20 Ways To Show Extreme Fear In Your Writing

20 Ways to Show Extreme Fear in Your Writing

As I dive into researching signs of fear for my horror WIP, I wanted to share some of the most compelling and visceral reactions I’ve come across. Whether you’re writing a chilling scene or crafting a character’s panic, these 20 signs of fear can help bring tension and realism to your story.

Physical Reactions

Hyperventilating — sucking in air but never feeling like it’s enough

Chest tightens — feels like a weight or hands pressing down

Limbs shaking violently, knees buckling

Complete loss of muscle control — collapsing or unable to stand

Cold sweat soaking through clothes

Heart hammering so hard they feel it in their throat or head

Tunnel vision — the world narrowing down to one terrifying focal point

Ringing in the ears or sudden deafness, like the world drops away

Dizziness / feeling faint / vision blurring

Dry mouth — unable to speak or even scream

Uncontrollable Behavior

Screaming / sobbing / gasping — involuntary vocal outbursts

Panic run — bolting without thinking, tripping over everything

Clawing at their own skin / chest / throat — like trying to escape their body

Begging / pleading out loud even if no one’s there

Repeating words or phrases — “No, no, no” / “This isn’t happening”

Hiding instinctively — diving under tables, closets, or corners

Desperate grabbing — reaching for someone, anything solid

Loss of bladder or bowel control (for extreme terror)

Total mental shutdown — frozen, slack-jawed, staring blankly

Memory blackout — later can’t recall what happened during the worst moment

More Posts from The-hazy-soul and Others

1 month ago
Label Hoarder
Label Hoarder

label hoarder

a label hoarder is someone who collects / “ hoards “ labels. this can be for many reasons; having a complex identity, feeling comfortable with a variety of terms, find it fun to collect labels, etc. this goes for collecting any labels, including names and pronouns.

Label Hoarder
Label Hoarder

genderhoarder

a gender hoarder is someone who collects / “ hoards “ gender labels. this can be for many reasons; having a complex / fluid gender, feeling comfortable with a variety of terms, find it fun to collect genders, etc.

Label Hoarder
Label Hoarder

pronounhoarder

a pronoun hoarder is someone who collects / “ hoards “ pronoun labels. this can be for many reasons; preferring a variety of pronouns, being pronounfluid, finding it fun to collect pronouns, etc.

Label Hoarder
Label Hoarder

name collector / namehoarder

a name hoarder is someone who collects / “ hoards “ name. this can be for many reasons; preferring a variety of names, being nomifluid, finding it fun to collect names, etc.

this isn’t a coining / recoining post, simply alt flag designs for those who want to use them.

no IDs, help appreciated

[ image ID: a DNI banner. the background is dark green with a sage green box of text reading, "THIS BLOG IS PROTECTED BY THE FOX SPIRIT. radqueers, proshippers / profic, xenosatanists, pro-c / anti-recovery para DO NOT FOLLOW. do not put my posts on radqueer archives or tag them as radqueer. i block who i want." a real image of a fox sitting is on the right, and an image of a fox plushie is on the left. /end ID ]

taglist ( ask to be added or removed ): @radiomogai @rwuffles @somniabyte @fangpunk @khaenriahplurals

2 months ago

⋯ space themed id pack !!

⋯ Space Themed Id Pack !!

names ⁘

andromeda ✴ orion ✴ aquila ✴ nebula ✴ lumen ✴ nova ✴ sirius ✴ gamma ✴ orbit ✴ stella ✴ celestia ✴ cosmo ✴ comet ✴ sol ✴ pleiades ✴ altair ✴ quark ✴ carina ✴ aurora ✴ aldebaran ✴ vega ✴ leo ✴ algol ✴ atlas ✴ mira ✴ pollux ✴ rigel ✴ auriga ✴ galaxy ✴ nyx ✴ singularity ✴ astro ✴ hubble ✴ jupiter ✴ zenith ✴ horizon ✴ ion

⋯ Space Themed Id Pack !!

