Emotion: Infatuation

When you want to write the emotion infatuation, 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 emotion tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Infatuation is an intense and often short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something, characterized by a strong desire to be close to the object of infatuation, a tendency to idealize or romanticize them, and a feeling of euphoria or elation when in their presence. It is a powerful feeling that can be experienced in relationships, but also towards a celebrity, an idea, or even a hobby. Infatuation can be both positive and negative, as it can lead to positive experiences, but can also cloud judgment and lead to disappointment or heartbreak.

Different Types of Infatuation

Here are some different types of infatuation:

• Adolescent infatuation: A sudden, powerful attraction to someone, usually based on physical appearance or a perceived ideal personality.
• Romantic infatuation: An intense, short-lived passion for someone, often leading to obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
• Celebrity infatuation: A strong admiration or obsession with a celebrity or public figure, often based on their appearance or perceived persona.
• Unrequited infatuation: A one-sided attraction, where one person is deeply infatuated with another who does not reciprocate their feelings.
• Sexual infatuation: An intense desire for physical intimacy with someone, often leading to sexual obsession or addiction.
• Work infatuation: A strong attraction or obsession with a colleague or boss, often leading to unprofessional behavior or compromising situations.

Situations Associated with Infatuation

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

• Meeting someone new who they find physically attractive or charming
• Receiving attention or compliments from someone they admire
• Sharing common interests or experiences with someone they like
• Engaging in intimate or romantic activities with someone they are attracted to
• Idealizing the person they are interested in and overlooking their flaws or negative traits
• Feeling a sense of excitement or anticipation when thinking about or being around the person they are infatuated with

Physical Reactions to Infatuation

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

• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Sweating and blushing
• Dilated pupils and fluttering eyelashes
• Smiling and laughing excessively
• Stuttering or tripping over words
• Constantly thinking and talking about the object of infatuation
• Daydreaming and fantasizing about the object of infatuation
• Engaging in impulsive and risky behaviors to impress or gain the attention of the object of infatuation
• Difficulty focusing on other tasks or responsibilities

Thoughts Associated with Infatuation

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing infatuation might have:

• I can't stop thinking about them
• Every little thing they do is so endearing
• I feel like I'm walking on clouds whenever I'm around them
• I wonder if they feel the same way about me
• I want to impress them and make them happy
• I'm so nervous around them, but in a good way
• I feel like I'm a better version of myself when I'm with them
• I hope they notice me and how much I care
• I can't wait to see them again and spend more time together

Atmosphere of Infatuation

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

• Use descriptive language that emphasizes beauty and charm. For example, describe the sunlight filtering through the trees in a park or the way the light catches the glint in someone's eye.
• Create a sense of intimacy by describing details that highlight the closeness of the characters. For example, describe the way the characters' hands brush against each other or the way their breath mingles in the air.
• Use sensory language that evokes the physical sensations of infatuation. For example, describe the way a character's heart races or the way their skin tingles at the sight of their love interest.
• Use metaphor and symbolism to convey the intensity of the emotion. For example, compare the way a character feels to a wildfire or a thunderstorm.
• Use setting and atmosphere to create a romantic mood. For example, set the scene during a sunset or in a cozy, candlelit room.
• Use dialogue to reveal the characters' feelings for each other. For example, have them express their admiration and adoration through words and actions.

Remember, the key to mirroring the emotion of infatuation in your setting and atmosphere is to focus on the sensory details that evoke the physical sensations of the emotion, as well as the romantic mood and intimacy of the scene.

Verbs Associated with Infatuation

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

• Adore
• Cherish
• Crave
• Desire
• Enamor
• Idolize
• Love
• Obsess
• Yearn

Emotions Before Infatuation

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

• Curiosity
• Interest
• Attraction
• Fondness
• Admiration

Emotions After Infatuation

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

• Disillusionment
• Disappointment
• Heartbreak
• Anguish
• Sadness
• Resentment
• Acceptance
• Moving on
• Renewed hope
• Growth and self-discovery
• Healing
• Gratitude

Telling Infatuation Examples to Avoid

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

• He was infatuated with her from the moment he saw her.
• She couldn't stop thinking about him, consumed by her infatuation.
• Despite knowing it was foolish, he couldn't help his infatuation with her.
• Her infatuation with him was obvious to everyone around them.

Practical Examples of Showing Infatuation

Here are some examples of showing infatuation in a sentence:

• Every time she saw him, her heart skipped a beat.
• She couldn't stop thinking about him, even when she tried to focus on something else.
• Her palms grew sweaty and her cheeks flushed every time he spoke to her.
• She found herself constantly checking her phone for a message from him.

Exercises for Showing Infatuation

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing infatuation:

• Start by defining what infatuation means to you. What are the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms associated with it? What does it feel like?
• Create a character profile for someone who is infatuated. What are their likes and dislikes? What are their hopes and fears? What are their past experiences with relationships?
• Write a scene where your infatuated character sees their love interest for the first time. What are their initial thoughts and feelings? Do they feel nervous, excited, or anxious? Describe the physical sensations they experience, such as a racing heart or sweaty palms.
• Write a scene where your character is daydreaming about their love interest. What do they imagine doing together? How do they feel when they think about the possibility of being with this person?
• Write a scene where your character is trying to impress their love interest. What lengths do they go to? How do they feel when they succeed or fail?
• Write a scene where your character's infatuation is tested. Perhaps their love interest doesn't reciprocate their feelings or they discover something about the person that challenges their perception of them. How do they react? Do they continue to pursue the person or do they move on?

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