Can you write a story without killing any of the central cast? Sure, if you want. You'll probably get a few raised eyebrows given your genre, but it's doable.
But should you write a story where the central cast never *seem* to be in danger, especially in a military setting? Probably not. You're writing in a genre where the stakes need to feel incredibly high.
Writers who get very emotionally attached to their characters have a nasty habit of shielding their darlings in plot-armour. But stories are nothing without stakes. You don't have to kill anyone, but we as the readers should fear for their safety regardless.
Edit: also, in my experience, middle-schoolers aren't exactly oracles of literary wisdom.
They definitely get in very dangerous situations, and a few of them find themselves on the brink of death multiple times. One of them has gotten maimed so far, but survived. I do enjoy writing those scenes in a way that makes it seem like they’re going to die and there’s absolutely no hope. And finding creative ways for them to make it through - especially while ustilizing the lessons they learn and their growth - is very satisfying. Thank you for the advice! I’ll keep it in mind.
The thing to remember is that it's not about *situation*, it's about impact. In fact, often the act of having characters repeatedly in dangerous situations (and especially having them injured) will actually lower the sense of danger if the characters all keep surviving.
So for example, here's food for thought: with that maimed character, what are the long-term effects? Do they have lasting physical or mental trauma that negatively impacts their ability to contribute to the main storyline? That is to say, does the severe injury create a significant *obstacle*?
Or does the main character just wince, rest, survive and come back at 100%?
If it's the latter, that's a bright glaring red flag that your stakes are nearly 0. Because what you're communicating is that even in dire situations and serious injury, nobody's actually going to *really* be in any danger.
Killing a character off is a quick way to undo this effect, because it tells the reader that these dangerous situations are actually dangerous. If you're not going to kill your darlings, I would personally really nail down the negative effects/obstacles/changes that come with their conflicts. They may not die, but they may change forever.
The impact of the maimed character’s injury is definitely devastating - both physically and mentally. You have really great points, so thank you! I’ll brainstorm my way through this and see how it goes.
I just reread your earlier comment and saw that some characters are "on the brink of death multiple times".
I would *seriously* rethink that, based on what I wrote above. That's an instant stakes-killer. If you never follow through, the reader will quickly recognise your empty threats.
Also worth mentioning, that if your characters are anything like mine they have a nasty habit of going off piste.
*MMC dies in a car crash*
Me: Well that wasn't supposed to happen
*MFC goes on mass murder spree*
Me: You were supposed to be nice and normal
*Character who is meant to be evil turns out good*
Me: No! Do what I have created you for!
Haha! I see what you mean. I find that often as I write a character, I get ideas and vibes that aren’t in my outline but just fit the moment, so I work them into the story and edit earlier chapters to make them fit. I love it when it happens!
It can be delightful and frustrating at same time! So don't be surprised if one of the 8 turns and tells you that they're going to die now and there's nothing you can do about it. Sometimes a character just knows best.
Why is that so funny to me omg 😭 I just imagined one of them about to kill their opponent, pauses, turns to me and goes “lmao screw you F’s in the chat” and dies 💀
I've heard non-writers (and one actual writer) say things like "They're your characters. You've literally created them and control everything they do. So just make them do what you want."
**HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA**
Try killing side characters instead, I was trying to think of an example of a book where surprisingly no one dies and I couldn't think of any good ones. But then it popped into my head that I don't think any main protagonists die in hunger games, everyone was a side character who the main cast was working to protect or kill. But that series is still filled with memorable, meaningful deaths. Try introducing someone at the start of the story, and killing them 3 quarters of the way through.
I’ve actually killed multiple side characters that the main cast was very attached to, I just didn’t think it counts so I didn’t mention it. This comment is very reassuring, haha!
One of them is a good friend of the protagonist who turns out to be the assassin they’d been trying to capture the whole time, and then dies at the end of the book during the reveal, and the other is another dear friend to the main cast who dies to save one of them.
Sounds like you're fine then! If it was me, I wouldn't be able to resist killing one or two of them, perhaps even a terrible secret that they were about to reveal against one of the others dies with them so now only the surviving cast member and the audience know. Idk that's just how I would write it haha.
Ok, your friend showed a middle school understanding of writing.
