advancement, relationship building, world-building, etc.)
How does this scene change something in your story? (Character relationships, power dynamics, social standings, internal realizations, etc.)
What emotions or themes do you want to convey through the dance, and how will they echo larger themes in your work? (Freedom, constraint, rebellion, tradition, intimacy, etc.)
What aspects of the characters can be revealed uniquely through dance that would be harder to show through other means? (Physical grace or awkwardness, cultural background, social comfort level, hidden talents, etc.)
How does the specific type of dance you’ve chosen reflect your story’s setting, time period, and social context?
What sensory details will be most important to focus on to achieve your scene’s purpose? (Movement, music, physical contact, surrounding environment, internal sensations, etc.)
How will this scene’s pacing fit into the surrounding narrative? (Is it a moment of tension, relief, transition, or revelation?)
If other characters are observing the dance, what are they seeing and interpreting that adds layers to the scene?
How can the dance scene create or heighten conflict? (Social pressure, cultural clashes, physical limitations, rival dancers, etc.) This one isn’t necessary, just something to consider.

Terms you Might Use When Describing a Dance

In this section we’ll include basic terms everyone should know, then a more advanced section of terms in case you want to use them, without getting too technical. Keep in mind who your audience is and what they’ll understand. We’ll also get into a lot of other terms that might be helpful to you.

Everyday Movement Terms (Safe to Use Freely)

Twirl/Spin – rotating movement, usually by oneself
Sway – gentle side-to-side or back-and-forth movement
Glide – smooth movement across the floor
Dip – one partner bending the other backward
Step – basic foot movement in any direction
Turn – changing direction while dancing
Lead/Follow – the dynamic between dance partners
Stumble – losing balance or making a mistake
Float – moving with extreme lightness
Shuffle – informal sliding steps
Strut – walking with swagger or confidence
Pivot – turning on one foot
Sashay – sliding, gliding step to the side
Stomp – emphatic step with force

Familiar Technical Terms (Use With Context that Helps Readers Understand)

Waltz – both the dance and the action of moving in its characteristic pattern
Tango – can be used as a verb (“they tangoed across the floor”)
Swing – both the dance style and the action
Twirl/Spin – common in many dance styles
Partner – the person you’re dancing with
Rhythm – the pattern of movement
Beat – the underlying pulse of the music

Advanced Terms (Use Carefully and Definitely with Context)

Pirouette – spinning on one leg (ballet)
Chassé – sliding step (found in many dances)
Promenade – walking step while turning (ballroom)
Box step – square pattern of steps (as in waltz)
Dip/Bend – lowering movement with partner support
Frame – the position of arms and upper body in partner dance

Example Scene Using Some of These Terms

Elena watched her grandmother transform the moment the first notes of cumbia filtered through the wedding reception speakers. Gone was the arthritic woman who needed help carrying groceries up the stairs. In her place stood a queen from another era, already swaying to the rhythm with an elegance that made Elena’s throat tight with emotion.

“Mira, mi amor,” Abuela beckoned, her rings catching the light as she gestured for Elena to join her. “Let me show you how we used to dance in Cartagena.”

Elena shuffled forward, self-conscious in her bridesmaid’s heels. She’d inherited her father’s height and tendency to stumble over her own feet, but Abuela didn’t seem to notice or care. Taking Elena’s hands in her own papery ones, she adjusted their frame with the precision of someone who had done this a thousand times before.

“It’s all in the hips,” Abuela explained, demonstrating a basic step. Her feet glided across the parquet floor as if gravity was merely a suggestion. “Let the music move through you like water.” She led Elena in a gentle turn, then released one hand to execute a perfect pivot that made her skirt flare like the flowers embroidered into it.

Elena tried to mirror the movement, but her step landed heavy and uncertain. “I’m not as graceful as you, Abuela.”

“Ay, neither was I at first.” Abuela’s laugh lines deepened as she resumed their frame. “You should have seen me when your abuelo was teaching me to waltz for our wedding. I stomped on his feet so many times, he wore steel-toed boots to practice.” Her eyes took on that familiar mistiness that appeared whenever she spoke of him. “But he would just smile and say, ‘Mi amor, even your mistakes have rhythm.'”

They found a shared cadence then, Elena relaxing into the basic pattern as Abuela guided her through the steps. When the music shifted into something faster, Abuela’s hands tightened encouragingly. “Ready? We’re going to add a little sashay—let your hips follow mine.”

Other Information that Might be Helpful

You’re almost ready to write that dance scene! Before you do, take into consideration the following. These will help you use this scene most effectively.

Physical and Emotional Components

Conveying the dancer’s physical sensations and bodily awareness
Expressing emotional states through movement descriptions
Showing the interplay between internal experience and external expression
Writing about muscle tension, breath, and physical effort

Types of Dance

Ballroom (waltz, tango, foxtrot) – focus on partnership and formal patterns
Contemporary/Modern – emphasis on creative expression and breaking conventions
Ballet – precision, grace, and classical vocabulary
Street dance styles (hip-hop, breaking) – energy, attitude, and cultural context
Social dances (salsa, swing) – community aspects and joy of movement
Traditional/Folk dances – cultural significance and communal experience

Environmental Elements

Setting the scene (dance floor, stage, street, studio)
Impact of lighting and atmosphere
Crowd dynamics and audience interaction
Costume movement and how it enhances the dance

Technical Considerations

Using metaphor and simile effectively
Balancing description with plot movement
Avoiding common clichés in dance writing
Incorporating sensory details beyond just visual
Managing pacing through sentence structure

Movement Words

Graceful/Elegant Terms

Fluid/Flowing – smooth, continuous movement
Graceful/Elegant – refined, controlled movement
Light/Airy – barely touching the ground
Smooth – without jerky motions
Sinuous – flowing in serpentine curves
Ethereal – delicate, seemingly otherworldly movement
Lithe – flexible and graceful
Balletic – dance-like precision
Willowy – gracefully slender and flexible
Liquid – moving as if without bones
Effortless – appearing to move without strain
Poised – balanced and controlled
Refined – cultured, polished movement
Sylph-like – light and graceful

Clumsy/Awkward Terms

Lumbering – moving heavily or clumsily
Galumphing – moving in a clumsy, heavy-footed way
Ungainly – lacking grace in movement
Lurching – unsteady, jerky movement
Plodding – moving heavily or laboriously
Flailing – wild, uncontrolled movements
Bumbling – moving in a confused, awkward way
Clunking – heavy, awkward steps
Gangling – moving awkwardly, especially due to long limbs
Tottering – unsteady, about to fall

