Why I Murder

Characters. Why I murder characters. I did not realize how many of my stories center around death or variants thereof until I read a submission guideline that said special consideration would be given for stories that did not involve death. I searched and searched, and when I finally found a story in my writing library, I submitted it. It was published. What a challenge though! So, why is death such a common subject?

The most probable answer is that death is dramatic either in itself or the circumstances surrounding it or the reactions of those who remain alive. Even in life, this is so, so it is more so in fiction. Death invites emotions and emotional reactions to the death and the deceased. Whether it be emotions on the surface that others can see or deep-seeded emotions that surface in the face of death. Death also invites actions and reactions from characters, as in real life. Sometimes the (re)actions are expected, and sometimes not. Of course, all of this paragraph depends on the plot and the writer’s intention.

Death is common. It is an occurrence experienced by all people, regardless of culture, race, or social level. Death connects readers with a storyline and incites emotions depending on the readers’ experiences. It is an experience that all readers can identify with, so why not.

Another reason why death is so common in stories is that it is cathartic, for writers and readers alike. While authors would not kill or consider killing or even enjoy the death of someone they dislike, killing a character is legal and cathartic. “Don’t make me mad, or I’ll write a story about you and throw you off a cliff!” may not be a common verbal announcement from writers, but we surely do think it! Death is cathartic for readers a well, as they can witness something hidden, something secret, something mysterious that happens to others, and because it happens to others, they can release their feelings and emotions in a more positive way.

One more reason (though there are many) is that killing characters is fun. There, I said it. It can be fun to find different ways to kill a character and explore ways that other characters will react. While it can reflect real life, it can also be outrageous.

All of the reasons for death, murder, and killing characters coalesce. Death is a relatable subject that evokes emotion and can be refreshing to read about someone else’s demise.