The Delinquents

Characters: || Clara Montgomery || 18 || || Maxwell Pierce || 19 || ||Holden Lexington || 24 | 69 || ||Michael Pond || 32 ||

[zoeyrph]

could I possibly get some writing help? how can I write a teenager who has mental disorders like post traumatic stress disorder and depression? if you could help me that would be great thank you :)

Whenever I write a character with a disease/disorder, the first thing I do is research. Here’s some things you should look into!

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD):

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic stress disorder (Wiki)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (NIMH: National Institute of Mental Health)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Mayoclinic)

GUIDES

Writing PTSD (and other mental disorders) Accurately (WriteWorld)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (EdwardKenwayps)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD (What it is, Effects, Causes, Risk/Protective Factors, Signs & Symptoms, How it’s assessed, Treatment, How to Cope with PTSD)

Writing PTSD (Military experiences)

Writing PTSD treatment that’s true to life (10-part guide to PTSD)

How to Write a Character with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) (KassCityHelps)

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (TheWritingCafe)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Fiction, Part 4

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

Living with PTSD and Getting Help

What’s it like living with PTSD?

My story survival battling PTSD

ADAA: Personal Stories

PTSDPuma

AFTERMATH

The Aftermath of Trauma Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

DEPRESSION:

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (Wiki)

Major Depression (Clinical Depression) (Web MD)

'Clinical depression': What does that mean? (Mayoclinic)

Depression (NIMH: National Institute of Mental Health)

GUIDES

Depression and how to write it

Writing depression in characters

The Writer and Depression

Looking for help writing a character w/ bipolar/depression

WRITING CHARACTERS: DEPRESSION (TheWritingCafe)

Brief Advice on How to Write Depression: Imagination and Research (WriteWorld)

Do you have anything on how to write a character with depression? (fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment)

Do you know any tips for writing characters that have serious depression and selfhate problems? (TheWritersHelpers)

Characters Dealing With Loss (WhatAboutWriting)

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

Personal Stories - Depression (ADAA)

Depression: personal blogs and stories (time-to-change)

Personal stories about depression (blackdoginstitute)

Depression - Vanessa’s story (NHS)

Depression - Writing Help (WritingHelpers)

voiceofdepression

Depression doesn’t equal ‘sad’

AFTERMATH

Side Effects of Untreated Depression (Web MD)

The Aftermath

Boredom/emptiness “depression aftermath”

Hope it helps!

-Zoey. x

[trekrph]

Hello! Do you happen to have any help on how to play a character that has a drinking problem? I'm playing someone who has a secret alcohol problem, but I've never touched a drop of alcohol myself, and I'd like some tips or guidance or whatever.. Is there maybe a masterlist, or an article you'd recommend that I could read? Thank you so much in advance and have a nice day!

I really don’t see how this couldn’t be solved by some minimal googling tbh. However, if you’re a little nervous about it due to your inexperience, don’t worry! Let’s just break it down bit by bit. I’m not an alcoholic and I don’t like drinking myself, but I’ll try and offer you some starting points.  

To begin, just think. No research (yet!), no worrying—all hypothetical, nothing concrete in terms of your character just yet, but maybe writing your thoughts down. I’d begin by going way way back to when and why their ‘problem’ began. Think of it from three ways: scientific, society and self. 

Scientific, or the ‘what',would be looking at the facts, statistics, the definite answers. Stuff like the psychological point of view (e.g. brain stimulation from addiction, drunk behaviour) 

Society, or the ‘why’, would be much more unanswerable. You could think about how your character’s origins and current directions happen. Think about influences, their environment and circumstance (e.g. if they’re a teenager, peer pressure might be involved. If they’re older, perhaps it’s an escape) What was it that led to that problem—is it the reason it persists? 

Self, or the ‘how’, would be very much you playing them. Are they acknowledging their problem, their addiction? How does it affect their livelihood/lifestyle? Just keep questioning yourself and answer with your character’s voice. 

For research, I highly recommend checking the sources and their legitimacy. Something like alcoholism shouldn’t be taken lightly. Do your research, get your basis. Apply the knowledge to your character. Everyone is different, but you can only account for it when you know your stuff. 

Things you could read and consider: 

Writing-questions-answered had a similar question with some resources. 

This is a website with some recovery tips but it has a table with some ‘reasons’

Same site. This should be easy to read because it’s addressing alcoholics specifically.                                                             

Z’s detailed guide to alcoholism

Leviathan-RPC’s guide to alcohol 

Alcohol addiction symptoms from Timberline Knolls

Some information about alcohol dependency

Article from the NY Times

My alcohol tag!

I hope that helps. Good luck on your roleplay endeavour! 

[thatindiebitch]

That indie Bitch is gonna teach you: how to play an asexual character

I've never ever roleplayed with an asexual character, but I've done my research, and a lot of my favorite people are asexual, and I myself am asexual. People always think 'prude' when they hear asexual, they assume it means no sex, no dating, nothing. Well it doesn't. Every one who is asexual is a different type of asexual, and I'm gonna teach you how to roleplay the different types.

