Tips for Writing Injuries
β§ Broken ribs suck.Β You donβt just βwalk it off.β Breathing hurts. Laughing hurts. Existing hurts. Characters with rib injuries wonβt be doing heroic sprints.
β§ Concussions arenβt instant naps.Β Dazed vision, nausea, dizziness, maybe even personality changes, but theyβre not going to collapse neatly like in the movies.
β§ Blood loss is sneaky.Β Itβs not just about dramatic pools of blood. Itβs dizziness, confusion, and the body getting cold as circulation tanks.
β§ Adrenaline lies.Β Someone can take a serious injury and not feel it until the fightβs over. That βI didnβt realize I was bleeding until laterβ trope? Very real.
β§ Twisted ankles are brutal.Β One bad step and suddenly running is off the table. Even walking hurts like hell. Perfect way to ground a chase scene.
β§ Burns linger.Β Even small burns hurt more than most people expect. Blisters, infection risk, constant pain, itβs not just a cool scar later.
β§ Dislocated shoulders = useless arm.Β Characters canβt keep swinging a sword or firing a gun. Theyβre basically fighting one-armed until itβs fixed.
β§ Shock is a thing.Β Pale skin, trembling, rapid heartbeat, and eventually disorientation. A character might not even realize how bad their wound is.
β§ Stitches arenβt magic.Β Getting sewn up is painful and recovery takes time. Theyβre not instantly battle-ready after a needle and thread.
β§ Scars tell stories.Β Some fade, some donβt. Some stay sensitive forever. Donβt forget the aftermath when the wound becomes part of the character.
re: burns, if you get burned frequently (like when working in a kitchen etc) you might no longer notice that you got burned (with small burns at least). Washing your hands or showering with hot water will always remind you though
