1. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    Killing the hero 16 chapters before the end?

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by Charisma, Aug 24, 2007.

    Is that a bad plot? My hero's death has a lot linked with it, i.e. without his death many problems will remain unsolved lol. Anyways, my sister suggests I should put him in coma until the last few chapters. But I think my story won't be as crispy as it is now. Suggestions?
     
  2. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    If the story is equally strong after the death, and the death is an integral part of the story, then sure, I don't see why not. I'm assuming that even after his/her death he/she is still the focus of the story, even if he/she is not actually present? ...If that makes any sense at all...
     
  3. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    Not exactly the focus, but the story still has him as an important part of it after the death. Thanks for the opinion.
     
  4. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    I'm not sure I could give a general answer to this. The story sounds like it encompasses a far wider scope than just the hero, so if the rest of the story has the momentum to continue without the hero, then I see no reason it can't work.
     
  5. Domoviye

    Domoviye New Member

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    As long as you have a secondary character ready and willing to take up the slack as Hero, it can work.
    Having the hero die, everybody cries, and then the hero jumps back up ready for action as everyone stares in awe, is a cheap thing that is tried far too many times in poorly written fiction.

    Edited for clarity
     
  6. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    But then, Dom, it could make it more realistic, rather than having the hero simply survive because they are the hero. Kind of like Nelson at Trafalgar- a great victory, but the Admiral, being just a man, was felled with a single bullet. I don't know, I think I've quite warmed to the idea anthraxx.
     
  7. Domoviye

    Domoviye New Member

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    I meant having the hero coming back like nothing had happened.
    I agree with everything you said Banzai. Having the hero die can be excellent. Having the hero die and then come back ready to fight is a bad thing.
     
  8. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were saying that everybody else came back ready fo fight, after the hero died. Which I thought would be quite a good twist :p Glad to see we're on the same wavelength, even if my interpretative skills aren't up to scratch :p
     
  9. Domoviye

    Domoviye New Member

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    No worries. And I did say it rather poorly now that I look it over.
     
  10. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    The specialty of Indian Film Industry is bringing the hero back. :p Cheap.
    Well, I have everything to back him up (secondary character), and certainly have no problem as far as managing the storyline is concerned. So I guess he shall die :) But it's a really painful clause in the story. Poor reader (and writer, I wish I could cry over my own character!)
     
  11. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    I've never actually cried over a character, though I've probably killed more than my fair share. The most I've felt is a sense of regret at not having them as a part of it any more.
     
  12. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    Heh, this is the first time I feel sad for my hero's death. Otherwise, I enjoy it.
     
  13. Banzai

    Banzai One-time Mod, but on the road to recovery Contributor

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    Psychotic!! Nah, me too :p
     
  14. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    I guess the feeling you may want to arise in your reader's head, is soooo evil that you can't help but smile at your genius twist in the story.
     
  15. Sir Cameron

    Sir Cameron New Member

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    I'm curious about waht kind of novel this is
     
  16. Domoviye

    Domoviye New Member

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    I cry over my stories a lot. But I so far only write horror dealing with extremely innocent people. So its rather sad seeing them struggle only to know that the light they see at the end of the tunnel is a nuclear bomb.
     
  17. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    Good to hear you are curious, Sir Cameron! It's a tragedy/action/drama novel, more about religions, cultures, love, family life, peer pressure and trust. I'll give you a background if you want. I love telling about my stories :D.

    I guess it's hard, Domoviye, when talking of such people. But my hero is pretty poor and angelic too :) lol, I guess not THAT good, but good.
     
  18. Sir Cameron

    Sir Cameron New Member

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    I'd love it!
     
  19. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    deleted.
     
  20. anastasiastarz

    anastasiastarz New Member

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    It depends, if your hero isn't the main character then it's alright, but the story should end when the main charcter dies or when you don't know what happens next.
     
  21. ScaryPen

    ScaryPen Active Member

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    Wow Anthraxx... your story sounds intriguing. It seems to be quiet a complicated plot and I 'm in awe of anyone with the ability to execute such good ideas. Good Luck!
     
  22. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    The hero's death solves certain issues. I'm not sure if I've already said that.

    Thank you.
     
  23. Stinger

    Stinger New Member

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    You should follow your story. Don't force anything to it.

    Have you seen Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa? It has same thing.
     
  24. Charisma

    Charisma Transposon Contributor

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    Thanks :)
    Actually, no.
     
  25. Funny Bunny

    Funny Bunny New Member

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    I think that there are main characters and also main "Pivitol" characters. If you build up the character, people like him, and then you kill him off, then the story is about the "aftermath" of a person's life. I think the main character is the one most changed at the end of the story. Sometime, you might not know who the main person is at the very beginning. Also, if he dies, he dies. Most of my characters are not sacred. I make them endure some pretty overwhelming obstacles. Some times their flaws doom them.
     

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