Read More

[rphelper]

Okay, weird but could you possibly guide me on how to play a mute character? Or if you know where a guide would be? Please and thank you so so much!~

On Writing Mute Characters

Playing A Mute

Tips on Writing Mute Characters

FYCD answer

Guide on How to Write A Mute Character

Advice on Writing Characters Who Are Mute

Writing Mute Characters

Playing A Character Who Is Mute

Pre-ASL Communication for A Mute Character

Books with Mute Characters

Portraying A Character that Is A Mute

Hope those help!

[evan-and-aimee]

Evan's How-To: How to Play a Stutterer

You’ve seen them all over the roleplay community; characters with stutters. People think that this is an acceptable form of a “disability” without actually being disabled, but poorly portraying someone with a speech impediment can be insulting to those who actually suffer from the disorder. In this article, we’re going to cover what a stutter actually is, and how to portray one in a more proper manner. 

Read More

[britrps-blog]

britrps 003 - how to portray a devout catholic

This guide includes basic knowledge of the bible and the church, holidays celebrated, popular bible verses, common personality traits and possible faceclaims.

Read More

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

You’re focusing on the future. Try thinking about just now. You make me very happy, those elements in life can be manipulated. All I know for now, it I like being with you and I miss you.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

The future is important, Natalie. Your future is important.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

Out With The New, In With The Old || Natalie&Max || Foster Family AU

[reckless-drabbles]

Natalie continued to walk with Logan, occasionally throwing a glance over her shoulder at the meek boy behind her. She shook her head to the side, focusing on the ground. Her heart went out to him right away - no one deserved to be treated as she was, every child should be treated like gold. Logan turned around and grabbed Natalie, stopping her from walking, “You show him around, brat. I got better things to do.” Natalie nodded, “Of course.” she said, sarcasm present in her tone. Shyly smiling up at the new boy, she gestured for him to follow her through the corridors of the house. Walking to the door she knew well, Natalie went down the stairs and turned on the light to the basement. A small mattress was there, an air bed next to it now. “This is our room,” she told him, not too sure what else to say.

"I uhm, I could…how do you say, lend a hand," she struggled a bit with English, and her french accent came through heavily at this point in her life, especially when she was nervous or upset. "Lend a hand with your bags and belongings if you have brought any. I promise they are not that bad." she quickly started, "You just have to do what they say. If and when inspectors actually come, you better smile. Put on a show. It’s all a show. Let them think they have control over you, and they will be content." she blurted all her ramblings out, wanting to let the boy know what was coming to him, but at the same time not trying to frighten him. 

Hearing Logan’s footsteps down the stairs, she dropped the smile off of her face and chewed on her lip, looking down as he entered the basement. She waited for him to make a move or say something, trying to eye Max and let him know not to utter a single word. “Upstairs, bitches. That fat ass official lady is leaving now.” Natalie nodded, quickly following Logan, hoping Max would do the same. She swallowed thickly before putting a grin on her face, saying good bye to the lady. As the door was shut and her car turned a corner, Natalie felt her stomach drop. Whispers filled her mind, more so like a buzzing. She suppressed a shudder before her foster parents barked at them to go to their room and not to come out or make any noise. Obeying, she motioned for Max to follow. Once downstairs, she let out a heavy breath. “Again, I’m Natalie,” she said smiling slightly, “I’ve been here for a long time. I’d say welcome, but that would give this place justice.”

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

Max stopped short as Logan grabbed Natalie, watching the interaction with a frown on his face. He'd heard a lot of people say not to judge people based on first impressions, but if they were anything to go by he could already tell this guy wasn't going on his list of favourite people anytime soon. A hint of a smile came across Max's lips when Natalie smiled up at him, almost apologetic. He followed her, no longer interested in what the house could tell him anymore, and keeping his eyes glued to his feet. He began to get nervous as they walked down the stairs, unsure of where she was leading him. His old home didn't have a basement, and he was generally unsure as to what they were used for other than to scare small children and use as decent hiding places. When she turned on the light he couldn't help the smile sneaking onto his lips, and he let out a puff of laughter. He wasn't sure why it was entertaining to him, perhaps everything was just getting so surreal he didn't know how to process it anymore. "Cosy," he joked quietly.

He raised his eyebrows at her offer, noticing how her accent was becoming stronger. Was it French? He'd done it for awhile in secondary school, before he dropped out. He started to wonder if this family purposely fostered people who weren't American, if there was some reason for that, or if it was just a coincidence. He quickly shook his head. "No, uhm, I only brought one bag. And it's small so... You don't have to worry about it." He swallowed as she began her next sentence, trying to pay attention, to take it seriously, but all he wanted to do was drift away from the entire thing. Why did it have to be him? Was everyone in the world this fucked up or did he just happen to scrape the bottom of the barrel every time? He didn't even know how to respond, he felt like he was trapped in some kind of nightmare, this couldn't be real. This shit didn't happen, and this amount of shit did not happen to one person. Eventually he managed to get out an "okay". He was going to throw up. He couldn't handle this. He couldn't deal with this. This wasn't okay. This isn't even close to what he had imagined as the worst possible scenario. But at least it wasn't her.

