Monday, January 2, 2023

The Death of a Minor Character

 Every once and a while, a minor character must die. Often, they give their lives so you can show the reader the danger the main characters face.


A good point to remember is one Stephen King recommends. First you create a real person and make the reader care, then you massacre him. Two examples.


STORY A: A man is walking through the darkness, and the monster eats him.


OR


STORY B: Fred is walking to the 7-11 at midnight because his beloved pregnant wife is craving pickles and ice cream, and she ate the last gherkin at supper. A monster jumps out and kills poor Fred.



Story B makes the act and the monster more horrific.


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