Unspoken Volumes: Writing Characters with Communication Challenges - Softcover

Tillock CCCSLP, Jennifer

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798990615304

Publisher: Mrs. Speech LLC, 2024

Synopsis

Tired of characters with communication challenges that feel flat, stereotypical, or just plain wrong?

It's time to revolutionize your storytelling. "Unspoken Volumes" is the definitive guide for fiction writers, screenwriters, and playwrights ready to craft characters with profound depth, authenticity, and human complexity. Say goodbye to harmful myths and ableist tropes, and hello to truly resonate and inspire.

Written by an experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) and author, this essential resource goes beyond surface-level understanding. It tackles the common pitfalls of misrepresentation head-on, empowering you to create characters whose communication challenges are simply another authentic facet of their rich personality, not a plot device or a source of pity.

Unlock Authentic Character Development with "Unspoken Volumes":

• Comprehensive Communication Insights: Gain a clear, accessible understanding of a wide range of communication challenges, including:
  • Speech Sound Disorders: Articulation, phonological disorder, dysarthria, apraxia.
  • Fluency Disorders: Stuttering, cluttering.
  • Voice Disorders: Spasmodic dysphonia, vocal paralysis, mutism, prostheses.
  • Language Disorders: Aphasia, dyslexia, developmental language disorders, brain injury.
  • Hearing Impairments: Including vestibular impairment and cochlear implants.
  • Feeding & Swallowing Disorders: Dysphagia, selective eating disorders.
  • Plus, insights into Accents & Dialects, Sign Language, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• Avoid Harmful Stereotypes: Learn how to sensitively portray conditions often misused in fiction (e.g., stuttering as anxiety, vocal cord damage leading only to sign language). Discover the true complexities, coping mechanisms, and rehabilitation options available.
• Practical Tools for Writers: Each section provides actionable guidance, featuring:
  • Causes, Diagnosis, Symptoms, Treatments, and Myths for each challenge.
  • Example Dialogues and Sensitivity & Empathy guidelines.
  • Character Checklists: In-depth questions to guide you in developing character background, specific characteristics, strategies they use, emotional impact, and how to create a character beyond their challenge – their hopes, dreams, and unique personality.
  • Empathy Challenges and Resources for Deeper Dives.
• Confidence in Inclusive Storytelling: Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to create characters who truly shine, fostering a more accepting and informed society through your powerful narratives.

At 300 pages, "Unspoken Volumes" is your comprehensive guide to writing characters whose voices, whether spoken or unspoken, leave a lasting, authentic impression. Are you ready to give your characters a voice that truly resonates?

About this title

About the Author

Jennifer Tillock, M.S., CCC-SLP (writing as Christine Tellach for fiction), leverages her 24-year career as a speech-language pathologist to empower writers to create authentic characters with communication disorders. Witnessing the transformative power of communication firsthand, she is passionate about fostering empathy and understanding through the written word.Her work as a speech-language pathologist has equipped her with a deep understanding of communication challenges and the impact they have on individuals. This expertise translates into her writing, allowing her to craft engaging resources that bridge the gap between the clinical world and the realm of storytelling.Beyond her professional experience, Jennifer is a firm believer in the power of inclusive narratives. She believes that characters with communication disorders deserve nuanced portrayals that resonate with readers and celebrate the human spirit. Her book, "Unspoken Volumes: Write Characters with Communication Challenges" is a testament to this belief, offering writers a comprehensive guide to creating authentic and unforgettable characters.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mrs. Speech LLC
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798990615304
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 300