pronouns ⁘

star/stars ✴ gal/galaxy ✴ quark/quarks ✴ cos/cosmic ✴ shine/shines ✴ plan/planet ✴ ray/rays ✴ pul/pulse ✴ moon/moons ✴ lune/lunar ✴ neu/neutron ✴ par/parsec ✴ qua/quasar

⋯ Space Themed Id Pack !!

titles ⁘

The Infinite ✴ (prn) Who Shines in the Night ✴ The Descendant of Stars ✴ The Celestial Knight ✴ The Remnant of Novae ✴ (prn) Who Bends the Light

⋯ Space Themed Id Pack !!

system names ⁘

the expanse ✴ the nebula ✴ the oort cloud ✴ stellar catalogue ✴ starstuff system¹ ✴ the collapsing stars ✴ the globular cluster ✴ andromeda's children ✴ solar satellites

¹ from the Carl Sagan quote: "The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff."

⋯ Space Themed Id Pack !!

Going through my old astronomy olympiad notes to make this... this was super fun and a big throwback to one of our special interests that's a bit more background these days. Enjoy! -Iris/Zoa

credits: 1

1 month ago

FRONT-TIED

a flag representing alters who feel tied to front. it has 5 lines in the up down order of: light lime green, lime green, green, lightly darker green, dark green. there is a dark green head symbol with the cut out of a brain at the top in the middle of the flag.
a flag representing alters who feel tied to front. it has 5 lines in the up down order of: light lime green, lime green, green, lightly darker green, dark green.

Front-tied is the term for an alter who feels intrinsically tied to fronting at all times, even if they are not actually fronting all the time. This may include being the host / co-host of the system, always being near front, always influencing who’s in front, etc etc.

The green represents a connection, specifically a connection to fronting. It descends in darkness to symbolize the layers of intensity a certain alter may feel connected to front.

no credit needed to use this flag/term!

endos do not use this flag. make ur own flag/term.

DNI list stating: DNI endo, pro-endo, Zionist, proship + variants, radqueer, terf/transmed, trans ID, procontact/anti recovery paraphilia
2 months ago

Webcore/Computer Virus NPTS

Requested by anon

Webcore/Computer Virus NPTS

🎤-- Names: Net/Netty, Browser, Bug, Spy, Mal, Hijack, Mac, Tech, *Nano, Meta, Data, Pixel, Dell, Java, Key, Code, Sam/Sammy, Neo, Dot, Widget, Cloud, Ruby, Alexa, Lotus, Ajax, Tap, Shock, Hacker

🎤-- Pronouns: she/her, he/him, they/them, cli/click/clicks, dra/drag/drags, vi/virus/viruses, ran/ransom/ransoms, e/exe/exes, brow/browser/browsers, co/code/codes, bu/bug/bugs, spy/spyware/spywares, mal/malware/malwares, gi/gif/gifs, hij/hijacker/hijackers, me/media/medias, mou/mouse/mouses, pop/popup/popups, win/window/windows, di/disk/disks, hac/hacker/hackers, sca/scan/scans, spa/spam/spams, res/restore/restores, arc/archive/archives, anti/antivirus/antiviruses, dig/digital/digitals, soft/software/softwares, te/tech/techs, scri/script/scripts, over/overwrite/overwrites, pix/pixel/pixels, key/keylogger/keyloggers, log/login/logins, ho/home/homes, com/computer/computers, lap/laptop/laptops, gli/glitch/glitches, main/mainframe/mainframes, cre/creeper/creepers, c/cpu/cpus, mon/monitor/monitors, tou/touchpad/touchpads, da/data/datas, int/internet/internets, cyb/cyber/cybers, fi/file/files, plu/plug/plugs, cor/corrupt/corrupts, scre/screen/screens, bat/battery/batterys, pow/power/powers, ret/retro/retros, scre/screencap/screencaps, er/error/errors, wi/wire/wires, scr/scroll/scrolls, 404/404s

