Many writers may be tempted to include a dramatic animal death in their novel to create tension and emotion. However, killing an animal in your story is not only cruel but also lazy writing. This article will explain why you should avoid including animal deaths (unless there is a specific purpose i.e John Wick) in their novels and suggest alternative ways to use animals in your writing.
Why Killing Animals in Your Novel is Problematic
While animal deaths may shock readers and create an emotional response, they do little to contribute to the plot or character development. It is not difficult to find animals used as symbols and metaphors in literature and therefore, you should strive to find original ways to incorporate animals into your stories rather than resorting to shock value.
Writers who are willing to kill animals in their stories may also be tempted to kill off characters for cheap emotional responses. However, such an approach does not make for good storytelling. Characters should only die if it is necessary for the story's development, not just for the sake of it.
Alternatives to Killing Animals in Your Novel
When using animals in your novel, it's important to give them agency and make them more than just a plot device. Instead, use them to enhance your story in a meaningful way. For example, an animal character can serve as a companion for a human character, as a guide through a new or dangerous environment, or as a symbol for a deeper theme or idea in your story.
From an Animals Point of View
Additionally, when writing from an animal's point of view, it's important to do your research and try to understand the animal's behaviour, habits, and instincts. It can be a great way to add depth and realism to your story, but it should be done with sensitivity and accuracy.
A book that does this really well is 'The Wildings' by Nilanjana Roy and I highly recommend you read it if you're contemplating a book from this point of view.
Conclusion
Writers should avoid killing animals in their novels as it is both cruel and lazy writing. Instead, they should find more creative and meaningful ways to incorporate animals into their stories while respecting and valuing them as living creatures. By doing so, writers can enhance the quality of their writing while contributing to a more humane and compassionate world.
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