RESIGNATION DEFINITION:The state of surrendering, often with little or no resistance PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Sighing dejectedly Slumped shoulders Blank features Stooped posture Shuffling footsteps Taking small steps Tears A monotone voice Becoming less verbal over time Dull eyes A chin that trembles Answering with a small nod Sagging facial features Limp hands and arms Unwashed hair Wrinkled and disheveled clothes A loss of appetite Disinterest in former hobbies or passions Making oneself small (hugging oneself, squatting down, curling into the fetal position, etc.) Avoiding eye contact Being at a loss for words Lethargically giving comfort to someone (rubbing their back, patting their shoulder, etc.) A shake of the head Tipping one’s head back on the neck to look skyward Agreeing, but without emotion Clasping the hands together Leaning forward, elbows on the knees Staring off at nothing A hanging head A loose jaw A half-hearted shrug A long exhale Muttering and mumbling Holding the head in the hands Propping a cheek on a fist Slowed reactions to stimuli Grunting; giving one-word answers Purposely closing the eyes, as if to process Excessive sleeping INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A falling or dropping sensation A sensation of emptiness Feeling numb and heavy A lack of emotion Weakness in the muscles Pain in the throat (because it’s constricted) MENTAL RESPONSES: A determination to make the best of the situation (glass half full) An inability to focus or concentrate Feeling directionless Confusion:How did this happen?orWhat will happen to me now? The sense that nothing will ever be the same Feeling powerless over the present or future Believing that one has failed ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Depression Retreating inward Disconnecting from others Doubting oneself; a decrease in confidence Apathy Becoming submissive; giving up control SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Whining and questioning Offering token weak arguments Squaring the shoulders but without any real force or strength Offering a small display of anger Acting like giving in was a choice, not the only option MAY ESCALATE TO:Sadness,Disappointment,Defeat,Self-Pity MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Acceptance ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Abandon, capitulate, cave, defer deliver, droop, drop, end evacuate, fade, forfeit, give up mumble, murmur, nod, quit recant, relinquish, sag, shuffle sigh, slouch, slump, stare submit, surrender, waste away, whisper wither, yield WRITER’S TIP:Too many emotional internalizations in a scene can slow the pace considerably. If the character’s reflections are key to readers understanding what is being felt, try shifting some of these inner thoughts to active, realistic dialogue. It will increase the pace and still reveal the character’s feelings.