Shy/Hesitant Terms

Tentative – uncertain movements
Halting – stopping and starting hesitantly
Timid – lacking confidence in movement
Restrained – held back, controlled
Cautious – careful, measuring each step
Faltering – moving unsteadily or with hesitation
Shrinking – trying to become smaller
Retiring – drawing back from attention
Measured – careful, deliberate steps
Diffident – lacking confidence in movement

Bold/Confident Terms

Commanding – authoritative movement
Sweeping – broad, confident gestures
Assertive – confident, forceful movement
Swagger – moving with obvious confidence
Decisive – purposeful movement
Assured – confident, without hesitation
Powerful – strong, impactful movement
Determined – moving with clear purpose
Emphatic – expressing something clearly and forcefully
Authoritative – commanding respect through movement

Quick/Light

Sprightly – lively, light movement
Nimble – quick and light in movement
Flitting – moving swiftly and lightly
Skipping – light, bouncing steps
Floating – appearing to barely touch the ground

Heavy/Strong

Stalking – purposeful, predatory movement
Prowling – moving in a predatory manner
Thundering – powerful, loud movement
Stomping – heavy, forceful steps
Weighted – moving with obvious mass

You can find more movement words in the D-Script: Movement Words Better Than Walk, Run, Fall, or Jump (and more!)

Contribute to Descriptionary

Sharing this site also helps, if you can’t contribute financially. More traffic=closer to being able to support the site without donations.

SITE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Disclaimer

SHONNA WHITE
Artist, Writer, Gamer, and GIANT GEEK

www.lostinfernal.com
Twitter (X)

#ByRequest #DescribeIt

Breasts, Pecs, and Nipples – Sex Ed for Writers

In this D-Script we quote sexual snippets from books and the internet for the purpose of education.
While you should be careful about proceeding if you are under 18, education about sex and the human body is important for everyone.

Poor sex education or the lack thereof does more than create terrible scenes in books and make the author look…questionable. It increases the chances of underage pregnancy, contracting or transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, increases the chances of sexual violence, and creates relationship issues. People without adequate sexual health knowledge may not know when to seek medical care that could save them from consequences, up to and including death.

As writers, we have an impact on how our readers see the real world. As such, we have a responsibility to research our subject matter and write from a knowledgeable place. Misinformation spreads misinformation, contributing to the problems listed above. it only takes a brief walk through any social media to see lack of sex education and misinformation turned against people to shame, humiliate, or belittle them.

In other D-Scripts, we’ll get into how to describe breasts, pecs, and nipples. This D-Script is for sex education and guidance on biology.

GET AROUND THIS D-SCRIPT

Helpful Definitions Going Forward
All about the Breasts
- What Goes Wrong In Novels
- Quick Facts About Breasts/Tips for Writers
- Breasts In Media
- Sexualization of Breasts
- Breast Development and Puberty
- Breastfeeding/Milk Production
- Healthcare for Breasts
- Cosmetic Alterations to the Breasts

All About the Pectoral Muscles (Pecs) and Male Breasts
- This section has multiple, easily navigatable subsections
Life In the Wrong Body
- This section has multiple, easily navigatable subsections
All About Nipples
- This section has multiple, easily navigatable subsections

Related D-Scripts

This area will fill in the more subjects we’re able to get to.

Need to Describe Bras? Head here: What We Wear: On Our Torsos – Bras

Helpful Definitions Going Forward

Gender

“Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls, and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours, and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl, or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time”

Read the full article

source: World Health Organization

On this site, we refer to biological women and biological men, while acknowledging the trans and non-binary communities. All comments are screened, and hate will not be given the light of day.

Sex
(biological)

“Sex refers to a set of biological attributes in humans and animals. It is primarily associated with physical and physiological features including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproductive/sexual anatomy. Sex is usually categorized as female or male but there is variation in the biological attributes that comprise sex and how those attributes are expressed.”

source: Canadian Institute of Health Research

Sex
(act)

“Sex act means any sexual contact, actual or simulated, either natural or deviate, between two or more persons, or between a person and an animal, by penetration of the penis into the vagina or anus, or by contact between the mouth or tongue and genitalia or anus, or by contact between a finger of one person and the genitalia of another person or by use of artificial sexual organs or substitutes therefor in contact with the genitalia or anus.”

source: Law Insider

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Primary sex characteristics are reproduction based. Secondary sex characteristics may help people identify biological sex at a glance. They include breasts and ability to produce milk, facial and body hair, voice pitch, fullness of hips, upper body musculature, ability to develop muscle, menstrual cycles, and fat to muscle ratio.

Secondary Sex characteristics are more common in one biological sex or the other, but are dependent on chromosomes, genes, and hormones.

Fetish

“A form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc.”

source: https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

All About the Breasts

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Anatomy-of-the-female-breast_fig1_331954468

Here, we are going to discuss breasts specifically with nipples being their own section as not everyone has breasts as discussed here but most people have nipples.

Breasts overlay the pectoral muscles. In biologically female bodies, there is glandular tissue as well so they can produce milk. We will discuss milk production below in the Breastfeeding /Milk Production section. Breasts are secondary sex characteristics more or less specific to biological women, with biological men able to grow breasts if hormonal conditions allow.

Breast size is dependent on several factors: genetic factors such as where a person is most likely to accumulate fat, environmental factors such as exposure to hormone-mimicking chemicals, medications, and hormonal output. The shape of the breasts is dependent on the arrangement of connective tissue and ligaments within the individual person.

What Goes Wrong in Novels

Breasts are perhaps the most problematic in writing because they are front and centre. It’s hard not to notice them, they are highly fetishized, and writers can go a little awry when including them. Below, you will see examples from books that show exactly what the problem is.

FEMALE CHARACTERS DESCRIBING THEIR BREASTS AS THOUGH THEY ARE MEN

How often do you think about the back of the ear? The curve of your neck? The length of your legs? It’s about the same for breasts. People who have breasts live with them all day, every day. They’re not new. They don’t change shape or appearance often (puberty, pregnancy, age, etc.). As such, there is little remarkable about them except in the occasional times.

This D-Script would get significantly larger if I included snippets of these scenes in books as they tend to run on. However, here are a few tips.

