Topic: Eyes going wide, eyebrows shooting up, etc. - Writing Craft

I have a question about how to write the usually involuntary reactions that POV characters have when surprised by something. It includes things like eyes going wide, eyebrows shooting up, eyes popping open, etc. Some writers have told me to write them like so: he widened his eyes, he raised his eyebrows, he opened his eyes. Others, though, recommend: his eyes went wide, his eyebrows shot up, his eyes popped open, etc. I tend to lean toward the latter approach since they are essentially involuntary reactions.

Thoughts?

Thanks.
Dirk

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Re: Eyes going wide, eyebrows shooting up, etc. - Writing Craft

It makes no difference if it is "involuntary" or not, the person is still doing the action so you can say it however suits your style of casting words. Your word choice is really all that matters. Does it fit the rest of your descriptive style or would it be jarring to say it one way or the other. Anyone making a comment about it is merely expressing their opinion of how it sounds to their ear, not any type of rule or how anyone else might perceive it. You could just as easily say, "His eyes snapped open like venetian blinds" if it suited you and I'm pretty sure someone would tell you they/you couldn't do that, but you see, I just did so it is possible to do it your way. Take care. Vern

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