Daxoril - Tumblr Posts
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"