Life, Death, and Fiction

Jan 14, 2016

I’ve been having fits with the current book I’m writing. I’m over 500 pages in, over 200,000 words, and usually by this point in a book I’m writing as fast as I can, just to keep up with myself, but not this time. I’ll get a productive day, and then the next day it’s like all my momentum is gone. It’s like throwing a punch at the heavy bag without rotating your hips. You’re still going through the motions, but you’re leaving most of your energy somewhere else. Today I figured out what was wrong, someone is going to die.
I’m a writer of mysteries, police thrillers, with relationship growth and a huge dose of the supernatural thrown in, so there are usually dead bodies and a villain to stop. I like my fiction neater than real life, so the good guys usually triumph and the bad guys get punished, sometimes they get punished to death, which works for me in fiction. Like I said, it’s neater and more black and white than real life, at least in some areas. I try to make my vampires, zombies, and ghouls as realistic as possible, so there are also huge gray areas where my characters struggle with moral dilemmas and balancing work and relationships. Crime busting can be very hard on couples, or threesomes, or fourples, or any family arrangement.
I love my world and my characters, so why is this book dragging its heels? Because I have a character on stage that is in the hospital. I know what’s wrong with him, and I’d planned on saving him, but . . . I realize now that it may not work. He had another close call a couple of books back, though anyone reading the book wouldn’t have realized it because the moment in the climatic fight scene where he might have died didn’t make it into the final draft. When push came to shove, I couldn’t do it.  
I’ve had this problem before where I’d planned on killing off a character, but we realize that I, and my main characters, would miss him. The most famous example of this to me and my fans is that I planned to kill Jean-Claude off at the end of the third book in the Anita Blake series. That’s right, the sexiest vampire on the planet, and now king of them in the United States in my world, though I didn’t see that one coming either, was supposed to die at the end of The Circus of the Damned. But when the moment came, I couldn’t do it. Anita and I would have missed him. I wanted him dead because he was taking over my series and stirring it in directions I hadn’t planned on, but I let him live. I was right on him taking my series to places I hadn’t planned on, or wanted to go. He was a very strong character with very definite Ideas about what should happen, and when, and with whom. It would be a very different series if Jean-Claude had died so early, and maybe I wouldn’t be writing the twenty-fifth book featuring him and Anita. Who knows what would have changed if I’d followed my original plan; so I’ve had this happen before, but never twice to the same character.
I knew he was slated to die at the end of a novel, and I flinched. He’s a good guy, we like him, what harm is it that he’s still alive? Well, he’s changing the game on me, not as profoundly as Jean-Claude did, but he is impacting my plans for the other characters and the world in general. If I leave this character alive, will it have as profound an effect on my series as Jean-Claude’s survival did? If so . . .do I want that? Or do I want to stay with my own over-arching plot line for the series? How much freedom do I give my characters? How much do I play god? He’s destined to die, should he get a reprieve?
I find myself regretting every time I kill a character off. I miss them. I miss writing them. I miss what the rest of their story might have been. It’s not even just major characters that I miss, even the minor-major ones, make me think, “If only . . .” I hate regrets, and unlike real life I have so many chances to undo it. I could write the death scene and then get up tomorrow and rewrite it so that he makes it. It’s one of my favorite things about writing fiction, I can always fix the mistakes tomorrow. In real life there aren’t take-backs, or do-overs, at least not for death. That’s about as final as we get in real life.
I’m going to break for lunch, but when I come back I have to decide. Does this character live, or die? Do we lose him forever? Or do we save him a second time? It’s bugging me a lot that this is the second time he’s come up on the chopping block. It must mean something to my subconscious that this same character keeps almost dying. Does it mean I’m uncomfortable with him? I was with Jean-Claude back in the day. Does it mean I don’t know what to do with him on paper? That he’s getting in the way of other characters that are staying? Maybe, maybe not? I don’t know, I really don’t. All I know for certain is that when I get back from a late lunch it’ll be go-time, and he will either live, or die.  

135 thoughts on “Life, Death, and Fiction”

  1. The best part about writing is that death doesn’t have to be permanent xx You can always bring him back if you miss him ?

    2. I completely agree. I hate killing my characters so much that I never kill them off without a way to bring them back to life or to the story. As a writer, I vow never to kill a character off. Perhaps I will maim them terribly just to put them out of commission if they are really doing horrible things, but even the maimed ones have a means to regain their firmness.

  2. Your talent amazes me. I love all of the characters. I cry when they live …and I cry when they die. I guess the biggest question would be how will this characters death impact Anita and what spin will it put on her life. Just know that to us, your fans and Anita’s, love every twist and turn you throw at us. If we had our way NO character would die because we love them. But in Anita’s world that is an impossibility. Write on…

    1. This is an amazing sentiment and I couldn’t have stated my feelings as a reader any better than you have Laura. Bravo!

  3. Oh, boy. As a faithful reader, I do hate it when a favorite character meets their end. And a lot of people will scream and threaten the author. This was me, in private, when I read Dumbledore’s fate in the Harry Potter series. But I saw that it had to happen for Harry to move on. I think whatever decision you come to, it will be important for the characters effected. Good luck, Ms. Hamilton. I will enjoy seeing what happens next!

  4. You’re supposed to miss them when they’re gone. That means they’re real.

    Sometimes, it’s time. Would letting that character live improve the story? Would letting that character die? Or the next story? Or would it negatively impact the next story?

    Or is it just time?

    2. True. I think Asher could go with no problem!! I love the Anita Blake series, and would really hate to see any of the main characters go, but I honestly would not miss Asher at all!!

      1. And here Asher has always n wen one of the characters who keeps drawing me back.

      1. Though Asher had has been a butt, he is one of the main relationship problems in this story. Even this recent bout of stupidity he made with the hyenas. I can honestly say Asher dieing would force big change. Though how would it go?

        I my self have been going through a similar phase with my own writing. Ms. Laural’s salution might be the right turn for mine.

        Keep writing, Ms. Laural, we’ll all be waiting eagerly for the book’s completion.

      2. Exactly! He was once one of, if not THE favorite of mine.
        Now he’s such a big whiney, selfish, loose cannon, that I can’t stand him.
        He’s entirely too high maintenance for my tastes.
        CHOP!!! “OFF with his head!!!”

