User blog comment:ScrewYouDinkleberg/Blood is boring, but still popular.../@comment-4832646-20140611225943/@comment-25558572-20140618173802

I like to use gore as an intensifier, but not as a motivator. For instance, I usually spend a sentence or two describing a nasty injury one of my characters just sustained and how it makes them feel, but no more than that, and gore is not the focus of the story.

It's better if something other than blood is used as well. Other injuries like broken bones, bruises, and fluids like pus, spit and other things are quite gross and can be effective for shock. Blood won't be unless it's deeply original.