🔈/🔈s, 🔊/🔊s, 🔉/🔉s, 🗡/🗡s, 💻/💻s, 🖥/🖥s, ⌨/⌨s, 🖱/🖱s, 💿/💿s, 📀/📀s, 💽/💽s, 💾/💾s, 🔌/🔌s, 🔋/🔋s, 💣/💣s, 📱/📱s, 🛠/🛠s, ⚙/⚙s, 💵/💵s, 💳/💳s, 🎭/🎭s, 💔/💔s, 💢/💢s, 🗯/🗯s, 👀/👀s, 🎞/🎞s, 🎨/🎨s, 🧿/🧿s, 🎮/🎮s, 🎵/🎵s, 💡/💡s, 👁/👁s, ☣/☣s, ⚠/⚠s, 🔎/🔎s

zhe/zher, shy/hyr, shey/shem/sheir, fey/fem/feir/feyr, rhe/rher/rhers, ae/aer, em/er, tei/ter, shey/heyr, shey/sher, fem/fems, sh♡/h♡r, sh*/h*r, sh❣/h❣r, sh◻/h◻r, sh✖/h✖r, sh✔/h✔r, sh👁/h👁r, sh3/h3r, shx/hxr, sh♥/h♥r, xe/xem/xyr, ze/zer/hir/hirs, ey/em/eir, ae/aer/aes, ve/vis, ve/vey, h3/h1m/h1s, hei/heim/heir/heirs, ne/nim/nis, ne/nym/nys, le/lem/les, rhe/rher/rhers, ae/aer, em/er, h*/h*m, hy/hym, h♡/h♡m, h❣/h❣m, h◻/h◻m, h✖/h✖m, hx/hxm, h✔/h✔m, h👁/h👁m, h3/h3m, thxy/thxm

🎤-- Titles: [prn] The Trojan Horse, Your Personal Tamagotchi, [prn] The Rouge AI, The Corrupted Mainframe, A Glitch In The Server, The Pesky Popup Window, A Malicious Software, The Glitch That Deleted All Your Files, A Hacker's Best Friend

Webcore/Computer Virus NPTS

*Nano - short for nanocomputer

Resources: 1, 2, 3

2 months ago

both lmao

the-hazy-soul - Rune
2 months ago

 ◞◟ masc / neu names · pronouns that gives off ' fun, silly, and loud ' vibes

  · requested by anon // similar npt

 ◞◟ masc / Neu names · Pronouns that Gives Off ' Fun, Silly, And Loud ' Vibes

 ◞◟ NAMES ✦

 : arcade . aster . bandit . bennett . bobby . bobbie . buzz . casper . comet . cory . cosmo . dash . dewey . dex . dexter . emery . emil . finn . fizz . flynn . imp . jester . jett . jinx . joker . jupiter . ken . kip . maverick . milo . piper . riley . rio . rocket . scooter . sketch . soda . stitch . sunbeam . sunny . sunray . toby . tommy . zane . ziggy

 ◞◟ PRONOUNS ✦

 : h!! / h!!m . th!!y / th!!m . !!t / !!ts . h☆ / h☆m . th☆y / th☆m . h⭐ / h⭐m . th⭐y / th⭐m . kit / kits . ki / kit . >.< / >.<s . paw / paws . pop / pops . pup / pups . si / silly . mrrp / mrrps . wah / waah . aah / aahs . ted / teddy . !!! / !!!s . !? / !?s . >:3 / >:3s . >:3c / >:3c . 🖍️ . ☀️ . 🌻 . 🌈 . 🐾

 ◞◟ masc / Neu names · Pronouns that Gives Off ' Fun, Silly, And Loud ' Vibes
1 month ago

Writing Worksheets & Templates

will update this every few weeks/months. alternatively, here are all my tagged Writing Worksheets & Templates

Chapter Outline ⚜ Character- or Plot-Driven Story

Death & Sacrifice ⚜ Magic & Rituals ⚜ Plot-Planning

Editing: Sentence Check ⚜ Writing Your Novel: 20 Questions

Tension ⚜ Thought Distortions ⚜ What's at Stake

Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ Backstory ⚜ Character Creation

Antagonist; Villain; Fighting ⚜ Protagonist & Antagonist

Character: Change; Adding Action; Conflict

Character: Creator; Name; Quirks; Flaws; Motivation

Character Profile (by Rick Riordan) ⚜ Character Sheet Template

Character Sketch & Bible ⚜ Interview your Character

Story-Worthy Hero ⚜ "Well-Rounded" Character Worksheet

Worldbuilding

20 Questions ⚜ Decisions & Categories ⚜ Worksheet

Setting ⚜ Dystopian World ⚜ Magic System (AALC Method)

Templates: Geography; World History; City; Fictional Plant

References: Worldbuilding ⚜ Plot ⚜ Character ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

all posts are queued. send questions/requests here.

