by Jim
Hello all!
I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the last book and whether or not Qira will be back, and when I say back, I mean ressurected. This isn’t really a spoiler as I’ve said this in the past, she’s dead. She sacrificed herself for the world she loves, the one she wanted to build, and that’s that.
However, as I thought more about it, I’m starting to realize that these questions are indicative of a much larger issue in literature, specifically around fantasy… Disney, Marvel, DC, Netflix, and a huge swath of others have taken the finality and impactfulness out of death.
I remember when I was a child. We read Bridge to Terebithia in 5th grade. That was really the first time I experienced death of a character in a story in an impactful way. Yes, I’d experienced Bambi’s mom, Old Yeller, et al long before that, but this was the first time it was really unexpected and shocking. I remember that to this day, and I still remember how shocked I was. That’s the impact something like death SHOULD produce. It’s final, it’s tragic, and it’s life-altering to those who experience the loss.
Unfotunately, that sensation has been all but lost in our media. There is no permanency, no “perma-death”, nothing. This is nothing new. You can go back to Lord of the Rings, or even further, and Gandalf is brought back to life after his herioc sacrifice. Unfortunately, that has really become the norm.
Let me put it another way. What was THE most impactful story in comicbook history back in the 70s-80s? No doubt you can think of a couple, but for me… It’s the Phoenix Saga. Why? Because back then, the story ended with a passing of the torch. The original idea was that original X-Men characters would be aged out and replaced. It started with Marvel Girl sacrificing herself to save her friends and kill the Phoenix entity, and then Cyclops walking away. Storm took over leadership of the team, being a somewhat newer character, and Marvel Girl was to be replaced with Kitty Pryde. The New Mutants were slowly going to replace the existing X-Men team as they retired.
Then the mid-80s rolled around and all of that went out the window as the likes of Claremont and others handed the franchise over to arguably inferior storytellers. The damage was done, and since then, pretty much every single character that has ever been killed off has been brought back. There is no finality in any of it. Marvel Girl came back, Colossus’ sister came back, everyone has been ressurected, reborn, or brought over from another reality.
Sadly, that’s had a profound effect on today’s readers. Death doesn’t seem to faze them anymore because they know that a character can, and likely will, be brought back. It’s unfortunate, but it is the reality and I really hope that this eventually changes.
In any case, I’m absolutely thrilled that Qira has become such a beloved character, I truly am. However… I’m sorry, she’s gone, and she’s not coming back.
Thanks readers!
Catch you on the flipside.
Readers,
Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment or email me.
jimthewritingwizard@gmail.com
I’ll use those comments to select my next blog post.
I have been writing for several years, have multiple published works, experience with publishing and independent work, so I can hopefully be of assistance.
Please note, I only do one of these a day and will do my best to respond to everyone, but it may take some time.
Also, feel free to check out my works of Fantasy and Historical Fiction, Available on Amazon and where ever books are sold. See the link below:
http://www.amazon.com/James-Harrington/e/B00P7FBXTU
Thanks friends!
Catch you on the flip side!
-Jim
James Harringtons Creative Work 
Hi. I have not had the opportunity to read your books yet, but I truly loved what you wrote about your late character Qiri. She’s gone and gone is gone. I think many writers would, with pressure, bring back even a dead character. I truly admire your decision on this issue.
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