How to Find Your Character's Misbelief

What's Your Main Theme?

In as few words as possible, describe your story's main "truth", character lesson, or "big" idea". I want to use my book to show other people like me that other people like them exist. I want to encourage them to reach out for help even if they think no one would understand. Pride will kill you.

What change would you like to see in the world? I want to see more people talk about CPTSD, repeated trauma, the damage it does, and I want more support for people like me. More understanding.

What is the truth that you want to scream from the rooftops? I want to be seen, not ignored in favor of my abusers. Too many people stand by and watched, letting a grown man abuse and terrify women and children. My mother had it in her power to save us and protect us but she didn't want to be alone with Jeff...so she kept us. And now I can never get rid of him as a result. The abuse that happened to me could have been stopped.

Flip This Truth Upside Down and Make it a Lie

What is the exact opposite of your story's truth? This is the clearest definition of your character's misbelief! The opposite of my story's truth is that people will always leave you. If they don't leave you, they'll betray you. Anyone else will just try to hurt you outright; there is no good left.

Ask Yourself: What Could Have Happened in My Character's Past to Make Them Believe Such a Thing?

It doesn't have to be a big pivotal moment; it could be a subtle but constant affirmation (the drip on the rock). A series of events cause this way of thinking. The first big event is when the mayor and the rest of the council were judging whether Veronika should live or die when they were a child. They were only 5, but they still remember. The second big event is when the mayor and a traveling Healer turned their backs on Veronika's abuse when they were 15. This belief was solidified over the years as the abuse from Javek worsened in front of visitors. Some visitors would participate in verbal abuse, too scared for physical abuse.

Write that Backstory Scene for your Character

Actually writing this scene will give you insight into the depths of your character's inner conflict.

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