EMBARRASSMENT DEFINITION:A lack of composure due to self-conscious discomfort PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: A flush that creeps across the cheeks Visible sweating The body freezing in place Grimacing or swallowing Ears that turn red The chin dipping down The chest caving, the spine bent Hands curling around one’s middle Feet shuffling Clearing the throat and coughing Covering oneself (crossing the arms, closing a jacket, etc.) Pulling at one’s collar Rubbing the back of the neck Wincing Covering the face with one’s hands Cringing or shaking Fidgeting and squirming Touching the forehead Slanting one’s body away from onlookers or an aggressor Stuttering and stammering, growing more frustrated as words refuse to come Flinching away from touches Speechlessness or a weakened voice The toes curling up Knees pulling together Arms tucking in at the sides Sliding down in a chair Looking down, unable to meet someone’s eyes Shoulders slumping or curling forward Responding with anger (shoving, punching, etc.) Gritting one’s teeth, pressing the lips tight Shoving one’s hands in one’s pockets Fiddling with shirtsleeves Hiding behind a book Shielding oneself (having a death grip on a purse, etc.) A walk that accelerates into a sprint Using the hair to hide one’s face Glancing about for help, an exit, or escape Tugging a hat down low or pulling a hood over the head A trembling chin INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Excessive swallowing (a lump in the throat) Light-headedness A tingling that sweeps up the back of the neck and across the face A tightening chest The stomach hardening or dropping with a manifestation of dread The face, neck, and ears feeling impossibly hot Rushed breathing and a rapid heartbeat MENTAL RESPONSES: A compulsion to flee (fight-or-flight) Muddied or panicked thoughts A disconnect where the mind struggles with belief:This can’t be happening! Thoughts searching for a solution ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Bursting into tears Running from the room or situation Plummeting self-esteem Fear of public speaking or being on display Withdrawing from groups, activities, and social interaction Loss of appetite and resulting weight loss Obsessing about the embarrassing event; reliving it SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Pretending to not have heard or seen Intensely concentrating on something else; actively ignoring others A fake smile as one tries to laugh it off Changing the topic in any way possible Lying or deflecting attention by assigning blame to another MAY ESCALATE TO:Humiliation,Depressed,Regret,Shame,Anger MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Insecurity,Relief,Gratitude ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Blush, bolt, burn, cringe cry, curl, duck, escape flee, flush, gasp, hide pain, retreat, run, scurry shame, shrink, squirm, stammer suffer, sweat WRITER’S TIP:Be wary of showing emotion too readily through the act of crying. In real life, it takes a lot to reach a tearful state, so it should be the same for our characters.