Obviously, When It Comes To Advice I Can't Give You 100% Accurate Advice Since I Don't Know The Entire

Obviously, when it comes to advice I can't give you 100% accurate advice since I don't know the entire philosophy of your characters nor do I know the specific worldbuilding details.

If this advice doesn't apply, think about it but don't try to force it :)

First Things First: Trauma Responses Are Complicated

Oftentimes, when it comes to coping mechanisms, they have two contradictory fears or desires for something which cause confusing behavior if you aren't aware of their struggles. A common fear combination is the fear of abandonment and the fear of engulfment. Or the desire to be unconnected and the desire to find belonging.

When it comes to Daxoril's characteristics, they already have some of this but I think an interesting quality to explore, if you haven't already, is the soul-sucking clinginess Daxoril could display towards Keya.

I think it could add internal conflict to both Keya and Daxoril.

Keya could feel guilty for feeling exhausted by Daxoril's constant clinginess while Daxoril could feel shame for failing to remain unconnected.

Second Thing: It's The Small, Dangerous Things

A big pitfall that writers often fall into is writing outward displays of a lack of trust or whatever a character is dealing with, and just ignore the inner complexity.

Trauma responses tend to become ingrained in a person's thinking behavior. It's not just social. It's not just physical. It's everything.

Daxoril expresses these fears throughout their profile:

Guilt over not being strong enough

Lack of trust

Fear of being simplified

Now, when it comes to establishing just how fundamental these fears are, it actually doesn't need many pages. Have a few establishing moments where a character notices something and then either have "backstory confession" or have the camera show what the character feels in the midst of trauma response.

Daxoril could try to work through their fear of not being strong enough through over-exercising (physcial) and pushing their comfort boundaries (emotional)

Daxoril could embody their trust issues through always having weapons next to them if that's within their character. Constantly searching a specific character's behavior for anything that reminds them of their original abuser.

Daxoril could turn into a huge people pleaser who constantly tries to establish a positive reputation. Heck, they could start using the same manipulation techniques that were used on them!

Last Thing: Consequences @melda0m3

Flaws only count when they have consequences. Daxoril's fears need to either physically manifest BECAUSE of their flaws or their fears need to be used against them.

How To Write Trauma With Humanity

This short post is for those who think that they might be so focused on writing trauma well that they accidentally forget to write an actual character.

As someone who has an "interest" (read: deeply passionate and completely consuming dedication) for psychology and character analysis, I feel like sometimes writers don't really know how to write a character with trauma.

To quote a quote:

Don't Write A Traumatized Character, Write A Character With Trauma

I'm just trying to talk about those situations where the only interesting thing that we ever learn about this character is the fact that they have trauma and that's sad.

People tend to think that PTSD and trauma in general is just:

sit in dark, crying inconsolably about death

have nightmares

hide the fact that you have PTSD with broodiness

try to revenge

die tragically or happy ever after

Remember: Nobody has time for that

These people have obligations, responsibilities, family members, loved ones, and dreams that don't allow for this type of lifestyle.

Many people with PTSD *seem* like standard members of society. They sometimes participate in community activities. They have hobbies and vague interests that they put on their dating profile but don't really care about.

People with PTSD and trauma are interesting REGARDLESS of their trauma and trauma-related bullshit, not because.

If the only thing that's interesting about a character is what something else did to your character, it's not really interesting.

What's their dreams?

What do they like to eat in the morning?

What's their values?

Stop Trying TO ANSWER These Important Questions With:

"don't care :3 trauma will make this character complete :D"

Which one? :D

Writing Prompt: Reluctant Chosen One

The only problem with this trope is the expectations we as the audience have for the "Chosen One" trope. We, as the audience, know we are reading a story about a protagonist who is going to defeat Big Bad without any issues. It also just seems kinda surface level and less "actual concern" and more "superficial relatability".

So I am going to add more genuine story behind this plot and less "superficial annoyance for the sake of faux relatability"

Hates Being The Chosen One

So why is this character not following the plot?

