Rape as a plot device – Don’t do it!

That tragic past. That wound that can’t ever be explained. We all read stories in the news (like the Stanford rape case recently) that make us want to dive into the potential for character angst, suffering, and personal recovery. On the surface, it’s the perfect tragedy to write about, because it comes with few physical disabilities to keep track of. The pain is all internal. She (or he, because plenty of men get raped) can still be beautiful, alluring, yet damaged so badly in their psyche th...