Thread: Don't want to kill my character

I haven't been around lately. I haven't written anything in a few months. I don't think I've posted anything on the forum in a long time, but that is neither here nor there.

I got inspired to write a short story, and I am just about finished with the first draft. I really enjoyed writing this story. It's been a challenge, but I am very happy with it all. I, regretfully, have to kill my protagonist to finish the story. I have been thinking of alternatives all day, but I can't think of anything that fits better than my protagonist dying.

Has anyone else ever been through this? I've killed characters in the past, but for some reason, this seems different. I can only describe it as tragic and beautiful at the same time. Any different ideas I've had seem watered down and just don't fit. I'm more used to writing non-fiction, so it's weird for me to be so attached to people that don't exist.

So I know that I have to just sit down and power through it, and I may be depressed for the rest of the day. Anyone have any comments about this situation? Has anyone else been very emotionally attached to your characters? Has anyone had a hard time with any part of a story in this way?

Aloha and Mahalo

Hard, is hard to say.
I've planned a story in which most my characters die. I felt it was a necessity, a must. and so it is.
If you have to kill 'em do it. It's your world. the lone beauty of literature.

Thanks dude... Death is a part of life. Luckily, considering my character and the situation, he will gracefully accept his fate. Reflecting back on my last mushroom trip, death can be a beautiful release. Especially if one dies with no regrets

Oh, I have had to kill off characters but only two were difficult. One named Bobby, he was my favorite in a crime novel I wrote. I loved him, he was a large built man, a killer with a heart. I hated it but as the story unfolded he was killed in a hit. I can remember writing that action scene, the moment he was found dead, my fingers froze on the keyboard. I was shocked by what I had written but it was to be. Bobby was never meant to see the end of the story. The other was a woman who was suppose to be my lead character, she killed herself in the opening chapter. Again, another disappointment, however, the crime novel turned out to be my best story and the other I am still working on. I am glad I followed their lead.
We never know where these complex characters are going to take us...we can only write their story.

I was pretty ready to kill Murphy, but just as I sat and started to write an old friend whom I hadn't seen in weeks showed up (in Maui Time, weeks equals months), and I ended up having to help her drink the beers she brought for us. But I digress. I was delayed, but now I'm ready to let go of Murphy, and let him fulfill his destiny. Thanks chimchimski (Robin)!

you made a character so deep and complex, that you felt for him. You could guess that it means that other readers can feel the same way, making it a masterpiece. This is all just theory though, i haven't read your story.

I had the same problem recently, and I thought about it a LOT as it affected the whole turn of the story. In the end I saved her. She is -) a five year old Cambodian girl. I'm glad I saved her but I still have my doubts as to whether I should have done.

I definitely think my characters, especially my protagonist, have some serious depth. I am just working on a title, and then it will be posted within the next few hours. Hope you guys have a chance to read it!

I suppose it depends how much time you gave to the character in question. If it's one you really enjoyed writing about and really got to know, it kind of feels like you're losing a real life friend when they get killed off.

Good luck with the book. Hope it works out.

I'm a literary hit man. Hire me, and I'll kill your character.

Originally Posted by JosephB

I'm a literary hit man. Hire me, and I'll kill your character.

haha, just spat coffee everywhere, thanks

Killing off characters you like sucks. Its like growing attached to a puppy that you hand raised and helped struggle along through life, and then killing it cause it ate one of your chickens...

Easy for me though, I killed off my main protagonist in the prologue!
he got better....

Originally Posted by JosephB

I'm a literary hit man. Hire me, and I'll kill your character.

Epic, dude! I will definitely come to you next time one of my characters threatens or brings harm to myself or those close to me!

I've come to accept the death of Murphy. It was inevitable when I looked back and saw how much I foreshadowed it. It actually brought the story to a totally different level. Now I would suggest to everyone that they kill someone they are very close to (characters. Only kill real people whom you are not emotionally attached to. You instantly become a person of interest).

And actually, I don't know how else I would have been able to end the story. But mucho mahalo (That's right... a thank you in TWO languages!) for the advice from everyone. And, JosephB, I'm a little nervous to have you around any of my characters. Just make sure you clear it with me before you pull the trigger. Otherwise a bald-headed midget with no teeth will visit you where you sleep and exact revenge on my behalf.

Copperflyingace, I definitely enjoyed that part of your story. Keep it going, because it grabbed my attention!

Cheers!

Yeah, you're story just wouldn't have jelled right if Murphy had lived at the end. The fact that he was willing to die shows exactly what kind of character he is, and the fact that he did die elevates him to hero status. It almost had me in tears when I was done reading, not gonna lie.

I'm actually up to 16 chapters, I just don't want to dump them all on this forum when I've only been here for a few days. Seems a bit like asking a dude you just met if you can crash on his couch...

hey listen i have clean shoes and i wont puke, can i hit up your couch tonight?