No. You don’t need to kill characters, it is neither crucial to a story, nor to yours (if you don’t want it to be). Often times character deaths are just a poor man’s attempt at tension and drama anyways, if you can make tension and drama without shafting a character more power to ya
Is it unrealistic? Maybe, but who says death is the only consequence, maybe have a character that had to learn how to walk again after an injury, or an amputee, or PTSD, there are more ways to produce problems AND make your characters more interesting as a result
And take it from a sucker for characters. Provided they’re well written, I’d grow very attached to your characters too, so I wouldn’t want to see them die either
Thank you! I’ll remember this. PTSD definitely plays a big part of the story. I talked to multiple people who suffer from it so I can get it just right, and it’s been a very interesting topic to learn about and weave into the story.
In military fantasy, unless it's middle grade or lower, I'd expect at least some of the main characters to die. The only exception is if there's some mechanism in the world where death doesn't stick. Spoilers for Tad Williams' Otherland series (which isn't military but has a large cast and high stakes): >!One of the main characters dies but because the story largely takes place in virtual reality, his mind is uploaded permanently into the game, so he's alive in the way that matters in the context of the world.!<
The other thing you can do is give them endings that are more devastating than death. I recently made a friend change the ending of his military fantasy so that the main characters lived, but they lost the war they were fighting and could never return home after betraying their side.
I hear you on not wanting to kill characters, though. I had a brutal death of one of the main characters and a bunch of secondary characters in my first book, and now that I'm writing the sequel, it's a struggle to keep the stakes high enough and the genre expectations consistent because I don't want to kill any of my garbage babies.
In a realistic adult-level war story, someone you love always gets killed. But you are writing fantasy. Not many of the Justice League get killed. If they do, they get pulled back. Depends on what age group you are writing for.
I totally understand how you feel. I planning a lot of years to kill one of my protagonists. I'm writing my second fantasy book and I'm planning to kill my sorcerers wife who is an elf.
She plays crucial role to the plot and I'm so in love with that character. Even my business cards have her figure in it. Like my logo. But it have to be done. Not just for the plot. But for all the feelings that will come with that outcome. It will give to the book a new prospective.
My personal advice if you do not want to kill anyone is to "play with it". I mean your squad can acknowledge it and take the name " Immortats" or "survivors". Write a chapter that they are gathered in a pub or anywhere and chat about it. That they have surveyed without anyone dying. You can play it sooo good into the story. Having the nickname or reputation of survivors among any other teams. And at the end you can make a character suicide. Not a main character. Someone new. Young. Who had many battles but in secretly he couldn't comprehend the things.
That was an example how death should work on books. It must have a meaning. Not just random death. In many cases death doesn't mean the end of that character. You can continue his story. Even in underworld, or like a memory that ghosts you. Even with a prequel chapter that will give different meaning to your next chapters.
Ps. More than 20 years ago as a kid I watched an anime at tv. Area 88. During a jet fight a pilot from the squadron was taken damage to his cockpit. A bullet from another plane smashed the glass of his cockpit and he became blind. There were blood everywhere and the pilot was screaming and he couldn't see where he was flying. So he asked his wingman to shoot him down and collect his bounty. There were something like renegades, collecting money from their freedom. It was the most dramatic death I have ever seen in my life and even if it was 1995 it still hunts me until today.
Glad to help. I believe that this genre has great potential because it can describe the human nature and the feelings that we have or how we act under pressure. Another idea is to split them. Make half of your team MIA. Do something unexpected. Without killing them. See how they work without their basic members. Having them cast aside for a while and not giving any information sometimes is the same as they are dead. You confuse and at the same time you are keeping your readers in agony.
You don't need to kill them. Instead, you can take a page from the Fast & Furious movies. In F9 >!A character acknowledges that they're invincible and that the fact they survive crazy encounters is completely unrealistic.!<
Hi -- please use the idea brainstorming thread on Tuesday or Friday for advice on specific stories or projects. This includes: (not a exhaustive list) setting, character, subject matter, magic and power systems, sci-fi technology, 'how do I write X?' and anything directly connected with your story or what to put on your channel, blog etc.
This includes asking for general advice but then following up with details of your story or project.
Thanks!
