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How can I write SA without writing SA? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 5 months ago by vis4valentine@lemmy.ml to c/writing_lounge

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Hi. Im a trans writer doing my lore for writing dark phantasy. I am inspired by many dark phantasy like Berserk and A Song of Ice and Fire, but mostly from real world history and in many parts of the world is very horrible to live as a women. How ever SA is part of some characters background but I I dont feel good actually writing it. Can I just skip it and be vague about it or there are workarounds? I dont wanna trigger survivors or make people drop it because if it.

Is not like im mentioning it all the time, my work is more like a collection of stories in the same universe that take place in different time periods and some dont have it at all, but it will be important in some.

Thank you in advance.

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[–] Lacanoodle 3 points 5 months ago

I love what pronell said and you could go that route! Although I'd also like to suggest going allegorical as an option.

There was a poem I read, which used a snake bite as an allegory for SA. I can't seem to remember the name. I think it was by Francesca Lia Block although I'm not certain.

Depending on why you want to write that as part of your characters story you can adjust the allegory. If its about the abuse of power and the effects it leaves on people that snake allegory would do you well.

If its about being realistic, that won't work. Unless you want to make it like an adjusted memory. Smth the victim doesn't wish to remember and hence remembers smth else instead.

Off the top of my head:

A rose losing it's petals to represent loss of innocence/ beauty.
Trespassers destroying someone's garden, a violation of boundaries.
A painting that's torn, destruction of ones sense of self.

Good luck, but before you make your decision I suggest you make sure you know why you want to write about it. That'll help you make the correct decision for you.