What’s your first memory of whumperflies?
I’ve been into whump my whole life, even before I knew what that meant, or that there were other people who enjoyed it. It’s hard for me to tell you what my first memory of whumperflies is, because even in my earliest memories I remember being fascinated by pain and violence and it’s portrayals in media.
I think the first time I felt whumperflies and realised that it was something special was when I was about 7-8 and I was looking at a horrible histories book about crime and punishment. There was an illustration of someone being tortured on the rack, and I remember just feeling so funny about it, that I told my grandma because I felt guilty somehow for looking at it, and she basically told me that I was probably just scared or horrified. I remember feeling frustrated that she didn’t understand.
Even in primary school, I wrote a lot of stuff that was quite whumpy. I was fascinated by the concept of endurance trials, like the selection to be an astronaut, and also military battles. I wrote self insert fanfic of the Battle of Trafalgar because I wanted to watch Nelson die dramatically. I wrote about an Aztec sacrifice being led to their death, terrified yet honoured to be chosen. I read the Count of Monte Cristo and thought about solitary isolation and escaping from prison.
And later, when I was 11-12, I chose a free book upon entering secondary school and the book I chose was called Heroes. It was narrative non-fiction about heroic acts throughout history, and there was a story about a female spy who was tortured by the Nazis and refused to give in. I read that story over and over, and that’s when I was first introduced to the concept of fingernail torture. I used to imagine myself in her place, wondering how I would react, how I would hold up in her situation.
And then I found more historical fiction, starting with Code Name Verity, and reading more and more, seeking out scenes of torture and violence, and never stopping to wonder if other people also felt that brilliant joy, that tingling warmth in their stomach at contemplating pain.
And eventually I found you lot! So here I am! ( @whumpmasinjuly )
