Cultivating a trauma-sensitive approach in your writing practice: The OTMAR Method

Physical, psychological and emotional trauma are common in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Research indicates that nearly three-quarters of adults are likely to experience a traumatic event in their lifetime – in a very high number of cases, occurring before the age of 17 years.

As writers, we play a critical and crucial role in creating public awareness, including exposing injustice and the trauma of people who have experienced violence, abuse, cruelty, injury, pain and betrayal. Our work enables the voices of trauma survivors to be heard, thereby supporting their healing and empowerment. Writing about our own experiences, or those of our loved ones, kin and community offers deep insights from lived experience, but carries risks for our wellbeing. And writing other people’s trauma stories exposes us to occupational hazards such as vicarious trauma, re-traumatisation and burnout.

This guide includes discussion of key concepts, outlines the risks and explores how to integrate a trauma-sensitive approach in the writer’s process, from research and interviewing to working with an editor and getting published, from self-care to seeking professional support.

The guide is suitable for new and aspiring writers, as well as experienced authors working on book manuscripts in:

–Life writing, including autobiography, biography, memoir, family history, organisational / institutional history

–Professional writing, such as copywriting for public enquiries and institutional communications

–Creative non-fiction, fiction and hybrids such as exposé, autofiction and heritage fiction.

ISBN 978-0-6485886-4-1
124 pages, wiro-binding