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Psychology for Writers

Insights for the writer and the writing

Flow
Q & A with Kylie's Heel Author Susan K. Perry

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on August 17, 2013

An interview with writer and psychologist Susan K. Perry on her journey from writing nonfiction to writing her first novel, Kylie's Heel.

An interview with writer and psychologist Susan K. Perry on her journey from writing nonfiction to writing her first novel, Kylie's Heel.

Anger
A Look at the Psychology Behind the Movie "The Purge"

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on July 17, 2013

Though the recent film "The Purge", in which citizens are allowed to commit any crime they like for a 12-hour period, certainly captured the imagination of the viewing public, the entire premise is based on the unfounded belief that venting rage reduces it. Find out why catharsis isn't your best bet when you're angry, and what to do instead.

Though the recent film "The Purge", in which citizens are allowed to commit any crime they like for a 12-hour period, certainly captured the imagination of the viewing public, the entire premise is based on the unfounded belief that venting rage reduces it. Find out why catharsis isn't your best bet when you're angry, and what to do instead.

Creativity
Is Angst Behind All Great Creativity?

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on June 17, 2013

Despite the stereotype of the tortured artist, having a psychological disorder may not be the best catalyst for your creativity. Find out why and what you need instead.

Despite the stereotype of the tortured artist, having a psychological disorder may not be the best catalyst for your creativity. Find out why and what you need instead.

Laughter
Using Personal Disasters to Inform Your Writing

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on May 17, 2013

Bad things–sometimes terrible things–happen to us all. While they’re happening, we’re focused on surviving them. But after we manage to do that, for better or worse, we've learned something new about the human condition. And if there’s one thing writers do well, it’s share how hard it is to be human. How to use your disaster to inform your writing.

Bad things–sometimes terrible things–happen to us all. While they’re happening, we’re focused on surviving them. But after we manage to do that, for better or worse, we've learned something new about the human condition. And if there’s one thing writers do well, it’s share how hard it is to be human. How to use your disaster to inform your writing.

Career
Using the News to Inspire Your Stories

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on March 10, 2013

Writers often get stumped on finding new ideas. Here's how the writerly Muse might explore a news article with psychological implications.

Writers often get stumped on finding new ideas. Here's how the writerly Muse might explore a news article with psychological implications.

Unconscious
Why Our Dark Sides Make Us Better Writers

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on February 12, 2013

Jungian therapists argue that delving into our psychological shadows helps us be more creative. Likewise, a willingness to write about the dark side of human nature certainly sells better than a conflict-free paradise. Learn more about how always looking into the light can hold you back.

Jungian therapists argue that delving into our psychological shadows helps us be more creative. Likewise, a willingness to write about the dark side of human nature certainly sells better than a conflict-free paradise. Learn more about how always looking into the light can hold you back.

Suicide
Real-Life Suicide Assessments: Who, What, When, How

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on January 12, 2013

Hollywood's portrayals of suicidal characters and therapeutic suicide assessments and interventions are often grossly inaccurate. Learn how real suicide assessments are done, what safety plans are, how hospitalization works, and what the aftermath of a suicide attempt can look like.

Hollywood's portrayals of suicidal characters and therapeutic suicide assessments and interventions are often grossly inaccurate. Learn how real suicide assessments are done, what safety plans are, how hospitalization works, and what the aftermath of a suicide attempt can look like.

Fear
But How Do You Feel About That?

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on December 11, 2012

Writing big and showing rather than telling can be good rules of thumb for the novelist. But as any good psychologist knows, what's quietly going on inside the character may be the most important thing of all.

Writing big and showing rather than telling can be good rules of thumb for the novelist. But as any good psychologist knows, what's quietly going on inside the character may be the most important thing of all.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Cycle
Spirituality
Using Self-Fulfilling Prophecies to Your Advantage

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on October 11, 2012

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief that comes true because we are acting as if it is already true. Learn how to harness the power of self-fulfilling prophecies in your own life.

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief that comes true because we are acting as if it is already true. Learn how to harness the power of self-fulfilling prophecies in your own life.

Romeo & Juliet by Ford Madox Brown
Relationships
The Anima/Animus Archetype and Romantic Chemistry

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on September 11, 2012

Chemistry has long been thought of as the recognition of your other half, and as psychologist Carl Jung saw it, this recognition was prompted by the archetype of the anima (what draws a man to women) or animus (what draws a woman to men). Potential love interests must have traits and behavior that resonate with your hero because they somehow make him more whole.

Chemistry has long been thought of as the recognition of your other half, and as psychologist Carl Jung saw it, this recognition was prompted by the archetype of the anima (what draws a man to women) or animus (what draws a woman to men). Potential love interests must have traits and behavior that resonate with your hero because they somehow make him more whole.

Ethics and Morality
Why Bad Guys Think They're Good Guys

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on August 12, 2012

One of my biggest pet peeves about many story villains is that they walk around twisting the ends of their mustaches and declaring that they are the bad guys.

One of my biggest pet peeves about many story villains is that they walk around twisting the ends of their mustaches and declaring that they are the bad guys.

Unconscious
Growing Ideas Is a Process, Not a Lightning Bolt

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on July 12, 2012

One of the biggest myths about creativity is that ideas explode fully formed from the unconscious like a bolt of lightning. But that’s far from the truth.

One of the biggest myths about creativity is that ideas explode fully formed from the unconscious like a bolt of lightning. But that’s far from the truth.

Fantasies
Giving Good Constructive Feedback

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on June 13, 2012

It's a lot easier not to get defensive when other people provide feedback in a palatable fashion. Here's how to do just that when you're trying to help others.

It's a lot easier not to get defensive when other people provide feedback in a palatable fashion. Here's how to do just that when you're trying to help others.

Attention
Do You Get Defensive When You Get Feedback?

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on May 10, 2012

If you get defensive when you get feedback, maybe what's really getting in between you and a great story (and publication) is a bruised ego. Read on to find out if you're undermining yourself!

If you get defensive when you get feedback, maybe what's really getting in between you and a great story (and publication) is a bruised ego. Read on to find out if you're undermining yourself!

Psychopharmacology
Finding a Good Therapist

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on March 6, 2012

So you (or your character) are looking for a therapist. What should you look for? How will you find a good one? (Conversely, if you want to portray a rotten therapist for your character, have her ignore all of what follows!)

So you (or your character) are looking for a therapist. What should you look for? How will you find a good one? (Conversely, if you want to portray a rotten therapist for your character, have her ignore all of what follows!)

Personality
Personality Tests for Your Characters

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on February 7, 2012

Learn how to use psychological personality tests to construct unique character profiles and better understand why your characters do what they do!

Learn how to use psychological personality tests to construct unique character profiles and better understand why your characters do what they do!

Body Language
Nonverbal Communication and Your Characters

Carolyn Kaufman Psy.D. on January 7, 2012

Though most people appreciate that information is communicated through body language and vocal tone, they don't usually realize just how much. In fact, words are only part of the message in face-to-face communication; vocal tone and nonverbals are also extremely important! As a result, we often give away more about ourselves than we intend to.

Though most people appreciate that information is communicated through body language and vocal tone, they don't usually realize just how much. In fact, words are only part of the message in face-to-face communication; vocal tone and nonverbals are also extremely important! As a result, we often give away more about ourselves than we intend to.