By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Phobias are an abnormal or irrational fear that a writer can use to enhance characterization and add conflict to plot. The fear is linked to something that results from a negative experience, shoving the character into obsessive behavior resulting in dread, horror, or sheer terror. To the character, the memories that morphed into a fear hold the same side effects as an actual threat or danger. 

Determining how the character reacts and responds to a phobia is critical to growth and change. Readers want to see how internal and external happenings apply to the character’s struggle—note this means showing the behavior and not telling. 

Characters weigh the level of the phobia’s threat and the consequences according to their culture, setting, emotions, education, personality, life experiences, mental capacity, and a host of other details contributing to a 3-dimensional character.

Some characters might not recognize or accept a phobia is present. Their behavior is normal to them, and they see no need to alter their method of processing whatever triggers the fear.

Some fears are instinctive, like pain, and fear isn’t necessarily a sign of cowardice. 

Some are acquired through life experiences. The character also learns fears from those who care, don’t care, or wish to instill prejudices or viewpoints that can be appropriate or inappropriate. Logical characters will avoid playing with poisonous snakes, abusing drugs, ingesting poison, undisciplined friends, walking across a busy street, and the list goes on. All poor decisions equate to potential harm. 

Phobias can prohibit the victim from enjoying a healthy life.

The dangers of a phobia:

• Contribute to paranoia 
• Create insomnia
• Damage health
• Destroy relationships
• Instill insecurities
• Focus on isolation
• Limit brain function
• Stop a character from reaching full potential
• Commit crimes

Some characters, once made aware of an unhealthy problem, choose to move ahead. The writer poses hard questions to see if the character possesses the necessary courage. 

• Do you want to resolve the fear?
• Do you have the desire to overcome it?
• Do you know where the fear originated? 
• Is the fear valid?
• Are you willing to do the hard and painful work to become emotionally healthy?
• Do you need help—professional, spiritual, or guidance from a friend or family member?
• Do you have the tools to restore your self-confidence? Or are you helpless to end the phobia on your own?

Does your character have a phobia? Is one needed for your story?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Follow DiAnn on Twitter: @DiAnnMills