Trigger Warning

Welcome back to trauma life! Let's talk triggers.

When I was younger trigger warnings were not a thing that was put into books. Heck, I read a book when I was 15 that I likely should not have read due to all of the things in it. Like two people fighting inside of a cage naked, hanging above a crowd of people. One of them yanked off the other's penis and dropped it below to the people, who all scrambled for it. (Bonus points for those of you who have read that book and can comment below what it is). There were no triggers to that and no warning it would happen. It just... did.

When I published my first book, Double-Edged War, I was torn. On one hand I want reading to be enjoyable. I want people to not have a panic attack or break down because something in my book triggers them. On the other hand, I don't want someone to flip open and book and be like, "Oh... in this book someone will be tied down" and be spoiled by the warning. So after some hard thinking... I decided to try something new. My trigger warning is at the start of my books with the understanding that this book does have topics that may trigger you, but the list of what triggers is included, are listed at the back of the book.

I think this balance allows people to be aware if you have a certain trigger, to look, and if you are like me and very little triggers me in books, you can just be advised you might hit something, but not what and get no spoilers.

My books are by no means light and fluffy. All of them have triggers to some degree or another. But as I said, I write for people to enjoy the story. To understand that these characters have had a life that has caused some issues... for some, they have had a rather horrible life with some pretty big issues. I write from things I have seen in my life, and stories from those I've worked with and adjust them, so I am aware that they might hit close to home for some.

If you are someone who has triggers in books - please take care of yourself. I would rather you be safe, happy and secure, than be a reader and have a panic attack because of my work. Your mental health is not worth it.

What triggers do you find are the hardest to read? Are there any that you look for in a book when you pick it up? Let me know in the comments below!