Comments on: Who Needs Secondary Characters?

By: Monday Mentions: Book Finishers, Frauditis, & “Schmuck Bait” | fallonbrownwrites

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:16:25 +0000

[…] just read this one today: Who Needs Secondary Characters by Laura Drake over at Writers in the Storm. I love secondary characters. Especially since so many […]

By: Robyn LaRue

Robyn LaRue — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 23:11:00 +0000

My secondary characters are usually embroiled in the sub plots. Love them. 🙂 For yours, she could have an old friend who knows everything about her and alludes to thinks in dialog, or she could be seeing a therapist, or she could meet a stranger in a coffee shop or something that she might see again. We have the strangest tendency to pour our hearts out to strangers. Would love to hear how you solved it. 🙂

By: Mahala Church

Mahala Church — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 17:36:17 +0000

Forwarded this info to my adult creative writing students. One of the clearest and most informative articles I've seen about secondary characters and how to use them to the best advantage in moving a story forward. Thanks.

By: debherbert2013

debherbert2013 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 15:56:23 +0000

In reply to Laura Drake. We sure do ! I'm sending Kate an email. :)

By: Shanda

Shanda — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 14:47:01 +0000

Great post. I love secondary characters! They can be untethered-ish funny and quirky without having to have arcs and such-- though if you pull that off, brilliant! I almost always want the next book to be about those secondary people who added color to the MC's world. A hook for me to buy your next book. For your WF WIP, I love some of the ideas others offered. I too thought that the MC should have a foil in another closed off character who will show her how not to be or vice versa. S/he, SC, could let the MC see just how she comes off to others and be that plot point for the character arc/growth. OR Could she have a "Save the Cat" moment where the "cat" is a kid who latches onto her and asks 20 questions and offers up childish insight that hits the MC's core fears, etc?

By: Sharla Lovelace

Sharla Lovelace — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 13:46:22 +0000

I didn't read all of the other comments so maybe someone already offered this.... but maybe a stranger? If she is closed off, sometimes it's a stranger in a diner, at a gas station, an elevator...etc. that can bring out a conversation. Talking to strangers is easier sometimes than to people who know you. Doesn't have to be a man or love interest, could be an old woman, someone wise and snarky and funny and tells her to get over herself. I love old smartassed characters, they breathe so much life into a story.

Just my two cents. 🙂 Good luck!

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:55:40 +0000

In reply to Kate Sparkes. Merfolk, Kate? Meet Deb Herbert. You two need to chat!

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:54:23 +0000

In reply to debherbert2013. Or wait! She's taking a bath in a lake, and meets one of your beautiful mermaids! Thanks, Deb... Hey, maybe this will give you ideas for your next book!

By: Laura Drake

Laura Drake — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:53:10 +0000

In reply to ellaquinnauthor. Thanks for that, Ella! We appreciate you!

By: Kate Sparkes

Kate Sparkes — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 22:43:21 +0000

Oh, secondary characters... I can't imagine loving a story that didn't have them! They add so much to the plot, and as you said, they're vital if readers are going to get to know the protagonist in a way that doesn't seem forced. I like the suggestions everyone has made for your own story, especially her being forced into a relationship with a secondary character and/or showing her personality through her observations of other people. Either would work without sacrificing your protagonist's independence. I adore my own secondary characters. They make me laugh, they break my heart, one of them is demanding a spin-off... you don't even want to get me started on them. My favourites are a pair of mer-folk, a brother and sister who know my MMC way back when and then come back into his life half-way through book one. Between the two of them they round out his back-story, add tension to the romantic sub-plot, force my MMC to confront his feelings about the FMC, move the plot forward and avert disaster, and their loyalty to their friends/family contrasts SO nicely with my main fellow's deceit/treachery and his complete misunderstanding of what love is... Sorry. Told you not to get me started. ;)