Max watched Natalie's shift in posture as the sound of footsteps came from the stairs, and stiffened. He didn't know where to look, whether to look at her, or Logan, or the floor, or the ceiling, where to focus his attention. In the end he settled for examining his hands as he tugged at his sleeves. He visibly paled when he heard that Ann was leaving. She couldn't be falling for this, how could she not know? He was supposed to trust her, and she'd just put him in another bad position. He followed the two of them again, up the stairs, to the front door. He couldn't bring himself to smile back at her, and wondered how Natalie managed it. If he was only hearing about this and he couldn't, how could she experience it and do it like it was the most natural thing in the world. His stomach churned as Ann's smile twisted into concern, he was supposed to smile, wasn't he? Natalie said he was supposed to smile. He'd already messed up. But she merely put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump. "You'll be fine, Max. They're nice people." He wanted to scream at her, to tell her she was wrong, that he'd rather sleep on the streets than the two options he'd been given so far in life, that she was awful at her job, and that she'd broken his trust. Instead, he just about managed to twitch the corners of his lips upwards and nodded. He ground his teeth as she drove off, willing her to come back with his mind, begging her. But she didn't, and it wasn't surprising.  He jumped again as his new foster parents gave their demands, mentally cursing himself. He could do that. He did that regularly. Don't come out, don't make any noise. Sounded like his daily routine. Once more, he followed Natalie back down to their room, the taste of vomit very much present in his mouth. He didn't respond to her, or make any indication that he'd even heard her, and instead sat down on the air mattress he assumed was his, putting his head between his knees. No noise meant no vomiting. After a few moments, he rose again, still feeling pale, but less likely to puke the little contents of his stomach onto the floor. "Max," he told her, responding to her reintroduction. He looked over at her, trying his best to smile. "It's no big deal, I'm used to it." 

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

Okay. [she heaves out a long sigh before leaning her head on his shoulder] Why do you say I can’t be happy with you?

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[He leans his head on hers gently] Because I'm dead, Natalie. I'm not going to age. We can't... Get married, if you ever wanted that, or have kids, or get out of this goddamn place. And you deserve someone much better than me.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

While I do appreciate the gesture, I’d rather hear you say what you’re trying to convey, Hol. Please try to see it from my perspective. I’m really sorry I found out this way, but it’s not all my fault. What is my fault is not seeing you for three months or doing anything. I wrote you letters, though. I never sent them…

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

I... I want you to be happy. Because I love you, Natalie. You've broken something inside me, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. It's like you're slowly undoing me, like... Like this entire time I've just been a huge knot and I had no idea. You've made me a better person. You've made me regret, you've made me... And I lied to you because I'm selfish. Because I don't want to let go of you. But I want you to be happy, and I don't care if you never visit, I don't care if you never call, I don't care if all you do is send a one worded letter once a year... As long as I know you're happy. And you can't be happy with me.

[vincentvangough-blog]

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

[she has a drag of her own, holding the smoke in for a long moment before reading the note]  It just makes me question whether or not everything was real, and if anything that you’ve told me was genuine.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[He frowns again, looking down at his hands. He hands her another note before they come to the door that leads up to the roof.] I’m sorry. [Pushing down the handle, he opens it, and steps back to let her go first]

[reckless-drabbles]

[she steps on the roof and goes to sit in the middle. She takes two cigarettes out of pack, handing one to Holden after she lights it. Sparks her own and takes a drag] Don’t be sorry.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[He takes the cigarette, taking a long drag before sitting down next to Natalie. He thinks for a few moments, before he starts to write again. He hesitates as he hands it to her, looking away as soon as it was out of his hand] I don’t think I’m a Psychopath

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[He frowns again, looking down at his hands. He hands her another note before they come to the door that leads up to the roof.] I'm sorry. [Pushing down the handle, he opens it, and steps back to let her go first]

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

[Follows, allowing Holden to lead the way and take control over the situation] 

I owe you the answer to your question. I am at school, one near Athens. I’ve just been to nervous to visit you. I’m studying to become a nurse.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[He frowns, taking his notepad out of his pocket and quickly writing something down as he walks, before tearing out the page and handing it to her] I thought you were going to study art? Why here?

[lazysquire]

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[In the visitors room]

[reckless-drabbles]

[she stays silent for a brief moment] Sneak me inside and take me to the roof for a cigarette. And, if you’re not going to speak, write at least.

[the-delinquent-drabbles]

[He nods, standing up. He checks the hall for guards, before gesturing for her to come over. The guards around here weren't exactly great at their job, so sneaking her in wouldn't be much of a problem.]