Writing Tips and Reviews

You Can't Kill The Main Protagonist

Watch me suckers.

Many people do this, then they revive the main character. I do this, once. In the revival section of this, usually there has to be a reason why they were revived and a reason why they died. Being special counts as a reason and I don't like it.

Writer's Choice:

It's a common thought that writers should never kill off the MC, they had development throughout the story, they learn about the world around them, they become a better or worse person, then the writer kills them. I want to say, that one: the writer does whatever they want and two: don't like it? I don't care.

Just because they're the protagonist doesn't mean they're a pure soul who's never done wrong and doesn't deserve to die. Everyone dies at some point, whether they can be brought back or not depends on what the writer wants. They do wrong just the same as the antagonist does good. Does the antagonist deserve to die? In many cases yes, but also no. Everyone to deserves to live and taking that life away is just cruel when they still have time. That said, this is why it gets so emotional when the MC dies. Whether they kill themselves or because of an outside source, the reader should feel the pain of the others. Now, bringing them back is nice, but takes away from "they died".

If it's done halfway through or anywhere besides the end, then most likely they're coming back. But I've seen where another protagonist takes their spot and/or they do come back, kind of...usually it's a zombie or a replica with their memories, you decide. Either way, if the MC dies, then that's the writer's choice and it connects with the story. Don't get all pissy because "you can't kill the MC". Let the writer do what they want.

Story Rules:

I'm brining this up again. If the story has a way to come back from the dead, then by all means bring them back. If it doesn't or the rules are specific, complicated, or "I don't want to", then don't. In my series, only those born with the power to revive are allowed to do so. Mainly Celeste, she was created by a being superior to the current universe's rulers so they let her do whatever. Then again they were also created by their superiors. A story for another day.

What I'm saying, is that follow the rules of your own story. If revival is not possible, you can stick to that, or add a feature which makes it possible and work around that. Have it still connect to the established information. There's always an exception to rules and if you want, you can make an exception to death itself. For me, Celeste can only do it once to a being, it limits her. So that's technically an exception with a limitation, which you can do if you want.

Why Were They Killed? And Why Are They Being Revived?:

That speaks for itself. Just make up a reason and roll with it. I don't care, I don't like the answer being "because they're special" unless there's more, but you know what? It's not my choice. All I have to say, is do it so it makes sense with the story, that's basically my advice for everything. If it makes sense, then go for it.

Immortal?:

Basically means they can't die. Do it wrong and it's "they're only immortal because I don't want anyone to hurt my OC". Immortality is a fickle thing. In my series, the immortal's bodies can be destroyed but they always come back. Turn them to dust and they'll reconstruct themselves and yes, getting your body ripped to shreds is still painful.

For this one, have a better reason than "I don't want anyone to hurt my OC" which isn't hard. Immortals still feel pain, so if they are immortal, perhaps focus on how they feel about it, I don't know and I don't care, I have like ten characters who are immortal. Out of several hundred.

Conclusion:

Well, you can do whatever you want with this. If someone doesn't like the fact you want the MC to die, then that's not their decision. You row your own boat and collaborators are generally there to tell you if you're about to hit a rock or where you can go. I'm doing it a few times and I don't care if people are pissy about it. Even if the MC doesn't deserve to die, well, so do all the real life people who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A character's death doesn't have to extravagant, it can literally be just shot in the head. What comes after is the important part, how do the others react? And what happens next?