    4. During the scene with Asher and Kane after Anita beat Kane down, I pictured her pulling two guns and emptying the clips into Asher and Kane, them telling J-C that when they healed they better be at least 1000 miles away with no return ticket and if she ever saw them again she would end them.
      Was very disappointed it didn’t happen…

    5. Maybe its time for Richard to come back strong into the story line. Asher is my choice. He has been such an annoyance. Can’t wait for the next book.

  6. Even if it’s Richard (especially if it’s Richard!) I vote for the death. Unless a scene writes itself that just that click of being right and undoes the death, this sounds like something that’s the right path if it keeps coming back to you. Also, have you thought of writing the death scene out of order? If the writing of teh parts between remain a slog it could be a sign your subconscious wants them alive too…

    1. Don’t forget about the first triumvirate. We don’t know how one’s death would effect the other two. Yes they are uber powerful now, but still.

      1. So Richard’s munin (is that the right word?) empowers a better character so they can take his place and tell interesting stories instead of the same one since his first scene with Anita…

        1. Could you imagine Richard’s and Raina’s munin inside Anita’s head?

          Anita needs Richard to dominate her. He is the only one besides Asher, but she doesn’t trust Asher like she use to.

          1. Holy cow what a thought. …when Richard almost died from the tiger. ..i was relieved because he was causing so much grief. Now I’m not sure if I would be relieved, I think so. Give anita his munin!

      4. I just want to put this up about Richard. I really really hope that it’s not him because he has a lot going for him and I would like to point them out just in case people forgot or hadn’t noticed them. First off he is finally showing his potential. Like I’d love to see this new version of Richard I only got to see a split second of in “Bullet” I don’t know about you but that Richard was HOT and I liked it AND he has this “love” adeur that blew Belle Morte herself speechless! I don’t know about you but that’s some wicked awesome stuff right there. So he’s not useless…well not anymore anyway. I know it’s not him it can’t be there is so much blossoming his that’s occurring to just end it so no he can not die…I’m a just go on and say it I love him and he is not the one she is talking about, no. She does have too many lovers and someone has to go thought just not him. Oh yeah and Second, Richard is too powerful now like he totally shifted se one back into their animal form as they were falling from the sky. I think him and anita have all but one mark left, like they are too connected to just kill one of them now. I feel like there is more to say but I’ll let it be. But I love Richard and I can’t do it, won’t do it anymore if he dies may Fandom of the anita blake book dies with him… I so serious right now like I’m crying inside right now just thinking and writing this.

    2. OMG I totally agree they must stay they’re like anita and Jean-Claude: you can’t kill them…oh and Nathaniel too

  8. I write, I am not published and I dont intend to be. Its a hobby and a sense of escape for me and mine alone. But I noticed that when I have to kill off a character, its hard. Its very hard. And there have been times ive twisted it and made them not die, or made them come back in fantastical ways. Epic adventures, false alarms that sort of thing. I was thinking of you the other day, and how after the one human died in Circus of the Damned (im sorry, I forget his name its been a long while since I read it) but I remembered him, and remembered how you had said you promised yourself never to kill off a character you loved. The problem is, the good guys don’t always win. And when they do, they lose that realizim and that part of them that can make a more indepth personality. Loss is a foul thing, but its also a thing that opens us up to become stronger, more driven. Or to see things in ourselves we never could before. I always want to win, but sometimes when my characters that I write for get put through the wringer, it helps me. And helps my grieving process. And as I said, the other day I was thinking of you. As much as I hate to admit this, in my most humble opinion I think your books would only get better if someone we loved died (God i hate saying that. I like all your good guys so much) But seeing the developement and butterfly affect would be amazing.

      1. Phillip was killed in Guilty Pleasures. Circus was the book where Anita met Richard and thought he was human. He reminded Anita of Phillip.

        She would have to be careful to “visit” with the victim, depending on how the person was killed.

  9. It’s a super tough decision…. You’ll have plots no mater which way it will end with this person.. It worked out with Jean- Claude even though YOU wanted to off him… Maybe it’s a good idea to follow the same path… This character of yours is fighting again and maybe there’s a reason for it…. Good luck!

  10. As a “life-long” fan, I am as torn as you sound like you are. But I find that even with the demise of peripheral characters close to our triumvirate, I ‘feel’ the loss. I sometimes think that I should step away from the series and take a break but I cannot because the writing is to a level that transcends time and space and allows for a reprieve from all that we deal with on a daily basis. It is the best way to bring sanity to an otherwise, insane world.

    1. Tracy, I couldn’t sympathize or agree with you more. Whatever you decide, Laurell, I know you will have beaten all options to death (no pun intended) and will be resolute once you make the final call. Whatever you choose, Tracy, I, and many other loyal fans will grieve or rejoice with you, once we are allowed into the next chapter of your world!!! Bravo, dear Laurell….you are one in a million and we all love you for it! Please, don’t ever stop sharing your trials & tribulations with us, either. It keeps YOU real to us, as well!!

  14. Write him out and see how it affects the story. You can always put him back if it bothers you. Real life is like that though. People die and we never know where they could have went or what they would have done. Thanks for sharing your creative angst with us. It’s interesting.

  15. I wish the world of Anita Blake was one long steady stream of consciousness and the next book was always finished and ready as soon as I complete one. I’m always on the edge of my seat in anticipation of her next adventure, and this little “does he live or die?” conundrum is not helping one bit! Who?! When?! Why?! LOL I can’t handle it! Aaaaaahhhh!!!!
    Thank you for bring this amazingly dark, sexy, twisted, and addicting world to me!!

  16. My heart is pounding in with fear and excitement. Your characters are So beautifully diverse and compelling that losing one will hurt but the chance to see what this would do to the other charachters. That’s something I find exciting. It would be great to kept any of your characters around, so I’m not exactly saying take ’em out . I find that death in a series to be great for revealing sides in a character that writers don’t get the chance to. Whatever you choice, know we will be here waiting and anticipating.

  17. I love your books, especially the Anita books. Losing nag or keeping a major character could have a huge impact in n the following books. I am sure I am not the first but I would like to put in my two cents and say that I would love me to see more of Rafael and the rats. I know wererats are not as sexy as lions or leopards but the seem to have been less present in recent books than earlier ones. Either way I look forward to your next Anita book!

