Writers tend to be sharp observers of human nature, but they are not trained psychiatrists and often make errors when describing mental disorders and emotional wounds.
Kassandra Lamb, a retired psychotherapist turned mystery writer, will help sort out common misconceptions in her presentation, “Writing Psychology Right,” at the Ponte Vedra Writers meeting at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 23. The group will meet in the Media Room at the Ocean Grove Condominiums, 1 Arbor Club Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach.
Lamb will describe several disorders that a protagonist or antagonist may suffer from and what their backstory should include to explain those disorders. She will also address common myths about certain disorders and describe nuances of human memory that can be used to create conflict and twists in stories.
Lamb has two loves: writing and psychology. In her youth, she discovered that writers need day jobs in order to eat. Partial to food, she studied psychology. Now retired from a career as a psychotherapist and college professor, she spends most of her time in an alternate universe with her characters. The magic portal to this universe (i.e., her computer) is in Florida, where her husband and dog catch occasional glimpses of her.
Lamb is the author of three mystery series, a romantic suspense trilogy (under the pen name of Jessica Dale), and a guidebook for novice writers, “Someday Is Here! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing and Publishing Your First Book.”
The Ponte Vedra Writers group is affiliated with the Florida Writers Association, a statewide membership organization dedicated to the support of both aspiring and published writers in any genre. The May 23 meeting is free and open to members and non-members alike. For information on FWA, go to www.floridawriters.org.
