Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they’re a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character’s behaviors, habits, beliefs, and personality traits. The compulsion to avoid what they fear will drive characters away from certain people, events, and situations and hold them back in life.
In your story, this primary fear (or group of fears) will constantly challenge the goal the character is pursuing, tempting them to retreat, settle, and give up on what they want most. Because this fear must be addressed for them to achieve success, balance, and fulfillment, it plays a pivotal part in both character arc and the overall story.
This thesaurus explores the various fears that might be plaguing your character. Use it to understand and utilize fears to fully develop your characters and steer them through their story arc. Please note that this isn’t a self-diagnosis tool. Fears are common in the real world, and while we may at times share similar tendencies as characters, the entry below is for fiction writing purposes only.
One’s Genetics
Notes
To varying degrees, every person takes steps to stay healthy because no one wants the discomfort and inconvenience of being sick or injured. But not all maladies are created equal. Imagine a character with a genetic predisposition towards a debilitating physical or mental condition. Not knowing if it’s going to crop up for them, or when it will show itself…that uncertainty and fear can create a host of issues that impact the character’s thoughts and how they approach life and the future.
What It Looks Like
Frequently visiting the doctor
Requesting tests and bloodwork to look for earmarks of the condition
Maintaining a healthy diet…
Common Internal Struggles
The character feeling like their body or mind has betrayed them
Being plagued with visions of what the condition will do to the character
Constantly worrying that the condition is starting…
Flaws That May Emerge: Controlling, Fussy, Gossipy, Judgmental, Know-It-All, Morbid, Nosy, Perfectionist, Pessimistic, Pushy, Unethical, Worrywart
Hindrances and Disruptions to the Character’s Life
Overspending on genetic testing, supplements, experimental treatments, etc.
Being unable to enjoy the present because the character is so worried about the future
Not preparing adequately for the future (because the character doesn’t see the point)…
Scenarios That Might Awaken This Fear
Watching a family member suffer with a genetically inherited condition
Experiencing symptoms of the condition
Getting a call from the doctor’s office about test results…
Other Fear Thesaurus entries can be found here.
Fear is a Crucial Piece of Your Character’s Arc
Because fear plays such a pivotal role in storytelling and character growth, we’ve expanded this collection and published it as a book that you can easily use as you write. The Fear Thesaurus helps authors understand the psychology behind 80 common fears and use them to create believable struggles, meaningful conflict, and powerful arcs.
For more information on this book and where it can be found, please visit our bookstore. You can also view the book at Goodreads to see what other authors are saying about it.
