The Art of Character Development and Demise: Crafting Powerful Narratives When I Know—Well, They Just Ain’t Gonna Make It

As a writer, one of the most delicate—and thrilling—parts of storytelling is crafting a character’s arc. Whether they’re the hero, the sidekick, or the morally complex figure in between, every character has their own journey, their own story to tell. But here’s the thing: sometimes, deep down, I know from the start that they just ain’t gonna make it.

It’s a hard truth to admit. As a writer, I get attached to my characters. I invest in them, breathe life into them, and watch them grow, struggle, and change. But there are moments when the story takes a darker turn, and the inevitable becomes clear. Some characters are destined for tragedy, not triumph. And honestly? While ankle-deep in writing the second book of the Parable Saga Series (name to be revealed at a later date), I have learned that that's okay.

The key is that their journey matters. Even if they meet a tragic end, their development—who they were, what they stood for, and what they sacrificed—becomes an integral part of the narrative. It's not just about the destination; it’s about the path that leads them there. These characters aren’t just plot devices for a dramatic ending—they are complex, real people (well, in the fictional sense), and their growth, struggles, and flaws are what make their demise impactful.

In dark fantasy and beyond, character demise is not always a failure, but a fulfillment. It’s a hard, emotional choice that underscores the themes of the story. A character might not survive the war, the monster, or the betrayal, but what they experience—and the lessons they leave behind—have lasting consequences. Their death, their end, matters just as much as their life ever did.

The challenge, then, is making sure that their arc is compelling and meaningful from start to finish. If I know they won’t make it, I have to make sure that their story is rich enough to justify that outcome. Their impact on the world, on other characters, and on the reader needs to resonate long after the final page. Sometimes, it’s their flaws—perhaps the very thing that leads to their demise—that makes them so relatable, and in turn, so unforgettable.

In those moments when the reader begins to understand that this character won’t survive, their narrative truly becomes poignant. Because as much as I may have known from the outset that they weren’t going to make it, I also know that in the world of storytelling, every character—no matter how brief their time—is important. Their demise isn’t just the end; it’s part of the larger, more meaningful story that unfolds.

Character development and demise are inextricably linked. It’s not about creating perfect heroes or inevitable villains, but about shaping individuals whose arcs are honest, compelling, and true to the narrative. Sometimes, the most powerful stories are those that end in loss, but those endings are only meaningful because of the depth of the character who met them.

So, yes—I might know from the beginning that they’re not going to make it, but that’s what makes their journey all the more meaningful. And isn’t that what storytelling is all about?