Author John Dufresne includes as on one of his Ten Commandments of Fiction Writing: Make every death count. A fictional death is important to the story and either drives the plot or contributes to character development. In addition to making every death count, it's vital to make every death authentic.
Instructions
1. Make the choice carefully, when selecting who will die in the story. Project the impact of the death on the various characters as well as on the plot itself. Be sure that the death is significant.
2. Research the various ways in which a character can die. Find out how a bullet kills, how a car crash is fatal or why some disease is terminal. Understand the nature of fatal injury as well as illness.
3. Go for realism. Use anatomy and physiology references. Get familiar with medical and drug terminology, jargon and acronyms. Know the proper names and uses for medical equipment.
4. Be familiar with weapons and ballistics. Research the type and location of bullet wounds that are likely to kill. Match the degree of injury with the appropriate firearm.
5. Know how poisons and overdoses work. Research not only the impact to the body, but availability of the substance, dosing, administration and toxicology.
6. Resist the temptation to conclude a scene with the dying person "going towards the light" or having "his life pass before him." Be aware of point of view when writing about fictional death.
7. Ask a physician, nurse or medical professional to vet death scenes, especially those that take place in a hospital. Appreciate the fact that most movie and television deaths are not realistic and as such are not dependable resources.
