WARINESS DEFINITION:Mistrust marked by caution and watchfulness; being alert to possible danger PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Cocking the head to the side Eyes narrowing, as if in confusion Pursing the lips Lowering the brows Cutting the eyes toward the source Holding up the hands in a defensive stance Speaking in a soothing, placating voice Backing away The posture perking up as awareness increases Sidestepping while keeping one’s gaze on the source Actively listening for something Lifting the chin Keeping one’s hands free Taking note of possible exits Being aware of what lies behind Asking questions Circling; approaching someone or something in a roundabout fashion Slow, cautious movements Speaking rapidly, with the intent of maintaining the status quo Standing back and observing before jumping in Stiffening and going still A strained or tense voice Flinching when touched Hesitation Biting one’s lip or pressing the lips together A probing gaze Careful words A furrowed brow An inability to relax or smile Rubbing at the forehead or temples Gritting the teeth A stern or serious expression A jutting jaw Saying something (I should go) or doing something (stepping toward an exit) as a test Being alert to sudden movements INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Increased adrenaline Rapid heartbeat and pulse Tense muscles Tightness in the gut One’s breath catching or stopping briefly An intuitive feeling that something isn’t right (hairs standing up, the skin prickling, etc.) MENTAL RESPONSES: The mind trying to discern possible danger Trusting one’s gut feelings Heightened senses Defensiveness Thoughts that race while one tries to make sense of the situation Confusion Difficulty committing fully to any action A finely tuned sense of observation Weighing the information one should share and/or choosing to hold back Trying to see and hear everything at once Thinking ahead to what might happen ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Increasing one’s personal space Positioning oneself to create a barrier (moving behind a table, etc.) Arguing without aggression, only to provide insight Scanning for potential weapons Paying closer attention to other people’s body language and tone of voice Asking questions one knows the answers to in an effort to discern another’s intent SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Standoffishness Looking from lowered lids Attempting to lighten the mood with a joke A posture that suggests discomfort (standing by oneself, clamping the hands around the waist, etc.) Leaning away Hesitation MAY ESCALATE TO:Anxiety,Fear,Unease,Suspicion MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Relief,Resignation ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Analyze, evade, falter, flinch hesitate, hold back, inhale, interrogate pause, prompt, recoil, sidle stiffen, tense, test, tilt watch, waver WRITER’S TIP:When writing emotion, pull from your own past. Even if you haven’t experienced what the POV character is going through, chances are you’ve felt the same emotion about something else. Draw on your personal experience and bring life to the story.