Comments on: Writing Minor Characters That Matter

By: acflory

acflory — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 23:27:02 +0000

I love secondary characters! lol Sometimes I love them too much and they refuse to exit when requested. Totally agree with all the points you raise too. Even if these characters only have a bit part, they have to have well rounded personalities so the author can pick and choose /which/ traits to show the Reader. 🙂

By: deleyna

deleyna — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 18:39:22 +0000

Secondary characters can really make a world come to life. Mine have a tendency to make me want to write their stories as well!

By: James Preston

James Preston — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 19:46:22 +0000

Excellent post, Ellen! Yeah, minor characters are more important than you might think, and these are all good tips. I especially like "Give them a reason for being." Reaching way back for an example, look at Fess Parker in the 1950's sf classic, "Them." He's the pilot who was buzzed by the queen ant. He's not just a walk-on, he's a character with a personality and a history. Thanks for cool essay.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 14:16:06 +0000

In reply to Jerold H. Tabbott. Hi Jerold, Beautifully stated. Your 'Prelude" series sounds interesting!

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 14:14:19 +0000

In reply to Denise. Hi Denise, That's a great point! The best friend often helps move the plot along.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 14:13:04 +0000

In reply to Jenny Hansen. Hi Jenny, I understand what you mean! Sometimes the secondary characters have lots of personality and really come on strong.

By: Jerold H. Tabbott

Jerold H. Tabbott — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 03:46:29 +0000

I can’t imagine completing my stories without the help of my many minor characters. Some are key to progressing the plot, so get a few scenes. But some are ‘one scene wonders’ who help denote the passage of time or reflect effects of my protagonists upon the world-at-large, thereby also showing the progression of the plot.

Particularly in this second novel of my ‘Prelude’ series, the scientific and political impact of my protanists’ actions are world changing, as they are trying to bring about a delicate alliance between nations. Therefore, if world support falters, my protagonists could fail. So, it is these small side portrayals which help measure the pulse and foreshadow the risks they face.

They also underscore one of my basic themes-the world if a complex place and we are all the Master’s of its fate.

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 02:49:55 +0000

The best friend is always a great secondary character because they know the main character so well, they can provide information.

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 23:35:21 +0000

In reply to Pamela Gibson. She sounds marvelous, Pamela!

By: Pamela Gibson

Pamela Gibson — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:47:30 +0000

I have a secondary character in my six-novel Love in Wine Country series. It's the grandmother to the protagonists (three females who are cousins to three males) and she makes an appearance in each book. Wild and unpredictable, she is the glue that holds the family together and is a point of connection to the rest of the series in each book.