HATRED DEFINITION:To loathe or detest; to feel animosity toward PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Fists that shake An intense, fevered stare A clenched jaw and grinding teeth Rigid and defined forearm muscles Uttering dark, hurtful words meant to provoke someone Stiff posture, square shoulders, and a lurching walk Shoving, pushing, or tripping Baring the teeth Fingers retracting, turning claw-like Shouting, screaming, or swearing Lunging at an enemy Spittle flying while one is yelling A red face and neck Sweating A visible vein throb A corded neck Leaving an event or situation; refusing to be in the same place if the other person arrives Switching shifts or altering a schedule to avoid an enemy Tightness in the face, one’s skin stretched into a snarl An animalistic growl in the throat Flaring nostrils A grip that unintentionally crushes or breaks (snapping a pen, etc.) A tense body, on the verge of springing Bullying—both online and off A mouth that curls with dislike; sneering Spitting at someone or in their direction Reaching out to throttle, hit, or cause pain Shoving people aside to reach the enemy Angry tears Cursing and swearing A scathing tone A shaking voice Using friends to help ostracize or bring the enemy low Initiating hateful gossip, setting the enemy up, or starting rumors Wrenching an enemy’s arm to stop them from leaving Acting on violent urges (throwing a chair, destroying property, etc.) A heaving chest INTERNAL SENSATIONS: One’s breath sounding loud in one’s ears Pain in the jaw or head from clenching and grinding one’s teeth A pounding heartbeat Rising body temperature Strain or soreness from tense muscles Roaring in the ears (high blood pressure) MENTAL RESPONSES: A dark mood that no one can reach through or dispel Rash decisions and impaired judgment Irrational thoughts—taking risks to get even A desire to carry out a vendetta (via vandalism, theft, etc.) A single-minded focus on how to destroy another Humiliation fantasies featuring the enemy A desire to break, crush, or destroy something ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: An inability to enjoy positive things or happiness Difficulty eating and sleeping Isolating oneself Fixating on an enemy—stalking, committing crimes against them, etc. Gravitating to people who feel the same way about the person or entity Making plans to sabotage an enemy or reveal their ugliness to others Deriving pleasure from violent fantasies involving an enemy Assault or murder SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Clamping the teeth shut to contain hard words Taking deep breaths to calm oneself Seeking out a distraction or diversion Leaving the situation or presence of an enemy Surrounding oneself with supportive friends MAY ESCALATE TO:Paranoia,Rage,Obsessed,Vengeful MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Bitterness,Resentment,Scorn,Jealousy ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Attack, bash, bite, blacken blaze, burn, consume, despise fantasize, fuel, glare, harbor incite, loathe, obsess, rant ravage, sabotage, scorch, scream seethe, shatter, shout, simmer slander, smash, swear, tear threaten, wreak WRITER’S TIP:One way to create emotional intensity is to have the character remember the stakes on the cusp of taking action. Worry over the outcome can add a slice of desperation to any scene and create a compelling emotional pull for the reader.