From Writers Helping Writers:
Notes
To varying degrees, every person takes steps to stay healthy because no one wants the discomfort and inconvenience of being sick or injured. But not all maladies are created equal. Imagine a character with a genetic predisposition towards a debilitating physical or mental condition. Not knowing if it’s going to crop up for them, or when it will show itself…that uncertainty and fear can create a host of issues that impact the character’s thoughts and how they approach life and the future.
What It Looks Like
- Frequently visiting the doctor
- Requesting tests and bloodwork to look for earmarks of the condition
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding potential triggers (alcohol, being in the sun, etc.)
- Heavily researching the condition
- Conducting genetic testing to see if the character is at risk
- Taking vitamins and supplements
- Quizzing family members about their health
- Doing frequent self-checks for symptoms associated with the condition
- Participating in research studies
- Deciding not to have children
- Hypochondriac tendencies; believing the condition is presenting when it isn’t
- Difficulty developing long-term relationships (because the character doesn’t want people around when/if their health deteriorates)
- Being uncomfortable around people who have the condition
- Participating in fundraisers to find cures for the condition
- Avoiding doctors and testing
- Ignoring any symptoms of the condition
- Becoming irritated or angry when the subject is brought up
- Hiding signs that the condition is developing
- Pretending things aren’t as bad as they are
- Not making long-term plans for the future
Common Internal Struggles
- The character feeling like their body or mind has betrayed them
- Being plagued with visions of what the condition will do to the character
- Constantly worrying that the condition is starting
- Worrying about what will happen to the people in the character’s care if the condition develops
- Wanting to start a family but being too afraid of passing the condition to them
- Being afraid of the future and what it might bring
- Wrestling with depression
- Being angry at God
. . . .
Hindrances and Disruptions to the Character’s Life
- Overspending on genetic testing, supplements, experimental treatments, etc.
- Being unable to enjoy the present because the character is so worried about the future
- Not preparing adequately for the future (because the character doesn’t see the point)
- Making life decisions (about marriage, having kids, the pursuit of a dream) based on the condition presenting itself though there is no guarantee that it will
- Taking drastic measures to ensure the condition doesn’t develop (such as having a hysterectomy to prevent ovarian cancer, though there is no guarantee it will happen for the character)
Link to the rest at Writers Helping Writers