If you want to describe a woman’s body, avoid doing it by having her standing in front of a mirror and reflecting in painstaking detail.
Avoid info dumps. When describing anything, space it out. Give information where necessary. Work it in strategically. A run on paragraph describing any character from head to toe is painful to read.
Try to think about how you think of your body and include only what’s necessary. If you were a man thinking about your physique, would you describe your shoulders, your hands, the length of your legs, the size of your penis and its characteristics? Likelihood is no. Don’t write female characters having long, in depth thoughts about the size, shape, and perkiness of their breasts, or how those breasts affect the world around them.
If you are a man writing from a straight female perspective, remember that women tend not to think of their own bodies or other’s bodies the same way straight men might. We may notice an attractive figure, a woman with great breasts, or something else, but we’re unlikely to sit there and study them in detail, let alone sexualize those characteristics (unless, of course, we were sexually attracted to those features).
Your male characters may be straight and may be watching a woman with attractive breasts come across the room, but it’s unlikely they’re creating deep, poetic descriptions of them. Keep it simple. Unless those boobs are plot relevant, there’s no need to spend much time describing them.
DO NOT compare women’s breasts to childrens’. Ever.
DO NOT describe the breasts of children. Ever. This point and the one above are fabulous ways of making readers throw out your book, roast your character online, and question your personal morality, even if you write it from the point of view of a despicable character. If you can’t make your villain gross without pedophilia or rape, you are writing a weak character.

NEEDLESS DESCRIPTION OF THE BREASTS

Some writers have this weird need to describe breasts for absolutely no reason at all. This is extremely off-putting to readers unless there is context as to why they’re being described.

“Miss Desjardin, their slim nonbreasted gym teacher…”

There is zero reason to describe breasts in this circumstance. In this case, the author should have asked themselves “why am I including this?” Unless the teacher’s job is to use her breasts to educate (and all the ick that comes with that), it’s best to leave it out.

This author comes across as trying to use small breasts size to physically shame the character. Keep in mind, your breast preference is just that, your preference. By trying to force your preference through your writing, you alienate your readers. Especially the breasted ones.

“Angela ran for dear life; pistol in hand, one shoe untied, and breasts bouncing like two pit bulls who were trying desperately (sic) escape from the confines of her shirt.”

As the owner of a pair of breasts of notable size, if my life was in danger I would be completely oblivious to what my breasts were doing.

On top of that, I can only imagine the author sitting there going “I’m going to make the terror of a woman running for her life sexually appealing to my readers”, to which I say “Dude, you have issues!”

Finally, “two pit bulls who were trying desperately(sic) escape”…ho, boy. This one belongs in the next section as well.

“She was small breasted, intelligent, and capable “

To start, this screams of someone trying their damnedest to appear like they aren’t sexualizing a woman while simultaneously putting in a weird, random observation about breasts at the beginning of the sentence.

This might have been better done by saying why she is thought of as smart capable (showing not telling), and then mentioning physical attractiveness, not necessarily in the same paragraph. For example, “She had single-handedly gotten the mob boss convicted and given the maximum sentence, and that was as attractive as the rest of her…”

As with the first example, the author should have asked themselves why this was relevant information for the reader.

“He gave the tiny-breasted girl the barest shake of his head“

There are a lot of issues with this small segment.

Firstly, do not use ‘girl’ unless talking about a child. Infantilizing women is problematic. Don’t know what infantilizing is? Don’t know why it’s problematic? Here is a great talk about it from study.com, which will give you a brief overview before asking you to register. You can also read this paper, Language as a social reality: the effects of infantilization of women. There is also this point form list of how infantilization of women impacts society. Then there is the general wrongness of attributing sexual characteristics to minors and valuing them as sexual/attractive. Unfortunately, a lot of this is done aiming at children just hitting puberty (8-13).

Finally, there is no situation in which talking about the woman’s (I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt even though they say ‘girl’, implying a minor’s age) breasts should be described here. What do her breasts have to do with anything here?

“Aomame mourned the deaths of these two friends deeply. It saddened her to think that these women were forever gone from the world. And she mourned their lovely breasts – breasts that had vanished without a trace.“

We’re going to end on a completely WTF quote. Just for the fun of it.

USING BREASTS TO RELAY EMOTION

You might be surprised how many times this seems to happen. Breasts, and even nipples, are not affected by someone’s emotions. The best you might get is flushing with embarrassment or excitement. There is minor engorgement with arousal, but that would be less of a visual thing and more of a tactile thing as they’ll become firmer, but not so much they would become perkier.

Using breasts to express emotion will make people wonder about you in a bad way.

“She had breasts that smile”

No one knows what this author is trying to say. Not even remotely. That’s a huge writing sin! Also, this suggests boobs with faces.

“Noelle rolls her eyes. I think her breasts roll in synch with them.”

Breasts are fatty tissue on top of pectoral muscles, so while the muscle may move and thus move the breast, it would do so nominally at best. When you see something like burlesque dancers spinning nipple tassels, that’s a combination of shoulder and abdominal movement.

“She was about to cover her startled breasts.“

I assume the author is trying to relay that the woman is startled. Since breasts don’t relay emotion, it’s best to use other indicators of surprise like “she snapped her arms up to cover her naked breasts”

“Her large breasts rippled in appreciation”

My guess here is that the writer is trying to portray pleasure experienced at the breast. First, I’m going to have you imagine what breasts rippling would look like. I can just see these old cartoons that have a starving character with a stomach rumbling…only boobs.

Breasts are skin and fatty tissues with muscle underneath. Have you seen skin actively ripple? Fat? Muscle (especially muscle hidden beneath fat)? No? The idea makes me think of bugs under the skin, honestly.

Pleasure at the breast could be better described by sound (moaning, gasps, etc.), speech (saying how good it feels), tightening of the nipples, or other bodily reactions (like arching the back up toward to source of pleasure). In a first-person perspective, it can be more like a pleasurable tingle moves through the breast or seems to move through the body, even the throat. Most of that, though not all, comes from interaction with the nipple. However, nipple-havers everywhere regardless of gender, have different levels of sensitivity, ranging from no sensation to too much, or even painful sensation.

“When she’d stopped crying, Madeline composed herself before the mirror. Her skin looked blotchy. Her breasts, of which she was normally proud, had withdrawn into themselves, as if depressed.“

Breasts are not the equivalent of testicles, which I must assume the author was comparing them to. Testicles can retract or droop due to a number of factors (though sadness is not one, fear would be, arousal, or cold). Breasts cannot withdraw or expand like this, however. Bra fitting is already a nightmare, imagine we had to contend with shrinking and engorging breasts depending on how we were feeling!

