Your character wakes up in a hospital, machines beeping, bright lights, but where are they? WHO are they? And who can they really trust? As time goes on, bits of memory flit through their mind. Confusing flashes that are frustrating, disorienting, and scary. Like Concussions, amnesia is a favorite tool for writers. It makes sense; it’s a great way to spur conflict, create a quest or journey, and help us get to know the character, as they re-learn about themselves.

You have a character who is dying or has a disease/condition that puts their life at risk. Maybe cancer, ALS, or even just getting on in years. Whatever the reason, they may have decided they don’t want life-saving measures performed if they get worse. This could include CPR, defibrillation, intubation, feeding tubes, IVs, certain medications, etc. Or maybe, your character is the nurse/doctor caring for this patient. How does the healthcare team treat patients who are DNR (do not resuscitate)?

Your character got a bad knock on the head; happens to the best of us. Although tempting to write the following scenario, DON’T! Your character is punched. They’re unconscious for several minutes before waking up with a headache, maybe a bit out of it/acting silly. A week later (or worse, later that day), they are back to their plucky selves, fighting crime, getting into mischief, what have you.* Unfortunately, if you’re going for a realistic story, that ain’t happening.