FEAR DEFINITION:To be afraid of; to expect a threat or danger PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: The face turning ashen, white, or pallid Body odor and cold sweats Wiping clammy hands on one’s clothing to rid them of sweat Trembling lips and chin Tendons standing out in the neck Veins beating a visible pulse beneath the skin Elbows pressing into the sides, making one’s body as small as possible Freezing, feeling rooted to the spot An inability to speak Rapid blinking Tight shoulders Staring but not seeing Eyes that are shut or crying Hands jammed into armpits or self-hugging One’s breaths bursting in and out Leg muscles tightening as the body gets ready to run Looking all around, especially behind oneself A shrill voice that one cannot control Lowering the voice to a whisper Keeping one’s back to a wall or corner Shaking uncontrollably Flinching at noises Gripping something so hard one’s knuckles turn white Stiff walking, the knees locking Beads of sweat on the lip or forehead Grabbing onto someone to feel protected Eyes appearing damp and overly bright Stuttering and mispronouncing words Tremors in the voice Jerky movements, squirming, cringing, and bumping into things Licking the lips and gulping down water Sprinting or running Sweeping a shaky hand across the forehead to get rid of sweat Gasping and expelling one’s breath Slapping a hand over the mouth to silence one’s uncontrolled whimpering Pleading with or talking to oneself INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Shakiness in the limbs (causing increased clumsiness) A racing heartbeat that causes pains in the chest The sensation of one’s hair lifting on the arms and nape of the neck Dizziness and weakness in the legs and knees A loosening of the bladder Holding one’s breath, or gulping down breaths to stay quiet A stomach that feels rock hard Hypersensitivity to touch and sound MENTAL REACTIONS: Wanting to flee or hide due to a sense of impending doom The sensation of things moving too quickly to process Images of what-could-be flashing through the mind Flawed reasoning Jumping to a course of action without thinking things through A skewed sense of time Mistrusting one’s own judgment (when it comes to safety and security) ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Uncontrollable trembling Fainting Exhaustion or insomnia The heart giving out Panic attacks, phobias, or depression Substance abuse Withdrawing from others Tics (a repetitive grimace, a head twitch, talking to oneself, etc.) Resistance to pain from rushing adrenaline SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Denying fear through diversion or changing topics Turning away from the cause of the fear Attempting to keep one’s voice light A watery smile that’s forced into place Masking fear with a reactive emotion (anger or frustration) or showing false bravado Overindulgence in a habit (nail biting, lip biting, scratching the skin raw, etc.) Telling jokes in a voice that cracks MAY ESCALATE TO:Anger,Terror,Paranoia,Dread MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Agitation,Overwhelmed,Wariness,Relief ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Cast, creep, cry, flee flutter, force, freeze, gasp gouge, grab, gulp, hiss jar, jump, overcome, panic paralyze, pierce, quiver, rush seize, shake, shriek, shrink startle, strike, swivel, throb torment, tremble, unleash, vibrate WRITER’S TIP:Prime readers for an emotional experience by describing the mood of a scene as your character enters it. If your character is antsy, the reader will be too.