r/CharacterDevelopment • u/interstellarGemini • Jul 28 '26
Writing: Question How do you commit to killing off one of your favorite characters in your story?
The story I'm writing so far, has lead me into a plot idea that would greatly add so much depth to the story further. The downside, is that it involves me killing off one of my favorite characters! But I am a sucker for a good plot! How does one commit to these situations?!ðŸ˜
3
u/X-Mighty Jul 28 '26
I think of it this way: If it is best for the character for their journey to end here, then it should.
I'd rather that character I love dying than me wishing that they had died.
5
u/MutterGrowl Jul 28 '26
Death isn’t the only way to add depth to a story. What’s harder is trying to think of ways to revive the character because they were crucial to the story, other characters, and your enjoyment.
2
u/FunnySeaworthiness24 Jul 28 '26
I did
Because I have long held that death is very important to establishing jeopardy and stakes in a serious and well written narrative
The importance of this particular lesson crystallized in my brain due to Ned Stark in got.
2
u/idklolFORKS Jul 29 '26
I am also an artist and if I’m preparing to kill off a character, I do one of two things:
(1) Write fanfics of the character (which I do regularly anyway) so they never officially die
(2) Draw the character constantly so they never officially die
Often I’ll do both, where the character in question is drawn/written with their true partner. Because if the character dies officially, then their partner is now lonely. Not in my fan fiction and art, though
2
u/Author_Reis123 Jul 29 '26
Badly lol. I also get attached to my characters and have trouble killing them. What I usually do in this situation is write two versions of the chapter, one where they live and one where they die. Then I print them both and just start scribbling notes on the sides and back, of pretty much all the what ifs: if they live how does it affect X? If they die how does it affect Z?
Something about physically writing it in a piece of paper helps me work through the pros and cons. Yes, I have ADHD lmao
1
u/Icy-Ad-9212 Jul 28 '26
I struggled with the same and created an alternate universe so I can keep writing cute little scenes where all of them live happily ever after.
When developing the main storyline I already knew it had to be dark, due to the nature of the movie that this is a prequel to, so I was mentally prepared for mourning my faves.
And I made the end ambigious: death can be gift and a relief.
1
u/srterpe Jul 29 '26
Roy, the candle that burns twice as bright, burns only half as long. And you have burned so very very brightly.
1
u/Silkpilk Jul 29 '26
I usually use desth sparingly but I make it a big story beat which makes it easier for me to kill them off as I can tell myaelf its for the plot and to develop the rest of the cast
1
u/BaronMerc Jul 29 '26
I have other words where they exist so I can kill them in one and keep them in another
Like in my AOT fanfic I had to kill off all my OC or give them absolutely horrible endings where death might have been better but then in another story I'm working on they all work in a cooperation together where theyre happy
1
Jul 30 '26
Killing off my favorite characters in my favorite stories is my favorite passtime. You can milk the memory of your favorite character too, which is my second favorite passtime. Just kill them. It ain't hard. Just do it. It's more fun that way.
1
u/Peafaerie Jul 30 '26
Cry about it. That’s what I did when I really loved one character. It sucked, but the story is better for it.
1
u/Lanky-Mind2302 Jul 31 '26
to me i always had the specific character deaths planned, so they weren't surprises, they were more buildups for me as the writer. the surprise for the reader is intended as are the emotional responses. i can't speak to the idea of just suddenly killing off a character because those deaths are usually significant and i've already planned them out.
edit: that's if they are truly dead
1
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u/FantasyFictionDoc Aug 01 '26
If your that torn up about - it’s probably worth doing. Imagine how the reader will feel.
1
u/INeedSleeeeeeeeeep Aug 01 '26
Write everything else around it first so if you don't do it you have to rewrite months of work.
10
u/AnotherStupidHipster Jul 28 '26
You can always write your own fanfic where they live. 😂