A story is often only as strong as its supporting cast. While protagonists understandably get the lion’s share of attention, secondary characters provide richness, complexity and surprises that can take your fiction to the next level. But how do you make sure secondary characters leave a lasting impression rather than fading into the background? Here are some tips for crafting secondary characters your readers won’t forget:
Give Them a Strong, Distinct Voice
A unique, identifiable voice is key to making any character pop. When secondary characters speak in your story, their dialogue should capture distinctive patterns of speech and vocabulary that are specific to that character. Maybe they use certain idioms, or have an unusual syntax. Their voice can reveal personality quirks, background, and attitude. Just take care that excessive quirkiness doesn’t make them seem like a caricature. The goal is signalling this is a real, singular person.
Let Their Actions Reveal Unexpected Depth
What your secondary characters do should hint at complex motivations and inner lives beyond their overt roles in the story. The school bully rescues an injured stray dog. The children’s nanny has a covert drinking problem. Build in small moments where secondary characters do something surprising that suggests hidden depth, elevating them beyond stereotypes.
Give Them Impactful Interactions with Main Characters
The relationships secondary characters have with protagonists offer opportunities to reveal their personalities and importance. How do they influence or clash with main characters? What unique chemistry do they have? Do they challenge protagonist’s views or provide key guidance? Compelling interactions with main characters helps integrate them into the overall narrative fabric.
Make Them Transform or Change Over Time
Just as with protagonists, clearly illustrating how secondary characters evolve makes them feel more real and nuanced. The closed-off loner slowly opens up and makes a friend. The reckless partier gains maturity after a tragedy. This character development ties into how their relationships with main characters shift. Subtle growth prevents secondary players from stagnating.
Establish Meaningful Backstory and Motivations
While you don’t need exhaustive origin stories, strategically sprinkling in relevant background details brings secondary characters to life. What past experiences motivate them? How does their history connect with the protagonists’ journeys? Even small anecdotes about their younger years can provide insightful context.
Give Them Imperfections That Endear Them to Readers
Flaws make characters relatable and intriguing. Secondary figures shouldn’t just serve utilitarian plot functions; a touch of humanity draws readers in. Maybe they’re pretentious snobs but have good intentions underneath. Or they come off harsh due to hidden insecurities. Quirks provide nuance.
Make Their Relationships Complex and Multi-layered
Secondary characters shouldn’t just have superficial ties to main characters. Draw out the subtleties. Former childhood friends can still harbour tensions. Exes may still care underneath the surface. Business rivals may share surprising common ground. Go beyond one-note dynamics to engage readers.
Let Them Occasionally Steal the Show
While you don’t want secondary players overshadowing the protagonists, they should get occasional moments to shine where readers see glimpses of being a main character themselves. Give the loyal sidekick some scenes free from comic relief where they reveal surprising gravitas and leadership. Build empathy by showing more of the antagonist’s justifications.
Give Them Memorable Names That Reinforce Their Roles
While naming supporting characters can seem trivial, the right names solidify personalities and roles in readers’ minds. The snobbish socialite with the upper-crust name. The eccentric professor with an esoteric moniker. Names carrying symbolic weight or distinctiveness stick in the brain, helping characters stand apart.
Show How Their Absence Would Disrupt Things
A good test of a secondary character’s importance is to imagine the story without them – would their removal fundamentally change things? If readers can envision how the equilibrium depends on their presence, it underscores their value. The sage mentor who keeps the protagonist grounded. The rival who pushes them to improve. This builds intrigue.
Ultimately, secondary characters should elevate your story, not just fill functional needs. They provide flavour and depth when done right. Concentrate on making them distinctive individuals that feel essential, and your readers will become invested in their trajectories and relationships, remembering them long after the last page.
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