Not all books are for all people and they shouldn’t be!
Hanna R. Neier
Author: Susan Uhlig
The Wilde Trials
The Wilde Trials (Storytide, 2025) by MacKenzie Reed is quite a thrilling adventure that reminds me somewhat of The Hunger Games, although the intent of the competition is not to kill kids! I zipped through this book and did not want to stop reading.
At Chloe’s elite boarding school seniors can apply to participate in The Wilde Trials, seven ultimate physical and mental tests, for 12 students. It’s a way to get out of finals, but best yet the winner will receive $500,000! Which Chloe’s family really could use since her younger sister has cancer.
Surprisingly, Chloe’s ex-boyfriend Hayes, whose brother died during a previous trials, is also chosen. Then Chloe is blackmailed and she must work with Hayes. Now she’s worried that someone else might die too.
Go here to see MacKenzie’s other books (past and forthcoming) and to read about her.
Try to get your characters into interesting trouble. Allow your characters to misbehave. Let them stay out after 11.
Charles Baxter
Try to get your characters
The Accidental Stowaway
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
I just finished reading the fun romp, The Accidental Stowaway (Candlewick, 2022) by Judith Eagle and illustrated by Jo Rioux.
Twelve-year-old Patch Leonard didn’t mean to stowaway on the RMS Glorious steamship. But when she’s erroneously accused of stealing a plate of toffee, she runs. Right up on the gangplank. Before she knows it the ship has sailed and she’s stuck. Patch makes new friends, has to avoid being caught by the chief steward, and overhears criminals plotting a kidnap. And that’s only part of her problems.
Read about the author’s other books here.
Read about the illustrator here and check out her art here. Jo is also an author and you can see her books here.
I have a gently-read paperback (Walker, 2025) for one lucky winner who comments. (Let me know if you share this post on Social Media for extra tickets.)
Ouch! Black-eyed Character
My character got punched in the face and hit his head on a locker when he fell. Of course, the school nurse checks him out and has him ice it, and recommends a trip to the doctor. His mom takes him and it’s all fairly simple: “he’s fine.”
But then…
I had my own fall where I hit my head (do not recommend passing out). My doctor’s nurse said I should go to the ER. Where not only did I get checked out by the ER doctor but had a CT scan of my head and x-rays of my bruised shoulder.
My personal experience sent me to the revision table. Now my character doesn’t just go to an urgent care clinic, but to the ER. And now, yes, he gets a CT scan too. Neither of us had brain damage thankfully.
As I rewrote I kept checking the interwebs for details on black eyes—it’s been years since I had one—and I needed reminders on how long the swollen “can’t see” stage lasts. Plus, how many days of color and the changes to the color of the bruise. I also re-examined the following scenes to ensure I hadn’t forgotten my character’s sore eye and how it affects his experiences.
So, my advice to you, don’t just rely on your memory when a character gets injured. Make sure you medical knowledge is up-to-date and accurate. Use reliable sources, not merely anecdotes.
Injury Writing Resources
Today I came across this useful article that another writer shared. I hope it is helpful to you too. “The Injuries Checklist” by K.M. Allan
That made me wonder what other resources for writing about injuries there are. I found this one by Angela Ackerman: “Want to Show Your Character’s Pain? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.” What a great resource!
Here’s another one: “Writing about Pain: Describing Major & Mortal Injuries” by Becca Puglisi.
And one last entry: “Writing Injuries: The Art of Appropriate Scaling” by Shonna White.
Injury Resources
My online go to is the Mayo Clinic. You can search “Diseases and Conditions.” I might also use WebMD. Of course, I browse for specific injuries as well. Here’s one for black eyes from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In addition, I ask friends who are nurses or talk to those who have experienced what I want to describe.