Should the character in my story get a bad sunburn or a poison ivy rash?

Question

For creative writing, I have to write the first chapter of a novel. In my novel, a character gets injuries/illnesses on purpose to get attention and sympathy. Should he get a really bad sunburn or a really bad poison ivy rash. There is one scene where he could get both of these, but I can't decide what to give him. What do you think? I'm not much of a writer, so your thoughts and suggestions would help a lot. Thanks.

Terry T · Accepted Answer

Poison ivy, oak and or sumac might be interesting. If he thinks he going to get a temp thing to get a little attention he might choose ivy over sunburn. A bAD SUNBURN COULD LAST FOR DAYS...which takes time it takes to heal the burn. BUT NOT REALIZING THE POISONS FROM THE EVIL 3 will keep reacting-braking out as long as it is on there. The oil brakes out as long it is on the skin. the thickest layers brake out first then the next level a day or so latter and then the lighter layers last. and it he touches anything on him self it spreads...soap and water removes the oil but if he doesn't know that, it could last for days and days. itching so badly he could bleed and wish he hadn't survived. Like if he went to the bathroom and touched his..... things could really start to breakout. talk about sympathy...AND REGRET.....Good Luck!

Anonymous · Answer

Hm. I've had a super bad sunburn...I don't remember if I've had poison ivy but I do recall having poison oak once (also bad). What's really bad is when you get a super bad sunburn (the kind where your skin is almost gelatinous), and then you go camping, realizing that you pitched your tent in a patch of poison ivy. Add the sebaceous sores to the fried skin and you look like a second cousin to Freddy Kruger. I'm going to say that the poison ivy is worse. You win! Tell Mr. Sunburn to stop his bitchin' or you'll rub your infected areas on him. Hahaha.

Holly · Answer

I say poison ivy, because poison ivy can lead to more creative-ness. You get sunburn from being in the sun to long, but with poison ivy, you get it from touching the plant, and there are various reasons why someone might want to touch a plant in the first place.

? · Answer

I say bad sunburn. It'll make the character more believable for two reason. First, everyone's gotten sunburn, we all know how it feels, so he would get our sympathy. And secondly, you'll be able to write about the sunburn more realistically since you've probably had it

Mellisa Hasbeen · Answer

Poison ivy because he would be very itchy and it sounds like it would be more entertaining than them yelling ow bc their shirt touched their back.

Should the character in my story get a bad sunburn or a poison ivy rash?

5 Answers