The Fear Thesaurus Is Here! (Early Release at Writers Helping Writers)

Update: The Fear Thesaurus is now available everywhere books are sold!
Find the links for these stores below or visit the official Fear Thesaurus page for more information on formats, retailer links, bonuses, and companion resources.

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 that a character’s fear could 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: Yes! Find your preferred store here.
Google Play: Yes! Access the store here.
iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, etc.: Yes! Access your store choice here.
The Writers Helping Writers Store: Yes! Find it here (and thanks for supporting us directly!)

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

Plus, a Buy Direct Bonus: The Phobia & Triggers Mini Help Guide

The Fear Thesaurus is available at our Writers Helping Writers store. Having our own store allows us to offer bundles, free items with a purchase, occasional discounts, and more.

By buying this book from us, you’re not only supporting us (thank you), but you’ll also receive a gift: 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!