Blotchy appearance after crying? Absolutely. But I have a couple questions:

Why is this woman considering her breasts? Women live with their breasts day in and day out. Nothing is particularly extraordinary about them that would lead to introspection about the boobs. Breastrospection? Perhaps if they were putting their bra on and noticed it didn’t fit right. A causal observance of how a shirt fits. Getting dressed for a date where the woman wants to draw attention to or away from them. That’s about it.
Why are her breasts experiencing emotion? Do they have a brain of their own and experience emotion differently than the rest of the woman?

“Her breasts pulsed with resentment”

This might also fit into the “only describe breasts when necessary” section. I can’t imagine the purpose of this line. There are certain circumstances where a woman might feel a pulse in her breast, but that is probably due to trauma to the tissue. The breast cannot pulse physically due to it being fatty issue overlaying muscle.

Thinking forgivingly, this author may have used ‘breast’ as another way to say ‘chest’. Only they used breasts. Plural. So, I doubt it.

“…whilst their gentle breasts were sad for their menfolk away in the midst of remorseless wars.“

Once more, thinking forgivingly, I’m thinking this may have been the author trying to be poetic about referencing a group of women’s chests, or hearts. Remember that when you’re writing, it’s best to use terminology that doesn’t allow for misinterpretation.

As a special note, this is a good quote to call out overly florid language. Whilst, gentle breasts, menfolk, midst, remorseless wars. Each of these independently may not be overly florid, but with so many in a row this whole sentence comes off melodramatic.

MISUNDERSTANDING BIOLOGY

For something that doesn’t do a lot, breasts are wildly misrepresented in writing.

“…her breasts nowhere near as big as they would be in the fall,“

Breast size is not impacted by the season. What can affect breast size is genetics, maturity, time of the month (they may be swollen closer to menstruation), pregnancy, breastfeeding, with a not particularly noticeable increase in size when stimulated sexually. I would recommend against writing that breast size increases during sex. No one will notice the slight plumping. They may notice an increased firmness, however.

The only other explanation for this particular statement is that this is a girl hitting puberty. This means the author is currently describing the breasts of a girl between 8-16…and, repeat after me, “we do not write about the breast size of children”.

“Her curved breasts were tense with concentration“

Just like emotion, breasts are not affected by intense concentration. Again, I will call to the fact that breasts are fatty tissue, and while the muscle beneath that may be tensed by stress or anxiety, the fatty tissue cannot contract.

Extra point, there is no need to describe breasts as curved as breasts are curved.

“The left breast was fractionally larger than its sister. It was Anna’s favourite. She flexed it toward the wall. “

Yes, someone’s breasts can be different sizes. Yes, it’s possible someone has a favourite breast. No, they cannot be flexed. Once again, breasts are fatty issue on top of muscle. The muscle can be flexed but the fatty issue cannot.

“Before I could even think straight, the heavy bouncing of my breasts finished the job of waking me up.”

Even the largest breasted person isn’t going to be woken by the bouncing of their breasts before the bouncing of their body. Breast bouncing can be uncomfortable, but whatever force is causing them to move is acting on the body attached to them first. The only way this might make sense is if someone got away with grabbing the woman’s breasts and had begun rhythmically bouncing them while she was asleep. Even then, however, they’d likely be responding to the fact they’re being touched while asleep rather than aggressive breast bouncing.

“Belerra shook her head, her breasts swaying as she did”

Breasts can sway when the torso is moved but unless this woman is shaking her head AND shoulders VIGOROUSLY, her breasts are staying in place. As someone with a larger chest myself, I’m trying to imagine shaking my head alone with enough force to move my breasts…I’d probably snap my neck.

“Almost as if her heart had taken over her entire body, its pounding emanated outwards, causing her breasts to twitch with its surging pulsations”

This could have gone in the emotions section, but it speaks a bit more to a lack of understanding about biology. The ribs and sternum (bone) lie between the heart and the breasts, with no connective musculature. Even if there was, that muscle would attach to the pectoral muscles, and the breast is the flesh on top of that with no anatomy that allows for independent movement like this.

I could only imagine the force this person’s heart would need to be beating for them to even feel it in their breasts. They should probably call an ambulance because they won’t be conscious (or even alive) for long. Either that, or they have trauma to the breast tissue.

Pulsing in the breast is almost always primarily due to trauma to the tissue.

“Georgie stood out there longer than was comfortable, until her breasts ached from the chill and her hair felt as though it was shrinking”

There are certain times a person with breasts might feel cold on their breasts to a point they ached. 1. They are pregnant and the nipples are very, painfully, excruciatingly, sensitive to being cold. 2. They are topless with no bra on. 3. They are in menopause and are experiencing nipple tenderness. 4. They have significant hormonal fluctuations around their period. Otherwise, if you want to describe someone being cold, hands, face, feet, and thighs are your better options to describe.

Also…hair shrinking?

“…and the flatness of her breasts had already suggested that she was unmarried.“

Marriage, sexual activity, number of sexual partners…none of these things impact breast size. Breast size is determined by genetics and hormones. While sex CAN and does impact hormones, those hormones are endorphins and oxytocin. Hormones that impact breast size would need to be constantly secreted over a period of time and are estrogen and progesterone.

“Her happiness flowed in the milk of her breasts and her baby grew quickly”

I believe it’s pretty evident that emotions don’t impact breast milk quality. I’m going to assume this person is trying to reference breast milk supply as the baby is growing quickly, thus would need to be getting lots of nutrients (pointing out the sin of leaving your readers guessing what the heck you’re talking about).

Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can impact the amount of breast milk produced due to increased cortisol. However, it would take significant, chronic stress and anxiety to affect the growth of the child.

To be fair, I sincerely believe this author is mostly guilty of using overly flowery language to try to get across what they want.

GETTING…OVER ENTHUSIASTIC…ABOUT DESCRIBING BREASTS

Her breasts were like pillows of dough
…noted how the tight fabric of their sports bras contained their breast flesh…
I mean there’s all kinds of breasts when you think of it, noisy breasts and quiet breasts and angry breasts and superficial breasts and arrogant breasts and shy breasts and probably lots of other kinds too;…
…the cleavage vibrating in a gelatinous way as she poured whiskey…
…her breasts wagging like little startled faces
They hugged, and Mama’s breasts wobbled against Sally like packets of mozzarella the size of footballs.
She wears a vest she couldn’t button if she wanted to, because her enormous boobs shove out her blouse like intercontinental ballistic missiles preparing for launch.
…full breasts with the veins running through them like good cheese.

