Wesz van der Heide

The Emotional Impact of Writing About Vulnerability

Vulnerability is at the heart of powerful storytelling. When we write about our characters’ deepest fears, joys, and insecurities, we open a window to their humanity. We create something real. Something that resonates. But writing about vulnerability isn’t just about the characters; it’s about us as writers, too. It can be transformative, challenging, and deeply personal. So, let’s talk about what it means to embrace vulnerability in writing and why it’s so essential for crafting stories that truly connect.

Have you ever opened up to someone about something deeply personal—your fears, insecurities, or regrets? If they responded with understanding, that moment probably strengthened your bond and left you feeling seen. That’s exactly what vulnerability does in storytelling. It fosters intimacy between the reader and the characters, making the story unforgettable.

But how do we bring that rawness into our writing? Let’s break it down.

Why Vulnerability Matters in Storytelling

• It Builds Connection: Vulnerability makes characters relatable. Readers resonate with characters who struggle, fail, and persevere because they see their own humanity reflected in those stories.
• It Creates Depth: Vulnerable characters are layered and complex. Their fears, doubts, and inner conflicts add richness to the narrative, making the story more compelling.
• It Builds Empathy: When we explore vulnerability, we invite readers to step into another perspective. They might see their own struggles reflected or gain understanding for someone else’s.

The Challenges of Writing Vulnerability

Writing about vulnerability isn’t easy. It often means facing our own emotions head-on.

• Facing Personal Emotions: Writing about pain, loss, or insecurity can bring up feelings we haven’t fully processed, and can be both a cathartic and taxing. As someone who’s benefited from therapy, I’ve seen how personal reflection enhances storytelling. And while we don’t have to experience something first-hand to write about it (the Internet is a great resource and we can accomplish a lot by researching topics and applying our imagination), drawing from real emotions adds a special kind of richness.
• Balancing Authenticity and Restraint: There’s a fine line between powerful emotion and melodrama. Authenticity lies in the details, not in over-explaining or dramatising a character’s pain. This is something I’m super guilty of in my first drafts. I’m terrified I’m not communicating what I want to communicate, so I overdo it. A single, strong detail can say it all. It can be enough to say tears are streaming down a character’s face. We don’t then also have to show how their shoulders shake, how they’ve covered their eyes with their hands, and how they’ve curled up into a ball. Too much of a good thing is still…too much.
• Navigating Reader Expectations: Not everyone is comfortable with deep emotional dives. A story that’s all angst can feel overwhelming. Finding the balance between raw emotion and moments of hope makes a narrative more universally resonant.

How Writing Vulnerably Shapes the Writer

Writing about vulnerability equals writing vulnerably, which means it changes us, too.

• It Fosters Self-Awareness: Ever heard of writers accidentally writing about their own trauma? Writing about characters’ vulnerabilities can mirror our own emotional journeys, and it happens more than we think. Sometimes, our writing shows us things we didn’t even realise we needed to process.
• It Builds Courage: Sharing vulnerable stories takes guts. Writers who embrace vulnerability in their work often find it easier to be open and authentic in their personal lives. Writing about our vulnerabilities can be used as a training ground for the real thing.
• It Encourages Growth: Writing through vulnerability can be healing. It allows us to imagine closure, process emotions, and even give our characters resolutions we never got in real life.

The Reader’s Experience of Vulnerability

Vulnerability in storytelling can also deeply impact the reader.

• It Makes Them Feel Seen: When readers see their own struggles reflected in a story, it can be incredibly validating. That moment of Oh wow, I thought I was the only one is powerful.
• It Creates a Safe Space: Vulnerable narratives provide a safe space for readers to process their own emotions without judgement. A character’s struggles can inspire readers to reflect on their challenges in a new light. For example, if a reader struggles with social anxiety and reads about a character who does too, they can see how making change might have a positive (or negative!) impact.
• It Fosters Connection: Readers form lasting bonds with characters who are raw and authentic. Have you ever thought about a character long after finishing a book? That’s the power of vulnerability: it stays with you.

Tips for Writing Vulnerability Effectively

• Show, Don’t Tell: Use specific details to convey emotions. Instead of saying, “He felt sad,” show him looking at old photos, his hands trembling as he picks one up. Actions and dialogue reveal vulnerability far better than exposition.
• Balance with Resilience: Vulnerability is compelling, but showing characters’ strength and capacity for growth creates a well-rounded and inspiring narrative.
• Be Specific: The more personal and precise the emotions and actions, the more universal they become. Readers connect to authenticity, not generalisations.

Let’s Hear From You!

Writing about vulnerability is one of the most emotionally rewarding aspects of storytelling. It allows us to create characters that resonate deeply with readers while fostering our own growth and understanding. By writing vulnerably, you’re inviting readers into a space of empathy, connection, and reflection—a space where storytelling magic happens.

So, how do you bring vulnerability into your stories? Have you ever realised you were writing about your own emotions without meaning to? Share your experiences in the comments below!