Consider the subtle nuances of each verb before choosing it.Īched, banged, beat, bounced, bounded, bumped, capered, careened, careered, cartwheeled, convulsed, danced, drummed, explodedįaltered, fell, flailed, flapped, flip-flopped, flounced, fluttered, frolicked, froze, galloped, galumphed, gamboled, groaned, hammered, heaved, hopped Likewise with a rocketing or galloping heart.
In each case, a single word describes how the protagonist is feeling.Ī jackhammering heart could be the result of many emotions, which you can show elsewhere in your story or poem. For instance, a groaning heart paints a different picture than a cartwheeling one. Note that some of these verbs are tells, which are appropriate when word count is limited. Now We Get to the List of Direct Replacements for Pounded Of course you will provide clues or misdirection as appropriate, won’t you? It’s up to readers to decide whether Ken has interpreted her feelings correctly. Her red cheeks and bright eyes reminded Ken of a mare in heat. You don’t have two cents to rub together in the pockets of those threadbare jeans, and I’m already promised to another.” Susan has a pounding heart too, but maybe you can introduce a hurdle: “Gosh darn it, Susie, can’t you tell how I feel about you? I’m all lathered up like an old stud horse chasin’ after a filly, and my heart’s poundin’ like a blacksmith’s hammer in my chest. He’s speaking in character.Ĭowboy Ken, our POV character, might declare his love for Susan something like this:
Yes, Joe used a cliché, but it’s all right. Did you put MSG in it? My pulse is racing like a freight train.” When Jordan experiences these physical signs, he might make a sour face and announce: You might notice Jordan’s wheezing or flushing, but you would be unable to perceive an unpleasant taste in his mouth or his racing pulse. Unless you’re an omniscient narrator, you can’t know what other people in your narrative are feeling. Although some of the following might be deemed cliché, evaluate emotion beats and physical manifestations you could substitute instead:ĭialogue Can Treat the Heart Pounded Disease While Maintaining Point of View Once you’ve determined the reason for the pounding heart, investigate different ways of peeking behind the curtain. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) If you need additional beats, consult a body language dictionary. street drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine.medications such as decongestants, diet pills, and asthma inhalers.mitral valve disease, tachycardia, or heart attack.other strong emotions such as anger, anxiety, defeat, disappointment, enthusiasm, excitement, fear, nervousness, worry.anticipation before attempting something like public speaking or cliff jumping.annoyance with telemarketers, noisy dogs, door-to-door salespeople, or slow restaurant service.phobias and fears, which might also escalate into a panic attack.physical exertion like climbing, running a marathon, or swimming several lengths of the pool.Here are just a few activities, emotions, and external factors that could make a person’s heart beat faster: There’s a cure for that.īefore considering alternatives, you need to know why your protagonist’s heart is pounding. Do you fall back on the heart pounded phrase whenever your characters are afraid or stressed? Guess what, dear writer.
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