EMOTION THESAURUS

DREAD



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HELPFUL TIP:

The inner landscape of your characters (especially your protagonist) is the lifeblood that runs through your story. Emotions, and how they're expressed, are tied deeply to a character’s personality and which positive traits and negative traits will manifest. To bring your readers in deeper through shared experience, consider filtering the setting descriptions through your character’s emotions while also exploring important colors, textures, and shapes through his or her senses.
DEFINITION:
A nearly overpowering fear to face or meet; a strong desire to avoid a future event or circumstance

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Holding the stomach as if pained
Clutching arms to one's chest
Shoulders curling forward, caving the chest in
A bent neck
Leaning back or away from the source of discomfort
Dragging footsteps
Making excuses to leave
A quiet voice, offering one-word responses
Hunched posture and a drooping head
Clasping one's knees tightly together
Avoiding eye contact
Turning the torso, shielding it
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM DREAD:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED DREAD:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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