Episode #26 – August 10, 2024
Welcome to episode 26 of the Writing on Caffeine podcast. My daughter (Ragan Franzone) and I (Jonathan Franzone) are a father and daughter who have decided to write our first novel. In this podcast, we invite you to join us on this journey.
Join us as we explore how trauma in fiction shapes characters and drives compelling narratives. We’ll discuss how these intense experiences influence motivations and actions, adding depth to any story. Whether you’re writing or reading, this episode offers key insights into the power of trauma in storytelling.
Show Notes
Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causing feelings of helplessness, reducing their sense of self, and their ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences. Trauma can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Using trauma in fiction can really add a lot of depth to your characters and drive the plot in interesting ways. It shapes how characters think, what motivates them, how they act.
And this influences their interactions and decisions throughout the story. When you portray trauma realistically, it makes the narrative more authentic and emotionally compelling.
Trauma can be a catalyst for growth, conflict, and resolution. It can give you a chance to explore themes of resilience, healing, and the human capacity to overcome adversity.
How Trauma Shapes a Character’s Personality, Motivations, and Actions
- Defense Mechanisms: Characters might develop behaviors like avoidance, denial, or aggression to cope with emotional pain.
- Changed Worldview: Trauma can fundamentally alter a character’s perception of the world and their place in it, making them more sensitive or resilient.
- Motivation for Revenge or Justice: Traumatic experiences can drive characters to seek revenge or justice, becoming a key plot driver.
- Hypervigilance and Risk-Taking: Characters may become excessively cautious, alert to threats, or alternatively, engage in reckless behaviors.
- Isolation or Seeking Connection: Trauma can lead characters to isolate themselves to avoid pain or seek out new relationships for support.
- Compulsive Behaviors: Characters might develop obsessive routines or habits as a way to regain control over their lives.