2 months ago

Hello tumblr we come bearing more userboxes.!! ✨!

Pronoun ones, but mainly aimed at other systems, other psychotic + disabled people who use pronouns other than “I/me/mine/myself”. 🙂‍↕️.

a bright green-coloured userbox with an image of a blooming sunflower and its stem. The text reads: “this user self-describes using “I/me/myself” pronouns!”.
a bright yellow and pale blue-coloured userbox with an image of two blooming sunflowers. The text reads: “this user self-describes using “we/our/ourself” pronouns!”.
a yellow-coloured userbox with an image of a cluster of yellow flowers. The text reads: “this user self-describes using both plural and singular pronouns!”.
a pale, sage green-coloured userbox with an image of white hoya flowers. The text reads: “this user is more comfortable with using plural pronouns for themselves!”.
a pale, pink-coloured userbox with an image of white daffodils with pink trumpets. The text reads: “this user often uses their own name as a personal pronoun!”.
a pale, mauve-coloured userbox with an image of white and pink lilypad bloom. The text reads: “this user uses several of their names or nicknames as personal pronouns!”.
a greyish-purple and green-coloured userbox with an image of pale pink flowers. The text reads: “this user self-refers using pronouns that they created!”.
a dark, reddish-pink and pale pink-coloured userbox with an image of pale pink flowers. The text reads: “this user might use “atypical” language to describe themself- but this is what’s most comfortable for them! [smiley kaomoji with a heart]”.
a green and dusky pink-coloured userbox with an image of pink, bell-shaped flowers. The text reads: “this user tends to talk about themself in the third person!”.
a bright red and pale pink-coloured userbox with an image of flowers that have petals with red, pink and white colouring. The text reads: “this user is plural, + their pronouns may vary! [star emoji]”.

Fine to use 🩷. You don’t need credit us, but it is also awesome if you do credit us! /genuine tone. The second half of this collection will be in a reblog as usual! 🫡 . (There’s 20 in total).

2 months ago
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes
Made A Heck Ton Of User Boxes

made a heck ton of user boxes

free to use (plz like or rb)

2 months ago
♱ MASC LOSER ID PACK . . .
♱ MASC LOSER ID PACK . . .

♱ MASC LOSER ID PACK . . .

♱ MASC LOSER ID PACK . . .

NAMES ; aspen , noel , scottie , toms , robin , tyler , xavier , flynn , grime , zack , dominic , tucker , bruise , eddie , jacob , bobby , leon , rust , bane , lukas , dean , dexter , jason , will

PRONOUNS ; grime / grimes , rock / rocks , dirt / dirts , zomb / zombs , brui / bruise , cool / cools , gro / gross , lose / loser , bro / bros , scrape / scrapes , rot / rots , scab / scabs , weird / weirds , soda / sodas , dude / dudes

TiTLES ; the loser boy , the boy protagonist , this teenage dirtbag , [X] with bruised knees , [X] with scraped elbows , the awkward one , the videogame player , this weird dude

iDENTiTiES ; dirtbagteenic , dirtbagteenboy , stinkboy , unhingedloserfreak , emoloser , losergender , monsterenergygender , rotboy , rockmasc , hoodieboy , weirdbeing , protagboy , retrovideogamegender , weirdboy , pathetiboy , prettyboyloser , videogamegender , bandbruisenboy , recluminjuric , coolduden

SEE ALSO ; fem loser id pack

♱ MASC LOSER ID PACK . . .

🦇 ——— REQUESTED BY ; anon

♱ MASC LOSER ID PACK . . .

[ PT: masc loser id pack

names;

prns;

titles;

identities; (links)

see also; (link)

requested by; anon / END PT]

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It/Its, 17, DID, Autism

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