5 Common Fears Your Character May Have

The great part about giving a common fear to a character is that it’ll make that character more relatable. Many readers will share these fears and if the story is written well may even find help overcoming them within your novel.

1. Fear of Change: This fear is for a character who yearns for predictability and stability. They’ll resist anything that threatens to take them out of their comfort zone. They commonly will thoroughly plan things and avoid any situation with unpredictable elements.They potentially could’ve grown up in a chaotic environment, which makes them value the security they now have in their life.

2. Fear of Mortality: A character with this fear will likely be attempting to leave a lasting mark on this world, which I’m hoping to do with this book. They’ll be chasing experiences and achievements that ensure they’re not forgotten too soon. This is a good fear to give to a reluctant hero, but is more commonly seen within villains. Mortality can make a great motivator for a villain to take unethical shortcuts to achieve a longer lifespan. This fear may also lead a character into living in seclusion, avoiding living life to its fullest because they’re afraid to take any kind of risks.

3. Fear of Success: Success may seem like an odd thing to be afraid of, but it’s more common than you think. If success is obtained then who knows what kind of responsibilities will come with that success. The spotlight that comes along with success can be a terrifying. The character might fear being envied, facing criticism, or experiencing being judged by others. Or maybe a low self worth makes the character feel as if they don’t deserve success. More money, more problems.

4. Fear of Obsolescence: This fear is quite common amongst athletes and can work as a motivator for them. A character with this fear is terrified of becoming irrelevant, outdated, or forgotten. Many scientists establish this fear and may push ethical boundaries in an effort to stay relevant. This fear leads to kings wasting resources on building monuments of themselves. This is the kind of fear that leads to actors doing wild stunts to stay relevant. There are several target markets where the inclusion of this fear could prove to be valuable.

5. Fear of Stagnation: Not many people want to get stuck in some sort of routine where there’s no growth. People with a fear of stagnation are commonly on the move, switching jobs, finding hobbies, and establishing new relationships. This fear may make someone also be afraid of commitment. Writing a character with this fear will relate to anyone who believes staying still makes you vulnerable.