MOODY DEFINITION:Experiencing unexpected mood swings; feeling emotionally sensitive or temperamental NOTES:Moodiness can cause either volatile or reserved behavior, so choose the best fit for your character’s personality and temperament. PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Crossing one’s arms over the chest Body tenseness (e.g., tightly gripping a backpack strap or one’s car keys) Rubbing one’s temples Restless movements (shuffling one’s feet, biting one’s nails, twisting a lock of hair, etc.) Pacing or walking in circles Crossed legs, with the foot bouncing up and down Biting the lip Being highly negative Glaring at people or staring them down Taking things wrong (e.g., misreading something that’s said) and snapping at people Raising one’s voice Interrupting others Rolling the eyes Blowing out breath in an exaggerated huff Making annoyed noises in the back of one’s throat Muttering under the breathExploding in an angry outburst (yelling or swearing) Becoming argumentative or picking a fight Speaking tactlessly and saying things that hurt others Storming out of the room Squeezing one’s eyes shut to regain control of one’s emotions Blinking back tears or crying at little provocation A voice that breaks or cracks Slack posture and an inward look Refusing to engage in conversation Trying to release one’s emotions (via going for a run or heading to the beach) Taking big breaths Sighing Distracting oneself (with a cell phone or book, by going for a drive, etc.) Avoiding the people one expects to be frustrating or infuriating Withdrawing from others INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Eyes prickling with tears Tightness in the chest A squeezing in the throat An ache in the jaw from clenching one’s teeth MENTAL RESPONSES: Being easily startled; feeling jumpy or jittery Expecting people to be annoying before they actually are (predicting what people will say, anticipating an irritating habit or gesture, etc.) Being impatient; getting upset by small setbacks that normally wouldn’t be a problem Being easily frustrated Difficulty finding things that one wants to do Being easily hurt by playful or teasing comments (feeling attacked) An inability to think clearly or see the situation accurately Being unable to admit wrongdoing; believing that everyone else is to blame Feeling out of control and responding poorly but not knowing how to stop Thinking negative thoughts about oneself:Why am I such a horrible person?orNo wonder no one wants to be around me. ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Headaches or migraines Stomach pains and ulcers Insomnia Driving loved ones away, leading to isolation Turning to medical aids, drugs, or alcohol as a way of coping One’s school or work performance suffering Becoming more and more negative in one’s thinking Migrating toward other negative people SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Being passive-aggressive Putting on a happy face Exiting a room or situation to avoid becoming angry or bursting into tears Clamming up Taking a background role; letting others be in charge MAY ESCALATE TO:Irritation,Anger,Self-Pity,Sadness,Hurt MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Agitation,Conflicted,Indifference ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Argue, belittle, confront, cry disrespect, dissolve, explode, flee flinch, groan, hide, insult mutter, provoke, sigh, sulk tear up, tremble, yell WRITER’S TIP:If a character is pretending to feel something to fit in or because it is expected, make sure to show hesitation, initial awkwardness, or internal thoughts to emphasize this forced emotion.