ANTICIPATION DEFINITION:Hopeful expectation; to await eagerly PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Sweaty palms Trembling hands Crossing and uncrossing one’s legs Frantic planning for the event List-making Clasping one’s hands to the chest Being unable to think or talk about anything else Fidgeting as if movement will make things go faster Bouncing on one’s toes A bright-eyed look as one engages with others or the environment Fussing with clothes and rearranging things Waiting at a window, hovering at the door or by the phone Checking and rechecking one’s hair or makeup in a mirror Gossiping with others, sharing excitement, and giggling Closing the eyes and squealing or releasing a mock growl Jittering a foot against the floor Covering one’s face and then peeking Biting one’s lip Fake swooning Asking questions:How long? When? What is it? Wetting the lips Closing the eyes and sighing Pacing Rhythmic movements (swinging one’s legs back and forth, etc.) Obsessive clockwatching, or checking and rechecking email Phoning or texting friends to talk about what’s coming Grabbing another person and sayingTell me! Leaning in Picking at food because one is too excited to eat Begging someone for details, an answer, or to get a look at something Sensitivity to touch INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A fluttery, empty feeling in the stomach Breathlessness A pounding heart Tingling all over MENTAL RESPONSES: Daydreaming A desire for perfection; running through mental lists to ensure one’s prepared Fearing that something will happen to screw things up A lack of concentration Imagining what will happen Becoming self-critical (questioning clothing choices, one’s abilities, etc.) ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Sleep loss Frustration or impatience Short-temperedness and irritability Neglecting everything else (responsibilities, friends, family, etc.) Fantasizing or building up the event far beyond its reality Overthinking (e.g., organizing every minute detail) Going overboard in preparation (e.g., dressing over-the-top) SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Sitting unnaturally still Pressing one’s lips together Rubbing sweaty hands on one’s clothes Pretending to read a book or watch TV A corded neck Clamping one’s hands tightly together Avoiding conversation Sneaking glances at a clock or doorway Feigning boredom Telling oneself that it doesn’t matter Acting interested in something else Rolling one’s shoulders and neck as if they’re stiff Changing the topic MAY ESCALATE TO:Excitement,Desire,Jealousy,Pleased MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Disillusionment,Disappointment,Indifference ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Arouse, await, beam, beg bounce, buzz, clench, excite expect, flutter, gleam, glow grin, heighten, hope, lean quiver, race, shiver, sparkle speculate, stir, strum, tense thrill, tingle, tremble, whet wonder WRITER’S TIP:If a critique partner voices confusion over the emotional reaction of one of your characters, check to make sure the stimulus trigger is prominent. Showing the cause-effect relationship is vital when conveying authentic emotion.