  18. I vote for killing the character. Overall, Anita really hasn’t had to deal with too much personal loss considering her profession and role in her community. There’s only two men in Anita’s life that I hope you don’t kill: Jean-Claude (of course) and Edward.
    I’ve been reading the Anita Blake series since I was 16 y/o and I LOVE the series…BUT for a while now I’ve felt like she has too many lovers. So, if you kill one off it will change the dynamics of her harem, and I’m all for that…

  19. Maybe you could try putting him on a…sort of…”vacation” for a little while. Write the next book as if he were dead and if it feels wrong then add him back in. If it feels right…well…then I suppose it’s time for him to die.

    1. I had the same Idea while I was reading the post. I came back to read the comments. I think that can be a good way to determine if it is time for that type of thing to happen.

  20. I can’t even imagine the emotional turmoil an author goes through having to make these types of decisions. Whatever you choose, it will be an amazing story, as it always is. Maybe let the character guide you. Maybe it is time for him to go.

    xOxO

  21. Oh dear this scares me. As much as I would love for you to be 500 pages into another book for Merry, I don’t want you to be killing off another one of her men. The last one to die broke a little piece of my heart for her.

  22. If the main character you might kill off is in the hospital, then it would have to be one who is human or were-animal. Therefore, it would not be a vampire. Shame that, as I would not miss Asher at all. Humans like Edward or Zebrowski allow for an outside storyline or plot that doesn’t involve page after page after page of Anita’s sexual exploits, so I would really hate to have either of them die. Using the Coalition for the were-animals, Micah would be a good direction to go for storylines. I would miss Micah as he is a stabilizer for Anita. Killing Richard might kill Anita and/or Jon-Claude so it is better to leave him be. I will be waiting to read your next book to see how things turn out. I am glad you didn’t kill off the Rat-King in the last book.

  23. Well Anita is a necromancer so she could actually say her goodbyes and or visit again to help her heal I think? Or maybe not. I just dont know. I would not want anyone to die except Richard in his whiny baby days I could have taken that then….

  24. I’ve read all of your books. Every one. Loving each character is the way that you make them real to us all. The impact of death or life after a near death draws us ever closer to each other as it is intended. Anita is strong and will survive even in the face of losing someone she loves. We all do. Will it change us, or you and the future you see as you write? Definitely. But write as you will and we will read on. Your characters, like your writing, is loved! Good or bad, changes are coming!!!

  25. I know that I fell in love with your books and writing with the first book I bought. I know that when there is a death in Anita’s loves she evoles in some way. It makes her stronger and more powerful. This is a good thing for her. Do what needs to be done. Anita can always bring them back if she wants to for a time.

  26. I am an fan of your series and am re-reading them from start to finish. I happen to be in the middle of Circus of the Damned at this time. It is sad to let someone go, real or fiction, but sometimes you have to simply let nature run its course. It may mean someone is going to die. We will be sad. The characters may be heartbroken and that someone will be greatly missed, but it could be a character-building (changing) moment that will shift the story of the world you created in a new, unseen direction. If the thought of the unknown doesn’t scare you, then I’m sure everything will be fine. Anita Blake always comes through in the end. Another thought is that perhaps this character who is up on the chopping block for the second time needs to take an indefinite vacation, either voluntarily or thought to be dead? That way he is not truly dead and can come back at a later time? I don’t know what is happening in your mind at this moment, but I have faith that everything will be okay in the end….just don’t let it be Jean-Claude. He’s always been a personal fave for me and I love how he has steered everything thus far. Wish you all the best!

  27. You point this out and it is an experience I have dealt with before writing my own characters. It has been my experience that they will continue coming up to the chopping block whether you save them or not. Yes, you will miss them but if this one is back after you saved him, he will likely be there again after a while.

    It sucks but as you describe the situation with your writing, it does seem like your subconscious is trying to tell you something. Write the death scene. Make it real. You write phenomenal stories and I have no doubt you will know if it is right even if every other voice in your head is screaming to save them.

    Sometimes the right decision feels like it is so wrong.

  28. Wow, you nearly killed off Jean- Claude in book 3, thank goodness you didn’t, he’s my favourite, please don’t ever

    Wow, you nearly killed off Jean-Claude in book 3, thank goodness you didn’t, he’s my very favourite, please don’t ever *Begs*
    Obviously you can’t say who you’re considering ‘offing’, the only main character that I’d cheerfully lose is Richard – sorry big guy.
    Keep up the good work Ms L, I love you for it

    1. I agree about Richard. The way his character keeps defaulting into the same pigheaded jerk has always had me wondering if he’s still alive because of sentiment and not story value…

  29. The best part of the universe(s) you create is there is always a chance they won’t stay dead forever. But if this character is meant to go, let them go. It is just as detrimental to us as fans for a character to outlive their welcome as it is for us as readers to let go. They become a sticking point.

    For example, a series that I adore changed an entire book and plot and direction because fans revolted. That book? So many complaints from those same readers. The series since has been a choppy alternate to what should have been an amazing comeback.

    Moral of the story, you can’t make everyone happy. You can’t keep ’em all. Especially where Anita (and Merry) are concerned. Good luck and God speed with whatever direction you take! We will be here, waiting, salivating for the next morsel we are fortunate enough to sneak from your plate.

  30. Now you have me scared. I love so many of your characters. There are some that I love more then others and some that I only like. Some that I’ve loved have faded and gone into the like pile and other have moved from the like to the love. Either way you look at it, if you kill him, whoever he may be, I bet we’ll miss him.

  31. I trust in your writing to do what is right for the story and the series. I just hope the character in jeopardy isn’t Nathaniel, Micha, Jason or Nicky. If it is Asher, I won’t even cry.

  32. It depends on the character as there are certain ones that it would be very awful for beloved fans to lose and miss and never hear from again while others ,though loved and enjoyed might not be as crushing to lose. I love Nathaniel,Damein,Micah,Jason, Jean Claude. I miss Richard but he hasn’t been a big part,I liked Asher but lost affection with him acting badly. Those for me are the main characters come to mind the most.

