In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Lisa Hall Wilson says exploiting your characters’ emotional triggers can create tension, drama, and change.
But where do they come from? Hall Wilson says your character’s pressure points may arise from qualities they consider strengths, as this is where we focus our identity and perceived value. “It could be a strength or aptitude that was reinforced when they were young,” she says. “A child identified as gifted at a young age might place all their identity and self-worth in being smart, in being the smartest person in the room.”
This character’s trigger might be pulled when they meet someone smarter and more creative. This could damage their self-confidence, cause them to lash out, or sink them into depression. Would this character question her value or become more competitive? “Emotional triggers are often linked to anything a character feels they’re really good at, that they deserve, something they see as their personal identity, or that they’re constantly striving for,” Hall Wilson says.
In a similar vein, what your character values and fears losing can also provide a strong emotional trigger. When this happens, your character is likely to experience a spike in their emotions, perhaps without knowing why. They might feel angry or ashamed without realizing that the true trigger was fear or jealousy.
Once you’ve identified your character’s triggers, identify the emotions that are activated by that stimulus. Also, triggers don’t have to be negative, Hall Wilson says. Your character might be triggered to feel accepted, loved, or appreciated.
