When writing a series (or even just a really long novel), at some point, the characters become known, their dynamics set, and readers can almost guess how characters will feel about a given plot twist before it happens. Fans go beyond love for characters and form deep connections… and expectations.
Some readers love to simply love their characters and enjoy their next adventure. But don’t discount the fun of “killing your darlings” to shake things up.
“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.” —Stephen King
Yes, that’s right, kill them. Both Joss Whedon and George R. R. Martin have reputations for breaking their fans’ hearts by killing off key characters who should have been “safe.” But while fans are heartbroken, they also can’t seem to look away at the train wreck that ensues after these tragedies.
And your stories can earn this undivided attention too, if you’re gutsy enough. You may even find yourself enjoying the freedom of all this creative freedom.
Here’s how to do it:
Don’t kill your darlings without purpose
This is the first rule of the Darlings Kill Club. Chaotic action is just chaos, tearing yourself and your fans apart for no reason. When looking to shake things up, look for the things that will force other characters to do things they never would have before, expose new aspects of themselves, or otherwise change the core dynamics in your story.
Identify established patterns
A problem with long-running series is that their behavior patterns within the dynamics of your story become too familiar. Who can always be counted on to behave a certain way, or handle certain problems? What challenges would removing that reliability present to your other characters?
Off the fan favorite
This may seem particularly cruel—or even risky, if you fear fan backlash. But if you understand not only who the fan favorites are in your story but why, stirring the pot can create a great emotional hook and big-time drama in your story, because as your readers struggle to cope, so do your other characters. How will they get through it? Who will step in to fill the void?
Fans may love the dependability of your victim, but that dependability also keeps your story predictable. And predictable just isn’t as much fun as unpredictable.
… Or the author favorite
Or put otherwise, who do you think this story absolutely could not exist without? Go ahead, imagine what happens if that character disappears. Sometimes the loss of the central character is exactly what your story needs to refresh and shift into a new gear. Keeping the story tied to your own darling may actually be holding you back.
Some of the most devastating and compelling moments in stories come when a character is unexpectedly lost. At first, killing our darlings is hard because we love our work by necessity, and we bring assumptions with us into it. But once you start looking beyond your feelings and consider the possibilities, you may be surprised to find you’ve opened up an entirely new world of options.
Be brave and kill your darlings!
Amir.H.Ghazi
Im hoping George R.R Martin won’t kill off my favorites. -_-
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha:D I hope too
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least he killed off Jeoffrey. I actually read (and watched) with glee
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post Amir! I love the quote you used from Stephen King! I think sometimes it is smart to kill off a main character because it’s something that the reader would never expect. It’s kind of like in a TV show when you KNOW a certain person can’t die because then there would be no show. In a book it’s slightly different, because they don’t always continue and you have the freedom to kill off some of the characters.
It’s also very true that in order for it to work, there should be a purpose for a character to die and it shouldn’t just be thrown in the story for a sake of a death.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks first. Your comments have been great always.
I love killing my characters like King & GRRM;)
LikeLiked by 2 people
So in other words, no one’s safe with you. I’d hate to be a character in your book! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely won’t kill you my friend;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was kidding, haha!:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no!!!!!! Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too late! Say your prayer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lot of good it’s gonna do now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How do you want to be killed?:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not at all would be nice! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha..good one
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since i write erotic romance i would be hard pressed to kill anyone off. I suppose if i did a ghost romance i could pull it off. I did a zombie romance once, but the zombie in question was already dead! Doesn’t count.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to kill a character in erotica genre. But in horror,crime or thriller it’s sooo easy:)
LikeLike
There must be some killing, and darling’s are always the most fun to knock off. Otherwise, the book is too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t agree anymore;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a struggle. I’m a happily ever
LikeLiked by 1 person
After type of gal*
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to go back and kill a darling in a rewrite. It’s so much better now. I was reluctant to pull the trigger, but when I did, the story finally made sense. And like you said, I felt a strange sense of freedom letting him go! I am now a member of the Darlings Kill Club. I expect to see my card in the mail to put in my holster. 🙂 …At the risk of repeating myself, great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Welcome to the Darlings Kill Club! Be brave and pull the trigger;)
LikeLike
Membership has its privileges!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Warning! Members are allowed to kill each other:P
LikeLike
Than I shall be armed to the teeth. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
*Then* (Typing too fast has its downside.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem dear:)
LikeLike
One of the most painful things when reading a series! You can actually feel it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry! I can’t hear you over the sound of my characters’ screaming!:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Would you please rate my blog in my last post?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just did, gave you a 100 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwh thank you Swetha!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amir, your posts are always such a great joy to read!! What a great lead & amazing tips!! 👍🏻💝💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for your lovely words^_^ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always welcome!! 💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Warm hugs!!:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great points here! Killing off a character is difficult, but I get this rush from it, too. It can deepen a story’s impact, that’s for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I reckon it must be a tough decision to kill off a beloved character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s sooo easy:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d want to make sure I gave them a good death and not a bad one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw you are a kind writer:)
I kill my character savagely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well each to their own, though a savage death can push a story along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing tips! Thnx for sharing Amir
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome
LikeLike
Ever heard of Arthur Quiller-Couch? Not as fancy as Mr. King but definitely has some good advice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great insight.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you:-)
LikeLike
YESSHHHH… Waiting for the day when I can kill off and seriously injure some of my own creations! ^^ This post gave me insight on how to facilitate the life of the story while planning literary death, thanks! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish you luck with your characters: D
LikeLike
Hehehe. Makes me want to write horror instead of drivel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bitch why did you take JK Rowling she is the best. She wrote the Harry Potter series and please watch all the movies and read all the books of Harry Potter. I AM A HARRY POTTER FAN FOREVERRRRR.
LikeLike
Bitch JK Rowling is th beast
LikeLike
She is the best
LikeLike
Bitch you are a Bitch
LikeLike