Writing Stories about the Subject of Death

[ToxicRamen]

For one of my comics, I have a character who is a necromancer and I had some ideas for stories involving the subjects of death like murder or suicide. However I'm reluctant to write them because death is a pretty touchy subject and I'm afraid of offending somebody who probably has lost a loved one(Though I've also lost loved ones too) or takes the subject of suicide very seriously.

Has anyone ever encounter this kind of problem when writing stories about people dying and/or committing suicide? Or should I just play it safe and not write those kinds of stories?

[joannekwan]

Don't avoid the subject, just go for it, research where appropriate. Just put a disclaimer/warning at the beginning of your story and the series description that it will contain such material. I've seen it done before for plenty of series.

[lunaartemisasama]

When you talk about a Necromancer Fausto from Shaman King comes to my mind...
Also I love a webtoon About Death, it's really dramatic, but maybe it can give you ideas. It's not a fantasy one.

Regards!

[nixxusnibelheim]

Like Joannekwan said, don't avoid the subject because at the end, this is what you trully want to tell, this is you.
It's obviously more tricky if your story is deep rooted into the reality like in drama or thriller but since you mention "necromancer" people won't get offended as easily since it's purely fictionnal.
Do not play it safe because you will look at your work and you won't recognize yourself in it :/ I can tell you, this is not a good feeling.

I'm actually working on a lore involving people worshipping death, seeing light and beauty in darkness and death. I made this choice not because of the shock value because it would be shallow and pointless.
But because it helps me to convey what I want people to think or question like "Why are we so afraid to die ? Are we afraid of dying because of the pain or because we are afraid of the unknown, to step out of our comfort zone ? If it's only a matter of being confronted by a knowledge that goes beyond human capacity, should we stop being afraid of dying, stop looking for longevity and eternal youth instead taking what life has to offer to us ?..."

It doesn't mean I believe in everything I tell but it just a matter of pushing boundaries that isn't suppose to be there and this is the kind of story I would like to tell. So if it happens that people get offended...well...the job is done.
Just be true to yourself while being respectful.

[Hel]

My story deals with death a lot, too. You should be sensitive to it, but sensitive in the way you feel is right.

[AJRuby]

Death is one of the main theme in my story as well, becasue an important part of it deals with the transit of the human souls in the Underworld. Since I don't want it to get too depressing, I like to put a humoristic spin on it whenever appropriate. This might or might not work with the style you're going for though.

[Ara_Personica]

I think you'll be fine, since you're already sensitive to the fact that people may be a little weird about it. I think it's when you say "I know everything there is about death and everyone else is wrong!" that people tend to take huuuge offense to, because that's invalidating everyone else's experiences and practically inviting conflict.

Besides, death has been a subject of literature and art for EONS, and it's personal for everyone. Your experience is valid and deserves to be expressed. Maybe you'll reach someone who really needed to hear what you had to say one day.

[kyupol]

Go ahead write about em. Death and suicide have been themes in my comics. I had 2 of my characters experience death and get sucked down a dark void... The entrance to Hell... Something I've seen before...

There's always a crowd who likes that stuff. I've been previously suicidal and I don't find people writing about death and suicide to be offensive.

Freedom of speech! Use it while you can.

[TACOBERTO]

Honestly I don't think you should feel afraid to flesh out and write these ideas. Be safe and include a disclaimer (that really goes for any series that ventures in to sensitive subject material) but don't be afraid. Take a risk. Who knows, it might be a pleasant surprise and might even help those coping with death.

In my story I'll be dealing with a character that's suicidal but unfortunately also immortal. Things like this can be handled well if your audience is prepared for this kind of story if you're also willing to treat it with respect. Or don't if its from the perspective of a character who has a twisted view on death. In those cases I just frame it as the point of view of the character and not a reflection of myself

[ratique]

My comic is about a serial killer and it can be quite graphic. I was concerned as well, but have never run into issues.

To warn those who might have issues with the subject I added a disclaimer page to the beginning of my comic, which was received well by some who avoid murder, blood and gore:
https://tapastic.com/episode/120546

So I can recommend something like this.

[nolongerusetheforum]

Well if your character is necromancer, then obviously there will be death and corpse so you can't avoid that subject. Personally I have lost quite number of people in my life so I can told you that yeah, death can be a touchy subject for me but that's why if you are going to touch that subject, be good at it. Also, this might sounds offense I apologized before but since you know how it feels like to lose a loved one, you can use that to enhance your story.

'I no longer remember the date. I no longer remember anything from that day since I lose you. All I remember is the smell of the roses that they used on your coffin. Funny, how I used to love that flower because it's your favorite. Now even the sight of it makes me remember how pale you looks like, wearing that white gown. Why white? It's your least favorite colors. But I can't tell them about it. I can't say or do anything. Even now, your parents still refused to even look at me.'

I can tells you that the monologue above is completely fiction. But I put my own experience there so it will be more realistic to me.

So well, if you are going to touch a touchy subject, pull out all the stops, put disclaimer so people think they know what to expect and surprise them lol.

Edit : I know I am not that good a writer, English isn't my first language and I have heard so many people say my grammar and tense is horrible I don't even care anymore. So yeah, my example isn't that good, but I hope you got the points.