Characters: In creating complex yet believable characters, a psychological training obviously is very useful. The characters of my novels are not perfect. They are flawed in different ways and they have psychological needs that they are not always aware of. Just like all of us.
Simona Ahrnstedt
Background: A huge part of the job as a psychologist is to get to know your clients´ background. Their childhood, their medical history, where they went to school and what jobs they´ve had. I use the same method in getting to know my characters, in learning their background story, giving them layers.
Behaviour: As a CBT-therapist I know that our behaviour is always shaped by it´s consequences; by short term and long term consequences. This explains why we sometimes do stupid things even though we know that they are stupid. For instance, eating too much cake, skip exercise or avoid telling someone we love them out of fear for being rejected.
Diversity: As a psychologist I´ve met people with a wide variety of backgrounds. Although it is my firm belief that we humans are very much alike, it´s also a fact that we do have different colours, sexual orientations and religions. This gives us different experiences, as we go through life. I try to represent diversity in my novels.
Reality vs fiction: As a psychologist I know, and have seen, over and over again, that reality always beats fiction. It´s both amazing and, sometimes, extremely depressing.
Psychiatrics: It is very handy to have a deep knowledge about phobias, trauma, depression, and post traumatic distress syndrome. Just saying.
Parents: We are all products of so many things. Over the years, as a therapist, I´ve talked to thousands of people. The relationship you have or had to your parents shapes you in so many ways. I use this when I write. It makes for great conflict and tension and everybody can relate to it. No one escapes the influence of parents.
Role model: I always wanted to be a cool psychologist, but I was always more of a frumpy ordinary one. Now I can write about cool psychologists instead. There is always a psychologist or therapist hidden in all of my books. They are wise and smart (and almost always female). They know stuff and they often give my heroes and/or heroines good advice.
Friends: Some of my friends are also psychologists. That means I can call them and discuss everything from "what is the most believable reaction to this revelation" to "is it beliveable that she gives him a blow job here?"
Values: This is important. Over the years, I´ve talked to many clients about their life values. What is most important to them, in their life? Do they live accordingly to these values? This has also helped me to decide what is important in my own life. I realized it´s two things; my kids and my writing. This realization helped me to dare take the leap; to quit my job and to try to be a fulltime, single mom, writer.
