Back Stories of Troubled Characters
When Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre, she was able
to get away with hinting of “madness” in the family as the rationale for the
psychosis of the wife hidden, for the most part, in the attic. Some writers still use this single cause
approach to creating a credible back story for a Troubled Character, usually a secondary character who shows
symptoms of a mental illness.
to get away with hinting of “madness” in the family as the rationale for the
psychosis of the wife hidden, for the most part, in the attic. Some writers still use this single cause
approach to creating a credible back story for a Troubled Character, usually a secondary character who shows
symptoms of a mental illness.
To create credible backstories for Troubled Characters requires a writer to
understand the predisposing or risk factors for mental illnesses--major
psychiatric disorders and the ten personality disorders. Personality disorders
occur much more frequently in the general population than major psychiatric
disorders. The person with a personality disorder may be able to work and may
appear normal to others. But their emotional reactions and behaviors often have
widespread negative effects on partners, co-workers, and families. While a genetic risk factor may be present
from conception on, many risk factors for developing a personality disorder occur
at other stages of life. A writer faces
the challenge of knowing the risk factors for each personality disorder and for
weaving the risk factors into the Troubled
Character’s back story.
understand the predisposing or risk factors for mental illnesses--major
psychiatric disorders and the ten personality disorders. Personality disorders
occur much more frequently in the general population than major psychiatric
disorders. The person with a personality disorder may be able to work and may
appear normal to others. But their emotional reactions and behaviors often have
widespread negative effects on partners, co-workers, and families. While a genetic risk factor may be present
from conception on, many risk factors for developing a personality disorder occur
at other stages of life. A writer faces
the challenge of knowing the risk factors for each personality disorder and for
weaving the risk factors into the Troubled
Character’s back story.
One of the personality disorders that has the most
severe effect on others is the Narcissistic Personality Disorder that will be
discussed in the next blog.
severe effect on others is the Narcissistic Personality Disorder that will be
discussed in the next blog.
Eris
www.erisfield.com
Troubled Characters: The Narcissistic Personality
Disorder
Disorder
As
writers we may not have known anyone with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder,
but most of us have known people with narcissistic traits: people who belief
that they are special, unique, and entitled to the best of everything. Their
arrogance and lack of empathy irritate us; but even more infuriating is their
tendency to exploit others to get what they believe they are entitled to. They may even undermine others’
accomplishments or destroy their rewards if they think it should have been
theirs.
writers we may not have known anyone with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder,
but most of us have known people with narcissistic traits: people who belief
that they are special, unique, and entitled to the best of everything. Their
arrogance and lack of empathy irritate us; but even more infuriating is their
tendency to exploit others to get what they believe they are entitled to. They may even undermine others’
accomplishments or destroy their rewards if they think it should have been
theirs.
In creating a credible back story
for this type of troubled character, the writer should keep in mind that it is
more common in men than women and there may be a genetic influence. Someone in the family—father, grandfather, or
uncle or a female relative may have had similar traits but not always. Often they had parents who encouraged them to
think that they were unique, special, and superior to other children. In adolescence, they are often self-centered,
aggressive, or dominating toward others.
As adults, they have difficulty with intimate relationships and with
coworkers. Because they value youth and
physical attractiveness, they have difficulty accepting the aging process.
for this type of troubled character, the writer should keep in mind that it is
more common in men than women and there may be a genetic influence. Someone in the family—father, grandfather, or
uncle or a female relative may have had similar traits but not always. Often they had parents who encouraged them to
think that they were unique, special, and superior to other children. In adolescence, they are often self-centered,
aggressive, or dominating toward others.
As adults, they have difficulty with intimate relationships and with
coworkers. Because they value youth and
physical attractiveness, they have difficulty accepting the aging process.
In writing the ongoing story, the challenge
for the writer is to show the harmful effect of the troubled character on others.
For example, the troubled character’s coldness, callousness, and
self-centeredness often cause marital conflict.
They tend to be unkind to their children and neglect their children’s
needs. They take unfair advantage of
friends and use manipulation to get what they want. Their patronizing manner, sense of
entitlement, and lack of support for co-workers make them unpopular at work.
for the writer is to show the harmful effect of the troubled character on others.
For example, the troubled character’s coldness, callousness, and
self-centeredness often cause marital conflict.
They tend to be unkind to their children and neglect their children’s
needs. They take unfair advantage of
friends and use manipulation to get what they want. Their patronizing manner, sense of
entitlement, and lack of support for co-workers make them unpopular at work.
In life, we use different words to
describe this type of troubled character.
Some of the kinder ones are difficult, not a team-player, and a pain in
the . . . In fiction, as in life, characters with
narcissistic traits tend to cause pain and chaos for others. Have you encountered any in fiction?
describe this type of troubled character.
Some of the kinder ones are difficult, not a team-player, and a pain in
the . . . In fiction, as in life, characters with
narcissistic traits tend to cause pain and chaos for others. Have you encountered any in fiction?
