How I should feel...

Provrb1810meggy · Dec 15, 2006

My friend, a beta reader, just called me up, screaming, "YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR STORY RIGHT NOW!" I was a little bit alarmed at first. What horrible thing did I have in there?

It turns out she was upset at me killing off one of the characters in the middle of the book. She said he was her favorite, because he was cool, funny, smart, all at the same time, or something like that. I was quite pleased with this. I want my readers to care about and be emotional about this guy's death, so I'm glad I got the reaction.

On the other hand, when I asked her what she thought of the MC, she said she liked her sometimes and that other times she didn't. So now I'm worried that if I kill of people's favorite character, and they don't like the MC, they won't continue reading.

I don't know how I should feel right now. I think I'll be glad, since I don't want to be sad right now. I'll address the issues of my MC's unlikability issues later.

EDIT: Don't worry. I'm not going to change anything right now, and I'll wait for feedback from everyone else. I was just ranting.

engmajor2005 · Dec 15, 2006

I like Stephen King's advice from On Writing. Submit your work to several betas, and let the majority rule. Ties go the writer.

But, it is your work and you do have creative control over it. If the story depends on the death, don't change it.

Encourage your friend to read the rest and see how it goes. They are a beta after all, and you should be able to depend on your betas to do so.

TheIT · Dec 15, 2006

I'd say be happy you managed to provoke such a passionate response about your secondary character. I'd also suggest taking a look at your MC and comparing the two, also getting your beta reader's complete reaction once she finishes the whole story. Why does she like the secondary character better than the MC?

If the secondary character's death fits the story, don't pull it out based on one person's reaction. See what else you can do to make the rest of the story match.

Congratulations!

Zonk · Dec 15, 2006

I had a similar reaction when I only prepared to kill off my MFC. Two of my readers threatened me with grievous bodily harm, as well as refusal to read any more.

I took their advice, coward that I am; and then found that the story became easier to flesh out going forward

But the bottom line is, write the story that you want to write.

It is, however, very satisfying to have created a character with whom readers are prepared to make a significant emotional investment, isn't it?

WildScribe · Dec 15, 2006

Your name isn't George R.R. Martin, is it?

Celia Cyanide · Dec 15, 2006

Have you ever read Battle Royale? When Shinji Mimura died, many kids did not want to keep reading. It happens. I agree that you should see how others feel. Perhaps other people will find the rest of the characters interesting enough.

icerose · Dec 15, 2006

I would say rather than changing the death of your secondary character, work on your main.

I had this exact problem with a piece of my work and I worked on the main character and it made such a difference for the story.

janetbellinger · Dec 15, 2006

I read and liked a novel where one of the main characters was killed off near the end of the novel. I liked that character too but the thing is you could see it coming. You were prepared for something bad to happen because of the way she was acting. This woman fell in love and married a serial killer and kept making excuses for him.

PeeDee · Dec 15, 2006

Mostly, what I suggest is that you not get too caught up in their extreme love of your character. When this happens, assume that you've done your job well, and then move on to writing the next scene, or solving the next problem. Being too impressed with making it wonderful could start to affect your ability to tell the story as clearly and interestingly as possible.

JeanneTGC · Dec 15, 2006

"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. Beth dies (hope that's not a spoiler for anyone). Some readers are upset -- then and now. Somehow, they and the book go on. Some readers didn't care -- then and now. Somehow they and the book go on.

Write the story YOU want to write. You are the only one who can tell it YOUR way. If you want to kill of a character, slay away.

Saundra Julian · Dec 15, 2006

Egads... brings back memories of Stephen King's Misery! No reader should tell an author how to write his/her book...

greglondon · Dec 15, 2006

Make your protag as memorable and likable as the character you killed, and keep everything else the way it is for now. Once you've brought your protag up to match your secondary character, get more beta readers and see if they have the same reaction.

AnnieColleen · Dec 15, 2006

I had this happen when I was reading a friend's novel -- actually two different novels, now that I think of it. She didn't change either, and I can see how they do fit the story (but I'm still annoyed about it!)

One sold to a small publisher, the other she hasn't finished (because it's a long involved story and she has umpteen other projects, not because of my reaction).

So, I guess I'm just a softy (in relation to characters), but still advising you to do what you're already doing. Helpful, huh?

stormie · Dec 15, 2006

Meggy,
As some others have said, if you get that kind of response from your beta readers, that's great. It means they feel for the character. Your character is not two-dimensional then. Let it be.

