WPP is currently open to submissions for After the Hurt, our anthology that explores the effects of whump. The endlessly creative authors here at WPP have come up with a list of prompts to jumpstart your imagination!
Whumpee has tried to escape multiple times. When their escape attempt is finally successful, they don’t know how to react.
Whumpee is recaptured by whumper, which undoes all of their progress in recovery.
Conversely, whumpee is captured by a different whumper, and everything is worse now because they don’t know what to expect.
Whumpee has given up being defiant and whumper has lost interest.
Whumpee has learned how to be good, so whumper doesn’t hurt them anymore.
Whumpee thinks Caretaker is their new Whumper
Classic broken plate scenario (whumpee breaks something and is terrified that Caretaker will be mad or hurt them)
Whumpee hallucinating/having nightmares of Whumper during illness
Having to hurt Whumpee to help them
Struggling with things due to Whumper’s past actions, eg having to take medication when Whumper drugged them,
Famous/popular Whumper = Whumpee keeps seeing them, in the news, on TV/online, whatever. They can’t get away.
Famous Whumpee (made famous by their case or before it)
Whumpee being in a true crime show, podcast, youtube video, whatever, maybe without their consent
Whumpee visiting Whumper’s grave
Whumpee visiting Whumper in hospital or prison
Distrust of their own thoughts or emotions after mind control or emotion manipulation
Caretaker is Whumper’s relative - Whumpee being triggered by looks, mannerisms, etc
Whumpee feeling like a burden to Caretaker
Whumpee learns how to allow themself to show emotion/pain again after being punished for it
Whumpee acting like a hurt animal (snapping, refusing treatment) and Caretaker has to coax them to accept help
Whumpee dealing with withdrawal symptoms because of the drug Whumper used on them
Whumpee lashing out at Caretaker, trying to prove that their love is conditional
Reaching the point in recovery where the pain starts to register
Caretaker finally having to accept that Whumpee is different now and they’re never going to be the same again
Caretaker never allowing Whumpee out of their sight, to the point of being overbearing
Running fingers through Whumpee’s hair while they sleep / shake from the pain
Waking up in hospital or at home, hurt and confused
Chronic pain from injuries that never healed right
The small milestones, like Whumpee’s first smile after the whump or their first full sleep without a nightmare
Silently trailing after Caretaker as they go about their day (caretaker is fully aware and equally wants Whumpee to stay close by)
Accepting new limitations on their body after being injured or sick
As the fear is slowly processed, the anger directed at Whumper starts to rise up in its place
A bad fever making bad memories resurface
Caretakers needing to prioritise care over comfort, even as whumpee is screaming to not be touched
Caretaker watching Whumpee sleep, every slow rise and fall of their chest, waiting for their heart to stop again
A bad illness that makes any future sickness just hit so much harder
Submissions for After the Hurt will be open until July 31, 2026. Submit here! If you aren't interested in submitting but would love to read the finished book, we will be hosting a crowdfunding campaign for this anthology from September 10 to October 1, 2026. You can follow the campaign here!
