Pain!

* I will add more points as I get them. I'm hoping some of my pieces will win something in the next few weeks as a lot of the contests close. Crosses fingers!
I'll be adding more points since right now its pathetic.

I'm working on a couple of pieces about suicide. One of them- look for it when I finish it- Suicidal Secrets- is something I'm struggling with. One of the girls in it commits suicide as do other people as part of a suicide pact.
I'm trying to figure out this character- what made her hurt so bad and I'm trying to get in her head and figure out what pain pushed her so over the edge.
I don't know why- I don't want to write a character influenced by events that I'm not sure fits. It has to all connect.

So I'm looking for personal experiences or just things that have hurt you in the past- have caused you unbearable pain. You can write it well though i don't know if that will help you because I'm looking for what will connect with my character- and whether its a part of her story. You don't have to have felt it- someone you know could have or just something you know is so full of sorrow and painful.

Its a weird contest- because I'm looking for ideas of pain- events that might influence someone to suicide rather than beautiful rights.
The person that wins will be whoever's entry was able to connect to my character, which I don't know yet.

I've been suicidal in the past and depressed but what's happened to me isn't it, at least for this story. So I'm looking to you guys- if you want to rant about what's caused you pain- go ahead. If its really amazingly written I might just give you points for it.

Rules
Good grammar- and spelling
Word limit 25 words
Don't have a max right now.

Give me emotions- give me something powerful.





If you want more info about her- let me know. She lived in the U.S all her life so she didn't survive any wars in her home, and she isn't bi polar or anything like that- her twin sister is though. High school age.


Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on February 4, 2009
  • Rewards: Gold: 250, Silver: 170, Bronze: 70
  • Final notes:
    I got some really well written and emotional entries and I thank everyone for their contributions. My winners were the ones I felt my character would relate to the best. Thanks to everyone!

Contest Winners

  1. The day i fell in love
    "see tht picture above?1
    by Dawn Bon 100 words, 5 comments, on Jan 10 11:37 PM 2009
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  2. Motivations for Suicide
    Ok...so i'm kinda screwed for time here...so i can't really write it as a story...but here are some things that awaken some suicidal thoughts in my head sometimes.1
    by Troublesome 500 words, 4 comments, on Jan 23 4:44 PM 2009
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  3. Deepest Sorrow
    by Lonesome Dove <100 words, 7 comments, on Nov 10 6:29 PM 2008. In Abuse, Adult, Contest, Incest, Pain, Sad
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  4. Your Fault
    by CiaraElizabeth 100 words, 3 comments, on Jan 14 7:29 PM 2009. In Adult, Dark, Depression
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  5. Alone Again
    by VampireFriends 800 words, 22 comments, on Dec 23 6:48 AM 2008. In Dark, Depression, Fanfiction, Fiction, First person young adult, Gay
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  6. Weighing Sorrow
    1Today we went to the funeral home to pre-arrange the funeral of my husband. To many it maybe too morbid but in practicality it is the eas
    by skye01 1800 words, 2 comments, on Apr 8 8:28 PM 2007. In Death, Depression, First person, Society, Spiritual
    • Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove]

Entries [15]

1 - 15 of 15

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Comments


  • tallblondie gold member
    January 11, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    The thing about suicide is the reasons for doing so are very subjective. Some people (like myself) will go through a lot in their lives, but never contemplate taking their own lives. And before you make the counterclaim that everyone will at some point contemplate it - that simply isn't true. On the other end of the equation, there are people that will suicide for reasons that most people would find simply ridiculous - and will not necessarily mean they went through a lot of pain before doing so.

    By saying one needs to suffer a lot of pain before suiciding is a mostly untrue stereotype. Maybe you should rethink your character's motivations and goals in life rather than make her suffer so much that you reinforce this stereotype further.

    It would also do to research 'suicide pacts' - you'd be interested to know that a lot of the time it is less about pain and more about control and manipulation by the leader - rarely are suicide pacts fully accomplished - often there is at least one person who 'couldn't go through with it'. Often that person has pushed other people to suicide to fulfil their own need to sate their pain through someone else's suffering.

