Comments on: How to Kill a Character Without Enraging Readers

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 02:21:27 +0000

I like your post. I was once challenged to write a novel where the main character(s) is (are) killed. The comment was "Can you kill your darlings?" I did. In my book, In the End, 12 teens are at risk of dying. The danger is great. When I talk to a potential person about my book I can't resist asking them, "So how many boys you think will survive?" The ending has a double twist that readers do not expect. Reviewers have appreciated the conclusion. Since you write so well on this topic, I invite you to get my book from Amazon (or me) and read it. I would love to hear your comments.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:57:45 +0000

I'm not sure if this is allowed, but it seemed relevant to post this BBC (British) article on the practice of killing off female characters simply to motivate male heroes.

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230315-how-shrinking-perpetuates-hollywoods-most-sexist-clich

The writer of the article is not in favor of the practice!

By: acflory

acflory — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 22:15:27 +0000

I've been known to kill off almost-main-characters before, but I hope their deaths felt /right/, if that makes sense. 🙂

By: V.M. Sang

V.M. Sang — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 09:15:29 +0000

I killed a character in Book 2 of my fantasy series, The Wolves of Vimar. She died so that in a later book (yet to be written) her husband can kill the antagonist in revenge for her death.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:43:43 +0000

In reply to Denise. Denise, I see your point. Death and romance don't always play well together. In any case, there must be a good reason to use death in a story.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:41:02 +0000

In reply to Kris Maze. LOL, Kris. I think it depends upon the execution, no pun intended. Well, maybe a little pun.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:38:24 +0000

In reply to Kathleen Baldwin.

Thank you, Kathleen. I love it when timing works well and am glad the information here is helpful.

Yes, we should definitely talk! You know where to find me.
Cheers to magical realism.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:36:08 +0000

In reply to Lynette M Burrows. Ooh, Lynette, I love your idea to write a short story about how your character ended up in a difficult situation. Sounds fantastic!

By: Denise

Denise — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 23:32:27 +0000

I haven't killed a character. It's not usually done on the page in romance, and it can't work for a main character--defeats the HEA. The death of a lesser character would need to drive the story forward. I can understand if it's the death of a parent/grandparent and expected in the plot, but most of the time, it doesn't work in the romance genre.

By: Kris Maze

Kris Maze — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 20:55:23 +0000

But killing off characters makes them want to read more, right? 🙂

Thank you for these tips to make parting with our favorite imaginary friends easier, Ellen.