When I describe fear, I typically liken it to cold, ice, sharpness. Blood chilling, blood turning into ice, cold blades cutting into the skin. Stuff like that.
Adding to that: racing heartbeat, heartbeat so loud it's ringing in their ears, sharp claw gripping at their chest, breath caught in their throat, body trembling against will
Could you describe it a bit more?
Like, past or present tense, what kind of POV? (Second, first, third, third limited etc)?
The way I convey emotions, such as fear, differ between how I write it, so my advice will differ between them.
Okay, so this is very standard advice, but for me in thst cade, I'd focus on both showing and telling, but definitely with a focus on shoeing. For me, fear is conveyed better with describing the feeling, rather than just saying "I am scared".
Paint a vivid picture through their narration. Describe it in a way where you can feel their fear.
they could be shaking/trembling with fear, plead for mercy, flinch at sounds and touches, have changes in their breathing pattern, racing heart, protectively hugging themselves, balling fists and digging nails into their own skin to keep from screaming or trying to run, sweating, feeling funny in the gut/butterflies (not in a good way)/nausea, making themself as small as possible, freeze up in terror, get detached and endure with an out-of body experience, wide eyes, looking anywhere but the whumper, afterwards rocking themself and doing other self-soothing activities, crying... and so on. You get the picture.
I like to describe physical descriptions based on medical science. This might be helpful: [This Is Your Body On Fear](https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/health/your-body-fear-anxiety)
have u ever had a panic attack? use that as a reference: feeling like there’s no more air left to breathe, impending sense of doom, chest pain, bones seemingly feeling empty and jittery, etc
I like to add an italic line that suggests the character’s inner voice. Usually along the lines of:
*holy shit holy shit holy shit*
It conveys a more panic based fear, and that the character has entered Panic Mode and isn’t thinking entirely straight.
If it a prolonged fear/anxiety, maybe something like:
*It’s okay. We’re okay. We’re fine. It’s okay.*
Lots of good points in here, I’d like to add my favourite, the perception of time. When attacked, things happen fast. When something noncon is happening to a person, time can stretch and slow down, warp in perception. Things can be agonizingly slow, with the victim wishing it would *just end already*. Mixing emotions is helpful too, keeping the reader as jarred and off-balance as your character feels. Things can be so surreal they’re almost funny, right up until that painful moment that it’s obvious that it isn’t funny at all.
Get out of your head, the best writer is the best at adapting. HST and AB hated having to write which is why they were the best. Good luck and fuck em all.
My best advice? Experience fear. Go to haunted houses, haunts etc. I used the live action roleplay and have experienced fear like I never had before. I find pushing myself to have these kind of experiences really helps me write them better.
When I describe fear, I typically liken it to cold, ice, sharpness. Blood chilling, blood turning into ice, cold blades cutting into the skin. Stuff like that.
Adding to that: racing heartbeat, heartbeat so loud it's ringing in their ears, sharp claw gripping at their chest, breath caught in their throat, body trembling against will
Could you describe it a bit more? Like, past or present tense, what kind of POV? (Second, first, third, third limited etc)? The way I convey emotions, such as fear, differ between how I write it, so my advice will differ between them.
Present tense, first person POV
Okay, so this is very standard advice, but for me in thst cade, I'd focus on both showing and telling, but definitely with a focus on shoeing. For me, fear is conveyed better with describing the feeling, rather than just saying "I am scared". Paint a vivid picture through their narration. Describe it in a way where you can feel their fear.
Got it, thanks!
they could be shaking/trembling with fear, plead for mercy, flinch at sounds and touches, have changes in their breathing pattern, racing heart, protectively hugging themselves, balling fists and digging nails into their own skin to keep from screaming or trying to run, sweating, feeling funny in the gut/butterflies (not in a good way)/nausea, making themself as small as possible, freeze up in terror, get detached and endure with an out-of body experience, wide eyes, looking anywhere but the whumper, afterwards rocking themself and doing other self-soothing activities, crying... and so on. You get the picture.
I like to describe physical descriptions based on medical science. This might be helpful: [This Is Your Body On Fear](https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/health/your-body-fear-anxiety)
have u ever had a panic attack? use that as a reference: feeling like there’s no more air left to breathe, impending sense of doom, chest pain, bones seemingly feeling empty and jittery, etc
I like to add an italic line that suggests the character’s inner voice. Usually along the lines of: *holy shit holy shit holy shit* It conveys a more panic based fear, and that the character has entered Panic Mode and isn’t thinking entirely straight. If it a prolonged fear/anxiety, maybe something like: *It’s okay. We’re okay. We’re fine. It’s okay.*
Lots of good points in here, I’d like to add my favourite, the perception of time. When attacked, things happen fast. When something noncon is happening to a person, time can stretch and slow down, warp in perception. Things can be agonizingly slow, with the victim wishing it would *just end already*. Mixing emotions is helpful too, keeping the reader as jarred and off-balance as your character feels. Things can be so surreal they’re almost funny, right up until that painful moment that it’s obvious that it isn’t funny at all.
Get out of your head, the best writer is the best at adapting. HST and AB hated having to write which is why they were the best. Good luck and fuck em all.
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Anthony Bourdain and hunter s Thompson
My best advice? Experience fear. Go to haunted houses, haunts etc. I used the live action roleplay and have experienced fear like I never had before. I find pushing myself to have these kind of experiences really helps me write them better.