When directing upsetting stories, we pay attention to any signs that a story is still raw for the teller: Their drafts are late and dates to talk are rescheduled last-minute. In extreme cases, the storyteller may get lost in the details of a graphic scene. They are caught in the trauma while exploring the story, and when they stop talking, they might be disoriented. These signs can indicate that they may still be living the story and may not be ready to tell it publicly.

