Emotion: Hope

When you want to write the emotion hope, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing not telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on the expectation of positive outcomes or the belief that things will get better in the future. It is the feeling of desire and anticipation for something good to happen, even when the odds may seem unfavorable. Hope can provide motivation, comfort, and resilience during difficult times and can inspire people to take action to achieve their goals. In writing, hope can be portrayed through a character's actions, thoughts, and dialogue, as well as through the overall tone and theme of a story.

Different Types of Hope

Here are some different types of hope:

• Optimistic hope: an expectation or belief that things will turn out positively in the future.
• Desperate hope: a feeling of hope that is born out of a desperate situation or circumstance.
• Nostalgic hope: a feeling of hope that is based on memories or past experiences.
• Resilient hope: a persistent and enduring hope that persists despite setbacks or difficulties.
• Inspirational hope: a hope that is based on the belief that one can achieve great things or make a positive impact on the world.
• Faith-based hope: a hope that is rooted in religious or spiritual beliefs.
• Empathetic hope: a hope that is driven by a desire to help others and make a positive impact on their lives.

Situations Associated with Hope

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of hope:

• Overcoming a difficult challenge or obstacle
• Seeing a positive change or improvement in their life or the lives of others
• Receiving support or encouragement from others
• Being inspired by someone or something
• Discovering new information or possibilities that offer a sense of hope for the future
• Reflecting on past successes or happy memories
• Hearing or reading about stories of resilience, perseverance, or triumph in the face of adversity
• Being given a second chance or opportunity to make things right
• Feeling a sense of purpose or meaning in their life or work

Physical Reactions to Hope

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing hope might have:

• Upright posture and an open body language
• Bright and optimistic facial expressions such as a smile, raised eyebrows or widened eyes
• A sense of energy and enthusiasm
• A positive tone of voice with an upbeat pace
• Engages in activities that support their goals and dreams
• Seeks out opportunities and solutions to problems
• Displays a sense of determination and resilience
• Talks about the future with excitement and anticipation

Thoughts Associated with Hope

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing hope might have:

• Maybe things will turn out okay after all.
• I have a good feeling about this.
• There's still a chance for a happy ending.
• I believe in myself and my abilities.
• I'm looking forward to the possibilities that the future holds.
• I'm excited to see what happens next.
• This setback is just a temporary obstacle.
• I'm willing to take risks and try new things.
• I trust that everything will work out for the best.

Atmosphere of Hope

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of hope in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use bright colors and natural lighting to create a positive and uplifting atmosphere.
• Include symbols of hope, such as flowers, rainbows, or sunsets, to reinforce the emotion.
• Set the scene in a location that represents hope, such as a garden or a mountaintop.
• Use positive language and optimistic descriptions to describe the setting and characters.
• Include hopeful sounds, such as birds chirping or a gentle breeze, to enhance the mood.
• Show characters engaging in activities that represent hope, such as planting a garden or working towards a goal.
• Use metaphors or similes that evoke the feeling of hope, such as "her heart felt light and free, like a butterfly in the wind."

Verbs Associated with Hope

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of hope:

• Believe
• Anticipate
• Aspire
• Trust
• Envision
• Long
• Pray
• Dream
• Optimise
• Pursue
• Visualize
• Imagine
• Plan
• Enthuse
• Inspire
• Encourage

Emotions Before Hope

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences hope:

• Despair
• Sadness
• Grief
• Disappointment
• Regret
• Frustration
• Anxiety
• Fear

Emotions After Hope

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences hope:

• Disappointment
• Despair
• Frustration
• Sadness
• Resignation
• Defeat
• Anger
• Confusion
• Betrayal

Telling Hope Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion hope in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She felt hopeful about her future.
• He hoped that things would work out in his favor.
• The news gave her a sense of hope.
• They held onto hope that they would find a way out of their predicament.
• The thought of a better tomorrow filled her with hope.
• He clung to the hope that his dreams would come true.
• The possibility of a happy ending filled her with hope.
• They prayed for hope in their darkest moments.
• The glimmer of hope in his eyes was unmistakable.

Practical Examples of Showing Hope

Here are some examples of showing hope in a sentence:

• Sarah gazed at the sunrise, feeling a rush of optimism for the day ahead.
• Despite the difficulties, John continued to work hard, believing that success was within reach.
• As she read the letter from her long-lost friend, Emily felt her heart swell with anticipation of their reunion.
• The little girl smiled brightly as she clutched her new toy, imagining all the adventures they would have together.

Exercises for Showing Hope

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing hope:

• Start with defining what hope means to your character. What does it look like, feel like, and sound like? What are the specific things they hope for?
• Write a scene where your character is feeling hopeless. Then, rewrite the scene to show how hope is slowly restored. What actions, thoughts, or interactions with others help bring hope back to your character?
• Write a letter from your character to their future self, expressing their hopes and dreams. What would they like to achieve, and how do they plan to get there?
• Write a scene where your character encounters a situation that challenges their hope. How do they react, and how do they overcome this challenge? What does this tell you about their character and their relationship to hope?
• Use sensory details to convey hope in your writing. Describe the way the sun shines, the wind blows, or the birds sing to create a sense of optimism in your reader.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotions list.