  33. With Anita’s world, death is a matter of HOW one dies. True death is cutting off the head, removing the heart, cremation, and scattering ashes over separate bodies of water… but there is coming back as a vampire, zombie, ghoul, or other kind of haint– we’ve seen them in the writings thus far and who knows what other new creepie critters can be un-Earthed by imagination and research into the super-natural lore of the world. The many faiths of the world all have their bogeys

  34. I have read all your books and I’m not going to lie I’m emotionally attached to all your characters… I don’t want any of them to die but that’s just me being selfish… I also know with life comes death and any thing is possible so the sky is the limit but whatever you do please keep Anita alive oh and we the fans would love to see more of Edward in your books we have missed him… I am aware your writing an Anita story now but I do hope you write more books about our farie princess and her little ones who in my mind are growing fast and I’m sure are going to be embarking on there own adventures soon..

  35. I’m not a fan of Asher, but I’m surprised I’m not alone! Problem is if Asher dies we wouldn’t have anything to bitch about. Plus he adds conflict to a lot of stories due to his jealousy.

  36. Not Edward not Edward please!!!! I love him more than anyone! Asher I’m ok with losing honestly i would punch him in the face, repeatedly. But I totally can’t wait to read, love Anita and her world

    1. OMG noooo not Edward I sooo can’t stand it………..I hope not…Anita….will be broken if that happens

      1. It just occurred to me Edward wanted Anita along on a European hunt with him and his son, who fits the scant details for being the one already supposed to die once…

  37. Everyone is expendable but Nathaniel. Nathaniel must live. He is the heart of Anita’s world, and the only times we see her being completely vulnerable and gentle is in response to Nathaniel. Don’t do it!!! She needs him to keep her “human”.

  38. pull the stake out later on.
    someone found the coffin an its all broken up, so they take a bag of the soil to resurrect later on.
    someone discovers the body it turns to stone looking like they are 20 years younger.

  39. Harry Potter author JK said that the fans were right and Hermine should not have ended up with Ron: “I wrote the Hermione/Ron relationship as a form of wish fulfillment,” Rowling tells Watson for the latest issue of Wonderland, a UK magazine the actress guest edited this month. (Excerpts of the interview were just published in the UK Sunday Times.) “That’s how it was conceived, really. For reasons that have very little to do with literature and far more to do with me clinging to the plot as I first imagined it, Hermione ended up with Ron.” dont let this be you. Do what you have to do and let the pieces fall where they may.

  40. wow how exciting always glad to hear about your characters and as I have followed for a long time and I remember you stating before that JC was scheduled to die but I am so glad you did not kill our Beautiful Vampire…(Ahhh My Love)…Hurry and finish I want to read more…and I am in the middle of a complete re-read..which I haven done in a few year s… usually only go back 1-or 2 books before a new one comes out but i am now at “The Harlequin’ so now I have to think about a character that might have died at the end of a book……my imagination…..I have one I wish was gone but it would really upset the ‘Apple Cart’ so to speak and it would take a lot to get over for everyone and it would cause real problems for Anita….so I guess we can’t get rid of him…Please hurry

  41. I think Anita and her group have become superheroes. They defeat everything. It gets monotonous. That being said I look forward to your future novels hopefully full of more grit.

  43. I think it is so humbling, mind blowing and amazing that you allow us to see inside your mind, behind the writing process and Anita’s world. No one makes me feel as close to characters as you do. And I can only imagine the turmoil you’re going through, deciding their fate. Jean-Claude holds a special place for me too, which makes it fun/bittersweet to think, “what if?” for him as well. All of us support you either way and trust your decision! Anita and us will still love you either way.

    @tropicalbasenji

  46. Did you ever have to make up your mind
    Pick up on one and leave the other behind
    It’s not often easy and not often kind
    Did you ever have to make up your mind

    Did you ever have to finally decide
    Say yes to one and let the other one ride
    There’s so many changes and tears you must hide
    Did you ever have to finally decide

    ~The Lovin’ Spoonful

  47. I don’t know which character you plan to kill off and I know it will be hard to do it, you have brought quite a few to close to death. If you killed off Asher, well he is a major pain and hasn’t developed into much but a bigger pain. I don’t know if the story will still work if you kill off Jean Claude, if you had done it at the end of Circus of the Damned we wouldn’t have developed such an attachment to him and the story would have gone in a totally different direction as that would have meant someone else would have won. Maybe Richard wouldn’t have become the totally despicable character he has become. Not sure about Micah you’ve brought him close but not over the threshold nor Nathaniel, he has also been very close. Don’t think killing Edward off would work very well, though his character has become very strange. Not so sure about Zebrowski either.
    That all being said the ultimate decision will have to be yours, as hard as it may be to do, if it helps develop the story line and bring it back into the mystery part of the series I’m on your side. I would truly like to see you go back to this stuff happened and this who did it and now let’s go get them more than the side directions you keep taking the characters.

  48. I am on the edge of my seat so to speak… I found myself thinking “NOOOOO!”… she is talking about having a writing block because she can’t decide if one of the (I think semi-main) characters will die or not in her upcoming book… I found myself trying to think who is she talking about… who… and if they die… oh damn… who? I actually cried a little when Aries died… and HOW he died… I mean come on… ex-military sniper, great guy, cool character who taught Anita how to make a “sniper shot” to begin with… and then she has to kill him using the way HE taught her… cuz he was possessed by that vampire… omg… it chocked me up after… BUT then I was tickled and happy when Haven aka “Cookie Monster” got his brains blown out by Anita… Who could it be… I think it is a Semi-main character, based on what she says in this post… and that in mind… thinking about the semi-main chars… I HOPE and PRAY it is NOT Edward.. man I love their relationship! I want to see how much more this one progresses… I think if it was Narcissus I would secretly cheer… even if it caused Anita’s world to turn upside down, and put way to much power in dumbass Asher (we all love & hate I am sure) hands… I just found myself looking over the long list of characters I found on the Wiki for this series… and thinking hmm… who could it be… ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Anita_Blake:_Vampire_Hunter_characters )

    ON a side note… I DO understand that sometimes characters have to die in order for a story to continue… and even the death of a loved character can be a good thing in a story line… so I for one will be waiting, will be reading… and weep or cheer, I will deal with it LOL. I also understand regret when one dies… I really have that with Aries.. he impacted me in that way… regretting how he was killed, and that we don’t get to read about him growing, or becoming more active in the story line and etc…

  49. I hope it’s Richard. I’ve hated his character almost from the start. He’s weak and annoying. I love all the rest. I love your series. I just wish that you would put much less sex into it and more story like you did in the beginning. Truthfully if I didn’t like the characters so well I would have given up on the series a long time ago when it started to be more about the sex then about the story. But I’ve stayed just for the characters and just skip over the endless pages of sex.

