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WRITING GLOSSARY

What is Fear?

Fear is what a character dreads losing or facing, and it often shapes avoidance, denial, and bad decisions.

Definition

Fear is what a character dreads losing or facing, and it often shapes avoidance, denial, and bad decisions. In craft terms, fear can be as powerful a driver as desire.

Example

A captain afraid of being forgotten may take reckless risks that endanger the crew.

Related terms

Common mistakes

  • Announcing a fear once and never letting it influence choices.
  • Using fear only as backstory trauma without present consequence.
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