Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Dissociation After Tragedy Or Trauma
Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Dissociation After Tragedy Or Trauma
Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.
Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.
This week’s writing prompt:
– Writing Exercise:
Using the article “How to Depict Stress and Trauma by Narrating Dissociation” by Mythcreants:
We are often told to put our characters through tough times, to make them hit rock bottom, in order for readers to root for them and for their journey out of that dark place to feel satisfying. Victories feel more victorious when they are earned through blood, sweat, and tears. Even in this newsletter, I’ve often talked about the “Dark Night of the Soul” stage of the character’s journey. For your writing prompt this week, I want you to check out the Mythcreants article on dissociation. Practice writing (or rewriting) a scene after a tragic or traumatic event happens to your character, and incorporate some of the elements of dissociation. Can you capture the feeling of your character being so traumatized that their brain temporarily disconnects with their sense of self? Try your hand at some of the techniques in the article, focusing on how your character moves and thinks, and how you convey the information to the reader.
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- About the Author
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Holley Cornetto was born and raised in Alabama, but now lives in New Jersey where she writes dark fantasy, horror, and weird fiction. To date, her writing appears in over a dozen magazines and anthologies. To indulge her love of books and stories, she became a librarian. She is also a writer, because the only thing better than being surrounded by stories is to create them herself. In 2021, she earned an MFA in fiction writing from Lindenwood University. She is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association.
