How to write a meaninful character death?

@freedomwriter76

AH THAT SOUNDS SO BEAUTIFULLY SAD!

I’m not sure how best to help you, but I feel like readers are going to feel sad no matter what, but my main pet peeve with this kind of thing is when there could have been another way. Like this self sacrifice was meaningless because there was a much better and obvious option.

But with what your writing it sounds more like it’s really this man’s choice. He is doing a sacrifice so others won’t get hurt, but your then showing how this affects the people close to him, like his brother, therefore giving it a meaning, that may not have resulted had something else happened

@freedomwriter76

Yess!!!! Your character’s death is a very good one. Honestly, as long as it accomplishes something your readers won’t feel betrayed. Your idea actually seems really good. Good character deaths can really help make a story feel real (especially when it is an MC) and also make things really powerful.

Also here is a quote from G.R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) that is directly relevant 🙃 (warning mentions death but I mean on this forum that is expected.

Just as you grieve if a friend is killed, you should grieve if a fictional character is killed. You should care. If somebody dies and you just go get more popcorn, it’s a superficial experience isn’t it? – G.R.R. Martin

@freedomwriter76

Yea. G.R.R. Martin is really renowned for his character deaths. I have read multiple articles using this one MC from Game of Thrones that *spoilers (though I doubt any of us will read Game of Thrones because … well you know)* who is like the main character of the first book but gets killed.

GOT is important in the development of modern fantasy (which I will not go on a lecture about) in non-negative ways. It really pioneered fantasy that is not just heroes fighting pure evil entity. Apparently, HBO (doing what HBO does) made the show way worse than the books (according to a guy on my school’s quiz bowl team).

@freedomwriter76

I agree with Princesa and OtherworldlyHistorian, I don’t think your reader will feel cheated, particularly cause the character CHOSE to, and it sounds like that was the only way.

XD Even likeable characters must die. We’ll just be hurting more cause we like them…XD
But then that gives the reader a chance to sympathize with the other brother, who’s in as much agony as we are over the death.

So your plan gets double thumbs-ups! *round of applause* *is looking forward to and dreading the possibility of reading about these characters*

@freedomwriter76 *drags Torryn in* *sits down* *opens notebook* I feel like I should be here….

@freedomwriter76

You know this reminds me of a book I read called One In Thine Hand by Gerald N Lund. It’s really good but my favorite character died. And it was so impactful to everyone because he was such a light to those around him, and he died of similar causes as an act of saving and love for others.

That’s just what your story reminded me of, I think it’ll be really good and meaningful too

@freedomwriter76

The others already gave you some great advice, but as for my part, I just wanted to say that character death sounds absolutely beautiful. Tragic, but beautiful. I’m a real sucker for the character-gives-his-life-for-another trope, because it so incredibly represents the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Honestly, my first reaction was to say go ahead and do it. But it’s up to you, of course. (:

And @booksbyjayna could not be more right; Amanda Dykes is the author to look to if you want examples of heartwrenching character deaths that rip you apart and yet heal you at the same time. Personally Yours is the Night is my favorite of hers, and I think you’d love it. The character death in that book is sooooooo sad and yet so beautiful and just… wow. Whose Waves These Are is amazing too, and it’s World War II fiction. Both character deaths feature the self-sacrifice trope, so I think it’d definitely help you to read them.