A new book is always something to celebrate, but we are extra excited about this one. Fear is more than an emotion that shows up in tense moments–it lies at the heart of every character’s journey.
Every battle your character faces, every personal struggle they endure, every doubt, insecurity, and false belief they internalize…fear is the engine driving it all.
More than an emotion, fear exists to warn against threats. It activates the body and mind, alerting people so they can protect themselves from harm. But pain–emotional or physical–can’t always be prevented. This is when fear sinks its hooks, pushing characters toward avoidance: situations that may contain risk, people who might hurt them, and choices that carry a cost.
This pattern of avoidance means lost opportunities for meaningful connection, personal growth, and fulfillment. For characters with big goals, fear will block them from achieving the very thing they seek.
If you need help with characters who…
- Resist change
- Make the same mistakes
- Push people away
- Hide from uncomfortable truths
- Feel stuck
- And struggles to change
Then this is the book for you. The Fear Thesaurus spans 80+ deep fears that might be holding your character back, so you can craft a character arc journey that forces them to confront their demons, break through emotional barriers, and find their inner strength. (Want to see inside the book? Go here: Fear Thesaurus Writing Guide Sample.)
Whether a character fears failure, change, heartbreak, or something else, The Fear Thesaurus helps you brainstorm:
- What situations may trigger a specific fear
- How fear shows up in their behavior and decision-making
- Types of internal conflict they will likely struggle with
- Emotional wounds their fear may have stemmed from
- How fear might hinder and disrupt your character in the story
- Ways they can minimize or overcome what’s holding them back
- And more!
Where to Find The Fear Thesaurus
Amazon: Not yet. Releases May 12thGoogle Play: Not yet. Releases May 12thiTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, etc.: Not yet. Releases May 12th
The Writers Helping Writers Store: Yes! Find it here.
Book Bonus: The Fear Thesaurus Companion Hub
Inside this book is an access portal to The Fear Thesaurus Companion Hub, which contains exclusive free resources:
- Fear Factor Workshop
- Greatest Fear Worksheet
- Fear by Genre Handout
Buy Direct Bonus: The Phobia & Triggers Mini Help Guide
Currently, The Fear Thesaurus is available only at our Writers Helping Writers store.
By buying direct, you’re not only supporting us (thank you), but you’ll also get a gift from us: The Phobia and Triggers Mini Help Guide. In it, we explore 10 iconic phobias, what might trigger them, how they shape character behavior, and more!
We hope this guide helps you write characters who are as unique and human as people in the real world. As always, thank you so much for making our thesaurus books a part of your creative journey!
If you’d rather wait to buy this guide at a different store, The Fear Thesaurus will be available at Amazon and other retailers on May 12th.
4 Comments. Leave new
I watched the Fear Factor Workshop last week and enjoyed it. Thanks for putting the book out early. Looking forward to perusing it.
I’m so glad you liked it, Michelle! I hope it gave you some ideas on how to bring more fear cues into your character’s story!
Thanks for the support, Vanessa. Let us know what you think of The Fear Thesaurus!
I love these different thesauruses. And I’m happy you came out with another one. I’m going to check this book out now. I’m pretty sure I’m going to buy it because I already have the rest of them. (Clapping hands) Oh I’m so happy!! 😊