The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Psychological Trauma
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It’s Connected to the Character’s Fatal Flaw
When the wounding event is revealed, we want to hear a virtual aaaaaah from readers. They should feel a sense of satisfaction, recognizing that this piece of backstory aligns exactly with the character they’ve come to know in the present. Remember that in a change arc the wounding incident will result in the emergence of a fatal flaw that will keep the character from achieving her overall goal. Once the wound is revealed, readers will see why she’s having trouble overcoming this particular weakness. If the issues your character must address aren’t ones that would naturally flow out of the painful past event you’ve chosen, get back to the drawing board and find another traumatic situation that better fits your character and will tie more precisely into the story.
It Motivates the Character
A wounding event should be a haunting experience. If the character’s choices aren’t being driven by what happened, it usually means you haven’t fully examined the wound and its impact on her. Set aside some time to really explore this wound and its effects. Identify the resulting fear that will begin to determine your character’s decisions. Figure out the lie she will embrace and how her behavior will change based on this new belief. Pinpoint which flaws would likely develop and how they will impede her progress. Once you know these important elements related to the wounding event, you’ll have a much better idea of how she’s going to act and respond to stimuli—in effect, what’s driving her. Knowing this will enable you to write the character and her past trauma in a way that will ring true with readers.
It’s All-Consuming
By definition, a wound is traumatizing. If your character is able to bounce back without it consuming and significantly diminishing her, there’s something seriously wrong. Again, it’s possible that you need to find a different trauma, one that will affect her more severely. Or maybe you need to make your chosen event or painful circumstance more personal via the previously discussed section on factors that impact the wound.
Another possibility is that your incident just isn’t invasive enough. The character’s fear-driven choices and emotional shielding should create disruption. Flaws especially will sow dysfunction in every area of life—sabotaging the character’s relationships, undermining her professionally, ravaging her perception of herself, and keeping her from moving forward. If the wound isn’t a destructive force for your protagonist, explore the important areas of her life to see how they should be impacted by the trauma.
PROBLEM #5: WOUNDS THAT RESOLVE ABRUPTLY
Facing and overcoming an emotional wound doesn’t happen overnight. For writing purposes, it takes the course of an entire story for the character to navigate his arc and complete this process. So if it happens abruptly—if he faces the wound and triumphs in quick fashion—it’s deeply dissatisfying to readers. When things resolve too swiftly, this often signifies a problem with structure.
It can be tough to design a story so events happen at the right times and the pace remains rigorous. But mastering this part of the process is pivotal. Information must be spread out evenly over the course of the story, building intrigue and enticing readers as the character traverses his arc, moving inexorably toward that moment when he achieves the goal and his journey is complete.
If you need help in this area, One Stop for Writers offers a comprehensive structure mapping tool that can help you plan your story and character’s arc. Other options can be found on the Recommended Reading page at the end of this book.
FINAL WORDS FROM THE AUTHORS
Emotional trauma comes in endless variations. While we’ve tried to create a strong range of possible wounds to kick-start the brainstorming process, these entries are by no means comprehensive. We urge you to really explore your character’s past to better understand the unique factors that helped mold him into who he is at the start of your story. Don’t be afraid to go off the map and customize the wounds outlined here.
If you have a wound in mind but are unable to find the exact scenario you need, we suggest reading through the other entries in the same category, as these will all share a common theme and may spark ideas on how you could adapt an existing entry to fit a particular character’s situation. For authenticity, we also recommend doing further research on the wound you’ve chosen and tailor it according to the options in the Factors That Will Impact the Wound section.
You will notice as you peruse entries that the bulk of the listed behaviors are negative. This is by design, as backstory wounds are disruptive and will create aftershocks leading to further harm until good coping strategies are adopted. For specific information on the healing part of your character’s process, please see the section on Positive Coping Practices. You can choose the ones that feel right for your character’s situation and use them to awaken their desire to heal, lead them to accept what can’t be changed, and help them achieve internal growth and greater self-worth.
Another thing to keep in mind when reading through the entries is that you will notice some conflicting behaviors. For example, a character who loses a limb may isolate herself by withdrawing from those around her, or she may do the opposite and become completely dependent on others. Because each character is unique, with her own traits and histories, she will respond differently to her trauma than someone else may. To this end, we have tried to cover a large range of reactions. When sourcing these entries for ideas, always ask yourself if the suggestion you’d like to use fits the character. This will ensure that her actions in the story line up with her personality and will seem credible to readers.
