Channeling Pain

As mentioned, I’m back from vacation, but just before we came home, something really horrible and potentially catastrophic happened.  All is well, but up until last night I still had post traumatic stress about it.  I was fine all day until time to drift off, at which point I played all the BAD “what if’s” over and over in my head.

On the return trip, I realized that I could use this to get a feel for the traumatic events happening to my character. While it was still fresh, I noted down all the physical feelings that happened to me.  For example, my tongue got so dry with a matter of 20 or so minutes, that it swelled up and I could barely speak.  Who knew?

Thinking back, I wish I had done the same thing as I sat in New York on 9/11/01 and watch the towers fall.  I had written down some of my feelings, but not quite enough of the physical reaction.  Same with my stroke.

Next time I’m in the hospital, somebody had me a pen!