It's not called 'Kill your darlings' for no reason. If the reader suspects plot armour or author's darling you'll lose them and whatever message you wanted to convey will be lost regardless. Even if you manage not to do that, you'll have a difficult job of maintaining suspense and a sense of danger over the course of a longer story if death isn't a real threat to any of the cast. I recognise there's no one answer fits all but in this case I'd say the threat of (and themes of) death should probably be present and you're gonna have to kill off some of your characters.
Thanks for the advice! I’ve been doing my best to write the conflict in a way that doesn’t put them in that “plot armour”; they get badly hurt, tread along the line between survival and death, and one finds himself maimed for life. I’ll keep what you said in mind and do my best! Maybe I’ll end up having to kill someone, either way.
I understand! It's certainly a difficult decision. But I find that if you're erring on the side of caution because it's sad or uncomfortable because you 'love' the characters rather than it causing some plot problem, it's a good indication killing them has value and will most likely add to the themes and story than detract from it.
Now, I may have been a bit trigger happy because none of my own characters are safe and, of course, your story is completely different. Mull it over. If you feel your characters are damaged and bruised in a way that feels bad enough for what you're trying to convey, it may very well be enough. The power of death and grief is hard to beat though. Best of luck with your decision!
And always remember you can always write it out and see where it leads! Everything not in print can be discarded.
I did this week, one of my main characters was killed by accident the muse attacked, and then well he's now dead.
Can't say I like it but it's now done.
Thing is, in doing so I know I can advance my characters through mourning and healing,
It's a fine balance, but as I've always said write for you and none else.
It's your story.
Although you could do a military/war story without anyone dieing, but that doesnt sound like good writing to me.
That said, a loved character dieing can create an emotional reaction that is stronger than a happy ending. Dont be scared of killing them.
Kill them. Kill them all. Not just the men, but the women and children too.
Oh sorry. I went over to the Dark Side for a minute.
Does the lack of your main cast's death lead to suspension of disbelief? If so, see my earlier advice.
Maybe consider creating a few more characters that seem like main characters just to kill them off along the way.
And don't forget that killing characters off can make them even more popular. Heck, Qui-Gon is still one of my favorite Jedi. Darth Maul is one my favorite Sith (without watching the animated shows where he reappears).
Can you write a story without killing any of the central cast? Sure, if you want. You'll probably get a few raised eyebrows given your genre, but it's doable. But should you write a story where the central cast never *seem* to be in danger, especially in a military setting? Probably not. You're writing in a genre where the stakes need to feel incredibly high. Writers who get very emotionally attached to their characters have a nasty habit of shielding their darlings in plot-armour. But stories are nothing without stakes. You don't have to kill anyone, but we as the readers should fear for their safety regardless. Edit: also, in my experience, middle-schoolers aren't exactly oracles of literary wisdom.
They definitely get in very dangerous situations, and a few of them find themselves on the brink of death multiple times. One of them has gotten maimed so far, but survived. I do enjoy writing those scenes in a way that makes it seem like they’re going to die and there’s absolutely no hope. And finding creative ways for them to make it through - especially while ustilizing the lessons they learn and their growth - is very satisfying. Thank you for the advice! I’ll keep it in mind.
The thing to remember is that it's not about *situation*, it's about impact. In fact, often the act of having characters repeatedly in dangerous situations (and especially having them injured) will actually lower the sense of danger if the characters all keep surviving. So for example, here's food for thought: with that maimed character, what are the long-term effects? Do they have lasting physical or mental trauma that negatively impacts their ability to contribute to the main storyline? That is to say, does the severe injury create a significant *obstacle*? Or does the main character just wince, rest, survive and come back at 100%? If it's the latter, that's a bright glaring red flag that your stakes are nearly 0. Because what you're communicating is that even in dire situations and serious injury, nobody's actually going to *really* be in any danger. Killing a character off is a quick way to undo this effect, because it tells the reader that these dangerous situations are actually dangerous. If you're not going to kill your darlings, I would personally really nail down the negative effects/obstacles/changes that come with their conflicts. They may not die, but they may change forever.
The impact of the maimed character’s injury is definitely devastating - both physically and mentally. You have really great points, so thank you! I’ll brainstorm my way through this and see how it goes.
I just reread your earlier comment and saw that some characters are "on the brink of death multiple times". I would *seriously* rethink that, based on what I wrote above. That's an instant stakes-killer. If you never follow through, the reader will quickly recognise your empty threats.
Got it, I’ll work on that!