NOTABLE MENTIONS: YOU DECIDE WHICH CATEGORY THEY BELONG IN

Jessie laughed and the motion rippled her breasts under the light purple top she wore.
Her face was flushed, and her rich breasts rose and fell.
A mistake was made somehow in manufacturing, putting those big, womanly breasts on what would of otherwise been a perfect work, and you can see how bitter she is about it.
…by those childish breasts so bravely sprouting into a barbaric world.
Deety was staring at the corpse and did not look happy-her nipples were down flat….Deety backed off and her nipples showed faintly-not rigid but she was feeling better. My darling keeps her feelings out of her face, mostly-but those pretty pink spigots are barometers of her morale.
…and grabbed her breasts through her shirt to check the shape. No Change. Same size and shape. I’m still the same me.
Her breasts looked round as radar globes, and she was tuning them on Homer.

Quick Facts About Breasts / Tips for Writers

Natural breasts are not so much round as more drop shaped. Think of a water droplet sliding down the side of a glass. Sometimes, the nipple brings them to a more pointed shape.

Women who have been pregnant are more likely to have breasts that sit lower or sag. Sagging has little to nothing to do with breastfeeding.

When a person with breasts lies on their back, the breasts separate, moving toward the arms. The amount they do this depends on breast firmness and size.

A bouncing breast, especially as size increases, is often found to be extremely uncomfortable. Proper bra support is integral to stop this.

Breasts with implants are generally a different shape than natural breasts, being rounder in appearance, and possibly sitting higher, though not always.

The nipple may be the pleasure centre of the breast (to varying degrees depending on the person), but the breast itself is also sensitive.

While every biological woman’s experience is different, breast sensitivity can increase near menstruation (or when that would be for those without uteruses due to biology or surgery). This can make normally pleasurable sensations painful.

Healthy breasts may engorge for a few reasons, but few people would notice aside from their owner. These reasons are: water retention (may be due to the menstrual cycle), pregnancy, major hormone fluctuations, or filling with milk in preparation to breastfeed, and arousal.

One breast can be a different size, shape, or position than the other. In fact, this asymmetry is found in about half of all biological women.

Statistically, the left breast is more likely to be larger.

The size of the breast is not reflective of the ability of the person to produce milk, or how much of it is produced.

Breast development is NOT impacted by sexual activity or virginity.

Breast size can increase ever so slightly when the breast is stimulated. They also become more venous in appearance. The size shift, however, will be unnoticeable. Don’t include breast size changes like this in your writing. It is more of a firmness thing.

You cannot gauge cup size by looking at the breast. It’s complex… (see section on bras)

Exercise cannot change the shape, size, or perkiness of the breast, unless it drops the person’s body fat percentage. However, muscle can become visible around the edges of the breast.

Breasts in Media

It goes without saying that breast representation in media is problematic. There can’t be too little because that’s not feminine and not as sexual. There can’t be too much because then it’s distracting, and the character is always focused on as ‘slutty’ or otherwise hypersexual.

One example of this is the infamous picture of Keira Knightly in the King Aurthur movie poster. The actress herself has spoken out about the manipulation of her image to give her larger breasts.

But it’s not only photoshop that’s used to do with. Actresses who have smaller breasts are often ‘enhanced’ through make up to darken the shadows around the breasts and strengthen the highlights, wear inserts we often like to refer to as ‘chicken cutlets’, wear push up bras, etc.

Actresses with larger breasts are generally typecast as ‘slutty’ characters, attention seekers, and the sort. The actress themselves is also generally not taken as seriously.

In other media, such as novels, it’s often the same. Chaste characters have small chests and are often insecure about them, sexually active or promiscuous characters are well-endowed and always wearing low cut shirts and making sure everyone notices now big their chest is. There are outliers to this, obviously, but these stereotypes are much more prominent in media.

In reality, there are many smaller chested women who are perfectly fine with their size and many that are sexually active, even promiscuous. Larger chested women can be very conscious of their breast size, and they may have little interest in sex. Long story short, DO NOT play into stereotypes based on breasts, and remember that societal popularity of a certain look is no reflection of reality, nor does it speak to the diversity of preference of breast lovers.

Sexualization of Breasts

Cultures around the world view the breasts in diverse ways. There are cultures where breasts are not at all sexualized and viewed no different than a man’s chest, aside from their ability to provide nutrients for babies. Other cultures allow women to be topless in public or media without it being considered a big deal. Then there are cultures that not only view breasts as highly sexual in nature but have strict rules around if any of the breasts should be seen. And of course, everywhere in between.

The psychology behind breast attraction indicates that breasts do play an important role in human sexual behaviour. Humans even have a notably larger breast to body ratio than other mammals. It’s believed that the breasts developed this way in response to humans walking upright, with the breasts simulating the buttocks.

That said, much of the fascination with breasts comes from how sexualized they are in society. Like most things, if society is constantly talking about how sexually attractive breasts are, that encourages the thought patterns that help make it a common belief.

Breast Development and Puberty

Breast development is the result of increased sex hormones, predominantly estrogen. However, breast development does not necessarily stop with puberty. Breasts can change size throughout a person’s life.

Breast development can start before puberty, starting between 7-13. The average age of breast development starts between 10-11.

TIP FOR WRITERS: Just because a child begins breast development early does not mean that a writer should mention the breasts of a child. It is advisable to avoid talking about the primary sex or secondary sex characteristics of a minor. Ethics and morality aside, even if you are doing this to make a character seem horrible, readers will wonder why the author saw the need to do this.

Breastfeeding / Milk Production

Biological females have breasts that have lobes that produce milk when certain hormone levels are reached. The milk is then secreted through many points in the nipple

SAGGING

The idea that breasts sag after breastfeeding is a myth. Sagging is related to pregnancy-related weight changes and engorgement of the milk ducts. Even if the woman doesn’t breastfeed, some sagging may occur. Sagging can be impacted by genetics, loss of elasticity in the skin due to age or health-related concerns that impact elastic (like smoking).