My answer: Has several answers :)

The writer needs to demonstrate how dangerous being the "Chosen One" actually is! Set the stakes!

Give the protagonist a highly understandable reason for why they don't want to fight the Big Bad personally. Ex: They personally support Big Bad and now they have to hide their forced double agent status from both Big Bad's allies and Hero's allies

Protagonist knows personally that the Big Bad is personally favored by the Gods and the "Chosen One' position only exists to provide entertainment for the Gods!

The "Chosen One" Protagonist has literally everything they could ever want at the beginning of the story. Riches, fame, adoration, and an arranged marriage on the way! Why would they risk their life to get more of what they already have?

The "Chosen One" misanthropic cynic who desperately hates humanity! Why did the Gods chose them to be on Team Humanity!?

To be the "Chosen One" means that you must be cursed(with something, you decide) by the Gods in order to properly "earn your title". Everyone in the world is pressure you to agree to a deal you never even wanted

These aren't all of my ideas. I honestly could keep going forever but i'm going to stop it here.

Feel free to share your own idea for how to spruce up some boring and overdone story/character cliches!

For my comedic answer, who says that what you eat in the morning can't be existential? For a more serious tone, I threw in that question to subtly focus on the mundanity of the overall post. People with PTSD have amazing moments and mundane moments. Sometimes as mundane as eating generic brand cereal in the morning. I just want to see that mundane nature to being human.

2. I am always willing to hear about a character :D

How To Write Trauma With Humanity

This short post is for those who think that they might be so focused on writing trauma well that they accidentally forget to write an actual character.

As someone who has an "interest" (read: deeply passionate and completely consuming dedication) for psychology and character analysis, I feel like sometimes writers don't really know how to write a character with trauma.

To quote a quote:

Don't Write A Traumatized Character, Write A Character With Trauma

I'm just trying to talk about those situations where the only interesting thing that we ever learn about this character is the fact that they have trauma and that's sad.

People tend to think that PTSD and trauma in general is just:

sit in dark, crying inconsolably about death

have nightmares

hide the fact that you have PTSD with broodiness

try to revenge

die tragically or happy ever after

Remember: Nobody has time for that

These people have obligations, responsibilities, family members, loved ones, and dreams that don't allow for this type of lifestyle.

Many people with PTSD *seem* like standard members of society. They sometimes participate in community activities. They have hobbies and vague interests that they put on their dating profile but don't really care about.

People with PTSD and trauma are interesting REGARDLESS of their trauma and trauma-related bullshit, not because.

If the only thing that's interesting about a character is what something else did to your character, it's not really interesting.

What's their dreams?

What do they like to eat in the morning?

What's their values?

Stop Trying TO ANSWER These Important Questions With:

"don't care :3 trauma will make this character complete :D"

How To Write Characters With Addiction

From @differentnighttale: "I am curious if you give advice about writing people with addictions for example substance. I have reasons my male MC does it. But how can I describe the addictions the MC has correctly."

In this post we are going to be talking about addiction! From alcoholism, substance abuse, nymphomania, to everything else that can be a possible addiction. This post will be all about making this realistic and complex :)

A) What Are The Benefits?, Make It Convincing

Grab a fucking piece of paper or whatever you have and just write a paragraph from your addict's perspective on the situation. Omit the bad stuff. Make it highly convincing. if you aren't thinking "hmm, understandable" after you've written and read it, you did it wrong.

What do they get out of it?

Why did they like it at first?

Are they calmer, more intensely concentrated, does it take the edge off?

Are they more confident?

Does it ease the sense of being fundamentally wrong or dull some other pain?

Is it fun to do something rebellious?

What made them like this thing so much they tried it again, and again, and again?

B) Think About The Consequences, And Ignore It

Oftentime, at least in my experience, people will continue with a bad habit if it means they don't have to be the one to think about the consequences.