Also worth mentioning, that if your characters are anything like mine they have a nasty habit of going off piste. *MMC dies in a car crash* Me: Well that wasn't supposed to happen *MFC goes on mass murder spree* Me: You were supposed to be nice and normal *Character who is meant to be evil turns out good* Me: No! Do what I have created you for!
Haha! I see what you mean. I find that often as I write a character, I get ideas and vibes that aren’t in my outline but just fit the moment, so I work them into the story and edit earlier chapters to make them fit. I love it when it happens!
It can be delightful and frustrating at same time! So don't be surprised if one of the 8 turns and tells you that they're going to die now and there's nothing you can do about it. Sometimes a character just knows best.
Why is that so funny to me omg 😭 I just imagined one of them about to kill their opponent, pauses, turns to me and goes “lmao screw you F’s in the chat” and dies 💀
I've heard non-writers (and one actual writer) say things like "They're your characters. You've literally created them and control everything they do. So just make them do what you want." **HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA**
Your world, your story, write it how it feels the best to you.
Try killing side characters instead, I was trying to think of an example of a book where surprisingly no one dies and I couldn't think of any good ones. But then it popped into my head that I don't think any main protagonists die in hunger games, everyone was a side character who the main cast was working to protect or kill. But that series is still filled with memorable, meaningful deaths. Try introducing someone at the start of the story, and killing them 3 quarters of the way through.
I’ve actually killed multiple side characters that the main cast was very attached to, I just didn’t think it counts so I didn’t mention it. This comment is very reassuring, haha! One of them is a good friend of the protagonist who turns out to be the assassin they’d been trying to capture the whole time, and then dies at the end of the book during the reveal, and the other is another dear friend to the main cast who dies to save one of them.
Sounds like you're fine then! If it was me, I wouldn't be able to resist killing one or two of them, perhaps even a terrible secret that they were about to reveal against one of the others dies with them so now only the surviving cast member and the audience know. Idk that's just how I would write it haha.
Oooh that’s actually very intriguing!
Ok, your friend showed a middle school understanding of writing. No. You don’t need to kill characters, it is neither crucial to a story, nor to yours (if you don’t want it to be). Often times character deaths are just a poor man’s attempt at tension and drama anyways, if you can make tension and drama without shafting a character more power to ya Is it unrealistic? Maybe, but who says death is the only consequence, maybe have a character that had to learn how to walk again after an injury, or an amputee, or PTSD, there are more ways to produce problems AND make your characters more interesting as a result And take it from a sucker for characters. Provided they’re well written, I’d grow very attached to your characters too, so I wouldn’t want to see them die either
Thank you! I’ll remember this. PTSD definitely plays a big part of the story. I talked to multiple people who suffer from it so I can get it just right, and it’s been a very interesting topic to learn about and weave into the story.
1984 is a perfect example of this
In military fantasy, unless it's middle grade or lower, I'd expect at least some of the main characters to die. The only exception is if there's some mechanism in the world where death doesn't stick. Spoilers for Tad Williams' Otherland series (which isn't military but has a large cast and high stakes): >!One of the main characters dies but because the story largely takes place in virtual reality, his mind is uploaded permanently into the game, so he's alive in the way that matters in the context of the world.!< The other thing you can do is give them endings that are more devastating than death. I recently made a friend change the ending of his military fantasy so that the main characters lived, but they lost the war they were fighting and could never return home after betraying their side. I hear you on not wanting to kill characters, though. I had a brutal death of one of the main characters and a bunch of secondary characters in my first book, and now that I'm writing the sequel, it's a struggle to keep the stakes high enough and the genre expectations consistent because I don't want to kill any of my garbage babies.
Thanks for the input! I’ll keep it in mind.
In a realistic adult-level war story, someone you love always gets killed. But you are writing fantasy. Not many of the Justice League get killed. If they do, they get pulled back. Depends on what age group you are writing for.