    Please don't stereotype. Stereotypes can kill the effectiveness of your story and detract from the message you really want to portray with the story.

    Before you accuse me of taking a position of not really understanding, let me tell you this - I have known many people that have commited suicide, as well as people that have attempted suicide. I have experienced more bad things in my life so far than most people will in a lifetime. Certainly enough to make any self-professed emo drool. I have been places and met people that suffer more emotional pain than most people think possible.

    Suicide isn't necessarily about pain. Most times, suicide is unexpected and unfathomable. Those that are left behind never get to see the true reason behind the why of suicide. People presume pain, but it is sometimes just as likely to be boredom with life, or feeling empty and purposeless. Some do it because they see it as a way to punish someone else - to leave leave someone with incomparable guilt and grief. The only certainty about suicide is that it is unresonable and inconceivable.

    What makes your character suicide may not not make someone else suicide. What may be classed as pain by one person, may be seen as a minor inconvenience by another. While it is admirable that you wish to explore what drives you character to suicide, it may be better to leave some questions unanswered, since in RL, suicide often leaves more questions than answers.

    • Writing0Freedom
      January 11, 2009
      Edit | Reply

      I wouldn't have made that claim- because there are hundreds of people who wouldn't ever think of suicide. Its just not who they are or for whatever reason they don't have that in them.
      I don't know if I'm looking for a reason for suicide per se, but the things that would have affected my character and hurt her- and that would eventually add up. Often its just the pain adds up rather than it be one direct reason.

      I think for my character it would have just been the build up a lot things- that maybe for some aren't expressly painful but for her were.


      It would also do to research 'suicide pacts' - you'd be interested to know that a lot of the time it is less about pain and more about control and manipulation by the leader - rarely are suicide pacts fully accomplished - often there is at least one person who 'couldn't go through with it'. Often that person has pushed other people to suicide to fulfil their own need to sate their pain through someone else's suffering.

      Yea- I was leaning more towards that- in the idea that she maniuplated them into being a part of it- and that she used her influence.

      Before you accuse me of taking a position of not really understanding, let me tell you this - I have known many people that have commited suicide, as well as people that have attempted suicide. I have experienced more bad things in my life so far than most people will in a lifetime. Certainly enough to make any self-professed emo drool. I have been places and met people that suffer more emotional pain than most people think possible.

      It sounds like you know a lot actually and I really appreciate that you have taken the time.

      With my character I want those that survive her, her sister and boy who grew up with them- to get across the message how easy it is to not know someone and how important it can be to recognize someone and understand them. I also want instead of putting across the message that suicide is the right answer but that there is another way- I want the people who survive her to realize that she shouldn't have committed suicide- that there was possible for her to have lived on and done good in the world- and so she should have made herself keep living.



      What makes your character suicide may not not make someone else suicide. What may be classed as pain by one person, may be seen as a minor inconvenience by another. While it is admirable that you wish to explore what drives you character to suicide, it may be better to leave some questions unanswered, since in RL, suicide often leaves more questions than answers.


      Thank you for your help- I'm going to do more research and think about what I'm trying to accomplish with my character. What you have said makes a lot of sense- and some of it I wasn't aware of it. You sound like you know a lot about this.

      Its interesting- I've known quite a few people who have been suicidal- and who it would seem like they don't have anything to stop them because they have been through immense emotional pain but at least two of the people I know- made a concious descision to live because t hey had little siblings whom they wanted to see grow up. They decided to keep going so they wouldn't hurt their siblings by taking an important person out of their lives.

      • Decadent Anomaly
        January 28, 2009
        Edit | Reply
        My own experience stems from mental illness. I was abused and had a bad life. I have been damaged goods for a very long time. But this was not the source my reasoning.

        Something I am not sure you have considered. I am merely offering my experience and opinion, but do not wish to enter a contest or recieve point compensation for this.

        When I slit my wrists it was because of the voices telling me I should. They offered no explanation and I did not need one. They told me to. That was enough for me. In other words, sometimes there is no logical reason.

        Yes, it was an attempt in earnest. My scars run from my wrists to the elbows. Intervention came quite by coincidence.