Writing Death of a Character

CadmarLegend

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So, I am writing this book that needs to be family friendly, not TLoaW, and I don't know if I should kill off one of the protagonist's friends.... help. And, this story is mich like the Harry Potter books, in the sense that I am making it for almost any reader of any age.
 

Agentt

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Fine then, kill it.
Just make sure not to make him too emotionally attached
 

Sylvie

Those days are gone, now the memory's on the wall
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You can do it as long as you don't put any gory scenes. Basically don't try to focus on the details of the death.

Try to make the focus of the moment into the message that the person is passing on (which should be positive I guess). This worked in many anime meant for all ages.

And also, what's TLoaW?
 

Napelynn

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So, I am writing this book that needs to be family friendly, not TLoaW, and I don't know if I should kill off one of the protagonist's friends.... help. And, this story is mich like the Harry Potter books, in the sense that I am making it for almost any reader of any age.
Kill them!
 

PhillisCreziles

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Assuming that this character is a really important character to the story. Generally, If you really want to kill off one of the protagonist's friend, make sure that they leave an impact on the story and the characters who are related to this friend when they die or when they hear the news of their death.

After that you should also try to make the affected characters overcome their stages of grief, and with a result of a change on themselves. These changes could give more flaws, or strengths, or both to characters.

A simple example of this, may be that after losing one of their friends the main character gains more motivation and becomes less afraid of failing, then he/she continues on towards their goal.

Or maybe after losing one of their friends the main character instead loses confidence in himself and he begins to distance himself from others, afraid of feeling loss. But then after forcing himself to meet some more characters he regains that confidence.

Something like that.
 

CadmarLegend

@Agentt found a key in the skeletons.
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Assuming that this character is a really important character to the story. Generally, If you really want to kill off one of the protagonist's friend, make sure that they leave an impact on the story and the characters who are related to this friend when they die or when they hear the news of their death.

After that you should also try to make the affected characters overcome their stages of grief, and with a result of a change on themselves. These changes could give more flaws, or strengths, or both to characters.

A simple example of this, may be that after losing one of their friends the main character gains more motivation and becomes less afraid of failing, then he/she continues on towards their goal.

Or maybe after losing one of their friends the main character instead loses confidence in himself and he begins to distance himself from others, afraid of feeling loss. But then after forcing himself to meet some more characters he regains that confidence.

Something like that.
Yes.
 

Napelynn

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Assuming that this character is a really important character to the story. Generally, If you really want to kill off one of the protagonist's friend, make sure that they leave an impact on the story and the characters who are related to this friend when they die or when they hear the news of their death.

After that you should also try to make the affected characters overcome their stages of grief, and with a result of a change on themselves. These changes could give more flaws, or strengths, or both to characters.

A simple example of this, may be that after losing one of their friends the main character gains more motivation and becomes less afraid of failing, then he/she continues on towards their goal.

Or maybe after losing one of their friends the main character instead loses confidence in himself and he begins to distance himself from others, afraid of feeling loss. But then after forcing himself to meet some more characters he regains that confidence.

Something like that.
Wow, actual advice
 

JayDirex

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He's gotta die. and YES there needs to be emotional attachment so the reader can relate. Just no gore. (as the guilt flows when writing characters that I know will die later. "But the story demands their sacrifice," is what you tell yourself. :blob_uwu:
 

BenJepheneT

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I personally find it ridiculous that activities that could result in death are not as strictly censored as activities that could result in life.
Sex is seen as a more sacred thing for most people, I guess. Everyone gets to die, but not everyone gets to pipe.
 

RepresentingCaution

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Sex is seen as a more sacred thing for most people, I guess. Everyone gets to die, but not everyone gets to pipe.
All of us were inside a uterus once upon a time. Most of passed through a vagina on our way into this world. Only recently in human existence have we started cutting uteruses to get babies out.
 

BenJepheneT

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All of us were inside a uterus once upon a time. Most of passed through a vagina on our way into this world. Only recently in human existence have we started cutting uteruses to get babies out.
Do most even remember it? The fact is there, yes, but humans don't operate on facts alone. When it comes to the conception of life most people point towards the process that creates it, not the fruit of the labor.

I'm speaking under the impression of general consciousness. Despite how they're innately connected, most people view birth and intercourse as VERY SEPERATE THINGS, as the latter is treated more recreational than ever as birth control rises in use, and the potential bodily harm that it causes is proliferated so much that it's garnered a reputation that rivals the likes of drugs and violence, hence the popular phrase of "sex, drugs and violence", as their commonly seen as a trio.

I'm not saying birth doesn't entail bodily harm either, but it's overshadowed by the occasional of literally birthing new life. It is to the point where the pros overrides the cons so much that it's considered widely as "worth it".

But as a side note, do keep in mind that I'm speaking this from personal observations of popular culture and conversations I had within my acquaintances. This is how sex is viewed, not as a conception of life, but as a VERY ADULT way of pleasuring oneself.
 

RepresentingCaution

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Do most even remember it? The fact is there, yes, but humans don't operate on facts alone. When it comes to the conception of life most people point towards the process that creates it, not the fruit of the labor.

I'm speaking under the impression of general consciousness. Despite how they're innately connected, most people view birth and intercourse as VERY SEPERATE THINGS, as the latter is treated more recreational than ever as birth control rises in use, and the potential bodily harm that it causes is proliferated so much that it's garnered a reputation that rivals the likes of drugs and violence, hence the popular phrase of "sex, drugs and violence", as their commonly seen as a trio.

I'm not saying birth doesn't entail bodily harm either, but it's overshadowed by the occasional of literally birthing new life. It is to the point where the pros overrides the cons so much that it's considered widely as "worth it".

But as a side note, do keep in mind that I'm speaking this from personal observations of popular culture and conversations I had within my acquaintances. This is how sex is viewed, not as a conception of life, but as a VERY ADULT way of pleasuring oneself.

"We are not merely participants in culture but creators of it." - Kari Rakitan

The attitudes the general consciousness hold towards sex are problematic. Coming generations can have it better. People develop sexual urges well before adulthood, and we need to facilitate expressing those urges in a healthy manner. Presenting sex in written media has the potential to normalize masturbation and safe sex. If you've read my work, you'll recall that I portray Seto Kaiba masturbating first. Then, there's a rapid HIV test and discussion about birth control before the sex commences. While I have my work rated for adults because I don't want it to be taken down, but I am sure there are plenty of precocious young people intentionally seeking mature stories like I did when I was a teenager, and I would rather have them reading my story than some of the filth out there.
 
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