DREAD DEFINITION:A deep fear of a future event or circumstance that leads to a strong desire to avoid it PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Clutching arms to one’s chest Shoulders curling forward, caving the chest in A bent neck Leaning back or away from the source of discomfort Dragging footsteps Hanging back Making excuses to leave Speaking in a quiet voice Offering one-word responses A hunched posture and a drooping head Clasping one’s knees tightly together Avoiding eye contact Turning the torso (shielding it from the source of one’s discomfort) Lifting the shoulders as if to hide one’s neck Sweating Rocking slightly Hands that tremble Moving to the back of a room Following the main group, leaving a buffer of space so one can retreat or flee if necessary Seeking the safety of darkness, an exit, etc. Hesitating before entering a room Holding one’s elbows tightly against one’s sides Making oneself appear smaller Flinching or cringing at loud noises Increased swallowing Arms crossing the stomach in a protective huddle Fidgety movements (twisting one’s wrists, rubbing hands on one’s pants, etc.) Clutching comfort items (a necklace charm, phone, etc.) Repeatedly dragging the palms down one’s pant legs Chewing at one’s lips or inner cheeks and making them bleed A pale or sickly complexion INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A roiling stomach or a dropping sensation A heavy or sluggish heartbeat Chills Cold fingers Tingling in the chest A weighted chest Difficulty breathing A sour taste in the mouth An ache in the back of the throat Difficulty swallowing Dizziness Shakiness in the limbs MENTAL RESPONSES: Thoughts of escape; wanting to hide Wishing time would speed up An inability to see a positive outcome Imagining the worst-case scenario and wishing for rescue Sensitivity to sound and movement ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Shaking or shuddering Jumping at sounds Flinching if touched Seeking any excuse to avoid what is to come Hyperventilating Bargaining and pleading SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Acting like one is simply feeling under the weather Attempting to escape via distraction (with TV, a book, or music) Focusing one’s thoughts to keep fear from taking over Keeping still MAY ESCALATE TO:Anguish,Powerlessness,Terror MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Nervousness,Uncertainty,Wariness,Insecurity,Hopefulness ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Brace, collapse, cringe, crumple fear, grip, imagine, obsess panic, relive, retreat, shake shiver, shrink, shrivel, suffer sweat, tremble, worry WRITER’S TIP:Maintain an overall perspective of the character’s emotional range. A strong manuscript will always expose the reader to several contrasting emotional experiences that fit within the context of the protagonist’s growth.