GUILT DEFINITION:A feeling of culpability over an offense (either real or imagined) PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Averting or lowering one’s gaze Turning away or shifting about The chin dipping to the chest as one’s posture slumps Blushing Scratching at the face Reacting defensively; short-temperedness Consuming antacids Repetitive swallowing Lying Sweating Grimacing and lip biting Avoiding a person or place Talking too much or too fast Keeping at a distance Rubbing the nose or tugging at a collar One’s shoulders drawing up, the elbows tucking into the sides Closing or curling one’s hands inward Stuttering, growing flustered, a voice that cracks Joking to lighten the mood or distract others from the truth Seeking comfort by touching one’s own hair, neck, or clothing Pinning the arms against the stomach Becoming unnaturally quiet or still A quivering chin Muttering tearfully to oneself Anxious movements (pawing a hand through the hair, pacing, etc.) Taking a deep, pained breath and closing the eyes Staring down at one’s feet and focusing on one’s knees (if sitting) Palms hidden (stuffed into pockets, held behind the back, etc.) Darting glances at the person who was wronged Following the one who was wronged, trying to convince oneself to confess Inflicting pain on oneself as a penance Destroying one’s own possessions An inability to join in fun activities or be with friends Looking pale; having a harried or haunted look Not showing up for work or school Avoiding the people one believes have been wronged Cutting oneself down in front of others; vicious self-deprecation INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Tightness in the chest Skin sensitivity, or skin that feels more itchy than normal Pain in the back of the throat Upset stomach and a loss of appetite MENTAL RESPONSES: Replaying what happened, making it bigger in one’s mind Thoughts filled with self-loathing Wishing one could go back and change what happened Feeling anxious and desiring to confess or share the pain or burden with another Brooding, retreating inward, and withdrawing from others Paranoia that others know and are passing judgment An inability to concentrate on anything else ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: A lack of interest in one’s own appearance or wellness Drinking until passing out (to forget) Exhaustion or even insomnia Depression Nightmares Crying, sobbing, and hitching breaths Flight responses—running away, unable to deal with the consequences Growing reclusive and cutting oneself off from others Self-mutilation Self-loathing Wanting to take one’s own life as a way out (or even attempting suicide) SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Becoming excessively resourceful or helpful to make up for earlier failures Fidgeting and throat-clearing Hiding one’s mouth behind a hand Changing the subject and deflecting attention Verbally denying having anything to do with the event MAY ESCALATE TO:Conflicted,Regret,Shame,Remorse MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Doubt,Reluctance,Regret,Uncertainty ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Absolve, admit, burden, conceal confess, deny, escape, haunt imply, lessen, project, prove punish, purge, riddle, suffer tinge, torment, torture WRITER’S TIP:Character bibles can help you keep track of hair, eye and clothing choices for each character, keeping the continuity from the first page to the last.