Ahem. Not for little brothers when you're trying to get them out of your stuff. This is only for characters who have been captured by the evil villain and need to feel some pain!
#1. Make it realistic. If you want your character to survive the torture, then don't make it too drastic. If you want them to die, then don't make it just a level above harmless.
#2. Show that your character is in pain. Put a little in of their reaction, or make note of what they look like (i.e., beads of sweat on their forehead, ragged gasps for breath, speaking through clenched teeth).
#3. Physical torture is not your only option. I love Regina Doman's torture scene in Shadow of the Bear. (SPOILER) She not only has Fish suffer physically, but mentally as well when he is forced to watch Rose getting tortured. (END OF SPOILER) This technique is one of my favorites, although caution must be advised as sometimes this can get a little sappy if you're not careful. Also, it can also be cliche, such as when the character's true love is getting tortured before their eyes. However, add plenty of action and the reader won't notice. =)
#4. Consider your audience. Is the rest of your book written for eight year olds? Then you probably don't want to get too gruesome.
#5. Try 'invisible torture'. I love this one. I actually used it in my NaNoWriMo novel. These scenes are usually written from the perspective of one character. Usually, they only hear the screams and see the aftermath of the torture scene. Like, two characters are both sitting in a prison cell. #1 is suddenly dragged off by the jailer. #2 sits and listens, then screams break the silence. The thoughts and worries of #2 are shown. A half-dead #1 is dragged back. That is just a rough example. This is also really good for someone who isn't experienced at torture scenes.
#6. If your too attached to your characters, then what? Well, get over it...? Just kiddin'. If you can't bring yourself to torture your poor character, then make it up to yourself. Say, if you torture them, you'll make something really awesome happen to them that wasn't afore-planned.
If you have any more tips to add, then feel free to comment!
Yours without wax,
Izori
LOVE IT!!!
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