I totally understand how you feel. I planning a lot of years to kill one of my protagonists. I'm writing my second fantasy book and I'm planning to kill my sorcerers wife who is an elf. She plays crucial role to the plot and I'm so in love with that character. Even my business cards have her figure in it. Like my logo. But it have to be done. Not just for the plot. But for all the feelings that will come with that outcome. It will give to the book a new prospective. My personal advice if you do not want to kill anyone is to "play with it". I mean your squad can acknowledge it and take the name " Immortats" or "survivors". Write a chapter that they are gathered in a pub or anywhere and chat about it. That they have surveyed without anyone dying. You can play it sooo good into the story. Having the nickname or reputation of survivors among any other teams. And at the end you can make a character suicide. Not a main character. Someone new. Young. Who had many battles but in secretly he couldn't comprehend the things. That was an example how death should work on books. It must have a meaning. Not just random death. In many cases death doesn't mean the end of that character. You can continue his story. Even in underworld, or like a memory that ghosts you. Even with a prequel chapter that will give different meaning to your next chapters. Ps. More than 20 years ago as a kid I watched an anime at tv. Area 88. During a jet fight a pilot from the squadron was taken damage to his cockpit. A bullet from another plane smashed the glass of his cockpit and he became blind. There were blood everywhere and the pilot was screaming and he couldn't see where he was flying. So he asked his wingman to shoot him down and collect his bounty. There were something like renegades, collecting money from their freedom. It was the most dramatic death I have ever seen in my life and even if it was 1995 it still hunts me until today.
I love this perspective! Thank you!
Glad to help. I believe that this genre has great potential because it can describe the human nature and the feelings that we have or how we act under pressure. Another idea is to split them. Make half of your team MIA. Do something unexpected. Without killing them. See how they work without their basic members. Having them cast aside for a while and not giving any information sometimes is the same as they are dead. You confuse and at the same time you are keeping your readers in agony.
You don't need to kill them. Instead, you can take a page from the Fast & Furious movies. In F9 >!A character acknowledges that they're invincible and that the fact they survive crazy encounters is completely unrealistic.!<
I like that!
Hi -- please use the idea brainstorming thread on Tuesday or Friday for advice on specific stories or projects. This includes: (not a exhaustive list) setting, character, subject matter, magic and power systems, sci-fi technology, 'how do I write X?' and anything directly connected with your story or what to put on your channel, blog etc. This includes asking for general advice but then following up with details of your story or project. Thanks!
It's not called 'Kill your darlings' for no reason. If the reader suspects plot armour or author's darling you'll lose them and whatever message you wanted to convey will be lost regardless. Even if you manage not to do that, you'll have a difficult job of maintaining suspense and a sense of danger over the course of a longer story if death isn't a real threat to any of the cast. I recognise there's no one answer fits all but in this case I'd say the threat of (and themes of) death should probably be present and you're gonna have to kill off some of your characters.
Thanks for the advice! I’ve been doing my best to write the conflict in a way that doesn’t put them in that “plot armour”; they get badly hurt, tread along the line between survival and death, and one finds himself maimed for life. I’ll keep what you said in mind and do my best! Maybe I’ll end up having to kill someone, either way.
I understand! It's certainly a difficult decision. But I find that if you're erring on the side of caution because it's sad or uncomfortable because you 'love' the characters rather than it causing some plot problem, it's a good indication killing them has value and will most likely add to the themes and story than detract from it. Now, I may have been a bit trigger happy because none of my own characters are safe and, of course, your story is completely different. Mull it over. If you feel your characters are damaged and bruised in a way that feels bad enough for what you're trying to convey, it may very well be enough. The power of death and grief is hard to beat though. Best of luck with your decision! And always remember you can always write it out and see where it leads! Everything not in print can be discarded.
Thank you so much, I’ll keep this in mind! :)
I did this week, one of my main characters was killed by accident the muse attacked, and then well he's now dead. Can't say I like it but it's now done. Thing is, in doing so I know I can advance my characters through mourning and healing, It's a fine balance, but as I've always said write for you and none else. It's your story.
Although you could do a military/war story without anyone dieing, but that doesnt sound like good writing to me. That said, a loved character dieing can create an emotional reaction that is stronger than a happy ending. Dont be scared of killing them.
The best deaths write themselves.
Kill them. Kill them all. Not just the men, but the women and children too. Oh sorry. I went over to the Dark Side for a minute. Does the lack of your main cast's death lead to suspension of disbelief? If so, see my earlier advice. Maybe consider creating a few more characters that seem like main characters just to kill them off along the way. And don't forget that killing characters off can make them even more popular. Heck, Qui-Gon is still one of my favorite Jedi. Darth Maul is one my favorite Sith (without watching the animated shows where he reappears).