It’s time for Weekend Writing Warriors!
Every Sunday, a clutch of writers post upon their blogs, 8-sentence snippets from their Writing Works in Progress.
There is much reading, commenting, sharing and getting to know one another. Also great writing. Click on the red square with the white feather and sword to see the list of blogs and perhaps add your blog’s name and join us in the fun. If you are, like me, a person who needs deadlines and feedback, this really helps.
Josef, a “barber surgeon” with hopes for real medical training; his brother, Fritz, a master builder; their cousin, Albert; and a friend, Simon, are heading back go their home in Kolberg after a punishing battle in Prague.
Albert has been shot in the leg and the wound is festering. He will die unless they amputate without fatal blood loss. It is toward the end of the 30 Years War.
------------------------------------------ 2.15.2015
Albert had awakened and was talking but making no sense.
Night had fallen. Josef couldn’t risk surgery at night.
But tomorrow at first light. No longer.
He had his surgical tools and a makeshift tourniquet that never worked very well, plenty of Schnapps and some opium. He shook his head.
Might be just enough to kill someone, but not enough to save him.
Oh dear- this doesn’t sound promising. I was just reading about battlefield medicine ca. 1705 and it was pretty horrific. At times like these I’m extremely grateful for modern medical technology!
Yes indeed grateful for living now.
Thanks for your comment!
Sounds like a no-win situation. Poor Albert, and poor Josef. I hope the others don’t blame Josef if Albert dies anyway.
Hi Kate, Yes, there is a lot at stake here. Thanks for your comment.
The future looks bleak for Albert–and for the rest of them by association–if he doesn’t survive. Good 8, Jean. 🙂 Interesting time period you’ve chosen to write. Is this the same as Christina’s?
Part of my book is the same time as Christina’s, the 30 years war, but then mine goes beyond that to the next century in the first book, or the first part of the big book, not sure yet. The whole thing as planned goes from about 1600 to about 2043. A work in progress!
Thanks for your interest! Jean
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Very interesting time period. “Plenty of schnapps and some opium” – totally conveys Albert’s bleak outlook, something which I assume was common during this time. Looking forward to more!
Thanks, Kris! Yes, it was a rough time, and exciting to write about.