For the last month or so I have been plotting my second novel and I have struggled a little in one particular area. Let me explain. My antagonist is a professional killer hired to kill an amnesic victim. I reached his first kill and suddenly it hit me. Just how would he kill? Now, I unashamedly admit to having an over zealous imagination in the killing department. Because of this, I needed to strip bare my ideas, go back to the beginning, and list the basic ways one could kill a person.
So my list began.
Shooting
Stabbing
Strangulation
Poisoning
Torture
Asphyxiation
Explosives/Bombing
Snapping Necks
Bludgeon to the head
A Wand – well it worked for Harry Potter.
All of these are killing techniques we have seen a thousand times in various movies such as Die Hard, Scream, Basic Instinct, Friday the 13th ……I could go on and on. However, each of the above, when applied to a certain character, would be executed in a different way. For example, Die Hard’s John McClain would perform a magnificent display of acrobatics while catapulting his vest top covered torso through the air to shoot his enemies. Whereas in Fatal Attraction it takes Anne Archer just one determined shot to kill Glenn Close. Another example is stabbings. In Basic Instinct, Sharon Stone seduced her victim before unleashing a frenzied attack by way of an ice pick. However, Romancing the Stone (can you see a Michael Douglas pattern forming here?), sees Kathleen Turner merely flicking the knife at her antagonist who, unfortunately, blocks it with a plank of wood.
So, which would my professional killer use? And how would he carry it out?
Well, firstly, what kind of professional killer was he? I did not want a character like Richard Kuklinski, who froze his victims to disguise their time of death and even filmed victims being eaten alive. So, after watching timothy Olyphant in HITMAN once or twice (oh alright, maybe it was a lot more), I decided my hitman would be military trained and disciplined in planning his attacks. Explosives, sniper shootings and the odd hand to hand combat would suffice nicely. The places he choose to kill, however, are another blog.
Now it’s your turn. Can you think of a similar outcome where two characters use the same tools but apply different methods?
It’s eerie that I just watched three episodes of Dexter and am now reading this post. Hmmm…
LikeLike
I missed the first couple of episodes of Dexter, so held off watching it. A writer friend of mine keep badgering me to watch it so I do plan on getting the DVD box sets.
LikeLike
I like the wand.
I’m thinking you could tie someone up and force them to listen to mariachi music, the kind with the accordions, and stare at Kandinsky paintings until they want to slit their own wrists with their fingernails to escape the madness.
Great blog, Donna. I love your writing and your voice. All the best, mate!
LikeLike
LOL, oh Piper, you never fail to make me laugh 😀 ……..I wonder which Kandinsky painting would work best?
LikeLike
Had to giggle at the wand comment!
Like Piper’s idea – modify slightly by alternating between Hammond organ music, Barry Manilow and the sound of nails on a blackboard!
Promise to come back with something better later Donna !
Davidx
LikeLike
NO! I love Barry Manilow. I’ve seen him in concert a couple of times (even in Vegas)…….and my hubby liked it too!
LikeLike
You like Barry Manilow!…damn my respect for you took a knock when I read that!…kidding really ;-P
LikeLike
LOL, Barry is one cool dude 😀 I love Barry Manilow!
LikeLike
David — you are seriously twisted! I love it!
LikeLike
Thank you Jenni, I do my best!
LikeLike
Asphyxiation – Pillows, drowning, gassing, plastic bags over the head, water boarding, holding face in mud. The possibilities are endless.
You may want to friend Bob Mayer at Who Dares Wins Publishing. Green Beret. I know your from Essex Police HQ, but if the killer is US military he might be able to give you some tips.
Great post. This is the first time I’ve read your blog and enjoyed it. Sick minds make the best writiers!!! 🙂
Kerry
LikeLike
Hi Kerry and thanks so much for your comments. I hadn’t even thought of Bob Mayer, but then again, I had a friend email me on Saturday after reading my blog. He had a go at me for not contacting him…..he’s ex-CIA. I am a bubble-head, I know 😀
Glad you enjoyed the post, though.
LikeLike
OK, I can’t resist a killer, ever. Some day I’ll have to tell you about my female serial killer…death by body part. But I have a question for you. Is your killer a “Dexter” type, meaning a serial killer with methods that can’t be broken? Or is he a hired hitman? This goes to character. Dexter has to do certain things in order to get satisfaction out of the kill. Does a hired hitman? The first episode of The Shield Vic Mackey shoots another cop in the face. That is cold and says a lot about Vic Mackey and what kind of man/killer he is.
LikeLike
I would love to hear about you female serial killer. I can’t resist a killer, either. I think professional killers are less scary and more predictable. It’s the mask wearing psychopaths that turn my blood cold. Not seeing a person’s face is just about the worst thing, ever. I have to admit, I’ve never seen Dexter. I know, I deserve to be strung up, tarred and feathered, but from what you describe, he is not like my character. My character kills because a) he’s good at it, and b) it pays well. An ex-CIA friend of mine has helped with this alot since I wrote this post. A professional killer will adapt his kills to the given situation, and their aim is nothing other than executing the kill as quickly and cleanly as possible. So, knowing this, I would deduce there really isn’t any method to their kills other than not being caught. Does that make “professional killers”, or my hitman a serial killer? I would have to say, No. Would you label a professional killer a serial killer?
LikeLike
I think the definition for a serial killer is 3 kills with a cooling off period. A professional hitman is paid to kill. The motivation might be different. The need different. I would imagine that both are some kind of sociopath, but I’m no expert in any of this, just fascinated by killers.
LikeLike
Ok here is one I am writing into a screenplay…
Someone (deservedly I might add) is despatched with a blow to the head before being seperated into 6 parts – head, torso, legs and arms; then into a barrel which is filled with concrete.
Once set – transported on to a boat and out into the Thames estuary before being sent overboard away from the shipping lanes/fishing so avoiding accidental dredging up – also carefull to stay well clear of the Richard Montgomery!
I would go further out with it personally but shall be sticking to the Thames as its in the writing now.
The idea came from someone telling me about making a mooring for their boat!
Slightly different twist to propping up flyovers too 😉
LikeLike
[…] comment on this thread, click here. designed by elegant themes // /* (function($) { $.fn.et_shortcodes_switcher = […]
LikeLike