The life-threatening whump doesn't have to be life-threatening from the start, just potentially life threatening. That's why I used broken ribs as an example. There's the possibility of the character's life being in danger with broken ribs (cracks turning into breaks that eventually lead to a punctured lung or kidney, maybe some internal bleeding). However, with broken fingers, not so much unless they somehow become infected. The injury doesn't even have to lead to something worse happening, it's just the possibility of worse happening that makes it the more interesting whump.
But I agree with on the the major whumps that lead to John being unconcious for most of the story. I prefer the whumps that keep him concious and part of the action for as long as possible myself.
If mental angst is done right then it's interesting, but few do it right. Whether the writer likes it or not, there is going to be some physical whump with the mental whump, especially with depression (loss of appetite leading to weight-loss, fatigue, susceptability to illness, etc). I've come across a lot of stories that whump the character mentally while physically they're fine, and it just doesn't work.
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chiming
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Date: 2007-06-10 02:21 am (UTC)From:But I agree with on the the major whumps that lead to John being unconcious for most of the story. I prefer the whumps that keep him concious and part of the action for as long as possible myself.
If mental angst is done right then it's interesting, but few do it right. Whether the writer likes it or not, there is going to be some physical whump with the mental whump, especially with depression (loss of appetite leading to weight-loss, fatigue, susceptability to illness, etc). I've come across a lot of stories that whump the character mentally while physically they're fine, and it just doesn't work.