By Robert Lowery
Writing your story can be a therapeutic and empowering experience, allowing you to share your journey, struggles, and triumphs with others. However, it's essential to do so in a way that serves the reader and provides them with valuable insights rather than just venting or "trauma dumping." In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of writing your story without overwhelming readers with unnecessary details of your pain, how to find the balance, and some tips for crafting your first draft effectively.
What is Trauma Dumping?
Trauma dumping is the act of sharing your traumatic experiences inappropriately, without the permission or emotional capacity of your audience to process them.
~Cambridge Dictionary~
My definition of trauma dumping is sharing your darkest moments without connecting them to life lessons, principles, or wisdom that can help the reader. While it's crucial to share your story authentically, doing so without a purpose can lead to disengagement and even harm your readers experience. The issue with trauma dumping isn't sharing your pain; it's the unintended consequence of overwhelming your readers with your struggles without providing any guidance or value lessons you learned from your pain. Readers pick up your book with the expectation that it will help them in some way, whether by offering inspiration, insights, or actionable advice. When you share your trauma with no intention to help others learn and grow from your experience, readers will read your book feeling that you need more help than they do.
Writing with Purpose:
If you're going through a current struggle and want to write about it, you should focus on the following questions:
1) What are you learning from this experience?
2) What lessons or principles have you gained?
3) How are you shifting your mindset to overcome the challenge?
4) What knowledge do you need to grow and heal?
Your goal as a writer is to empower and uplift your readers, not to burden them with your pain. Share your story with a purpose, emphasizing the lessons and wisdom you've gained along the way.
The Power of Positive and Empowering Stories:
While it's essential to share your defeats and struggles, it's equally important to infuse your narrative with stories of triumph and growth. Great books, such as "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins, "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, and "The Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers, are built on stories of adversity, but they also emphasize faith, courage, resilience, and success. As motivational speaker Les Brown wisely said, "Never make a point without a story and never tell a story without making a point."
Don't let your pain control the narrative of your story. While your pain is a part of your journey, it should not overshadow the message you want to convey to your readers.
Writing Your Story: Tips for Success
1) Have a clear goal for your book and ensure that every chapter serves this goal.
2) Name your chapters based on the empowering principles you want to communicate.
3) Stay on topic and maintain a consistent flow throughout your book.
Don't rush the process; your first book may not be perfect, but it's a valuable learning experience.
Overthinking and over-researching can be counterproductive; focus on getting your ideas on paper.
Writing your story is a powerful way to connect with others, inspire change, and empower those who may be going through similar struggles. However, it's crucial to write with purpose and avoid trauma dumping. Your story should serve as a source of strength, wisdom, and hope for your readers, helping them overcome their own challenges. So, remember to share your defeats, but always tie them to lessons and principles that can guide and uplift your audience. Writing is a journey, and with practice, you can become a great writer, making a more significant impact with each story you tell.
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