Fear: what does it look like?

Fear is a strong emotion felt when we face a threat. The threat can be physical, emotional, or psychological. It can be real or imagined. It is often viewed as a negative emotion but it comes in handy when it causes us to flee a potential danger. It can also be a positive when we learn to overcome a fear of things like the first day of school, or going for a job interview. It can also be considered fun when we allow ourselves to be scared on purpose like a haunted house, or watching a scary movie. 

As writers, fear can be used as an agent of change. It might cause a character to leave the security of the familiar and venture into the unknown. It can be used to raise conflict followed by resolution. For today’s writing prompt, the theme is fear. Whether it is negative or positive will depend on what you write. It is up to you.

 

Today’s Pumping Your Muse writing prompt

The writing mantra of show don’t tell applies to today’s writing prompt. Write a scene that shows fear. As you show this, insert your character into the scene. Show that they are fearful. Make the intensity of the threat clear. Engage the senses. What do they smell? Hear? Feel? What do they say? (Include some internal monolog). Use strong verbs. Indicate the timing. Is the threat something immediate or impending? If you feel stuck, use the following list to inspire your word choices:

• Avoid making eye contact
• Dry mouth
• Chills, hair standing on arms, back of the neck, etc.
• Rapid heartbeat
• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Perspiring (sweating)
• Shaking hands, trembling

If you decide to expand this scene into a story, show how your character copes with the fear. If they can cope with it, it will lessen or remove the fear, but if they are helpless the fear of harm will intensify.   

Photo credits: pixabay, pixabay

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About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions. 

 

The Inheritance is available on Kindle, paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (Christian fiction), Smashwords and Google Books. When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support. 

About Dragonborn by Donna Sundblad

 

Dragonborn conjures up a winning fantasy with dragons, humans, time travel, and magic. Follow the journey of the young prisonguard, Ervig Greenfields, as he seeks out dragons to remove a curse. The dragons offer him access to the Labyrinth of Times, which will purge the dark magic. But there’s a catch. Erving must take the Dragon Oath that requires allegiance--to fight alongside dragons for centuries, never to return to his own time. He and a handful of others take the selfless oath and become Dragonborn. The Dragonborn and their dragons become seeds of change, in this epic tale, of sacrifice for the greater good. Ride along with them as they slip through a tear in time to the past to change the future. 

Dragonborn is available on Kindle, paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (Christian fiction), Smashwords Apple and Google Books. When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.