The Consequences For Addiction Include:

Financial. Depending on what your character uses to get their fix and how much they use, they might be spending hundreds a week if they are a particularly aggressive user. People often steal money from their loved ones. Addiction also tends to get people fired. Write a scene where your drunk character gets fired for operating machinery. Have them be a burdenous sponge.

Social. It's common for addicts to lose their loved ones since it often gets to a point where it's impossible to care about these people despite how much you love them. Make love ones leave your character! And don't blame them

Physical. STDs, Overdose, Liver Failure, and a shit ton of other issues from the chronic to the fatal either cause, exacerbate, or are linked with addiction. Recovery can't automatically save your character so don't write that story.

Psychological. Being an addict isn't fun since you get to struggle with points 1, 2, and 3 all at the same time! Write about your character issues. Their lack of control. Their spiralling life.

Write all about your character's suffering. And then have them justify it. Make it convincing.

They need it. It's not their fault that this is the only that helps them! Everyone just doesn't get it. I'm trying to work on it, OK?! It'll all work out! They know that it's wrong but...

My most hated shit is when a character's arc is easy. They struggle with some things like a big dramatic argument with their wife, they cry a bit, and then they learn that "drugs are bad" so everything is fine :D

NO!!! Why don't you write about a friendship that doesn't get mended? A chronic illness they now have to pay huge medicine bills for? A fucked-up rap sheet that they can't escape?

And it's not because we want to punich addicts. It's because it doesn't matter if you care about addicts if you don't care about the messy shit!

It's easy to sympathize with an addict if you make them the most innocent victim who never hurts someone intentionally and who gets rid of the addiction in a second and never struggles with it ever again!

Do the hard shit. Make your readers sympathize with the unsympathetic asshole addict! Addicts aren't always good people! They can be dickbags. And they still deserve resources. Life isn't some kind of karma game where dickbags suffer and good people rise! Everyone deserves to not suffer!

Addiction is ultimately a disease. But it's a disease that can make someone you love into an absolutely unlikeable person. And this is coming from someone with an alcoholic dad <3 He does good things and bad things. I can sympathise with my dad and not let him walk all over me.

C) Withdrawal Is Leaving An Ex, Relapse Is Returning

Addiction is a motherfucker trying to leave. It's basically the equivalent of a clingy ex who keeps contacting you, asking for just one conversation, and the moment you so much as acknowledge them you are fucked.

And suffering the brunt of a clingy ex who won't take the hint tends to cause the same symptoms as withdrawal!

Obviously, withdrawal symptoms depend on what type of ex you have and what age you are and yada yada yada. Research for specificity :)

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

Headaches

Insomnia

Fatigue

Hallucinations

Seizures

Tremors

Cravings

etc.

BE AWARE: Relapses are when someone returns back to their drug if they were going cold turkey or going back to their original dose. Relapses can sometimes result in an overdose due to the fact that the brain has been weened off the substance and is now overwhelmed by the high dose.

Relapses often happen when a person makes the deliberate choice in order to stop these fucking nightmarish symptoms. To use the analogy of a clingy ex, you start talking to them in order to tell them to stop contacting.

Relapses can also happen through being in a setting where the behaviors associated with the addiction such as sex, gambling, drinking, substance use, and all manner of things are normalized.

This setting could be a party, a bar, or even a friend group.

Relapse is made more likely if someone is self-detoxing away from a support group or a doctor.

Writing about withdrawal and relapses are an important part in making a story feel more authentic. Just like with mental illness, people rarely learn the lesson and follow it perfectly. They make mistakes. Slip back into old habits. Do shitty things.

We aren't writing their suffering to punish them. We are doing it because you can't say you care if all you are willing to do is look at the easy parts.

D) Little Tidbits To Keep Track Off

This is the miscellanious things that didn't fit into their own boxes.

Friends!

Do they have friends who also have their addiction? How do they hang out? What are they like? How are their substance using friends different from their non-addict ones?

Slang!

