Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Hump Day Improvisation:

Last week I had a sinus infection and over the weekend I contracted strep throat. I haven’t been this ill in a long time. As I continue to struggle, unable to eat, with my throat as raw as any uncooked steak, I considered description. How would I describe this experience?

Many times we put our characters into a situation where they are injured or sick. Those paragraphs can be some of the most difficult writing that I do.

With that in mind, hump day improvisation is dedicated to suffering. Your task is to write one or two sentences describing your characters agony or illness. At the end of the day I will post mine.

Have fun.

13 comments:

Nicole said...

Aww hope you feel better soon! Sorry for no post too brain dead after insane stair climbing session (apparently we're getting fit...)

www.damselinadirtydress.com

N. R. Williams said...

Thank you damsel. I hope your brain recovers soon.
Nancy

Jeff Beesler said...

Fire erupted under the base of Charlene's skull, the pain encouraged by the screams and squeals of the crowd surrounding her, shoving her, rushing to get to the department store as it opened right at 5 o'clock amidst turkey and mashed potato hangovers.

I do hope you're feeling better, Nancy!

Golden Eagle said...

I hope you feel better soon1

Something ripped across my back, tearing, burning, scraping across my skin. I slammed my eyes shut against the pain but it was still there, still throwing me into a sense of torture.

Joanne said...

I'm not sure I have any of this type of passage in my work, but I'm sure enjoying your commenters' posts. Especially that morning of Black Friday Shopping, wow!

Jules said...

So sorry your are feeling so bad, honey is good for that throat.

She felt the tingle but moved her fingers anyway. Suddenly a heat went down her arm as if a blow torch had been ignited under the skin and then a numbness. A numbness which erupted into a pain that took her breath away and blurred her vision. Then it was gone and s was her shoulder.

Anonymous said...

Strep throat?! Not fun. Hope you feel better!

N. R. Williams said...

Jeff, I love that. It was so unexpected. I thought the screams were coming from something else.

Golden, that was powerful, without telling us much else.

Joanne, that's for leaving a comment. Jeffery's black Friday was great.

Jules, a great description. And she loses her shoulder. Many images came to mind.

Liz, Jeffrey, Golden, Joanne, and Jules. Thank you all for your well wishes. Alas, I will be fasting again today. But I am a little better.
Nancy

Carolyn V. said...

Strep throat is awful!!! I hate when they put that little stick thing down there to test for it (I've kicked my fair share of nurses a time or two when that stick was going into my mouth). I hope you feel better soon.

Southpaw said...

You've described your pain very well. I can't feel the rawness of your throat. I do hope it goes away soon. I'm a little brain dead this morning - good grief afternoon – to play but will join in next week.

N. R. Williams said...

Thank you Carolyn and Holly.
Nancy

Jemi Fraser said...

Strep throat stinks! Take care of yourself and feel better soon!

N. R. Williams said...

Thank you Jemi.
Nancy