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Author Sarah Fine |
Writing Traumatized Characters by Sarah Fine
It’s hard to deny that trauma and its aftermath make for good fiction. Trauma is, by definition, a threat to life or personal integrity, which makes it dramatic, wrenching, and compelling. Not only that: 25-40% of youth experience at least one traumatic event, and for adults, it’s 60%. Life is dangerous, and for the majority of us, that becomes very real at some point (though not everyone who experiences a trauma will develop PTSD). It’s no wonder these topics come up repeatedly in the stories we consume. And if you happen to be a writer, the odds are good that you will, at some point, be writing about trauma in some way.
I recently concluded a ten-part (I know, ridiculous) blog
series on writing traumatized characters. I did it because trauma is something
we see PLENTY in movies and books, but it’s not always well-understood. If you
haven’t studied up on it, my guess is, when you hear “PTSD,” you think:
flashbacks! It’s the most commonly portrayed symptom and the thing people talk
about, but it’s only one element of PTSD and trauma reactions.
If you’re including traumatic backstory or character
reactions to trauma, first think about the type
of trauma: Was it a single event (like rape or an accident)? Was it
multiple events (like sexual/physical abuse or combat)? Was it chronic (like
childhood neglect or living in a warzone)? How close was the character to the
trauma—was s/he a personal victim? A witness? Did it happen to a loved one? How
invasive was the trauma? How physically damaging? The
nature of the event has implications for your characters’ reactions.
You also must understand how
vulnerable your character might be to lingering aftereffects of trauma: Had
he experienced other traumatic events before? Was there anyone around to
support her through the aftermath? How drastically did his life change after
the trauma? These things deepen or buffer the impact of trauma, so you’ll want
to consider them.
For teens with truly tough backgrounds—those who’ve been
abused, neglected, tossed into the system, their needs never met—they
might exhibit behaviors people won’t even recognize as trauma. If you’re
writing a character like that, read up on how developmental trauma alters
people’s paths through life. It’s striking and often misunderstood—so it’s
important to do research (here’s
an example of doing it right, by one of YAH’s very own).
Once you’ve nailed down your understanding of the event(s)
and your character, it’s time to understand symptoms. First and foremost, PTSD
can be understood as a fierce and desperate struggle to keep the person safe.
It’s basically our brains’ survival mechanisms gone haywire.
Traumatic memories get encoded differently than ordinary
memories and “behave” differently, too. Unlike those we consciously control,
traumatic memories can punch through without being intentionally called to
mind, at
the slightest cue. This symptom cluster in PTSD is called “intrusive
recollection of the event.” “Flashbacks”
are indeed on this symptom list—but only one of many.
The second symptom cluster is avoidance
and numbing—people with PTSD work pretty hard to avoid reminders of what
happened, but that’s not the only symptom. Again, PTSD is survival gone glitchy,
and these symptoms are the brain’s (unsuccessful) attempts at psychological Novocain
as it tries to protect itself by walling off certain memories and experiences
so the person can continue to function.

The good thing: there are effective treatments. If you’re
including PTSD treatment in your story, here
is some info on the basic phases of effective treatment. One thing that’s
key—healing can’t really begin until the person is safe. Another thing to
avoid—a character with PTSD is highly
unlikely to walk in and start chatting about the trauma (see: avoidance and
numbing). Many times, it’s hard to get someone to enter treatment in the first
place. It takes a ton of courage to face one’s worst fears.
When people ask me how to tell this kind of story “right,”
I’m happy to say there are countless ways. If you understand the core concepts,
you also understand that humans—and therefore, characters—are endlessly complex
and relentlessly unique. If you delve deep and write from the inside out , though,
you’ll have an easier time. Knowing the “why” and letting it drive
behaviors/decisions/dialog = MUCH better than writing actions and then trying
to justify why a character might do that. Also—there are many, many thoroughly
excellent
examples
of well-written trauma reactions in fiction, both YA and adult genres. In the
best stories, authors don’t tell us the character is traumatized—they show us
with not only the content of the story, but with the styling and structure of
their prose. As is true of so many other things in the craft of writing,
reading is often the best learning tool.
So: are you writing a story that includes trauma, and if so,
how are you researching it? Can you add some recommendations for complexly and
authentically written traumatized characters? When trauma feels inauthentic in
a story, why do you think that is? Conversely, what convinces you that the
reaction is plausible and genuine?
Sarah is the best. That is all.
ReplyDeleteI am writing a work of fiction about three sexually abused girls--from each of their POVs-- and I have been reading and continue to research the whole ugly business. A critique group friend told me about Sarah's series, so I'm here having a look-see. Thanks for the advice!!! I really am concerned about making this story feel authentic. It's important to get it right.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! Thank you so much Sarah Fine!
ReplyDeleteThis is so extremely important. You really do have to understand real people and your characters in order to write about trauma. And, as mentioned, you have to write from the inside out. So important. This is great advice. Exactly what writers need to keep in mind.
I'm off to read all TEN parts!!! *deep breath* :)
ReplyDeleteSarah, there must be something in the water. I'm teaching a class this weekend here in Denver on character behavior and motivation--and past trauma is an area I'm covering. Ten parts?--You're a rock star and I must now go catch up on your blog.
ReplyDeleteMy current WIP involves a girl who had suffered chronic trauma (neglect) And while it's not the main focus of the story (plot) it does shape her, and her behaviors.
Inauthentic behavior and/or reactions in characters grates on the nerves--of course I can't think of any examples right now *shakes fist at brain* But, in real life, I think that authentic reactions are often misinterpreted by many people around the individual--especially the behavior of kids and the adults casting out judgement. For example, a child who is shouting and throwing chairs around a classroom is maybe seen as violently angry, when he is actually desperately trying to escape. Or people who are yelling at each other about the umpire's call during a little league game, depending on context (public/private)--is it really about the call, or does it dissolve very quickly into being about power? Both feeling it internally AND how they are perceived by everyone else watching the fight. What elements from their past (was their mother abusive and always taking their power?) contribute to he continuance of the behavior? Do they have any insight at all?
Sorry, clearly I could go on and on about this--and I have. But Sarah is so wise to point out that the art involved in creating the story about that character does not usually involve an info dump of traumatic back story.
Anyway, enough--I have a 10 part series to go read. P.S. I will be sure constrain my overlong comment impulses :-)