  50. The scene could be set where, off “camera,” the character could either be changed into a vampire (if he isn’t already one) or he could die, giving you the opportunity to put off the decision.

  52. Honestly, I like it when a writer is willing to kill characters, even characters I really love. It means that I go into every battle on the edge of my seat, because I never know what’s going to happen. If a writer promises not to kill characters, particularly in a series like this, where there’s a lot of violence, I start to get annoyed, because it lowers the stakes. What’s the point of a series that focuses on murder and risk if the real consequences never happen? Not only does it start to seem unrealistic after a while (with some of the bad guys Anita comes up against, it starts to seem completely bogus that there haven’t been more deaths, actually). It all undermines the tension and I stop worrying about what’s going to happen next.
    Plus, the reactions to death that other characters have can shake up a stale situation. A lot of the time, relationships can get stagnant in long series, and losing a character can really remind the remaining characters of what’s at stake and it can force them to confront ideas and plot points that they’ve been avoiding.
    So even though it hurts, I’m all for killing off characters. Just like with real life, loss makes life more meaningful. It makes for better stories.

  53. I’m hoping it’s not Jason, I love that wolf. I would hope killing off part of any of the three triumvirates would cause a tremendous nightmare, and you would want to drag it out. I’ve barely recovered from Sholto, so I’m hoping it’s someone like Asher, I’ll miss him, but not like some others!

  54. Considering how territorial that world is it shocks me that more characters don’t bite the bullet.Maybe you should start clearing the board a bit.

  55. I hope it will develop in a double fatality event,a death combo with Richard and Asher as the main protagonists!
    I love Anita she’s smart,ruthless and hot as hell… But everytime richard and asher are involved, she become a weak-minded victim,powerless to their abuse.

  56. I have this problem, (What do I do?) I shut myself off. I grab on to that character, I turn on music that just makes them loud in my head, I breathe, silence my own voice, watch my character in my mind’s eye and then when the song comes to the crescendo, the character, the story, the ebb and flow usually reveals a path. I like having control over my world, when I make a character I take a facet of myself and turn it into a character. A supercharged version of my traits. So they tend to be loud, and get away from me. Sometimes I get in my own way and I need to drop all the extra noise, from others and myself, and let the solution find itself. I know that wherever you go with it I’m reading it. I started reading Anita Blake in Highschool of all places, (they didn’t check it for content) and you have a voracious, lifelong fan. You even read something I wrote in a signing in St. Louis when I was a junior in highschool XD, my friend had it on a laptop. I was in Iowa at the time and about blacked out when he told me. You do what you do and I will read it, you haven’t taken me on a bad ride yet.

  58. Well, I have just recently finished the 24th book in the series. It was a personal goal to read them all in 2015. I can certainly understand the need to kill off a few characters. Heck reading it I wanted to kill off a few. I think that the beauty in theses books is that while you have a clear good vs bad, black vs white line drawn you always do the unexpected. I definitely didn’t fore see the path of Anita Blake has taken this far. So if you have to kill off someone to clear the path for new adventures and new relationships or just simply character growth I won’t hold it against you. Hurry up already I am excited to read how this all works out. Good Luck

  59. I’m a huge fan of your books but I feel like there are too many characters so I hope you will kill this character. Just don’t kill Edward or someone else who has no interest in sleeping with Anita. I mean we need some people in this story who are romanticly involved with Anita. Still you are the writer so the choice is yours and I’m sure you will do the right thing if you don’t let you be paralized by fear! Je crois en vous!

  60. As long as you keep Edward, Nathaniel & Jean-Claude, the rest have not helped her grow and become the great woman she has as much as these three. Good luck, we love your world & you no matter who you choose.

  61. Oh man as i was reading this i found myself crying and yelling out NO!! I have a bad feeling its going to be asher, she wouldnt kill richard hes stil connected to all of them…..right????? ?

  62. I understand this feeling of missing the characters. I recently purchased a signed copy of The First Death for a friend and myself. When opening the book it felt like seeing old friends. We often discuss the books and characters as if they are living breathing people….

  63. My lists:
    KILL-LIST: Micah (his lying/secret doings have attracted a huge amount of future gov digging, gov-or-bad-guy killers, jealous lovers to St. Louis that we haven’t even seen the tip of the iceburg), Nathanial (he could’ve morphed into Jared Leto/hipster/Renaissance-man with military-grade domestic skills, but instead morphed into too-feminized territory), Asher/Narcissus/Jade-whiny-cows, anybody else that lied about Micah’s doings. Jason/Lady-cop-stalking-Nathanial/Crispin/Domino/Bernardo/Veronica Simms/Richard’s family-nice though stagnant, good cannon-fodder.

    DON’T-KILL-LIST: Nicky (awesome–want to see him raising 2 Anita/Nicky girls in 4H horse classes, and go beyond talk in making choices about his Bride-state/independence), Jean-Claude (but I’d love to see him rebooted in a manly/dirty/sweaty/riding-horses way where they might have to live “rustic” for months (hiding out somewhere super-rural, or sent to another time by baddies), Richard/Dolf/Olaf/Jacob Leon–just because they need to suffer more in fiasco-ish humiliations (which could happen off-Anita’s-radar in novelettes) & I hope Olaf gets “bride”-ed and humiliated for a few years before he earns any redemption (ala Fido movie). Dolf especially should not just slide back into normal-relations with Anita after his bullying without some insane comeuppances and evidence of growth. Richard needs to learn the very hard-way the white-picket fence will destroy him (mentally or literally) before he earns his way back to the fold. Wicked/Truth/Rafael/Sin/Ethan: neglected, yet very noble and deserving, would love to see more of them. Edward/Olaf/Bernardo: need to see that ardeur scenario or just be teased with it some more. Edward: love being teased by his possibilities, sooner or later, he’s going to get in a situation where he has to be turned by the good guys, or turned by the bad guys.