BREAST MILK PRODUCTION

When breastfeeding, a woman will experience a “let down” of the milk. It is a notable sensation of the milk moving into position to feed the baby. It can be like a tingle or a literal dropping sensation. This can be triggered by the baby starting to feed, or the woman thinking about breastfeeding, or even arousal. When a let down happens, it can be easily manageable or may be so significant that the baby needs to be removed from the breast so they don’t choke from the amount or force of the let down. Breast milk can eject from the nipple with significant force and go an impressive distance!

I could get into all the details of this, but there is an article that covers this very well.This article from Babycenter.com covers everything from colostrum to what breastmilk is made of.

MILK SUPPLY

Anxiety and stress can cause a depletion of milk supply. Other factors include: waiting too long after birth to breastfeed, supplementing significantly with formula, medication, latching problems, stopping breastfeeding frequency or entirely. Here is a great article about what can cause a lack of milk production, from Today’s Parent. Breast milk supply can be increased through regular feeding or through breast pumping with a machine, which can either be manual or electric.

LEAKAGE

Women who are breastfeeding often leak breastmilk from time to time…or often. There is a market for products meant to help absorb this leakage which often look like padded disks that are held in the bra and placed over the nipple.

COMPLICATIONS

Breastfeeding doesn’t always go smoothly. Here are some common complications:

Baby Biting

Babies tend to bite, especially when they are teething (new teeth are breaking through the gums). This can be especially painful for the mother because she will likely have extremely sensitive nipples and may be suffering from chapping.

Chapping

If you lick your lips a lot, they will chap. The same thing goes for nipples. Feeding a baby regularly can cause chapping just like chapped lips, potentially up to bleeding.

Duct Blockage / Mastitis

Milk ducts can become blocked, leading to overfilled, tender, swollen breasts, and eventually infection. This is called mastitis. If the blockage is not cleared, like any infection, this can cause fevers, chills, pain, and sepsis.

Lack of Production

Many things can get in the way of a milk supply starting, continuing, or being sufficient. Here is an article on Breastfeeding and Delayed Milk Production.

FETISH ALERT

Probably not a surprise, there is a whole segment of people who have breastfeeding fetishes. This means they gain sexual pleasure from breastfeeding.

Healthcare for Breasts

BREAST CANCER

There are many variants of breast cancer. Though almost exclusively found in biological females, breast cancer can develop in biological males. This is generally due to the tumor’s dependence on the hormone estrogen that is found in higher quantities in biological women. Only 0.5-1% of men will develop this type of cancer. In the USA and Canada, 1 out of every 8 biological women will develop breast cancer.

To find information about the staging of breast cancer (Stage 0-4), head to cancer.c a ‘s article linked here.

Therapy options for treating breast cancer can also be found linked here.

If you are writing a character who is living with cancer or those dealing with a loved one fighting cancer, consider heading to cancer.ca and clicking on the Living with cancer menu and selecting from there.

SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER

Lumps
Abnormal breast discharge
Dimpling, redness, pitting of the skin of the breast (and breast skin changes should be addressed by a doctor)

Breast thickening
Change is size or shape of the breast
Change in appearance of the nipple, including areola (pigmented area surrounding the nipple)

SURVIVAL AND MORTALITY RATES OF BREAST CANCER

Caught early enough, this type of cancer is extremely treatable, resulting in high survival rates. In 2020, 2.3 million biological women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer with 685,000 deaths (not specific to 2020). Survival rates vary significantly around the world with first world nations having more than a 90% survival rate but other areas having as low as 40%.

Survivability is increasing on average 2-4% per year.

source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer

FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in biological women (2018) worldwide, in exception of a few countries.

In 2021, breast cancer became the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the world.

1 in 8 biological women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Up to 40% of biological women with breast cancer had no risk factors associated with it.

Breast cancer initially starts in the lining cells of the ducts or lobules in the glandular tissue.

prolonged breastfeeding, weight control, physical activity, avoidance of substance abuse and prolonged use or hormones and radiation can improve chances of not developing breast cancer by 30% (at most)

Some breast cancers are resistant to hormone therapy.

AT HOME SCREENING FOR BREAST CANCER

Regular at home screening for breast cancer is a vital part of breast health for people with breasts. It’s all about the process of looking for visual abnormalities and feeling for lumps or unusual soreness.

Breastcancer.org has an article all about how to do one, what to look out for, and what to do if you find a lump. To look into it, click the link above

MAMMOGRAMS

People with breasts who are older than 45 are recommended to have a mammogram every two years (as at 2022). This involves getting an x-ray of the breast which looks for early signs of cancer. To do this, the breast is compressed between two plates horizontally, then again vertically. Most feel discomfort, though some may not, and some may find the procedure painful. It’s usually advised to avoid scheduling a mammogram around the time the patient would be menstruating, as this time of the month can make breasts more sensitive.

Mammograms can also pic up cysts and calcium deposits, or any condition that creates a denser environment in the breast.

MASTECTOMY

A mastectomy is the removal of the breast and may include other tissue such as lymph nodes. While mastectomies may be done for other reasons, such as gender affirming, they are widely done to treat breast cancer or for prevention thereof for people at high risk of developing breast cancer.

While many mastectomies also remove the nipple, early-stage cancer diagnosis may allow for a nipple-sparing mastectomy.

For this treatment, one or both breasts may be removed, depending on the need.

Breast reconstruction may be offered to restore the appearance of the breast, but insurance may not cover this part of the treatment.

OTHER COMMON BREAST CONDITIONS

Breast cancer is not the only ailment that can affect people with breasts. There can also be:

Cysts – sacs or capsules of fluid buildup that can be semi solid more common in people 35-50 and those on hormone replacement therapy.
Fibroadenomas – lumps of glandular or fibrous tissue more common in those 20-40.

Cosmetic Alterations to the Breasts

Although you may immediately think of breast implants, breast augmentations can also include breast reductions or removal. They are not always performed for cosmetic reasons but to treat pain or reduce the risk of cancer.

source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-augmentation/about/pac-20393178

STATISTICS

Nearly half of all breast augmentations are done between the ages of 19 and 34
60% of breast augmentations in the US are done for cosmetic purposes.
Breast augmentation is the most preformed plastic surgery.
In the US, roughly 300,000 breast augmentations are performed per year

Breast implants do have a lifespan and warranty of about 10 years. This does not necessarily mean they need to be replaced after 10 years, however, they should be monitored closely via MRI.

People with breast implants need to continue to see a doctor about breast health and get mammography.

Breast implants require special attention and care for a period after implantation.

