Writing Down Trauma
The art of transforming trauma into inspiration
Whether you’re just getting started out in your own writing journey or an experienced writer, the resource shared in the video (above) proved to be an invaluable one in my own experience in writing down traumatic events.
In short, you don’t need an MFA in Creative Writing - you just need to show up and start writing.
While stories of trauma, military service, or even childhood can vary, it’s important to choose a specific range of time for your focus. From my own personal experience of documenting trauma endured in the Iraq War, what I’d like to share with you is how painful memories can be broken down to organize your thoughts as well as your writing.
Author Joseph Campbell introduced the concept of the Hero’s Journey in his book, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” in 1949, as a universal theme of going on a journey and transformation that is not only present in mythological tales and religious studies, but in well-known works such as Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, Star Wars, and numerous other books and films. The book was intended to help people “see myth as a reflection of the one sublime adventure of life, and then to breathe new life into it.”
As described in the video above, The Hero’s Journey helps us examine stories through a series of steps. Through this model, we can also view our own stories through a mythological lens.
Themes of pain, overcoming strife, loneliness, triumph, tragedy, and more are common themes in stories throughout the world. They’re peeks into different manifestations of the human condition.
Below, you’ll find how we can take the the Hero’s Journey lens and apply it to Star Wars (retroactively titled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope):
You can adjust your story to how you see fit, of course, and this isn’t the only way to outline your writing, but it has been a wonderful resource in my own writing journey - not to mention countless others.
Here’s a list of additional, helpful apps, books, and videos:
Apps
Books
Videos
One of the most worthwhile aspects of the writing journey and expressing trauma is that we get to know ourselves that much better. Our voice and our words are important, not only to ourselves but the collective story of humanity, but it’s easy to take that for granted.
When we allow ourselves to write, to speak from our heart and mind, we release fire onto the blank pages. So, write until you feel you’ve said all you need to say about your journey, and in a future video, we can talk about the process of editing and publishing resources. But for now, write all you can and whenever you can.
When we tell our stories and put it down on paper, it’s somewhat of a magical process, much like the Hero’s Journey itself. Our perceptions change when we revisit past events, after we’ve changed, grown a bit older – and hopefully wiser.
More importantly, it allows us to see memories in tangible form, and it provides space to reflect. By reflecting, we give ourselves both space and permission to let go of what’s been hurting us or haunting us, and more importantly, we give ourselves the space to heal.
Joseph Campbell himself said, “My general formula for my students is ‘Follow your bliss.’ Find where it is, and don’t be afraid to follow it.”
In writing your story and including it in the tapestry of humankind, may you, too, follow your bliss and discover your authentic voice.
