I don't know if this is just me, but this is the way my plotting and writing mind set has evolved over the years.

At first:
Me: I'll never kill my fictional characters, that's too cruel! My poor babies!

A little later:
Me: Well, maybe I can fake a few deaths to move the plot along.

A little later:
Me: Maybe a few can die. It's unrealistic if they don't.

Even later:
Me: Just a few more. It's sad, but it has to happen due to the plot.

Even later:
Me: Well, actually I could probably kill a lot more characters. I'm not going to, though. It's cruel. I'll just kill a the normal amount.

Now:
Me: LOL, YOU LIKE THIS CHARACTER? DEAD. THIS ONE? DEAD. THEY'RE ALL DEAD. MUAHAHAHA! *cries while evilly laughing*