Hey there! This is a part of a series on pain and suffering in writing. Part 1 of the series, Writing About Pain (Without Putting Your Readers in Agony), appeared on the eminent and excellent blog WritersHelpingWriters. Thanks again to Angela for having me on her blog!
external signs do people show when they’re in extreme pain?
I love this question, because it speaks to one of the “fundamental rules” of storytelling.
There’s also a medical terminology distinction to be made. Subjective things, like the actual pain itself, are symptoms.
verifiable or observable by someone else is considered a sign.
very useful for showing agony in someone who isn’t your protagonist.
characters who aren’t the current subject of the close point of view.
I’ll try to keep this to the same pain scale that I used in that article.
Severe: Sweating, pale and cool skin, facial contortions, clutching the affected area, rapid breathing.
plus lying on the ground, screaming, curling into the fetal position.
demons when my gallstones have become obliteratingly painful.
necessarily commit to any one particular level on the pain scale.
This list is far from exhaustive. But it’s a good start to illustrating someone’s discomfort!
I hope this answered your question, @a-nom-de-plume, and I’ll gladly see you later!
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Any advice for how to start writing? Like how to get the story started? Writability: On Writing Dreams and Nightmares Partners (Writing Prompts) What are some good tips for getting started with writing a book? I have a concept but i can’t put it into place.