Person A: “I’m So Tired.”

Crazy how many people want characters in fiction to speak and act like they’ve had 20 hours of intensive therapy. Could NOT be me I want these bitches fucked up insane

PACING IS ABOUT LOAD BEARING WALLS.

*staples violently to my own forehead*

20 Ways to Show Extreme Fear in Your Writing

As I dive into researching signs of fear for my horror WIP, I wanted to share some of the most compelling and visceral reactions I’ve come across. Whether you’re writing a chilling scene or crafting a character’s panic, these 20 signs of fear can help bring tension and realism to your story.

Physical Reactions

Hyperventilating — sucking in air but never feeling like it’s enough

Chest tightens — feels like a weight or hands pressing down

Limbs shaking violently, knees buckling

Complete loss of muscle control — collapsing or unable to stand

Cold sweat soaking through clothes

Heart hammering so hard they feel it in their throat or head

Tunnel vision — the world narrowing down to one terrifying focal point

Ringing in the ears or sudden deafness, like the world drops away

Dizziness / feeling faint / vision blurring

Dry mouth — unable to speak or even scream

Uncontrollable Behavior

Screaming / sobbing / gasping — involuntary vocal outbursts

Panic run — bolting without thinking, tripping over everything

Clawing at their own skin / chest / throat — like trying to escape their body

Begging / pleading out loud even if no one’s there

Repeating words or phrases — “No, no, no” / “This isn’t happening”

Hiding instinctively — diving under tables, closets, or corners

Desperate grabbing — reaching for someone, anything solid

Loss of bladder or bowel control (for extreme terror)

Total mental shutdown — frozen, slack-jawed, staring blankly

Memory blackout — later can’t recall what happened during the worst moment

Other Words for "Look" + With meanings | List for writers

Many people create lists of synonyms for the word 'said,' but what about the word 'look'? Here are some synonyms that I enjoy using in my writing, along with their meanings for your reference. While all these words relate to 'look,' they each carry distinct meanings and nuances, so I thought it would be helpful to provide meanings for each one.

Gaze - To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration or thought.

Glance - A brief or hurried look.

Peek - A quick and typically secretive look.

Peer - To look with difficulty or concentration.

Scan - To look over quickly but thoroughly.

Observe - To watch carefully and attentively.

Inspect - To look at closely in order to assess condition or quality.

Stare - To look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.

Glimpse - To see or perceive briefly or partially.

Eye - To look or stare at intently.

Peruse - To read or examine something with great care.

Scrutinize - To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

Behold - To see or observe a thing or person, especially a remarkable one.

Witness - To see something happen, typically a significant event.

Spot - To see, notice, or recognize someone or something.

Contemplate - To look thoughtfully for a long time at.

Sight - To suddenly or unexpectedly see something or someone.

Ogle - To stare at in a lecherous manner.

Leer - To look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious way.

Gawk - To stare openly and stupidly.

Gape - To stare with one's mouth open wide, in amazement.

Squint - To look with eyes partially closed.

Regard - To consider or think of in a specified way.

Admire - To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval.

Skim - To look through quickly to gain superficial knowledge.

Reconnoiter - To make a military observation of a region.

Flick - To look or move the eyes quickly.

Rake - To look through something rapidly and unsystematically.

Glare - To look angrily or fiercely.

Peep - To look quickly and secretly through an opening.

Focus - To concentrate one's visual effort on.

Discover - To find or realize something not clear before.

Spot-check - To examine something briefly or at random.

Devour - To look over with eager enthusiasm.

Examine - To inspect in detail to determine condition.

Feast one's eyes - To look at something with great enjoyment.

Catch sight of - To suddenly or unexpectedly see.

Clap eyes on - To suddenly see someone or something.

Set eyes on - To look at, especially for the first time.

Take a dekko - Colloquial for taking a look.

Leer at - To look or gaze in a suggestive manner.

Rubberneck - To stare at something in a foolish way.

Make out - To manage to see or read with difficulty.

Lay eyes on - To see or look at.

Pore over - To look at or read something intently.

Ogle at - To look at in a lecherous or predatory way.

Pry - To look or inquire into something in a determined manner.

Dart - To look quickly or furtively.

Drink in - To look at with great enjoyment or fascination.

Bask in - To look at or enjoy something for a period of time.

Gumroad

The Writer's Scene Workbook

Calling all aspiring storytellers with hearts full of whimsy! Get ready to sprinkle a touch of enchantment into your scenes with my Scene Wo

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‧₊˚ ❤️‍🩹 ✩ old injury prompts

¹⁾ “your shoulder’s acting up again, isn’t it?”

²⁾ “sit, and rest your damn hip before it gives out altogether.”

³⁾ “you’re doing that little frowny thing you always do when a migraine’s about to come on.”

⁴⁾ “i think i coughed wrong and tweaked my back.”

⁵⁾ “christ, how much tiger balm have you got on?”

⁶⁾ “here, can you help me wrap my knee?”

⁷⁾ “i can tell, so don’t bother lying. your gait always gets fucked up when you haven’t been doing your physical therapy.”

⁸⁾ “ran you a bath. might help loosen things up, yeah?”

⁹⁾ “i saw how you were limping this morning- figured picking up your prescription ahead of time might’ve been the move.”

¹⁰⁾ “the heat pack’s in the top left dra- “ “nah, you’re a much better comfort.”

¹¹⁾ “of course i’d manage to break my fall with my bad wrist.”

¹²⁾ “think i pulled a muscle.” “which one?” “all of them.”

¹³⁾ “if you won’t go to the doctor, at least just take it easy for a day or two.”

¹⁴⁾ “i’ll believe your back isn’t at you if you can get up off the floor to tell me it.”

¹⁵⁾ “please tell me that creaking is coming from the stairs and not you.”

¹⁶⁾ “you don’t need to take care of me. i wouldn’t ask that of anyone.”

¹⁷⁾ “i need some ibuprofen, a whiskey and a bath. maybe in that order.”

¹⁸⁾ “you’re good at hiding it, but i can tell you’re in pain.”

¹⁹⁾ “i’m gonna stay the night. i don’t wanna leave you like this alone.”

²⁰⁾ “it’s just a bad day. it’ll pass- it always does.”

“I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“The scars are new.”

“Who…who gave them to you?”

“Doesn’t matter. They’re dead.”

to the casual observer it may look like i'm trying to summon a demon but anyone who knows me will realize that i am simply calling my wife

You’re a rogue with enough gold to last ten lifetimes. But old habits die hard—you sneak through crowds, slipping coins into people’s pockets. The kingdom is buzzing about the mysterious, generous "thief."

You allowed your child to join the vampire hunters against your better instincts. A decade later, they return home for dinner with a vampire spouse.