Lesson 6

[Deb Johnson]

Deb’s Character Death Track

What I learned… The horror genre is unique in that it has a ‘death track’ where no character is sacred and anyone could die for any reason… as long as it serves the story and delivers on my concept in a compelling way.

Character Death 1: Tornado / Young Man

Why: He is the opening of the story and the first victim – denies the typewriter has power

How: sucked away into the tornado

Last words: “None of this is real.”

Character Death 2: Tornado survivor, Young Lady

Why: She is the harbinger of danger

How: She succumbs to a serious injury from the collapsed building.

Last words “Don’t go in there, don’t go anywhere near it. It’s a trap, you’ll all die.”

Character Death 3: Tunney

Why: He’s the most obtuse and carefree – thinks it’s all a big joke. After his death, some will take the typewriter more seriously – but others will think it’s just a coincidence.

How: A bungee jumping disaster

Last words: His catchphrase: “Chaos calls!”

Character Death 4: Aaron

Why: In uncovering the mystery, the monster wants to keep the others in the dark. Aaron has the answer and wants to share the truth, but is silenced.

How: Tunnel collapses on him.

Last Words: Who turned out the light?

Character Death 5: Cassie

Why: Cassie has been misleading her blogging audience by sensationalizing untrue stories about the mystery typewriter. Her exaggerations make her a ton of money.

How: She’s hit by an armored car

Last words: I’ll be there in a sec (even though she’s nowhere close to being “there.” She’s agitated and lying and realizes at the last second what she’s just uttered)

Character Death 6: Ella

Why: Ella is a bully who has caused a lot of pain to others – she seems innocent, but she’s sewed to the wind and is about to reap the whirlwind

How: She’s lured into the woods by a boy she’s wronged, and he kills her.

Last words: It wasn’t me!

Character Death 7: Mama Lee

Why: Mama Lee never defended her children from her husband’s abuse. She refuses to admit her culpability.

How: Lured into her house she hallucinates the abuse… flying objects come down on her. Then the house collapses. (It was severely damaged in the tornado – so it was only a matter of time)

Last words: How dare you!

Character Death 8: Isa

Why: Isa admits her Sin – but not fully. She doesn’t take responsibility for her actions – she blames others.

How: She gets up the ire of a man who is looting a store and he shoots her

Last words: I didn’t do it on purpose.

Note: Gabe is with her and the man asks him if he’s got any last words. Gabe says, “Actually, I do, but I’m not going to say them now.” The man takes off.