Historical Writing Category
The Writer’s Guide to Poisoning
Posted on August 1, 2025 1 Comment
From Shakespearean tragedies to spy thrillers to medieval murder plots, poisoning has long been a favorite tool for fiction writers. It’s stealthy, dramatic, symbolic and, when done well, devastating. But writing poisoning realistically requires more than tossing a mysterious powder into a goblet. Readers today are savvy, and sloppy depictions can break immersion fast. This […]
The Writer’s Guide to Bites and Claws
Posted on July 18, 2025 1 Comment
Whether it’s a feral animal, a brutal hand-to-hand fight, or a supernatural creature sinking its teeth in, bites and claw wounds are savage, intimate, and dangerous. More than just blood and pain, these injuries carry high infection risks, complicated healing, and long-lasting trauma. In fiction, they’re often used to escalate tension, signal a character’s descent […]
The Writer’s Guide to Stab Wounds
Posted on July 4, 2025 Leave a Comment
Stab wounds can be quick and deadly, slow and painful, or messy and traumatic depending on location, depth, weapon type, and the world your story inhabits. However, a well-written stabbing scene isn’t just about blood – realistic portrayal involves anatomy, physics, psychology, and consequences. This guide will help you realistically depict stab wounds, explaining how […]
The Writer’s Guide to Gunshot Wounds
Posted on June 20, 2025 3 Comments
Gunshot wounds are high-stakes injuries often used to raise tension, shift plot direction, or force characters into survival situations. But in fiction, they’re also frequently misrepresented. A character shrugs off a bullet to the shoulder and runs a mile. Another takes a shot to the gut and delivers a rousing speech while bleeding out. While […]
The Writer’s Guide to Dislocations
Posted on June 6, 2025 Leave a Comment
A forcibly displaced joint causes excruciating and debilitating injuries. Unlike fractures, where bones break, a dislocation affects the connective tissues that hold joints together, often tearing ligaments and stretching tendons. Writing realistic dislocations requires understanding which joints are affected, symptoms, appearance, and long-term effects. This article will guide you through writing authentic and compelling injury […]
The Writer’s Guide to Cuts and Lacerations
Posted on May 23, 2025 Leave a Comment
Cuts and lacerations are some of the most common injuries in fiction, appearing in everything from battle scenes to survival narratives. While they may seem simple to write, understanding the difference between cuts and lacerations, degrees of depth, severity, bleeding patterns, symptoms, and long-term effects can add realism and gravity to your storytelling. This article […]
The Writer’s Guide to Burns
Posted on May 9, 2025 Leave a Comment
Burns are some of the most painful and visually striking injuries a character can endure. Whether caused by fire, chemicals, or magic, burns add tension, vulnerability, and long-term consequences to a story. Writing them realistically requires an understanding of their degrees, symptoms, appearance, treatment, and long-term effects. This guide will help you craft authentic, impactful […]
The Writer’s Guide to Bruises
Posted on April 25, 2025 1 Comment
Bruises, also known as contusions, may seem like minor injuries compared to fractures or puncture wounds, but they can add realism and depth to your storytelling. Whether they’re caused by a fall, a punch, or a supernatural event, bruises can serve as visible reminders of a character’s struggles. Writing them realistically involves understanding their types, […]
The Writer’s Guide to Puncture Wounds
Posted on April 11, 2025 Leave a Comment
Puncture wounds are dramatic, high-stakes injuries that can add tension and danger to your story. Whether it’s a dagger through a knight’s side, a nail through a construction worker’s foot, or an alien claw piercing a space traveler’s suit, puncture wounds can create immediate peril and lasting consequences. Writing these injuries realistically requires understanding their […]
The Writer’s Guide to Sprains and Strains
Posted on March 28, 2025 Leave a Comment
Sprains and strains are common injuries that can add depth and tension to your story, especially in action-oriented or survival-focused plots. These injuries can challenge your characters without incapacitating them completely, providing opportunities for resilience, improvisation, and personal growth. Writing them realistically requires an understanding of their causes, symptoms, severity, and recovery. This article covers […]
Rebecca Shedd - Author 