Tag: Writing about fear

I’m Scared!

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            There are so many things to fear: spiders, heights, flying, eating out, strangers. Sometimes those fears are crippling. The subject can’t leave the house because of the possibility of encountering his/her worst fear.

            Then there are those who fear nothing. It must be terrifying as a parent to watch your child climb high into a tree or scale a pole or ride a bike down a steep hill when you’d never do those things yourself.

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has a hidden phobia, which is revealed in a dramatic fashion.

            Have fun with this one.

Phobia Time

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            You need to introduce some spice into your story. One way to do that is to let your protagonist’s phobias pop out unexpectedly.

            For example, he’s in the shower when a large, brown spider drops on his shoulder. If he’s okay with spiders, he might try to catch it so as to release it outside. However, if he’s terrified, he’ll jump as he brushes it away. He might scream, dance about the shower, even call for help if his partner isn’t afraid.

            What would make this even more interesting is if this display happened when during a gathering. Imagine what her colleagues would say when a normally calm woman bursts into hysterics when a tiny mouse scampers across the floor!

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has kept his phobia hidden from others. An occurrence happens in which his fears are revealed in such a way as to change perceptions of the character.

            Set the scene, populating it with business coworkers, old classmates or fishing friends. Let there be fun happening, or a solemn meeting, or a class reunion. Introduce the bee, spider, mouse or snake.

            Have fun with this one.

Something to Fear

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Everyone is afraid of something. It might be failure or of being left out. It could be heights, spiders, or driving on freeways. Some are terrified of crowds, especially after the pandemic.

            Using fear as a trope can lead to interesting stories, especially when the antagonist is quite terrifying to behold in terms of appearance as well as behavior.

            Your task is to write a story in which fear is the predominate emotion. Begin by creating a list of possible things to fear, thinking outside the box: nothing triggering, such as a fear of clowns. Then imagine the setting in which the story takes place. It could be the principal’s office, a cabin in the woods, a crowded shopping mall.

            Consider first person POV so that readers will experience everything through your character’s emotions. Next, think about changing perspective, writing in the voice of the person who causes the fear. How does this alter the story? Or, perhaps write in the eyes of a bystander who witnessed the event.

            Have fun with this one.

Hidden Phobia

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Everyone is afraid of something, right? It might be a fear of heights so crippling that you cannot climb even the first step of a ladder. Perhaps whenever you see a dog you cower. Maybe it’s a nighttime terror that stalks you in your dreams.

            How many people know of your phobia? If not many, then you’ve done a great job keeping it hidden. But what if you’re suddenly in a situation with others and whatever your terror is, suddenly is in your face? What do you do or say?

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has a phobia that he’s kept hidden for years. None of his friends from high school know, nor does anyone from work. Something happens that causes him to either have to overcome that phobia or confess its existence.

            Setting the scene will be critical. Stay away from backstory that reveals the cause for the phobia. Instead let it slowly come forward through dialogue and narrative. Readers will want to see your character squirm as he weighs his options.

            Build tension through the use of heightened senses. Allow us to see what he sees, feel what he feels, smell what he smells and so on.

Have fun with this one.

A Startling Situation

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

There are times when surprise appearances are fun. Think of a special birthday celebration when guests huddle in darkness waiting for the celebrant to appear so they can jump out, shouting, “Surprise!” Giggles often result and great fun is had by all.

But not all such appearances are met with joy. Imagine a scenario where your protagonist opens the door and a masked person barrels in with gun pointing at her chest. The resulting emotions are fear, terror and confusion. She might beg for her life as she’s forced to unlock the safe deposit box, pull out treasured jewelry or uncover family heirlooms.

Perhaps your protagonist is shopping at a technology store when hooded, armed thieves charge in, demanding that everyone fall to the floor. The gunmen waved weapons around and threaten anyone who raises their heads, just a bit.

Your task is to write a scene in which someone appears unexpectedly and threatens your protagonist. A good beginning place is the normal world, that situation in which she is doing something ordinary. That gives readers a chance to get to know who she is based upon her life, her abode and her thoughts as she goes about her day.

Something happens that shatters her peace and that puts her in danger, fighting for her life.

Details are important. You will also need dialogue so that we can hear the words the invader uses and what she says in response.

Have fun with this one.

Terrifying Experience

On By Terry ConnellyIn Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Imagine a time when you were so frightened that your heart pounded and you trembled in fear. Sweat beaded your brow and poured down your face. Tears filled your eyes. You tried to cry out, but no sound emerged.

What happened as time passed? Did your fear intensify or did it slowly ease? What helped you recover? Did you employ a calming strategy or did someone come to your aid?

Your character might also experience a terrifying event. When you tell the story, remember to use clues to make the scene tension-filled. Your readers want to feel the fear, to walk with your character throughout the entire process, from beginning to end.

Your task is to write the story. Begin with an everyday scene. Your character is going through life as usual when something happens that is so frightening, so terrifying that her fight or flight mechanism is triggered. She can flee, but she cannot shed her hear until readers have traveled in her shoes.

Have fun with this one.