Character Trait: Frightened

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "frightened" refers to a state of being afraid or anxious due to a perceived threat or danger. It's a natural human response to situations that are perceived as threatening or potentially harmful. People who are frightened may experience physical and emotional symptoms such as trembling, increased heart rate, and a sense of helplessness. In literature, a frightened character can add tension and suspense to a story, and can also provide opportunities for character development and growth.

Possible causes of being frightened

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Exposure to violence or danger
• Negative life experiences
• Social pressure or bullying
• Anxiety or phobias
• Past trauma or abuse
• Genetics or temperament
• Cultural or religious beliefs
• Overprotective upbringing
• Lack of confidence or self-esteem

Behaviors associated with being frightened

You may be able to show your character's trait of frightened by using these.

• Difficulty breathing
• Running away or hiding
• Racing heartbeat
• Freezing or becoming immobile
• Sweating
• Clinging to someone or something
• Crying or whimpering
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Trembling or shaking

Attitudes associated with being frightened

You may be able to show frightened through their attitudes.

• Being on edge or tense
• Feeling a sense of impending danger or doom
• Feeling overwhelmed or helpless
• Being unable to think clearly or logically
• Avoiding situations or objects that trigger fear
• Experiencing a fight or flight response
• Being jumpy or easily startled
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Having an increased heart rate or sweating

Thoughts and struggles associated with being frightened

Here are some ideas for things your frightened character may think or struggle with.

• Constantly feeling on edge and anxious
• Second-guessing themselves and their abilities
• Struggling to trust others or make meaningful connections due to a fear of vulnerability
• Battling with their own self-doubt and negative self-talk
• Trying to maintain a facade of strength or confidence to hide their fear from others
• Avoiding situations or people that they perceive as threatening
• Feeling powerless and out of control
• Difficulty making decisions or taking action due to fear of the consequences
• Experiencing physical symptoms such as shaking, sweating, or a racing heart

Emotions associated with being frightened

Here are some ideas for emotions your frightened character may experience.

• Apprehension
• Unease
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Horror
• Fearfulness
• Dread
• Terror
• Paranoia
• Alarm

Facial expressions associated with being frightened

Here are some facial expressions your frightened character may exhibit.

• A furrowed brow
• Wide-open eyes
• Raised eyebrows
• A dropped or open mouth
• A pale or sweaty complexion
• Rapid breathing or gasping
• A tensed jaw or clenched teeth
• Quivering or trembling lips
• A backward or sideward head tilt

Body language associated with being frightened

Here is some body language your frightened character may exhibit.

• Sweating or clammy skin
• Hunching shoulders or making oneself smaller
• Stuttering or stammering speech
• Backing away or cowering
• Freezing in place or becoming paralyzed
• Clenched fists or tensed muscles
• Rapid breathing or gasping for air
• Trembling or shaking
• Wide eyes or dilated pupils

Behaviors associated with being frightened

Here are some behaviors your frightened character may exhibit.

• Running away or hiding
• Racing heartbeat
• Trembling or shaking
• Difficulty breathing
• Sweating
• Crying or whimpering
• Clinging to someone or something
• Freezing or becoming immobile
• Nausea or stomach discomfort

Growth and evolution of frightened characters

Here are some ways that your frightened character may grow and evolve over time.

• Develop empathy and compassion for others who are also afraid
• Develop courage and become more confident
• Discover inner strength and resilience
• Challenge their beliefs and perspectives
• Learn to trust themselves and others
• Learn to take risks and try new things
• Confront their fears and overcome them
• Learn to manage their fear and use it to their advantage
• Become more self-aware and understand their fears better

Stereotypes of frightened characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical frightened character like these examples.

• The character being portrayed as weak or cowardly
• The character being overly emotional or hysterical
• The character being portrayed as a victim or helpless
• The character easily giving up or succumbing to pressure
• The character being too dependent on others for support and guidance
• The character being paralyzed by fear and unable to take action
• The character being constantly in need of rescuing by others

Negatives of being frightened

Here are some potential negatives of being frightened. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Avoidance of situations or people that trigger fear, which can limit experiences and opportunities
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing on anything other than the source of fear
• Physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and increased heart rate
• Irrational behavior and reactions
• Paralysis and inability to act or make decisions

Positives of being frightened

Here are some potential positives of being frightened. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Improved reflexes and reaction time
• Ability to think quickly and creatively in response to danger
• Greater appreciation for safety and security
• Heightened awareness of surroundings
• Increased adrenaline and energy

Verbal expressions of frightened characters

Here are some potential expressions used by frightened characters.

• "My hands are shaking."
• "Please help me!"
• "I hear strange noises."
• "I'm scared!"
• "I can't handle this."
• "I'm too afraid to move."
• "My heart is pounding out of my chest."
• "I'm terrified!"
• "I feel like I'm being watched."
• "I'm paralyzed with fear."
• "I'm feeling very uneasy."
• "I'm shaking with fear."
• "I feel like I'm going to die."
• "I can't breathe."

Relationships of frightened characters

Here are some ways that being frightened could affect your character's relationships.

• They may avoid conflict at all costs, even if it means sacrificing their own needs and desires.
• Frightened people may cling to others for support and reassurance, seeking constant validation from them.
• They may experience physical symptoms such as shaking or sweating when faced with stressful situations, which can be misinterpreted by others as a lack of confidence or competence.
• They may become easily overwhelmed and struggle to manage stress and anxiety, which can impact their relationships with others.
• They may struggle with vulnerability, keeping their emotions guarded and hidden from others.
• They may become overly dependent on others for decision making, lacking confidence in their own abilities.
• They may struggle to trust others, constantly questioning their intentions and actions.

Examples from books of characters who are frightened

• Harry Potter (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
• Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins)
• Lyra Belacqua (His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman)
• Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien)
• Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)
• Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)
• Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger)
• Winston Smith (1984 by George Orwell)
• Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen)

Writing exercises for writing frightened characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write frightened characters.

• Play around with different writing techniques to convey your character's fear. For example, you could use short, choppy sentences to create a sense of urgency or employ metaphor to describe their fear in a more abstract way.
• Think about how your character's fear might drive their actions and decisions. Do they avoid situations that scare them, or do they try to face their fears head-on?
• Consider the impact of your character's fear on their relationships with other characters. Do they push people away or cling to them for comfort?
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a situation that triggers their fear. Try to describe their physical and emotional reactions in detail.
• Start by creating a backstory for your character that explains why they are frightened. Perhaps they had a traumatic experience in their past, or they have a phobia that they cannot shake.
• Experiment with different ways to show your character's fear. For example, you could describe their racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, or the way their voice trembles when they speak.