Does a character in your novel have intense gut feelings that drive her actions? Get some tips on how to describe a gut feeling in writing in this post!
1. Persistent
Definition
Something that continues for a long time.
Examples
“Her persistent gut feeling never went away. Something always felt off around her boss.”
“His gut feeling was persistent, and he believed he had a duty to listen to it.”
How it Adds Description
The adjective “persistent” shows that the gut feeling isn’t going away, which could signal that it’s a true feeling and worth listening to. If a character has a “persistent” gut feeling, they might act on it — even if there’s no evidence to prove it. They might also be scared and worried, as a “persistent” gut feeling might foreshadow bad events.
2. Intense
Definition
Something very extreme in degree or strength.
Examples
“As soon as he exited the bad dream, he had an intense gut feeling that the events would happen in real life.”
“Her intense gut feeling was so strong that she was starting to become dizzy with anxiety.”
How it Adds Description
If a gut feeling is “intense,” it could be very hard for characters to ignore. It could even make them physically sick, as they’re worried or scared of the cause of the gut feeling. If a character has an “intense” gut feeling, its strength could mean that something bad is imminent or they’re in extreme danger.
3. Slight
Definition
Something small in quantity or degree.
Examples
“She shook off her slight gut feeling and continued running. It was barely noticeable, and she felt safe enough.”
“He had a slight gut feeling that someone was lying, but he didn’t care enough to mention it.”
How it Adds Description
A “slight” gut feeling isn’t strong or urgent, so characters may not worry or act on the feeling. Some characters might pass off a “slight” gut feeling as being paranoid or anxious. In some cases, a “slight” gut feeling could show a character is slowly leaning into their intuitive powers, but they aren’t strong enough to read yet.
4. False
Definition
Something that’s untrue, mistaken, or incorrect.
Examples
“Her false gut feelings always got her into trouble, but she never wanted to ignore them.”
“After he cleared out the loft, he realized his gut feeling about finding valuable items was false.”
How it Adds Description
Gut feelings aren’t always true, and you can show this by describing your fictional gut feeling as “false.” Characters who have frequent “false” gut feelings might be ignored by others, and their frequent “false” reports might annoy others.
5. Timely
Definition
Something that happens at a relevant or effective moment.
Examples
“Her gut feelings were always timely, and everyone in the community trusted them.”
“He had a timely gut feeling just in time to save his friends.”
How it Adds Description
Gut feelings can occur at any time, but if they’re “timely,” it shows they’re always in time for a specific situation. Characters with “timely” gut feelings might be able to save others from disasters if they act on them. This could make them very popular, and for some, their gut feelings could be an almost superpower.
6. Supernatural
Definition
Something that seems impossible according to science.
Examples
“His supernatural gut feelings spooked his friends, but they still listened to his advice every time.”
“She was freaked out by her supernatural gut feelings. How were they always right?”
How it Adds Description
A “supernatural” gut feeling is likely always accurate, to the extent that it might look like a magical power. This could scare some characters, as there’s no scientific evidence to explain them. It could also give the characters confidence, as the “supernatural” gut feelings could guide them away from danger and to success.
7. Useful
Definition
Something that can help someone.
Examples
“The teacher used her useful gut feelings to plan a fool-proof lesson plan.”
“She always trusted her useful gut feelings, and they hadn’t failed her yet.”
How it Adds Description
If a character has “useful” gut feelings, it means they offer tangible assistance to their life. For example, it can help them choose the right path and stay away from dangerous people and events. Other characters might ask the character for advice, and their “useful” gut feelings could make them popular.
8. Frightening
Definition
Something that makes you feel anxious, nervous, or afraid.
Examples
“When she entered the building, the frightening gut feeling started again.”
“He tried to ignore the frightening gut feeling, but he couldn’t bring himself to stay silent.”
How it Adds Description
If your character’s gut feeling is “frightening,” it could be warning them that something bad is going to happen, and this feeling scares them. This might make the characters act more cowardly, as they believe that something terrible is around the corner. This is an excellent way to build suspense in a horror or thriller novel.
9. Disturbing
Definition
Something that makes you feel upset or worried.
Examples
“The countless murders left her with a disturbing gut feeling.”
“His constant gut feeling was disturbing. It was impacting every area of his life and making him retreat from society.”
How it Adds Description
“Disturbing” is another negative adjective to showcase a gut feeling that refers to scary events. However, a character may also find their gut feelings “disturbing” if they don’t understand them or they’re new occurrences. If a character has lots of “disturbing” gut feelings, others might think they’re strange or avoid them.
10. Secret
Definition
Something that’s not shown or told to other people.
Examples
“Her secret gut feelings gave her insight into other people’s motivations. But she stayed silent about her knowledge.”
“At school, his gut feelings remained a secret. He didn’t want the class to know he had heightened senses.”
How it Adds Description
“Secret” implies that the character’s gut feelings are only known by them or a few others. If they choose to keep their gut feelings a “secret,” they could be embarrassed about their special insights and might hide them to avoid bullying. However, they could also keep them “secret” to get ahead of situations with hidden knowledge.