EMOTION THESAURUS

TERROR



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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 state of extreme fear

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Rasping breaths
Bulging eyes, an inability to blink
Full body tremors
Bolting out of hiding, rushing away from the threat
Screaming, crying, blubbering
Speechlessness or incoherence
Holding oneself tightly (clutching the arms or wrapping arms around the belly)
Squeezing eyes shut
Moaning, whimpering
Trembling chin and lips
Running away with no destination in mind
Shaking one's head as if in denial
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM TERROR:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED TERROR:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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