    1. PS. would love to see more of Thomas-the-zombie, as in “WTF-he keeps coming back?” and what weirdness is going on?, and I keep having to kill him! ..And it gets ridiculous…until she decides to stop.

  64. Tl kept reading all the comments, I think that if you do kill off in this book, leave a ? Then if you decide to bring them back, let the story run on…. maybe he was brought back after being pronounced dead and only one or two of her closest know. They keep the secret from her for they weren’t sure if they would live and if so any brain damage. Maybe a longtime coma. This way you could bring them back at any time you want.

  66. Fellow readers, you should realize that the ones we most want to keep are the ones most likely to be on the chopping block. Because nobody would miss Asher, he will remain as a damned irritant creating conflict. Hamilton said it’s someone stopping the storyline from going other places. But she’s torn because it’s someone Important. TBH the only character I would miss is Jean-Claude – he was the one who drew her into this world, of learning to see supernaturals as Real People, not animals that should be put down. Her Interest in Richard was founded on wanting to escape the crazy – to get away from the supernaturals. Lying to herself, in a way. And it turned out he was just lying to himself and thus lying to her; nobody who despises himself can love someone else. Jean-Claude has his hidden Machiavellian plots, but he has always admired Anita, accepting the parts of herself that she struggles against. He regards her, cherishes her.
    Anita may love Nathaniel and Micah, but they have never appealed to me. I haven’t yet read the latest two books, but the two of them have been just teddy bears (or penguins.) They are HER comfort, not mine.
    Edward – well, none of us want Edward to go, per these posts. But he’s not part of a mystical “trio.” So he’s open season. The only person hurt would be Anita. But otoh, I can’t see how he’d be blocking future plots.
    Jason is adorable and I’d cry for him.
    Anyways, Ms. Laurell, we’re with you. We’ll bitch and moan and cry, but you are right, it’s fatal for an author to cater to the vocal fans. Telling a great story is the important thing, and that’s your job, and what keeps us coming back.

  67. I have to say, having been a fan of all of your published works for well over a decade, I’ve watched characters die and near miss and been heart sore along with the characters. I have also watched these huge emotional journeys unfold into something intense, comforting, frustrating and completely glorious to behold. I believe killing off a character is a form of soul searching. That when it becomes time, questions beat against our skulls and the walls of our hearts and the answers we find drive the decision which boils down to ‘are we ready to let go?’ With that said, I will say this, regardless of the outcome I am a fan for life. Your inner battles help me see and fight my own more clearly. Thanks to you always for that gift.

  69. OMG PLEASE KILL HIM/HER!!! I know that sounds extremely unsympathetic, for that I am truly sorry… I’m almost as ashamed as I read what I’m saying. BUT from countless books that I have read from great Hamilton Series (all of Anita and Merry)… wait for it…. NEVER AM I MEAN NEVER has a MAIN person gone to that point of death and then there was the follow through. I mean funeral that might be pointless for merry, but shed do it anyways. Just because that’s what everyone else wanted and shell hate that even more. I want to feel that with her. Death is a part of life, and for the living I SO WANT to go through that emotional ride with Merry or Anita’s Family and grieve. I thought it would happen with several characters. Most Important for me was Nathaniel in Narcissus in chains, I was telling myself “SHE GOING TO KILL HIM NOOOOO… that’s why Micah came in the picture. CRAP!!! But I was pulled back from the edge. Awesome!!! but now my girls have like butt loads of relationships (and they were loaners) and everyone is SPECIAL!!! I need a LARGE important REALLY significant person dead… It’s time, and I hate it, and I will be on my own roller coaster of emotions about it. But isn’t that one of my reasons for reading a series about someone that is literally surrounded by death?!?!? LOVE the whole Family!!! readers, Hamilton, and all involved.

  70. It doesn’t matter what you decide. I know you will make the right decision. I am just starting out and have already killed off a character in my first book. He is not the point of the story though he is just a segway into the heart of the matter. You just have to ask yourself how will it impact Anita which is the point of the story. I became a fan when my sister in law gave me Narcissus in Chains. A fan was born! It is still to this day my favorite book. In the genre. I strive to write my books in the wonder and complexity that is Narcissus and Chains. I recently had the same problem with my main character taking me to places I never thought she would. Yes, she is a female there are not enough female main character’s in the world like the Bad Ass Anita Blake. So thank you for that and whatever you decide all of your fans I am sure will understand. I know I will.

  71. Leave him alive. And if it’s Olaf, let him become another Bride of Anita 😀 he so deserves it.
    From what you wrote it can’t be Kane. Which is a shame, we could do without Kane.
    All other characters are either too cool to be killed, or they are not cool enough for us to deal with all the sadness and guilt they would leave in Anita. And PLEASE DO NOT KILL ASHER. Please please please. We need more sex scenes with Asher, not less.
    We also need some scenes with Jean Claude, Devil, Anita and Nathaniel.

  72. If it’s Richard, go ahead! Lol but pls not Jason or Nathaniel or Micah or even syn who I’ve grown found of…but Richard, he can go, bye Richard ?

  73. It sounds like Jason as I’m betting Jason was supposed to die in Blood Noir and didn’t. I like Jason. If you have to kill someone off let it be Richard (Jean-Claude and Anita would survive) or Asher. Asher is such a cry baby whiner.

    1. I couldn’t agree more! Just kill Richard or/and Asher because they just have been a pain in the ass for too long now

  74. Damien has played a pivotal role in Anita’s powers throughout the series, but not so much in her life. His death would be missed, but not overall suprising. Replacing him with Asher, however, would be disastrous.

  75. For the love of god please say its not Olaf… Am I the only one who really likes this creepy-ass serial killer guy?

    You can easily go with killing Micah or Nathaniel. It always boggled my mind why there was two of them in the first place – they are absolutely identical and both can be easily replaced with penquins 🙂

  76. I agree with a lot of the fans that say let it be Richard. We haven’t heard a lot from him in recent books and he is always screwing up. Jason could step in as the third in Anita’s and Jean Claude’s triumvirate.

