Comments on: The Value of Writing Shock and Avoiding Valueless Trauma https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/ A Blog On Writing Thu, 01 Jan 2026 02:42:02 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: denise https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175523 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 02:42:02 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175523 only a little. in romance, you know you'll get the HEA--it's during the journey where you can do a little foreshadowing.

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175395 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 02:11:38 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175395 In reply to Ellen Buikema.

Hahahahaha! Thanks, Ellen. 🙂

]]> By: Matthew https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175353 Sun, 28 Dec 2025 06:05:26 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175353 I'm shocked by these revelations 😆😂😱

Nice essay Ellen. Have a good new year's celebration 🙏👏❤️🌹

]]> By: Lisa Norman https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175341 Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:18:21 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175341 I love using foreshadowing. My favorite plot twist was NOT one that I wrote. It is in the book Destiny at Dolphin Bay by Diana Delacruz. The book is a coming of age story, and there is a point where the book feels like it'll wrap up (except you can see there are many pages left!) and there is this sense that the MC has learned a lot, but that maybe she's going to go back home and things won't stick. Then a tragedy strikes. It's very believable because it's based on a true event. Then this character needs to actually PRACTICE what she's been learning, and you see it become a part of her reality, a huge growth stage. The first time I read that page, I gasped... and then the story I was already enjoying seemed to come alive.

]]> By: Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175339 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 21:51:39 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175339 Almost no one remembers that, in the Catholic church, the MINISTERS of the sacrament of marriage are the two participants, and the only thing required for a valid marriage is 1) being free to marry + 2) having the intent to.

Oh, and the marriage must then be consummated. Another thing which could be disowned - except in certain cases.

It makes a paperwork mess, isn't legally valid (each state/nation has its own laws), and can become a significant problem in so many ways that we appreciate that the paperwork exists, and rules require a proof, such as children and inheritances and...

But none of that is required, not even that both participants be practicing Catholics (I'm not sure that even one must be, because I don't need that case).

This - along with almost all of your examples - has made a nice mess of the end of the second volume in my mainstream trilogy, and leaves a train wreck to be dealt with in the final volume, which I'm working on now.

And, of course, people can later change their minds - and lie about intention! Oh, and the marriage must then be consummated. Another thing which could be disowned - except in certain cases which DNA tests have made simpler.

]]> By: Ellen Buikema https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175337 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:45:41 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175337 In reply to Diana Stout.

Diana, I am a pantser with a plotting glaze, so there is at least some minor amount of outlining. Sometimes foreshadowing comes to me accidentally, that is if there are truly any accidents.

It sounds like your Muse/subconscious/channeling is doing wonderful things for you. That is so awesome!

Dwight Swain makes a great point.

]]> By: Ellen Buikema https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175336 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:36:03 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175336 In reply to Marilyn.

Hi Marilyn,

The inclusion of coping skills and suggestions for places families can get help in your books is inspired and truly needed. Great ideas!

]]> By: Ellen Buikema https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175335 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:31:04 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175335 In reply to Jenny Hansen.

Jenny, no one would consider you a dud.

JK Rowling must have a prolific and highly organized muse.

]]> By: Ellen Buikema https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175334 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:28:40 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175334 In reply to Jeanne.

Hi Jeanne,

I'm pleased the examples are useful!

]]> By: Ellen Buikema https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/12/the-value-of-writing-shock-and-avoiding-valueless-trauma/#comment-175333 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:27:46 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=56058#comment-175333 In reply to Jenny Hansen.

Jenny, if we could bottle that magic we'd make a fortune!

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