Not all isolation can be segregated into neat categories, just as not all conflicts can be limited to one dimension. People often experience a combination of physical and social isolation. Immigrants, for instance, who are fearful of not fitting in, or who are undocumented, may physically isolate themselves, which results in social isolation. In the literary novel, Americanah (by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie), a Nigerian immigrant finds herself in the United States, confused, lonely, and broke. Her lover finds himself in London, undocumented, and in constant danger. Their experiences challenge their definition of success—only when they find their way back to their homeland can they shake off their oppressive mantles of isolation.

Likewise, some tragedies are overwhelming and lead to both physical and social isolation. We see this in another literary novel, No Matter How Much You Promise to Cook or Pay the Rent You Blew It Cauze Bill Bailey Ain’t Never Coming Home Again: A Symphonic Novel (by Edgardo Vega Yunque). This literary novel tells the story of a jazz pianist who loses two fingers and shuts himself off from the music scene he loves.

Combining physical and social isolation enables you to create layered stories that explore the tragedy of isolation in all its dimensions—but only if you write the truth.

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