Implants may be saline or silicone. There can also be a fat transplantation.

Breast augmentation is a surgery that leaves scarring. Incisions may be made around the nipple, in the armpit, or the crease under the breast. The scar will fade but not disappear.

It may be helpful to get an MRI every 5-6 years if an implant is silicone to check on its integrity.

Breast implants may require additional surgeries to adjust them as changes to the body happen or scar tissue develops.

While not a guarantee, women can continue to breastfeed after implants.

Breast augmentation can also be done to reduce the size of breasts. This may be done to reduce pain or either physical or mental discomfort.

Breast augmentation may be done to even out the size of breasts (women can have different sized breasts)

Breast implants can leak or rupture.

Scar tissue may build up around implants, distorting them.

Risks include loss of sensation in the nipple, infection, rupture, and breast pain.

Breast implants will not prevent sagging, but a breast lift may help.

Mammography for people with breast implants may be more complicated.

Soreness, bruising, and swelling can last for weeks after the procedure.

During healing it may help to wear compression bandages or a sports bra. A woman should not wear an underwire bra for 6 weeks.

After breast augmentation, it is important to try to keep a steady weight as this can affect the condition of the implant and breasts

Women may require the implantation of a drain for 1-2 weeks after surgery to collect fluid buildup.

Sutures are placed in the breast that are inside to help create a fold or crease. These may cause a pulling or pinching sensation.

There will be lifting and exercise restrictions for 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Breast augmentation surgery, including reduction, may require taking time off work. Usually 1-3 weeks.

Men can get breast reductions to treat conditions such as gynecomastia.

Breast reduction can help people with breasts with chronic rashes under the breast, nerve pain, neck, back, and shoulder pain, and inability to participate in activities.

All About the Pectoral Muscles (Pecs) and Male Breasts

source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545241/figure/article-32427.image.f1/

source: https://www.dana-farber.org/program-for-breast-cancer-in-men/

Everyone has a set of pectoral muscles, how much of them is covered in other tissue is up to genetics. Arguably, a set of developed pecs is the sexual equivalent to someone’s preference in breasts…though the development of pecs is not related as much to genetics but to diet and exercise.

It is extremely important to recognize that pop culture representation of musculature is problematic. Some biological men can develop more muscle naturally, whereas the average person would require a high protein diet and constant dedication to working the muscles. A lot of the definition seen in movies, magazines, and other media is the result of the person preparing for a role or photoshoot for an extended period of time, then dehydrating themselves beforehand to thin the skin. After this, there is the lighting, make up, and postproduction editing. To put it plainly, they then get photoshopped. Musculature in media can also be prosthetics, where a literal body suit that looks like flesh is applied to the actor to give them the appearance of muscle they don’t have. In superhero movies and similar, often the muscles are worked into a rigid costume that appears skintight.

Because he is often associated with hypermasculinity, I’m going to use Jason Momoa as an example of this contrast between prep for a role and a more natural body.

Jason Momoa living his best life without (or with significantly less) extreme diet and exercise. Jason Momoa prepping for a role with extensive, restrictive diet, exercise, and likely dehydration to enhance definition (also strategic lighting).

Why do I mention this? Because, as developers of media, it is important to keep in mind realistic expectations for people of all genders. If you want that male lead with all the rippling abs and bulging pectorals, make sure with give them a diet conducive to that, as well as a daily routine that includes working those muscles. They don’t just magically happen.

For any of you who are Chris Hemsworth or Marvel fans, you’ll know how absolutely MOUNTAINOUS Chris Hemsworth got for that. Everywhere. The man is a freaking beast in that movie. So, what did it take for him to get there? Let’s take a look at this video from a fitness enthusiast who followed Chris Hemsworth’s work out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3JlUfwBJrA&ab_channel=AseelSoueid

Other articles note that Chris Hemsworth was eating 6-8 times a day to get to some 4,500 calories in.

In one article, Chris says “The target weight we aimed for was quite a ways above where I’d been before. This was probably the biggest and fittest I’ve ever been. We had 12 months where I was at home just training and puppeteering the body and manipulating,…We’d try more swimming then try more martial arts and adjust calories. It was a really fun exploration. I got really big and fit but then just had to hold it for four months, which was very hard.””

What Goes Wrong in Novels

I was unable to come up with odd beliefs about the pecs/male breasts when it comes to writing. However, I’m sure that will change as time goes on. I’m SURE they exist.

One thing that is an honourable mention, but I get into repeatedly, is how men are very much portrayed as always having rippling pectorals, a big strong chest, massive mannmories (ok, this last one is something I made up), while doing nothing to achieve them. As mentioned above, having and maintaining large muscles takes a lot of effort and a strict diet regime.

Quick Tips for Writers

Just like with breasts, unless there is a reason to discuss men’s chests don’t get into needless description.

Do not use the pecs to describe emotions.

Men’s Breast Health

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes biological men’s breasts to be larger and more feminine in appearance. This can be corrected through breast augmentation.

Though rare, man can develop breast cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Men *

A lump or swelling, which is often (but not always) painless.
Skin dimpling or puckering.
Nipple retraction (turning inward)
Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin.
Discharge from the nipple.

* source: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html

Cosmetic Alterations for Male Breasts

A common surgery for male breasts is for a condition called gynecomastia (mentioned above). Biological men’s breasts don’t just come in square shapes. They can vary in size and shape, including taking on what is considered a more feminine appearance. Below is a graphic that shows that gynecomastia looks like.

source: https://www.ckbhospital.com/blogs/everything-about-gynecomastia-surgery-scars/

Life in the Wrong Body

Disclaimer: I am writing this as a cis woman unable to imagine the complexities of having been born in a body I cannot identify with. While I have many friends in the community and many friends who have undergone transitions, I cannot speak concretely about the experiences of a trans person. As such, please enjoy these videos. I hope they are informative for you.

For people who live in a body they do not identify with, having or not having breasts can cause gender dysphoria.

“Gender dysphoria is “Gender dysphoria is a term that describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction may be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life.”…

“Many people with gender dysphoria have a strong, lasting desire to live a life that “matches” or expresses their gender identity. They do this by changing the way they look and behave.

Some people with gender dysphoria, but not all, may want to use hormones and sometimes surgery to express their gender identity.

Gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, but some people may develop mental health problems because of gender dysphoria.”

