WARNING, SENSITIVE CONTENT AHEAD PERTAINING TO SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION.
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One of my first tangible memories is that of pain. I was eight years old. I can remember laying in a bathtub full of hot water and wondering how long it would take to die if I slit my wrist. I can remember wondering how much it would hurt, if I would pass out and drown before I bled to death.
Of of my first real memories is the wish for scarlet ribbons floating in my bath water and carrying all of my pain away.
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Sometimes the things that we write have content that isn’t easily discussed. I’m working on a short story right now that has content just like that. There is more plot to it, and I am hoping a twist for hope and change in my main characters life, but I’m honestly not sure that there will be. So my question that I am posing here is, how do you handle writing tough and touchy content?
Generally when I write about any type of content that has trigger warnings (suicide, depression, rape, etc) I find myself pausing for a few moments. I’m not going to lie when I say that I pull a lot of the inspiration that I have from real life. I think when most people have ear worms for stories such as these, it’s because they need to express their own emotions in some form or fashion. But… I do think that writing things like this is important. Sometimes, people back off of writing projects because they are afraid that they will be judged for what they write. I think that they shouldn’t – I think that it’s important to see that other people feel this way, think this way, have these stories to tell. So, how do I handle writing sensitive material?
I do it just like anything else – with careful thought and consideration. I warn people before I show them. But I write it.
Let your emotions out.
Always write what you feel.
Even if it scares you.
Sorry if this topic is a little dark, but I feel like I needed to get it out there. Now, go write something!
Author Amanda McCormick
(I claim no right to any of the above photos – they were all sourced from Deviant art and will be taken down upon request if desired.)
Author Amanda McCormick 