1. luna claire

    luna claire Member

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    I need help with an occupation for my character

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by luna claire, Aug 8, 2012.

    I'm writing a short story that involves a character whose hands were mangled in an accident at work. It happened to him nearly thirty years ago. It needs to be an accident that doesn't involve him losing many of his fingers, one of two at the most, and he can still use his fingers but his former dexterity is gone. He used to play the guitar. I can't think of anything but vague ideas. I'd love to get some suggestions. Thank you.:)
     
  2. carsun1000

    carsun1000 Active Member

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    What about at an assembly line in auto industry or a meat worker at an abbatoir (slaughterhouse)? Those guys work with machines regularly. Just a thought.
     
  3. Quinn T. Senchel

    Quinn T. Senchel New Member

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    My uncle is a fisherman. He lost two fingers and the tip of a third in an accident on the boat. I think he had his fingers crushed in the winch.
     
  4. Pheonix

    Pheonix A Singer of Space Operas and The Fourth Mod of RP Contributor

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    I know a man who is a trim carpenter and he lost the tips of 3 fingers in an accident with a table saw. Also, I know press workers, like printing presses, get their hands caught in the rollers pretty frequently and can lose fingers or at least have them crushed.
     
  5. Bell City Fires

    Bell City Fires New Member

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    I'd vote for butcher, given the likelihood of injuring oneself, as well as the imagery of a butcher shop. Could be great scenery to contrast a young musician to be stuck in.
     
  6. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    According to OSHA statistics, farming is one of the most hazardous professions in the US.
     
  7. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

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    My ex's granddad had just such an accident, he stuck his hand (accidentally) into a cement mixing machine and 2 fingers were cut off, the rest of the hand badly chewed up but it was usable after it healed up.
     
  8. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    factories of any kind
    farming
    butcher
    deli worker [slicing machine!]
    mechanic
    construction worker

    for starters...
     
  9. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    And, if it doesn't have to be a work-related accident, I knew someone who had lost the index and middle finger on one hand when he was changing a tire one night and the jack collapsed.
     
  10. luna claire

    luna claire Member

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    Wow! Thank you all for the suggestions! I really apprieciate them and they gave me some ideas to look into. I was kind of leaning toward something to do with the auto industry or possibly a mechanic, I do like the idea of farm machinery too. Thanks again, all great suggestions! :)
     

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