Killing Your Characters

How many ways have I killed my own characters?

Let's review (including dreams because, well, it's still a death I wrote):


- mysterious death (corpse in a huge bed with blood trickling from the mouth)


- erotic asphyxiation

- armageddon (specifically fire and flooding)


- euthanization (of a Chihuahua)

- drowning (asphyxia by fluid absorbtion)

- biological/chemical warfare (specifically nerve agents)


- multiple gunshot wounds (specifically in the line of duty)


- brutily being ripped to shreds by werewolves


- cardiac arrest

- medication overdose


- decapitation (specifically in an auto accident)

- burning at a stake aka Joan of Arc

- cervical fracture

- congenital heart defects

- disambiguation (specifically by a vampire)
a) in a hotel room
b) from the back of a tour bus
c) in an alley
d) on a motorcycle

- becoming a vampire (mortal death of near disambiguation, then replenishment of tainted blood)

- being vanquished by a vampire sister and an angel brother whose souls merge together, then being absorbed by a wall of bones (only applies to evil vampire prophets)

- merciful disambiguation (specifically taking a vampire child's life - to set their soul free, of course)

- staking your own heart as a vampire

- the light within you defeating the dark...as a vampire (it's complicated)

- massive impact of the brain to the skull (specifically, slippery bathtub accidents)

- arterial thrombosis (of a hamster)


If I've left any out, let me know, because I'm sure I have. And I may update this occasionally, as there could certainly be more deaths...


On a more serious note, I have to say from my own experience, it can be very difficult to kill your characters. It can affect you in ways you didn't initially realize it would. In writing Fallen From Grace, I discovered this firsthand when the plot called for not only the death of a child, but then two of the main characters, as well.

But it had to be that way.

In other words, at times, if the storyline calls for it, a death is something that you have to be willing to follow through with. I actually approached this subject with Scott Allie (Senior Managing Editor of Dark Horse Comics) from my personal myspace. His thoughtful and professional response was one that I won't share word for word, because I cherished the message as mine alone, but I will quote him as saying this:

"You see that momentum in the story, and you have to embrace it. If you shy away from the hard changes, the hard story turns, you sap the story of its strength."


On the other hand, if you've got a guy who's generally a nuisance to every other character, and is sexually abusive, plus you have another character who needs to be able to go to a gig in a few days, and this guy's in the way, I must say, letting some meaningless ogre slip in the bathtub can be very relieving, to yourself and your readers, alike!