DISAPPOINTMENT DEFINITION:A state of dismay due to being let down PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Lowering one’s head Lips pressing tight into a grimace Shoulders dropping or slumping slightly A hunched posture Looking up with hands raised in theWhy me?position Collapsing onto a chair or bench A frustrated shake of the head A bitter smile A heavy sigh Briefly covering one’s face with one’s hands Breaking eye contact Bending the neck forward Slowly shaking one’s head Tilting the chin down and frowning Muttering or making a noise in one’s throat Swallowing hard Sagging against a door or wall Reaching out to steady oneself Dropping the head, eyes closed Stumbling mid-stride One’s face going slack and paling slightly Pressing hands to one’s temples Weaving hands into the hair and pulling Frowning or wearing a stony expression Watering eyes, an inward focus Wincing The mouth falling open slightly Looking around in confusion or shock Attempting to hide (covering the head, ducking one’s chin, turning away, etc.) Hands that hang, lifeless and loose Hands fluttering like they’ve lost track of what they should be doing Feet shuffling or kicking at the ground Rubbing at the back of one’s neck A voice that drops or goes quiet WhisperingNoor cursing under the breath Biting or chewing at the lip Clutching oneself (gripping the elbows, rubbing the arms, etc.) Pressing a hand to the abdomen Slinking away (flight response) INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A heart that feels like it’s shrinking A clenching stomach followed by the sudden onset of nausea Ribs that grow tight, restricting one’s breath Breaths that hitch, or momentarily forgetting to breathe A heaviness in the body MENTAL RESPONSES: A feeling of dread or hopelessness Defeatist thoughts and negative self-talk Wanting to be alone Feeling worthless ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Flushed cheeks (embarrassment) Berating oneself Wallowing (drinking too much, listening to depressing songs, etc.) Obsessing over why things happened the way they did An inability to move on Avoiding future goals that are not a sure thing SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: A slight lip press Dropping the shoulders, then hitching them up again Offering false cheer, a weak smile Making a joke as if it doesn’t matter Citing a backup plan or listing more options Making promises Clasping one’s hands in one’s lap Congratulating the victor MAY ESCALATE TO:Depressed,Defeat,Resentment,Anger,Inadequate MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Resignation,Acceptance ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Break, cloud, cope, crush dampen, defeat, deplete, derail dismay, drag, droop, fail falter, forfeit, frustrate, mourn pummel, sigh, slacken WRITER’S TIP:Characters experiencing raw emotion often react without thinking—either through dialogue or action. Rash behavior creates the perfect storm for increased tension and conflict.