FEAR – a cheat sheet, of sorts

I’ve needed to do his for a while… so I did. And I figured if I needed it, you might.

So here.

This is a list of things words and phrases to convey fear in a character (some are more for nervousness but that’s an offshoot of fear, more or less.

(We’ve discussed writing effective emotions before HERE but didn’t make a list of words for it.)

We probably need one for every emotion, and as creative types I’m sure we can think them up for ourselves.

Add to this list and feel free to start a new list with words and phrases to express whatever you’re struggling with. I’ll cut-paste them all into a big post or several small posts.

TIP: USE SHORTER SENTENCES for the fearful part

 

TIP: think of what you do when the emotion happens, and then play it back in your mind and write down what you see. An example follows at the end. Feel free to add your own.

TIP: find pictures of the emotion you need to describe and then write down what you see.

Pounding heart – my go to, and hence the list

heart hammered against his ribs

heart in throat

eyes widen

mouth drops open

groan in fear

stand rigid

scream

back away from something

walk slowly toward something (creep)

Cover mouth with hand

Short breathing

Hands shake

Sweat

Holding stomach

Electricity shoots through stomach

adrenaline shoots through stomach

adrenaline shoots through mouth

stomach drops

Tense muscles

Eyes darting around the room

Hands out holding wall if backed up to one

Biting nails

mouth goes dry

white knuckles when holding something

face goes pale/blood drains out of face

cry or almost cry

bite lip

fidget: tug at clothes, play with pen, crack knuckles

speak with a  stammer or hesitation

swallowing

pupils dilate

raised eyebrows

sweaty palms

squirm in chair

shift weight on feet

adjust collar  or necktie

rub back of neck

run away

shut eyes

cover head with hands

cover head with blanket

jump, as in startled

grab chest

say “Oh my god!” or just about any other expletive

pee your pants (sorry)

hit the thing scaring you

kick the thing scaring you

shiver

frozen in place with fear

sweat runs down temple or forehead

avoid eye contact

tapping your toe

tapping your fingers on a table or steering wheel

fold arms

rocking back and forth

hunch over or slouch

look down

can’t think straight

Pleading: please, no, please

Can’t breathe/the fear is choking me

Shiver down spine

Hairs stand up on the back of your neck

Nausea

A desperate desire to be elsewhere

Knees get weak

Can’t watch

Flinch

Pass out

Hide under table

Cringe, raising shoulder to protect face/head – may be the same as slouching to some people

FIRST:

When somebody jumps out and yells “Boo!” you jump back, your jaw drops open, your eyes widen, you get ready to flee

THEN

you grab your chest, say, “Oh, my god!” exhale, bend over a little, grab the wall to balance yourself, say, “Shit, you scared the hell out of me!”

THEN

you take deep breaths or laugh. Or punch the person.

What are some that YOU can think of, or emotions we need a list for?