EMOTION AMPLIFIER THESAURUS

MORTAL PERIL



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HELPFUL TIP:

Amplifiers are conditions that enhance emotions, causing characters to become more volatile. This often leads to impaired decision-making, hasty actions, relationship friction, and, best of all, mistakes. When utilizing an amplifier to generate conflict, think carefully about setting choices and which environments will naturally escalate emotion. An amplifier can also be perfect for triggering your character’s negative traits; the resulting fallout will draw attention to how his flaws trip him up and hold him back.
DESCRIPTION:
Some mortal peril scenarios—dangerous situations that put the character's life at risk—play out over time, such as being taken hostage by violent people or being injured in a way that assures death is coming. Other scenarios happen quickly: the character being robbed at gunpoint, an oncoming car veering into their lane, or the like. For clarity purposes, this entry focuses on the latter. And for related information, you may find the DANGER entry useful.

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Freezing in place
Not responding to stimuli
Dilated pupils
The eyes going wide or squeezing shut
Uncontrollable trembling
Tears forming
Stammering and struggling to find words
Vocal changes: the voice cracking, rising in pitch, taking on a panicked tone, etc.
Losing the ability to speak
Releasing a moan or other sound of terror
Goosebumps rising on the skin
Remaining as still as possible; avoiding moving or making sounds
Cutting the eyes to see the source of terror without facing it head on
The character sliding or dropping to the ground
Curling into a fetal position, protecting the head and vital organs
Backing up, creating distance
Being unsteady on their feet
Moving to put objects between themselves and the threat
Taking actions that only pertain to the here and now
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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EFFORTS TO DOWNPLAY THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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EMOTIONS GENERATED BY THIS AMPLIFIER:
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DUTIES OR DESIRES THAT MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT TO FULFILL:
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SCENARIOS FOR BUILDING CONFLICT AND TENSION:
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WRITER’S TIP:
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