EMOTION AMPLIFIER THESAURUS

INSTABILITY



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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 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:
Instability develops when the character's circumstances are volatile and have a high likelihood of changing for the worse. This amplifier could become a factor in many situations, such as a change in leadership at work that will result in layoffs, a spouse slipping further into addiction, or a living environment that is unsafe or is making the character sick.

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Seeming preoccupied and distracted (being unable to settle into a task for long, etc.)
Being easily startled
Rapid blinking or, alternatively, having a far-off stare
Tightness around the mouth
A stiff posture
Self-soothing gestures, such as hugging themselves or rubbing hands up and down their arms
Massaging the back of their neck
Cracking their knuckles
Blowing out a heavy breath
Pulling all the limbs inward; making themselves small
Rocking in place, displaying repetitive mannerisms, or overall jitteriness
Sleeping fitfully
Taking less care than usual with their appearance
Checking and rechecking information sources (a news outlet, text messages, etc.) for updates
Clinging to the people and situations in life that are stable and dependable
Experiencing wild mood swings
Crying with little provocation
Snapping at people
Avoiding making future commitments
Backing out of social plans
Inventorying resources (food, water, money, etc.
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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ACUTE OR LONG-TERM CUES:
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EFFORTS TO HIDE THE INSTABILITY:
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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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