Fear. It’s a primal emotion that grips us all, from the bravest warrior to the meekest villager. As we approach halloween, I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to understand this emotion, and how it can influence us, both in terms of characters within a story, and within our real lives.
So, to address it in your writing, as authors, it’s important to realise that we have the power to harness this potent force and weave it into the very fabric of our characters, driving their growth and shaping their destinies.
Why Fear is a Powerful Tool for Character Development
Fear is a catalyst for change. It can push characters to confront their weaknesses, overcome their limitations, and ultimately, emerge as stronger versions of themselves. By exploring a character’s fears, we delve into their deepest vulnerabilities, revealing their true nature and motivations.
- Revealing inner conflict: Fear can expose the internal struggles that torment your characters. A knight afraid of failure might become reckless in battle, while a mage terrified of their own power might suppress their magic, hindering their potential.
- Creating compelling motivations: Fear can drive a character’s actions, propelling them forward on their journey. A young woman afraid of losing her family might embark on a perilous quest to save them, or a king fearing invasion might forge alliances with unlikely allies.
- Forging believable character arcs: Overcoming this primal emotion is a testament to a character’s growth. Witnessing a timid character conquer their fear of the dark to save their friend or a proud warrior confront their fear of death to defend their kingdom creates a satisfying and believable arc.
How to Effectively Use Fear in Your Writing
- Identify your character’s deepest fears: What keeps them awake at night? What are they most afraid of losing? Their fears should be deeply personal and relevant to their backstory and goals.
- Show, don’t tell: Instead of stating a character’s fear, depict it through their actions, thoughts, and physical reactions. A racing heart, trembling hands, or avoidance of certain situations can speak volumes. A resource I find extraordinarily useful in this regard is The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Acckerman and Becca Puglisi. You can look up any emotion and learn some incredible ways of ‘showing’ that emotion without directly telling the reader.
- Create obstacles: Force your characters to confront their fears. Pit them against situations that challenge their deepest anxieties, forcing them to either overcome it, or succumb to it.
- Explore the consequences: Fear can have devastating consequences if left unchecked. It can lead to poor decisions, broken relationships, and even self-destruction. Show the potential repercussions of succumbing to them.
- Allow for growth and transformation: Don’t let your characters remain static. Allow them to learn and evolve through their experiences.
- Develop your character: Show how confronting their fears can lead to greater courage, resilience, and self-awareness.
Examples of Fear in Fantasy Literature
- Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings): Frodo’s fear of the Ring’s corrupting power is a constant struggle throughout his journey. His ability to resist its influence demonstrates immense courage and resilience.
- Harry Potter (Harry Potter series): Harry’s fear of Voldemort is a driving force throughout the series. His willingness to face his fear ultimately leads to his triumph over the Dark Lord.
- Daenerys Targaryen (A Song of Ice and Fire): Daenerys’s fear of becoming a tyrant like her father shapes her decisions and actions as she seeks to reclaim the Iron Throne.
Conclusion
Fear is a powerful emotion that can be used to create complex, relatable, and dynamic characters. By understanding the nuances of fear and its impact on human behavior, we can craft stories that resonate with readers on a deeper level. So, embrace the power of fear and let it guide your characters on their journeys of self-discovery and transformation.
Within The Great Leap, Fleta’s fear is a main driving force for her underlying trauma, and it serves as fertile ground for a whole host of new and exciting developments to her character. Read the prologue now for free, to see how this fear affects Fleta, and gives her an ideal jumping off point for her character arc.