If you’ve been following this blog, you’ve probably noticed that writing is my passion and at times even my obsession. But before I became a writer, I studied to be a psychologist, because my other passion (and yes, obsession) is learning about psychology and in particular, psychopathology. Today, I’m going to take you a little … Continue reading Meaning and mental illness
Tag: psychology
How to overcome the writing blues
Every writer gets the blues from time to time. You know what I mean: the pervasive feeling that what you’re writing isn’t any good. Even the best writers suffer from this ailment from time to time. Self doubt is part of the process but that doesn’t mean it’s fun. When I start to really struggle … Continue reading How to overcome the writing blues
4 pitfalls to avoid when writing about mental illness
Writing characters with mental illnesses can be a challenge. Authors must do some amount of research to be sure they’re representing the experience in a compassionate, honest, and believable way. Here are five things to keep in mind when writing mental illness. 1. Avoid a magical recovery Books and movies about mental illness often end the same … Continue reading 4 pitfalls to avoid when writing about mental illness
How to Write a Psychopath
Psychopaths can be tricky to write, because it’s not always easy (I hope!) to get into the head of someone who lacks remorse, empathy, and a sense of morality. Psychopathy is often a misunderstood concept, even among psychologists. So here’s a little guide to help you come up with the perfect psychopath, evil laughter included. … Continue reading How to Write a Psychopath
Personality tests for fictional characters
Have you ever wondered if your main character might be a narcissist? Is your villain a psychopath, or just misunderstood? I had a lot of fun giving these personality tests to my characters. Seeing their traits highlighted gave me a little perspective and some ideas. But I've got a warning, before we get started. None of … Continue reading Personality tests for fictional characters
4 medical research resources for writers
As a mandate, "Do no harm" is all well and good for doctors, but as Kurt Vonnegut once said, writers must be sadists, tormenting our characters "so that the reader may see what they're made of." Whether you want to torment your characters with a disease, or inflict upon them a career in medicine, research … Continue reading 4 medical research resources for writers
