Many lazy writers attempt to create reader sympathy by saying that their main character was abused. At times these writers will include a chapter or two which involves the abuse. Unfortunately, the abuse is rarely dealt with in a healthy manner and tends to be quickly forgotten by the writer.
Words cannot describe how much this angers me.
Abuse affects people’s emotions and thought processes. Different people react differently to abuse. Different types of abuse affect people in different ways. Whether the abused realizes that the abuse affects their life or not, there are lasting effects that need to be dealt with.
If you must have your character abused in their past, make sure you include some of the side effects in their characterization.
Don’t include abuse simply because you want readers to feel sorry for your characters. Victims of abuse deserve so much better than you making light of what they have gone through. They are so strong to have come out the other end despite the scars they may carry. Please, if you include abuse, do them justice by writing it well and doing your research.
I’m not an expert on the effects of abuse and I don’t claim to be. Everything I know comes from what I’ve witnessed and through research. The following links are to some of my favourite, trusted sites that I go to when I need more information about this particular topic.
- https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.cfm
- http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/
- http://www.secasa.com.au/
- http://www.domesticviolenceinfo.ca/
- http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?cn=2
Well said, and this goes for any kind of serious illness (cancer, aids), addiction, handicap (whether from birth or later in life), and violence (whether as witness or victim). People don’t just glide over these things. If you’re going to include such topics, you owe it to your readers to research the long term consequences and work them into your story.
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Thank you for reading and I’m glad you agree. 🙂
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I think this applies to more than just a mention of abuse, but other topics as well. I have read books where something was mentioned to grab my curiosity, but it was never revealed. I tead to the end thinking I’d get to it. I was so frustrated. It is a disservice to the reader and ultimately the writer to leave things unresolved.
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*read
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Thank you for reading and your thoughts. I agree that Plot holes are very annoying for both readers and writers. This is why getting someone else to edit is important. Fresh eyes tend to spot problems which the writer may have missed. This is especially true for instances outside the main plot which affect characters (this could include abuse, racism, disability, illness, romance or other instances).
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I certainly agree about editing and fresh eyes. I’ve made my share of mistakes, but glad someone caught them in time.
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