We know that wounding events are treacherous, setting up a minefield of new developments that majorly impact the character. The lie is usually the first landmine that emerges out of a traumatic experience, but the wound produces an equally debilitating fear. This fear is so strong that it burrows into the character’s mind with a single purpose: do whatever it takes to ensure the painful emotional experience never happens again.
None of us are strangers to fear. Whether it’s rational or not, we feel the niggling pressure of it in our everyday lives. If I open up to this person, will they reject me? If I let the kids play in the backyard alone, will they be safe? Fear is part of our survival instinct, alerting us to possible danger.
The fear surrounding an emotional wound is a different creature, though. Rather than dissipate when the crisis has passed, it endures and grows, feeding on insecurity and self-doubt. Because characters are rendered utterly vulnerable when emotional trauma strikes, they become convinced that they are doomed to re-experience the agony of those uncomfortable emotions if they don’t protect themselves. Nothing motivates quite like the psychological fear of emotional pain, and the certainty that history will repeat itself becomes all-consuming.
To see this in action, let's take a look at Paul, our example character whose life was turned upside-down when his wife revealed that she was gay. Not only was this a moment of intense betrayal, but the resulting divorce launched him out of his contented life and into one full of uncomfortable challenges. It was extraordinarily difficult, and he doesn't ever want to do it again.
And so, a fear is born: Paul becomes afraid of rejection and abandonment. As he moves forward, every action and decision will be steered by this fear. Trusting people, taking them at their word, letting them in—he places limits on the things he believes contributed to that hurtful experience. Paul also underachieves, because if he tries for a big goal (such as chasing a promotion at work) and fails, his shortcomings will be revealed, reminding everyone that he's defective (his lie).
These new behaviors and attitudes are part of his emotional shielding, erected as a way of protecting himself. This shielding will change what he believes and values, how he acts, the choices he makes—even his personality, as he embraces new traits that he believes will keep him from harm.
This is why identifying your character’s fear is crucial: it will determine not only who they are in the story but also what goals they choose to pursue. Their fear will drive everything, until their unmet need grows strong enough to turn the tables.
Zeroing in on the Character’s Fear
Luckily, figuring out your character’s fear is one of the simplest parts of the process. The fear, simply put, is that the wounding event will happen again. Someone who was violently attacked in the past may live in terror of being brutalized again. A child who was loved conditionally by her parents may fear that she will never be worthy of love. Paul is afraid of rejection and abandonment.
If you're wondering which fear might be plaguing your character, The Fear Thesaurus is a good place to start. This collection explores 68 devastating fears and what they could look like for your character, as well as the internal struggles, flaws, and life disruptions that could accompany them. You'll also be able to see which human needs would be impacted, along with finding story goals that would be difficult for someone struggling with that fear.
If you already know your character's wounding event, unearthing your character's fear is even easier. Just find that traumatic experience in The Emotional Wound Thesaurus and view the shortlist of fears that are individualized to the event. A helpful question to ask when narrowing down those options is this: Which fear will most impede the character from achieving their story goal and getting what they desperately want?
Either of these processes will produce a number of important results: your character's fear will be related to their wound, and both will be sufficiently impactful. The fear you choose will also create conflict and growth opportunities throughout the story—both of which are necessary for your character to traverse their arc satisfactorily from Page One to The End.
None of us are strangers to fear. Whether it’s rational or not, we feel the niggling pressure of it in our everyday lives. If I open up to this person, will they reject me? If I let the kids play in the backyard alone, will they be safe? Fear is part of our survival instinct, alerting us to possible danger.
The fear surrounding an emotional wound is a different creature, though. Rather than dissipate when the crisis has passed, it endures and grows, feeding on insecurity and self-doubt. Because characters are rendered utterly vulnerable when emotional trauma strikes, they become convinced that they are doomed to re-experience the agony of those uncomfortable emotions if they don’t protect themselves. Nothing motivates quite like the psychological fear of emotional pain, and the certainty that history will repeat itself becomes all-consuming.
To see this in action, let's take a look at Paul, our example character whose life was turned upside-down when his wife revealed that she was gay. Not only was this a moment of intense betrayal, but the resulting divorce launched him out of his contented life and into one full of uncomfortable challenges. It was extraordinarily difficult, and he doesn't ever want to do it again.
And so, a fear is born: Paul becomes afraid of rejection and abandonment. As he moves forward, every action and decision will be steered by this fear. Trusting people, taking them at their word, letting them in—he places limits on the things he believes contributed to that hurtful experience. Paul also underachieves, because if he tries for a big goal (such as chasing a promotion at work) and fails, his shortcomings will be revealed, reminding everyone that he's defective (his lie).
These new behaviors and attitudes are part of his emotional shielding, erected as a way of protecting himself. This shielding will change what he believes and values, how he acts, the choices he makes—even his personality, as he embraces new traits that he believes will keep him from harm.
This is why identifying your character’s fear is crucial: it will determine not only who they are in the story but also what goals they choose to pursue. Their fear will drive everything, until their unmet need grows strong enough to turn the tables.
Zeroing in on the Character’s Fear
Luckily, figuring out your character’s fear is one of the simplest parts of the process. The fear, simply put, is that the wounding event will happen again. Someone who was violently attacked in the past may live in terror of being brutalized again. A child who was loved conditionally by her parents may fear that she will never be worthy of love. Paul is afraid of rejection and abandonment.
If you're wondering which fear might be plaguing your character, The Fear Thesaurus is a good place to start. This collection explores 68 devastating fears and what they could look like for your character, as well as the internal struggles, flaws, and life disruptions that could accompany them. You'll also be able to see which human needs would be impacted, along with finding story goals that would be difficult for someone struggling with that fear.
If you already know your character's wounding event, unearthing your character's fear is even easier. Just find that traumatic experience in The Emotional Wound Thesaurus and view the shortlist of fears that are individualized to the event. A helpful question to ask when narrowing down those options is this: Which fear will most impede the character from achieving their story goal and getting what they desperately want?
Either of these processes will produce a number of important results: your character's fear will be related to their wound, and both will be sufficiently impactful. The fear you choose will also create conflict and growth opportunities throughout the story—both of which are necessary for your character to traverse their arc satisfactorily from Page One to The End.