Don't just look up slang for your substance of choice. You'll need to look at some first-hand accounts of addiction. Find an influence who has struggled with substance abuse in the past and see how they talk about it!

Variables!

Remember to keep their geographical location, socioeconomic status, time, and a host of other factors. If your character is a penniless alcoholic then it's unlikely they'll get their hands on some type of expensive gin. They'll probably use rubbing alcohol. Keep the price of your drug in mind.

A character's status will also impact their slang. No one unironically says doobie anymore.

A character's location will also impact how they get their shit and how other characters will react to that addiction.

A character's financial status also impacts how the consequences of their actions impact them. A low-income character wont be able to afford the same medication as a rich addict. They also won't have the same luxury for quality therapy, rehab, programs, time, anything really.

Look At The Addict And The Loved Ones

Try not the skew the reality of addiction to paint the addict as the victim and the loved ones as evil for not being forgiving and tolerant enough.

Keep sympathy for both the addict and the loved ones. Or drop sympathy for both of those characters.

E) RESOURCES

FDA and DEA online databases and drug resources

Social Networking Groups

Medical Journals

Local medical professionals, police, and medical examiners

The US national poison center

I love learning about everyone's characters and all the inspiration that went into making them! I normally don't go for historical fiction but this sounds amazing and genuinely well-researched. :D

Writers Challenge#4

Author Interview:

Hi guys.

It's me again and I guess I have another challenge this time and this is too all writers who haven't found their title, even if you have a title you can join.

OC inspirations.

And book inspirations.

How did your book grow into it now?

Was a fanfic to original story?

Vibes?

Optional.

What inspired you to write your WIP? It could be a book, a show, a person or even a character.

My current WIP is based on a Wolfblood, Twilight and Avatar:The Last Airbender.

Wolfblood gave me the way to write controlled werewolves, Twilight gave me my protagonist, Thalia but she was a nameless Black girl who had a relationship with a vampire and Avatar for my panther shifters but slowly the book changed, and the Avatar gave me inspo for her abilities and she was a mortal who lived with supernatural creatures.

So yeah.

Thats it.

The vibe is a snowy winter wonderland filled with secrets and monsters and strange happenings after a strange human girl meets a tribe of Inuit werewolves.

The tone is quite dark at first.

Sorry for the tags.

@morganthepen @imbecominggayer

@imbecominggayer @wyked-ao3 @thehighladyreads @blue-endy

@furrywrit3r @loverboyxbutch @blargh-500 @jj-the-hobbit171

Text Excerpt From My WIP [IGNORE]

I'm just writing this since I got an amazing idea for this paragraph but it's not something I can write now so i'll write it here so I won't forget

"It would be incorrect to say that her death was the inciting incident to their (failed) suicide attempt. Not that it didn't weigh in on later matters but it's just not what caused the climatic failure that punctuated that evening. In actuality, the spark that lit the match was a thought that quickly fell away from my self-preservation's grasping hands. "I can't handle growing older anymore". From the moment my body was left to rot in that cold sterile prison, I was set apart from the human race through my brutality and immaturity. Dreams of riding our bikes to the waterfall framed by summer trees -- I wasn't meant to be there. Aspirations of wearing a champagne wedding dress with a cherised community cheering for my joy -- I wasn't meant to be loved.

"I want to die" as the curtains were mutilated

"I want to die" as I united with the ceiling.

"I want to die" as my feet were seperated from the chair.

I collapsed. Nearly landed on top of the corpse. It wasn't right. I was supposed to be falling into hell. Kissing the boots of Lucifer! Look, I don't know what you do in hell!? Anyway, that's not the point. I was alive.

I ran to door. Open. Closed. And stared into the mirror. It wasn't me. It was someone that was weeping as the tears stained their red cheecks. It was some monster with a mouth so stretched open and parted around a cry I was sure that this face of pure despair must have been etched in their birth. They looked like a baby crying for it's mom. I was a twenty-something with a mom who had been dead for too many years at this point. It wasn't me.