When unearthing the lie your character believes to be true, use the examples in the entries as a starting point, since these are purposely general in nature. Every wounding event is distinct, and the peripheral people involved, along with the character’s specific history with them, will influence the exact lie that emerges. For instance, the death of a sibling who was always cared for and protected by the character will generate a different lie than if the relationship was a distant one. Characters are complex, layered beings, and their wounding events and the embedded lies should fit them like custom-tailored clothing.
It is our hope that this book will help you discover and flesh out the possible wounds for many future characters. Events like these are incredibly formative. Inspecting them carefully and considering them from many different angles should enable you to choose ones that fit perfectly, resulting in layered and well-rounded characters your readers will respond to.
THE EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS
CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION
A CARJACKING
EXAMPLES:
Being forced out of one’s car and it being stolen and driven away
Being forced to drive one’s car to an isolated location under threat of violence by the carjacker
BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND: Safety and security, esteem and recognition
FALSE BELIEFS THAT COULD BE EMBRACED
I was targeted because I was weak.
I froze in the moment; I can’t be depended upon in an emergency.
I can’t be truly safe.
I can’t keep my family safe.
Acquiring material items is pointless since they’ll only be taken from me.
Trying to look for the good in this world is naïve.
The police are impotent and can’t protect anyone.
The only way to combat violence is with violence.
THE CHARACTER MAY FEAR…
Being victimized again in another way
Having another prized possession forcibly taken away
Owning nice things, since they will make the character a target
A random act of violence ending badly for them or a loved one
The kind of person who carried out the carjacking
Being attacked at home (due to personal information in the vehicle that a carjacker could find)
POSSIBLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS
Purposely buying things that aren’t quite
as nice in the hopes one won’t be targeted for them
Becoming tighter with money to recoup the loss
Hounding the police to make sure the perpetrator is caught
Avoiding the area where the carjacking occurred
Patrolling the area of the attack, looking to confront the carjacker and reclaim one’s power
Becoming confrontational with strangers perceived to be a threat
Being paranoid
Embracing vigilantism due to the belief that the police are unable to adequately protect the public
Buying pepper spray or a weapon and keeping it in one’s new car
Increasing security for one’s car and home
Growing pessimistic; viewing the world through a negative filter
Taking safer routes, even if it means adding time to one’s commute
Turning down opportunities that would require one to drive alone to get somewhere
Not allowing teenaged children to drive alone
Insisting that family members call when they get to where they’re going
Being unable to sleep or relax until all family members are home
Becoming hyperalert when driving
Heightened anxiety if someone approaches one’s vehicle on foot
Refusing to be a Good Samaritan (not stopping to help if someone’s car has broken down, etc.)
Mistrusting people in general
Developing a panic disorder
Being possessive with one’s things; not being willing to “hand things over” again
Developing control issues
Staying home rather than going out
Thinking and acting prejudicially against people similar to the carjacker
Seeking reforms at the municipal level in an effort to make the streets safer
Becoming less materialistic; needing less stuff
Seeing this near miss as an opportunity for a do-over in life
Expressing love and showing affection more freely with loved ones
Reordering one’s priorities (putting family first, spending less time at work, not worrying so much about money, etc.)
PERSONALITY TRAITS THAT MAY FORM
Attributes: Affectionate, alert, analytical, appreciative, bold, centered, diplomatic, focused, generous, independent, introverted, just, meticulous, observant, organized, persistent, protective, responsible, simple
Flaws: Addictive, apathetic, confrontational, controlling, cowardly, cynical, defensive, evasive, fanatical, hostile, irrational, judgmental, macho, morbid, nervous, paranoid, pushy, resentful, rowdy, vindictive
TRIGGERS THAT MIGHT AGGRAVATE THIS WOUND
Someone approaching one’s car at a stoplight or in a parking lot
Seeing a car on the road exactly like the one that was stolen
A child or spouse being out later than they’re supposed to be
Being victimized in a smaller way, like a friend being manipulative or a boss using a guilt trip
Being followed for a period of time by another car, turn for turn
Someone tapping a knuckle against the car window
Hearing the song that was playing on the radio at the time of the attack
Driving in similar conditions (late at night, in the same area of town, through a traffic tunnel, etc.)
OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND
A chance to do something one really wants, but it means driving in the same area where the carjacking occurred
Noticing that one’s lifestyle of fear and paranoia is affecting one’s children
Being too afraid to drive and realizing it is impacting one’s happiness through its limitations (such as not being able to travel with family, go on road trips, or take a weekend getaway)
Being forced to interact with someone similar to the carjacker and becoming aware of prejudice that has developed since the event
RETURN TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
A HOME INVASION
EXAMPLES: Having one’s living space broken into while one is there, either alone or with family, and then being forced through the ordeal of being robbed, victimized, assaulted (physically, mentally or sexually), and possibly even kidnapped.
BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND: Physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, esteem and recognition, self-actualization
FALSE BELIEFS THAT COULD BE EMBRACED
Strangers should be feared.
Anyone I don’t know is a potential threat.
I wasn’t safe in my own home, so I’m not safe anywhere.
Sympathy (empathy, kindness, etc.) is a sign of weakness.
I can’t keep my loved ones safe.
I am to blame for what happened (for not having proper home security, not locking the door, not being strong enough, etc.).
The police are inept and can’t protect me.
The world is full of evil people.
Control is only an illusion.
THE CHARACTER MAY FEAR…
Trusting the wrong person
Being alone and vulnerable
Having their control taken away
Another break-in
Criminals and addicts, or people similar to the perpetrators in some way (race, appearance, etc.)
Intimacy and sex (if they were sexually assaulted)
Particular elements associated with the ordeal (e.g., enclosed spaces, if they were hiding in a closet)
POSSIBLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS
Being obsessive about home safety (checking locks repeatedly, installing floodlights, setting up a security system, etc.)
Heightened alertness (noticing noises one would have dismissed in the past, tracking movements all the time, marking the exits, etc.)
Becoming withdrawn or secretive
Struggling when one is alone, even suffering panic attacks and paranoia
Insomnia or difficulty sleeping; experiencing vivid nightmares
Waking with a racing heartbeat
Feeling uncomfortable around certain items used in the attack (kitchen tools, leather gloves, duct tape, etc.)
Creating a safe room within one’s home fortified with locks and home protection
Difficulty concentrating
Being unresponsive in conversations
Jumping at loud noises
Anxiety flaring up when one must open the door, even when company is expected
Feeling followed or watched
Feeling unsafe in one’s home but being too fearful to leave it
Reliving what happened over and over
Having a difficult time enjoying the little things (visits with friends, smiling, laughing, etc.)
Needing to know where one’s children are at all times
Needing to have control over everything (possibly damaging relationships in the process)
Buying a weapon for home protection or joining a self-defense class
Being grateful for the things and people that survived
Being less concerned with material things
Seeking therapy
PERSONALITY TRAITS THAT MAY FORM
Attributes: Alert, analytical, cautious, independent, introverted, mature, meticulous, observant, perceptive, private, protective, responsible, sentimental, wise
Flaws: Compulsive, defensive, humorless, inflexible, insecure, irrational, materialistic, nervous, obsessive, paranoid, pessimistic, prejudiced, suspicious, timid, uncommunicative, withdrawn
TRIGGERS THAT MIGHT AGGRAVATE THIS WOUND
Sensory stimuli associated with the event, like the smell of blood or pain of a carpet burn
Hearing about a break-in within one’s neighborhood
Being left home alone
The doorbell chiming when one was not expecting visitors
A stranger asking for help (if this ruse was used by the perpetrator to get inside the house)
An event that leaves one feeling exposed (a power outage, losing one’s cell phone and having no way to call the police, etc.)
OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND
Saving an important heirloom from being stolen only to lose it in some way later
Obsessing over keeping one’s home safe only for a family member to be attacked elsewhere
Experiencing marital friction due to one’s inability to move past the event
Becoming so over-protective as a parent that one’s child rebels and ends up in danger
Experiencing a disaster (a flood, a house fire, etc.) and being welcomed into a stranger’s home and shown kindness
RETURN TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
A PHYSICAL ASSAULT
EXAMPLES
Getting beaten up by unknown assailants (e.g., jumped by a gang, a hate group, or peers at school)
Being hit or physically harmed by a family member
Being mugged
Being attacked by a single person (in a bar fight, for looking at someone’s girlfriend, etc.)
Interceding to protect another and becoming targeted
BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND: Safety and security, esteem and recognition, self-actualization
FALSE BELIEFS THAT COULD BE EMBRACED
I’m weak—an easy target.
Only constant vigilance will keep me safe.
Violence must be met with violence.
I can’t trust people of that gender (or race, ethnicity, etc.).
The authorities aren’t able to protect anyone.
Getting involved is never worth the pain. People can solve their own problems.