RAGE DEFINITION:Violent and uncontrolled anger PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Flushed or mottled skin Shaking extremities Hands that clench and unclench Wide eyes, showing the whites Spittle building up in the corners of the mouth Biting criticism and belittlement Jabbing a finger in someone’s face A corded neck Nostrils flaring Lips pulling back, baring the teeth Cracking the neck from side to side Muscles and veins straining against the skin A guttural roar Planting the feet wide apart Sudden explosions over seemingly little things Pushing and shoving Limbering up the shoulders and neck as if readying to fight Squeezing someone’s arm to the point of bruising Using insults to pick a fight Cracking one’s knuckles to intimidate Pulling out a weapon, or finding something nearby to use as one Moving slowly and deliberately toward another person Barreling toward someone and uttering a scream or war cry Fighting with no thought for one’s safety Throwing or kicking things, causing damage Screaming Threatening violence Uttering death threats:I’ll kill you! Staring someone down to frighten them Getting into someone’s personal space Manipulation INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A pounding in the ears Increased blood flow to the extremities Elevated pulse A dry throat from rushed breathing Pain that is suspended until later Adrenaline rushing through the body A sensation of increased strength An edgy, twitchy feeling Tunnel vision or flashes in one’s vision MENTAL RESPONSES: Being driven by the belief that one has been mistreated or done wrong A desire for vengeance Looking for a fight Wanting to hurt someone, to see blood A sense of release when violence is expressed Not thinking or caring about consequences A need to dominate or control Difficulty focusing or concentrating ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Beating someone senseless Committing assault or murder Seeking out opportunities to react violently Self-destructive addictions Depression Heart disease and stroke Ulcers An inability to cope with smaller problems over time Insomnia Fatigue Destroying property SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Unnatural silence Uncontrollable body tremors Punching a wall or object instead of a person Clenched, grinding teeth Pain in the jaw from clenched teeth A tight smile that doesn’t reach the eyes Grabbing onto something secure (like a steering wheel) and shaking it violently Punching or ripping apart something soft Aggressive workouts MAY ESCALATE TO:Vengeful,Paranoia,Regret MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Anger,Guilt ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Attack, bellow, break, charge clench, clutch, explode, flush glare, grab, hit, hurl hurt, jeer, kick, roar scream, seize, smash, swear taunt, tense, threaten, throw WRITER’S TIP:As your character reacts emotionally to circumstances within the environment, don’t underestimate the importance of sensory details. Do textures bother them because of a heightened state? What sounds do they pick up on that they might not otherwise notice?