You could give your ms. to ten beta readers, and they all could have a different take on it. You'd end up just being confused, and your ms. will not be your own.

Zonk · Dec 15, 2006

I don't think I will ever forgive JKR for killing off my favorite character (who shall not be named, but was the only wizard HWSNBN ever feared :tongue

).

Will I read Book 7? Sure.

Will it be as much fun? Nope.

IrishScribbler · Dec 15, 2006

Saundra Julian said:
Egads... brings back memories of Stephen King's Misery! No reader should tell an author how to write his/her book...

Your beta hasn't threatened to break your legs, I hope?

Provrb1810meggy · Dec 15, 2006

Not yet. I am going over to her house tonight. I hope she doesn't have clubs or anything.

janetbellinger · Dec 15, 2006

I was upset when Beth died but I could see it coming, as she kept getting weaker and weaker. It is more difficult when you aren't prepared for it.

JeanneTGC said:
"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. Beth dies (hope that's not a spoiler for anyone). Some readers are upset -- then and now. Somehow, they and the book go on. Some readers didn't care -- then and now. Somehow they and the book go on.

Write the story YOU want to write. You are the only one who can tell it YOUR way. If you want to kill of a character, slay away.

Provrb1810meggy · Dec 15, 2006

Mine is an unexpected accident, not really any indication beforehand, but it's neccescary for the story. One of my earlier beta's had the same "oh my god" reaction, because everyone expected the MC to end up with this guy, but she liked the MC.

TheIT · Dec 15, 2006

My mom made me promise I wouldn't kill off any of the MCs I told her about. It wasn't a difficult promise to make. How can I make my MCs' lives miserable if they get killed?

On the other hand, secondary characters are fair game.

Alex Bravo · Dec 15, 2006

In the Bloody Ground, by Bernard Cornwell, he killed one of the main characters that had been pivotal through the first three books, and my favorite. I was angry and didn't want to read anymore. He hasn't written a fifth book and I don't really care if he does.

I wasn't mad when Boba Fet in Star Wars died, only that he died too easily.

That said, in one of my works, I had a character that three beta readers loved, but the character only played a minor part. After hearing that, I expanded the character's role and it made the novel better.

Angel~Of~Music · Dec 15, 2006

I cried out "NO!" so loudly, I'm sure the rest of my family thought I'd lost it. But I agree with you. Book 7 won't be the same without him. Oh yeah, Meggy, kill off as many characters as you please. If people cry and threaten you, it's becuase you wrote that character so well they felt empathy for them.

Zonk said:
I don't think I will ever forgive JKR for killing off my favorite character (who shall not be named, but was the only wizard HWSNBN ever feared ).

Will I read Book 7? Sure.

Will it be as much fun? Nope.

Elodie-Caroline · Dec 15, 2006

In part of one of my WIPs, the male MC character breaks the female MC's heart. I find this really hard to write about; I can feel the emotions she would be going through and it actually upsets me to write it. But... I won't change the story because of it. I feel that if I'm writing it and it's my work and it makes me feel sorry for the woman, then so should my readers.

Ellie

C.bronco · Dec 15, 2006

um, did you read Misery? you might want to padlock your doors.

a tree of night · Dec 15, 2006

Does it make sense? That's really all that matters. Don't take advice from people who are more concerned with their personal feelings for a fictional character than your artistic integrity. Besides, by the time a reader gets upset that you killed off their favorite character, you already have their money.

How I should feel...

Provrb1810meggy

engmajor2005

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Zonk

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

Celia Cyanide

Joker Groupie

icerose

Lost in School Work

janetbellinger

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

JeanneTGC

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch

Saundra Julian

A work in progress

greglondon

Planet Wookie techno geek

AnnieColleen

Invisible Writer

stormie

storm central

Zonk

IrishScribbler

Provrb1810meggy

janetbellinger

Provrb1810meggy

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Alex Bravo

Angel~Of~Music

Elodie-Caroline

C.bronco

I have plans...

a tree of night

How I should feel...

Infuriatingly Theoretical

Slave to the Wordcount

Joker Groupie

Lost in School Work

Where's my tea, please...?

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

A work in progress

Planet Wookie techno geek

Invisible Writer

storm central

Infuriatingly Theoretical

I have plans...

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch