When we want to represent an emotion, we usually start with the person experiencing it.

Panic can be easy to recognize.

Wide eyes.

Tension.

Shaking.

Fast breathing.

These details can be enough to tell us what someone is feeling.

But we can go one step further.

Instead of only showing the emotion, we can show what the emotion causes.

What happens to the person because they are panicking?

And what happens next?

This can create a chain of meaning:

The person sees the shark.

The person panics.

And because they panic… something else happens.

Sometimes that extra consequence can also bring humor into the story.

Not every uncomfortable or frightening situation needs to be represented in a dramatic way.

A small unexpected detail can completely change the tone.

So today's tip:
Don't just show what someone feels. Show what happens because they feel it.