So basically I'm writing this book about the events leading up to a school… attack…
The attack happens on graduation night. 19 people are shot, 7 die. One of those people is an 8 year old child who attended the main character's graduation and was struck in the neck with a bullet, and the main character sees it happen. This child was the main character's little sister.
Not gonna lie, this book is about gun control and the unsafe lockdown procedures used in schools that are under attack, and how it can affect the lives of people involved in situations like these. I want the readers to be attached to the characters so that when they die, it hurts.
I'm very conflicted because this story is difficult to write. The ending is extremely painful and I'm not sure if it would be worth it to write this book or not.
I'd say it's worth writing. All experience is good experience so why not see how it turns out. I think you'll be fine. :)
Yeah, I just don't want people thinking I'm writing something so extreme just to upset people…
Bump bc I need more than one opinion on this
If you think you can do it right, go for it. I think your intent is in the right place, and it sounds like an important story to be told in the context of today's society. It could upset people, but those who view that as your reason for writing are only taking it at a very shallow face value.
Just start writing, and if things seem to go well, stick with it!
Yeah, I just don't want people thinking I'm writing something so extreme just to upset people…
I'm going to echo what everyone else is saying and say that it's worth writing if you think you could pull it off. However, if you're worried about it being too much then maybe there's a way that you could tone it down just a little so that the story still carries the same message without it being so grim.
For example,
One of those people is an 8 year old child who attended the main character's graduation and was struck in the neck with a bullet, and the main character sees it happen.
I can kinda see where you're coming from in killing this character off but if you're worried about it being too much maybe she can be a few years older? Or maybe the main character doesn't see it happen? Just an example, but hopefully you see what I mean.
I think it sounds really good Jensen!
I would say maybe, going off of what Starfast said, don't have the MC watch their sister die, it might even be more impactful that way, like if they're like 'oh only 6 have died' and then see their sister after idk I'd probably cry reading it.
it might even be more impactful that way,
I totally didn't think of it when I made my original post, but you could also make it a super sad moment by playing up the whole "I never got to say goodbye" thing.
I think though that if your MC is really close with their sister then there's a lot of ways to make it really emotional, regardless of how or when she dies.
Or maybe they fight with the sister prior to the story about something really minor, like will she get the MC's room when they go to college and they don't hug and make up before the ceremony.
This is absolutely something worth writing. I'd love to hear more of what you're planning. If you intend to truly shock the readers, you're going to have to cancel out any discomforts you have for a moment and be very real with what you're writing. For more effect, try leading the reader to a sense of complacency for long enough to catch them off guard. Write something that makes you smile. You'd be surprised how easy it is to so suddenly rob someone of a smile.
.jpg)
