Writing Dead Characters

[deird_lj]

In this post on gabrielleabelle's LJ, I was intrigued by this snippet of conversation:

angearia - "See, I'm happy that he's back. I want Spike alive (undead) and out there causing havoc as a bad, rude man."

gabrielleabelle - "Ah, but that's what fanfic is for! I have no doubt that if Spike's arc had ended (in canon) with Chosen, fanfic writers would still be writing happy, fluffy post-series Spuffy stories. We're just creative like that. :)"


Which I found interesting, because I wouldn't be nearly as likely to write post-series Spike fic if he'd stayed dead. I just wouldn't see it the same way.

So, I have made a mini poll, to see what others think...



[Poll #1513832]


Questions? Comments?

Comments

[next_to_normal]

This. The major factor for me is "does it make for a good story?" If it's just about "well, I like that character," then write an AU or a fic set while they were still alive. I don't want to read a fic that just resurrects people willy-nilly. But if you can make the death and resurrection matter, then sure, tell that story. (That doesn't mean the resurrection has to be the whole story, but there should be a good reason the character needed to be resurrected.)