Trying to understand here. Are you wanting to know how to handle a death so that the reader cares, or are you wanting to know how to create a character the reader cares about, or both?

I hate when characters are so flat you just KNOW they are going to die.

YES! And this happens way too often with the MC's parents. They are there, say a few loving words, give some good advice, and then die. And we don't care. I want to care!

I don't know how to write adults well at all. When I really think about it, I can't name a book where I cared when the parents died. . . .

One effect I long for in all my stories is to make the reader care every time anyone dies. I want my reader to feel a twinge of guilt, or at least go, "Aw, man."

Not only that, but I want my readers to feel a moment of disbelief, and then grief, right along with the character when someone near to them dies. (Yeah, I know. Mean.)

Do you understand what I mean? Too often in a book, or a movie, a secondary character is introduced. Someone important and dear to the main character. For example, the character's father. But something about the way the character talks, or acts, lets you know that this character is likely to be killed off. You are not going to care much when he dies. The character is already dead to you. You only care about the MC.

Hehe! Now here is something that I use in my fantasy books that can transfer to Sci-Fi!!!

For some people, minor characters are totally expendable. They mean nothing, have no purpose, the only reason they are brought into existence is to show the readers the danger the main character is in, or some other reason that supports the MC.

However, in my study of the value and sanctity of life, I decided that, in a way, this was wrong. Not only wrong, but it doesn’t really add emotional impact for the reader. It’s fluff.

BUT!!!!! I’ve found that if you give value to the life, and play off your readers emotional connection to the minor character (sorry Beta Readers, I like toying with your emotions), you drive the point home. Create a real, tangible character, make your reader care and see them as valuable, and then shock them by killing him. You accomplish so much more.

Here’s an example of what I mean.

Example 1: A man is walking down a dark street. A monster jumps out and eats him.

Vrs

Example 2: James is strolling down the street, headed to the nearest convenience store because his pregnant wife is craving some pickles and ice cream. He is thinking about what names they should choose for their new little boy who is on the way when a monster jumps out and kills him.

Okay, so the examples were silly, but you get the point, right? The act is more horrible in example 2 because we know and like James. It’s different, and I as the author have given value to James’ life.

I use this in my novels. I thought I’d share it with ya’ll.