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.