  77. Close Calls
    Affliction- zombie apocalypse : woods and basement and morgue no one even hurt except Aries only minor character
    Blood Noir- Jason; also his father suddenly loves him? Maybe if he’d died…
    Obsidian Butterfly- Edward, Anita
    Hit List- Olaf, Nicky, Lisandro, Bernardo: Harlequin killed no one?
    Bullet- Claudia, Nathaniel, Richard
    Flirt- Nicky could have gone with Silas and his Rex could have the bride
    Burnt Offerings- Jean Claude, Raphael, Sophie, Malcolm
    Lunatic Café- Jason x2
    The Harlequin- Jean Claude, Richard, Peter, Anita
    Skin Game- Requiem
    Bloody Bones- Jean Claude
    Circus of the Damned- Jean claude, Richard
    Cerulean Sins- Asher
    Blue Moon- Nathaniel, Damien, Asher, Jason, Jamil, Charlotte Zeeman; wow
    Kiss the Dead- Nickie
    Danse Macabre- Anita, Requiem
    The Killing dance- Richard, Jean Claude, Anita
    Dead Ice- Domino
    Micah- Anita
    Narcissus in Chains- Anita, Gregory, Micah, Cheri, Clauda

  78. DON’T YOU EVEN DARE LAY A FINGER ON MY PRECIOUS RAFAEL!!!!!!! I LOVE HIM!!!!!!! HE’S MY HUBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. RAFAEL IS AWESOME! RAFAEL ROCKS! DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM! I’M GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF IF YOU KILL HIM OFF! HE’S MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!

  79. As long as it isn’t Olaf or Nicky or Nathaniel or Jean-Claude I could lose the others. Even Micah. It would be interesting. Olaf seriously needs to make a come-back. If Asher dies Olaf would be a perfect top once she makes him her Lion to Call. Or was he a werehyena? Regardless, the others could use a trim. Too many irons in the fire muddy the plot for me. But if one has to die could you please bring Olaf back… love that psycho.

  80. Please don’t kill Edward. Edward is Anita’s conscience. He is a link to her humanity. If you kill him off you close off Anita’s ability to go hunting. All that is left is either metaphysical or sexual. And honestly I prefer to have my sex and whoo whoo like salt on top of the dish of cop and hunter. Not the other way around. You have delved into the history of all the lovers that matter. What remains is what Anita is at the core. She is a cop, a necromancer, and a hunter. She isn’t a fluffbunny sex hopper. Don’t take away the stability that is Edward and don’t close off that part of her. There has been no RPIT for a long time and frankly I don’t like it. I stick with it just because Edward pops in and sooner or later she gets to blow some crap up.

  81. First I wanted to thank you for your books. The evolution has been fascinating, and I’ve understood the ‘why’s’ of every twist and turn. I will admit to not being caught up to date. Your releases are a mite hard on the budget – so I tend to wait until the price drops a bit. I guess every indulgence has its price (so to speak). 🙂 I do enjoy reading your blog entries, though. You are remarkably forthright with your readers. That kind of honesty makes your books thought provoking; but I guess it’s just part and parcel of who you are.

    I haven’t commented before now, so please forgive my two cents: I understand your dilemma. Characters have their own lives. As a writer myself, I know how they fight back if taken off roads you’d intended them to travel. I’ve often thrown outlines out the window when pulled in unexpected directions. Still (and here’s the two cents part), I am hoping the character facing demise is not Edward. I look forward to his inclusion. Though I have many favorites, ‘Obsidian Butterfly’ ranks number one. Edward emerges fully blown and fascinating. So I do hope he’s not teetering on the edge of existence.

    Anyway – thanks for Anita and her colorful menagerie. I wish you well in the coming year.

  82. You are a great writer. I love your books especially Anita Blake’s series. Who ever dies will be missed. So looking forward to reading it. I finally received the comic book. Thank you so much for helping me on ordering it. Y’all have a Blessed Day.

  83. Whatever you decide, it’ll be awesome, and ultimately you are the one who will be dealing with the results. Personally I’ve never liked ultimatums- “I’m not reading this/ watching this” etc. if (insert author/ etc) “does that!” I’ve read Anita and Merry from book 1 all the way through, and there is always something when poor Anita does something new. “Rape!” Everyone screamed that over the shower scene with Micah- “too much sex!” was another. Actually, that one was said A LOT. Then there was Richard. I think there was a minor flap over the weretigers- “how many men is she going to *bleep*?” personally Anita is bar none my favorite character, this author is my favorite, and this series is my favorite. The ultimate triumvirate. When Ares died that truly sucked, yet it was such a powerful scene, so emotional- it added something. I am not going to armchair quarterback, I am not a writer, but I’ll leave you with my favorite word- faith. I’ve got faith that whatever happens, to whoever, it’ll be pertinent, powerful, and leave me wanting the next book just as bad. Here’s to 12 years (+), and fingers crossed for 12 more!

  84. So, Anita goes to Ireland to rescue Damian. Edward is involved. Do you ever think there will be overlap between the two series? Anita is a necromancer and Rhys is a death god, sort of. It would be interesting to see how they interacted.

  85. I’ve been reading this series a long time. I would rather you have the character move off than kill them off. That way you could always bring them back later. But it is your world, and I’ll support whatever you do with it because I love reading it that much! I know it can’t be easy to kill on of your own.

  86. I keep thinking about how Micah was originally going to be a traitor in NiC and you couldn’t do it. I have enjoyed his character especially now that he and Nathanial have a thing, but I always felt he got in the way of developing Richard. However, he’s never been in the hospital. Who has been: Nathanial, Stephen (not main character enough), Nicky had his heart stop once, Raphael, Cynric, Jason, Peter (Edward’s stepson), Bernardo but I don’t think he was near death, Domino…. anyway something to think about. I think a great twist would be for Asher to go to another territory, become a rival master with Jean-Claude, he’s petty enough to do it too. I like Asher, I guess I get him, besides he’s so hot. I agree Richard needs to grow up in his character, but he was only twenty five or so when he took on the triumvirate, some men just take longer to mature.
    Anita is a bit like Captain Kirk, she hasn’t really faced the death of someone she really loved as an adult, maybe she should.
    I can’t believe you would even consider killing Jean-Claude, he’s the back bone of these books, the lover vampire, the bad boy we all want to love. I would have probably quit reading your series if you you had. In fact I wish you’d put some of his bad boy back.
    At any rate, there are too damn many lovers and you need to weed them out. Kill them, send them to other kisses or territories, like you did with Requiem, do something, ployamoury is one thing and it’s fun to read about but this is just ridiculous. One has to keep margin notes to keep track of everyone.

