In an article for Writer’s Digest, Jen Craven shares four principles for writing stories about children in danger. “As a writer, there’s a unique challenge that comes with crafting stories around children in precarious situations,” she says. “It taps into some of the deepest fears we have as humans.”
Craven offers four tips for mastering this balance:
- Handle Tough Topics With Care. Unless you’re writing deep horror, you probably don’t want to freak out your reader. Focus on the emotional impact of the crime, rather than the details. Provide balance and try to avoid exploiting terror. Ensure that your high octane scenes more the story forward.
- Beware of Alienating Readers. To avoid pushing away your readers, ensure that every scene has an emotional or narrative purpose. Move the story forward, don’t merely describe bad events. When you do describe violence or threats, leave something to the reader’s imagination. Also, Craven suggests providing some emotional relief, with scenes of comfort, perseverance, or even humor.
- Tap Into Worst-Case Scenarios. “Worst-case scenarios allow writers to explore deep, primal emotions—fear, guilt, desperation—but they must be handled carefully to avoid feeling over-the-top or unrealistic,” Craven writes. Create relatable emotions, so that your readers feel your characters’ suffering, even if they haven’t experienced a similar situation. Explore complex emotions and highlight your characters’ resilience.
- Write With Authenticity. Research how trauma affects children and families. Explore the aftermath to show how your characters respond and survive, or don’t. And finally, craft authentic reactions. “Not everyone will respond the same way to danger or trauma,” Craven says. “Use varied responses to add depth to your characters.”
