playing god isn't as fun as it should be, sometimes

[adelaidesean]

I'm in a bit of a funk because yesterday I killed off a secondary character, one I'd become quite attached to during the writing of The Scarecrow. I want to be kinder to him, but there's no possibility of un-killing him. His death is critical to the story; without it, both the character development and plot unravel. Although I knew it was coming before I started the book, still it makes me sad. Sometimes bravery isn't enough; sometimes good people die.

That's a good sign, right? If I'm feeling so upset about it, readers might be too?

Funny how after 29 books this is still an open question.

Comments

[angriest.livejournal.com]

If it was a comic book you'd at least have the comfort of knowing that the character wouldn't stay dead for long.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Ditto Buffy, Angel, Lost, BSG, etc...and even this series of books. I'm sure I could find a way around it if I really tried.

But he needs to stay dead. This time. Honest. Dammit.

[angriest.livejournal.com]

On the last page, a mysterious hand could reach down and take his ring.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Aaargh!

I still can't believe Doctor Who stooped that far.

[angriest.livejournal.com]

What would've been brilliant is if the hand reached down, grabbed the ring, and then the Doctor's hand rushed into view and slapped it, and you'd pull out to reveal the Doctor going "Who the hell are? What are you doing? *I'll* take that!!"

And so on.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

That would've been unutterably brilliant. You really should be running the Beeb, I swear.

Just watched The Doctor's Daughter. Seen it yet?

[angriest.livejournal.com]

Nope. Prob tomorrow night.

I *should* be running the BBC. Or better yet, running the ABC, since I'm sick to death of them rejecting every project I'm involved with on one hand, and constantly telling me "it's your ABC" with the other.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Aunty is a script-tease, but we love her anyway.