  87. At first I thought it would be Nathaniel and my heart sank. My heart stopped when I read Jean-Claude. How can the show go on if they don’t get married? Aren’t they the good guys? Where is Jean-Claude’s happy ever after? He’s been through so much with Julianna and Asher that I just feel he deserves to at least get married. Oh please not Jean-Claude. Or Nicky. Or Bobby Lee. Please keep those characters. I am also in love with the Wicked Truth and I want to see more of them.

  88. Dear Ms L , thank you first for being gracious enough to allow your fans to understand where you are coming from as a writer who has a life outside the one in her own head , I fell in love with your books a long time ago , often I read what you write and honestly apply some aspects of it into my own daily life , I know it’s fiction but some one very special told me that when a person writes no matter what the writing it is in a way a extension of a piece of themselves, anita has progresses through so much and faced so much not only commingled to grips with what makes her happy but honestly she allows me to feel that as a women a strong female lead you have opened up a door a real life door for some of us to come to grips with our own. Lives I do not wish for you to read this reply and thino of me being a crazy stalker fan , but you give your characters a depth where a strong female lead can do some very bad things but it does cost her she loves fiercly she also picks at what she was raised with and how it impacts her every day life , this makes her to me relatable where even after she has had a he’ll of a ride in your books the people she loves she has in a way stopped poking at a good thing , those of us by real life circumstances relate that at the end of the day it’s good to be happy and love I wish sometines you would maybe write about how she would feel if her mother’s soul contacted her by a way of telling her she was loved, a message perhaps just for anita and those closest to her would maybe even a witness to , but never the less your writing has given women the ability in so many ways that a woman can be fierce, a bad ass, be ruthless , and yet when she chooses to just be herself all of herself the good and bad the moral and ethics of the soul , that when she really rests she keeps ahold of the penguins and you have shown us the readers that it’s OK to be hated for who you really are then ever become falsely loved for who you are not

  89. Please don’t let it be Jason Edward or Nathaniel anyone else would be a tragedy but I could live with it.

  90. I think it is going to be Z, I remember reading the part at dinner when he ordered a salad and thinking that it was so put of his character that he was going to die soon. It even felt like his replacement was being introduced at the same time that she was forshadowing his death.

  91. I seriously might die ? if Nicky or Edward die. I actually like what Olaf does to the story line if only Anita can flirt with him he might not be such a problem for her. When I found this series I wouldn’t stop reading until I finished every book and GN Anita is my all time favorite character, I was wondering though if she will ever get tiger powers like Crispin that would be so cool not to mention really really really useful. There are so many books in this series but it still feels like only the beginning.I AM DYING FOR THE NEXT BOOK

  92. Although I love all the characters, including Edward, I think he’s lived out his usefulness. The whole song and dance about him becoming a better man and wanting to settle down changes him from the cold-hearted mercenary we all love. I think Edward should have died when she killed Marmee Noir, but it was nice that he survived. I think after one last adventure, something Anita does should probably contribute to his death, therefore upsetting the balance of her life. Edward is such a huge deal to Anita and it would completely mess her up inside, especially with how insecure she would feel without his reassuring presence in her life. With Edward out of the picture, it will force her to grow up and begin to lean on her men for support, much more than she ever has before. Her adventures with Edward have always excited me, but he’s human. Regardless of her wishes, everyone knows that Edward would NEVER want to into any type of supernatural being. We already know he has zilch in the magic department, other than his gut feelings and natural instinct. He could come back as a ghost of some kind that Anita can call on from time to time. I know everyone will be broken up from his loss, but his time in Anita’s life is over.

  93. I am looking forward to reading your latest book. I hope you have left the principle characters that make up her “family”. I am especially fond of Nathaniel, for he has grown so much into being a young man of substance, and an anchor in Anita’s life. I am sad when authors feel they must kill off important characters, but I understand that sometimes it is a must, just to keep the future story moving forward. God bless you LKH and may your talent keep flowing.

    1. You can not kill off Anita Circle of Powers, Richard is their wolf to call and that will hurt their circle of power. Daimen is Anita Vam to call that would hurt her. You can not kill off Nate or Micah because that her emotional power base. Edward believe it or not keep her human/grounded. She is still afraid of becoming a worst monster than Edward and he is human. I really think it could be one of her lovers. Nicky would be my guest or Jason who she really consider a good friend who get her. If you kill off Micah then she might as well take the fourth mark and become more than Jean-Claude, Because if that ever happen then Anita will kill him because she will have not choice. She more than human now, if she became a vam, wow we talking another whole series. Isn’t that was why they would kill people like Anita in the old days because they would get so powerful. Crazy I know just a wild thought

  95. I agree Asher needs to go. But how will that change Anita and Jean-Claude relationship. I may be vindictive and bloodthirsty for saying this but why in Monica still living. There’s Nathaniel kid right there it not like there not raising him already.

  96. Ohhh, please Anita, don’t kill off one of the guys. I have come to love them all so much, with all their heart and flaws. Even Asher and Richard are golden deep down. Why let them be so immortal and supernatural if someone can destroy them. I love all the Anita Blake boys, and don’t want to grieve for any of them. I still have never gotten over poor tragic damaged Philip with his heart of gold. Grieving for beloved characters is to close to real life and I love reading your work , both with Anita and Merry to see the good guys triumph. I was absolutely devastated to loose Frost and just loved you brought him back…. Please consider hard about not letting a beloved character die. There,s always growth for them. Thank you.

  97. awww if you kill asher I wont feel bad but if its Nathaniel or Richard id feel terrible I love them very much and Micah.
    I am super excited to see where you take the series next and what new powers or vampire marks make the difference.

  98. I missed Haven when he was killed in Bullet. I know he tried to kill Nathaniel but I liked him. I kept re-reading the scene hoping for a change. I understand that he had to die but I still loved the character.

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