*source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/#:~:text=Gender%20dysphoria%20is%20a%20term,harmful%20impact%20on%20daily%20life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9YICZZeJNs&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

Options are available to help someone feel more at home in their body. These options include breast augmentation, which can be expensive and not covered by insurance, and hormone replacement therapy for growing breasts. Pharmaceutical hormone therapy can also be expensive.

Gender affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapy help trans people immensely with their confidence and feeling of belonging, where temporary solutions may unfortunately only provide temporary results. They are still often better than nothing.

Trans Men

For a man in a biologically female body, chest binders are an option but do come with risk. Here is an article about chest binders: Chest Binding: A Physician’s Guide.

To understand how these men feel, here is a very good video to watch to help you understand the experience and safety.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvFR0csoIc&t=93s&ab_channel=wildseedwellness

Trans Women

For women in a biologically male body, breast augmentation is an option but potentially prohibitively expensive. Gender Affirming surgeries may be covered in some countries, however.

Other options include bras with silicone breast forms inside, and hormone replacement therapy which increases estrogen and progesterone, allowing for the natural development of breasts.

I found Transgender Breast Prosthetics written by a trans woman, Andrea James, which goes through their knowledge and experiences with feminization.

Chest hair is also something that may contribute to gender dysphoria for these women.

Many options for fashion are not options, as they may show chest hair growth, a binder, or allude to a biologically male chest which can cause social issues that may further damage mental health.

If you know of a great personal experience story (video) I can link here regarding this issue for trans women, please let me know here or on Twitter @ShonnaTheWhite

Non-Binary People

Non-binary people are people who do not identify with biological gender. They feel neither male nor female. Their experiences with having breasts or a male chest will vary wildly depending on their experiences. They too experience body dysphoria. Having or not having breasts may not present an issue to them or may do so at times. On the other hand, they may prefer a more androgenous look that would allow them to present how they want at any given time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-kzYxkgbBw&ab_channel=A.Wylde

Other Resources

Nipples

We’ve shown breast and nipple anatomy a couple times now, so we won’t bother getting into that here. Nipples, in regard to, breastfeeding has also been covered earlier. Instead, let’s get into:

What Goes Wrong in Novels

“She stopped, pursing her nipples toward him…”

Considering almost every person on the planet has nipples, I’m stumped on how this person believes someone has conscious control over the state of their nipples.

So, no, no one can purse their nipples on command. I’m just imaging this woman turning around and aggressively rubbing her nipples to make them erect. Considering this snippet implies anger…

“Her friendly nipples jiggled”

Put aside that this author is talking about a ‘teenybopper’, braless in a white t-shirt, and so is already creepy.

Nipples do not have the mass to jiggle, and I just want you to imagine that for a second. Also, friendly nipples… There is nothing redeemable about this description.

“…her nipples as pink and small and hard as a child’s…”

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT sexualize children in your writing or compare grown women sexually with children. This statement in the book makes me think that the FBI needs to take a good hard look into this author’s computer.

“…her nipples had crawled in on themselves…”

I’d like to give this author the benefit of the doubt that they were trying to talk about erect nipples in an unflattering way, exemplifying the fact the viewer didn’t find the character attractive…but I’m really not sure it was meant that way. The rest of the segment was rather matter-of-factly written.

“The breasts already heavy as globed fruit but also still those of an adolescent, the nipples not yet raised, the areolae strange, smooth dark-brown circles.”

*cough* I wish there weren’t so many authors describing the nipples of children *cough*

Nipples not yet raised. I’m not sure what the author is trying to say here (writing sin). Are they speaking of pointing directionally upward? That’s not a maturation thing. It’s a genetics thing. Are they talking about sticking out? Also, not a maturation thing. Nipples are not flat, though relaxed they can almost be so sometimes…in a still rounded sort of way.

I feel I need to add the following to be thorough: Areolae can be smooth, especially in people who have not been pregnant. As this character being described is fifteen, it’s very possible. The bumps on the areola are called Montgomery glands and are a combination of milk glands and sebaceous glands that secrete small amounts of oil to keep the nipples and areola protected from chafing.

Notable Mentions

…and the burgeoning breasts with nipples that overwhelmed them like the noses on the faces of baby seals.
No boldness in the ten-year-old-body, only the mild cruciality of youth, nipples flat and trivial as vaccination marks.

Nipple Facts

There are different types of nipples including flat, protruding, and inverted.

The areola is not your nipple. The nipple is the very centre portion.

Nipples can become chafed by excessive rubbing, such as a shirt rubbing during a marathon

Bifurcated nipples are a thing. That is, having more than one nipple per areola.

After breast reconstruction where the nipple has been removed, nipples can be tattooed on.

1 in every 20,000-30,0000 people are missing one or both nipples, a condition called athelia

Nipples and areola change size during pregnancy, becoming large.

Inverted nipples are perfectly normal

0.2% to 2.5% of people are born with extra nipples that lack glandular tissue. This is called polythelia, and they can appear anywhere on the body.

Nipples can change colour depending on temperature, age, or pregnancy.

A nipple may become erect for any number of reasons, not simply arousal. This includes being cold or just because it is, much like penile erections.

Nipples can face any direction, up, down, to the sides. It’s all up to genetics!

Nipple Health

If there is nipple discharge, you should see a doctor

Nipple sensitivity can be changed by breast surgery.

Leave the bumps in the areola alone! They are called Mongomery glands (areolar glands). They secrete lipoid fluid that helps keep the nipple from chaffing.

Sore nipples can be from a range of things including hormonal changes.

Hair around the nipples is normal in both biological men and women.

Both biological men and women have nipples as they form very early in gestation, before the genes responsible for the development of sex organs activate.

Nipple cancer (Paget’s disease) is rare but occurs in 1-4% of breast cancer cases.

Nipple stimulation can help induce labour.

Nipples and Sex

82% of biological women and 52% of biological men feel enhanced sexual arousal from nipple simulation.

Orgasms from nipple simulation are a thing. In fact, so are nipple orgasms.

Everyone responds differently to nipple stimulation. Some people may enjoy rough play, others may find it agonizing.

Changes in hormone levels during sex can cause nipples to become sore after sex. Treatment for this would be a warm compress, avoiding caffeine, wearing a supportive bra, and over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen

Like any other area of the body rich in nerve endings, nipples may become easily overstimulated.

Nipple piercing can increase nipple sensitivity due to the piercing itself stimulating the nerves more directly than through the flesh. Alternately, they can be uncomfortable for others during sex.