Show and do not tell

Read this character description and infer how the character feels.

Think about how you know.

Renz’s face dropped. His cheekbones lowered as his eyes became wider than he thought possible. His mouth gaped and he could feel his breathing quicken as his heart thumped in his chest. He stared intently at the door handle, recoiling backwards and instinctively trying to hide.

Read this character description and infer how the character feels.

Think about how you know.

Erin’s hands curled tightly into fists and she raised them to her chest. A broad, toothy grin painted itself across her face and her eyes squeezed shut. She could feel an almost electrical energy buzzing through her veins.