The first thing I thought of was that the reason why lip-biting is so prevalent is because of movies, acting and TV. it's much easier to portray a depth of feeling with a lip-bite, then anything else (like a buttclench, unless it's a porn movie then your audience is terribly limited). Others, like Ki mentioned, like a hand through the hair, cheek gnawing, while it's possible to film, it isn't as 'tiny significant' movement/motion as lip-biting.
There's also the intent stare, but that's not easy to transfer to writing.
One thing we want to portray with lip-biting is a certain... emotion. Somethign to indicate something out of the ordinary, such as intense feelings or concentration. So what we need to do, is actually analyse what the character would do - I mean, does he normally do it? I know I chew my lip for the hell of it. WHen I'm hot and sweaty, I chew my bottom lip, when I'm dripping sweat, anxious, worried, I lick either the top or bottom. One thing about lip-biting is that it's a one-size fit all, but there are still more
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That's a really good point about the use of lip-biting in acting. Very, very good, in fact. I shall think about that.
And yes, I think the thing to do, when you reach for an iconic action such as lip-biting, is to ask yourself what exactly you are trying to portray, and whether there isn't some other action your character might be more likely to make. Then if lip-biting is still the right gesture, use it, but do so with conscious attention. As long as you are conscious and aware of using an icon, and do it deliberately, as opposed to simply writing on automatic, it can be a good thing.
I agree with most everything that's already been said, though the one quirk that I realize I write perhaps too much is this:
Raising/quirking an eyebrow.
I think I actually started using "quirking" because I was worried I was saying "raising" too much. But it honestly...just seems to fit. And if the character's face acts like mine does, well, the eyebrow goes up. Quite often.
Biting the lip, running the hand through the hair, picking fingernails...those are used as well (not that I can remember an example) but perhaps the latter aren't used quite as often as the lip.
I don't think I've ever really been annoyed that someone's character bites their lip...they usually seem to have a very good reason for it. And it makes sense. It's human. And I suppose that's what matters - though pesky cliches always manage to come back and bite me.
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There's also the intent stare, but that's not easy to transfer to writing.
One thing we want to portray with lip-biting is a certain... emotion. Somethign to indicate something out of the ordinary, such as intense feelings or concentration. So what we need to do, is actually analyse what the character would do - I mean, does he normally do it? I know I chew my lip for the hell of it. WHen I'm hot and sweaty, I chew my bottom lip, when I'm dripping sweat, anxious, worried, I lick either the top or bottom. One thing about lip-biting is that it's a one-size fit all, but there are still more ( ... )
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And yes, I think the thing to do, when you reach for an iconic action such as lip-biting, is to ask yourself what exactly you are trying to portray, and whether there isn't some other action your character might be more likely to make. Then if lip-biting is still the right gesture, use it, but do so with conscious attention. As long as you are conscious and aware of using an icon, and do it deliberately, as opposed to simply writing on automatic, it can be a good thing.
Reply
Raising/quirking an eyebrow.
I think I actually started using "quirking" because I was worried I was saying "raising" too much. But it honestly...just seems to fit. And if the character's face acts like mine does, well, the eyebrow goes up. Quite often.
Biting the lip, running the hand through the hair, picking fingernails...those are used as well (not that I can remember an example) but perhaps the latter aren't used quite as often as the lip.
I don't think I've ever really been annoyed that someone's character bites their lip...they usually seem to have a very good reason for it. And it makes sense. It's human. And I suppose that's what matters - though pesky cliches always manage to come back and bite me.
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