Trauma’s effect on real people is very evident. It showcases itself in the way we act, carry ourselves, think, and interact with others. It shapes the way we are and the way we perceive ourselves and the people around us. It is no different for fictional characters. Trauma is usually used in writing for character development and growth.

“While it may be nice for authors to overtly express that a character is traumatized by her past, it is also nice to allow the character to show us through her own actions.“

Trauma’s effect on a character isn’t always blatantly expressed. Sometimes, it manifests in small interactions and details. It can be shown through a flinch that goes unexplained or a subtle hitched breath. Usually, these trauma responses are meant to humanize the character since they are being given more realistic reactions to their unresolved pain. While it may be nice for authors to overtly express that a character is traumatized by her past, it is also nice to allow the character to show us through her own actions. It feels more real and tangible, making the character even more intriguing. 

A character often faces trauma as part of the conflict in novels. They are then forced to grow and develop through their healing and self-discovery journey. Readers can be encouraged during this part of the story because they see their favorite characters going through similar problems as them and prospering afterwards. It is always best when this part of the story has a slow burn, lasting just long enough to be satisfying. Having the instant gratification of a character hitting rock bottom and immediately becoming better than ever would be amazing in real life, but, unfortunately, it isn’t realistic nor is it enjoyable to read.  

In one of my favorite book series, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, there is a character who never lights fires because the crackle of the wood reminds her of her father’s death. She would rather freeze during the winter than to be forced to relive the moment her father died. She allows her life to fall apart because she is so traumatized by her experiences that she cannot even begin to compartmentalize her feelings. Maas, using trauma, develops this character and makes her more likable, understandable, and relatable—even though, at the beginning of the series, she is one of the most disliked characters. This character grows and recognizes her previous faults while going on a healing journey. And it makes this fictional character relatable since she is given struggles real people often face. Before the trauma, she comes off as a static character that is meant only to be an antagonist. After it, we see her go through an entire journey to heal from her past, and it is very admirable and satisfying to read. It almost feels like watching a friend recover.

In Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Billy Pilgrim is so traumatized by his time fighting in World War 2 that he imagines himself time travelling. The entire novel follows his traumatic experiences throughout life and how he copes with his trauma. It depicts the heavy weight of trauma and just how much it affects us, even if we don’t fully understand its weight. Pilgrim is deeply traumatized and fully believes his time travels are real and not a figment of his imagination, created only to give himself comfort during his time of sadness and trauma. Because of trauma’s effect on Pilgrim, we empathize with him and recognize his sorrow—even when he can’t do so himself. The way trauma is used in Vonnegut’s novel is so impactful because it never gets resolved. There is no happy ending, and, unfortunately, this is also another realistic depiction of trauma.

Trauma in novels is more than just a throw away plot point. It should genuinely shape and mold the way characters interact with the world around them. Having a character go through hardships makes characters more lifelike, relatable, and intriguing to read about. This is because we are able to see little pieces of ourselves in characters like these, and that’s what makes us gravitate towards unlikely heroes or down-on-their-luck protagonists. If you find yourself incorporating trauma in your fictional stories, be sure to incorporate realism instead of having trauma be present just for the sake of conflict or plot progression. By doing so, your characters will feel like full-fledged people to your audience.