Side characters, often unsung heroes of storytelling, play crucial roles in enriching narratives, providing depth, and enhancing the protagonist’s journey. They are the backbone of any story, offering support, conflict, and a deeper insight into the world the author creates. Understanding how to craft compelling secondary characters is essential for writers aiming to weave complex, engaging tales that resonate with readers.
What is a Side Character?
A side character is a figure within a story who, while not the protagonist, plays a significant role in the development of the plot, the main character’s journey, or the thematic exploration of the narrative. These characters enrich the story by adding depth, diversity, and realism. They often have their own backstories, personalities, and motivations, although these are usually less developed than those of the main characters. Side characters can be friends, foes, or neutral parties to the protagonist, but they all contribute to a more layered and engaging story.
Side Character vs. Supporting Character
The distinction between side characters and supporting characters often blurs, yet a nuanced difference exists. Side characters are integral to the narrative’s fabric, offering depth and complexity without directly influencing the plot’s outcome. Supporting characters, on the other hand, play a more functional role, propelling the main characters towards their goals or contributing significantly to the plot’s development. While both types enrich the story, side characters often have more defined personalities and backstories, making them memorable even if their role is not pivotal to the plot’s resolution.
5 Examples of Side Characters
Literature is adorned with countless memorable side characters who enrich the narrative, offer deeper insights into the protagonists, and sometimes steal the show with their distinctiveness. Here are a few iconic examples:
- Samwise Gamgee from “The Lord of the Rings”: Samwise, the steadfast companion of Frodo Baggins, exemplifies loyalty and courage. His role extends beyond mere assistance; he embodies the spirit of unwavering friendship and plays a crucial role in the quest’s success, showcasing the impact a side character can have on both the storyline and the main character’s journey.
- Neville Longbottom from the “Harry Potter” series: Initially portrayed as a timid and clumsy student, Neville Longbottom’s evolution is a testament to the depth J.K. Rowling gives her side characters. Neville’s growth into a brave and capable wizard mirrors the central themes of courage and self-discovery, highlighting how side characters can reflect broader narrative arcs.
- Nick Carraway from “The Great Gatsby”: As the narrator and a side character, Nick Carraway offers a unique perspective on the tumultuous lives of the story’s more flamboyant characters. His reflections and moral judgments frame the narrative, providing insights into the complexities of human nature and the American Dream.
- Dr. John Watson from the “Sherlock Holmes” series: Serving as Sherlock Holmes’ confidant and chronicler, Dr. Watson brings humanity and warmth to the cold deductive reasoning of Holmes. His character offers readers a relatable viewpoint into the genius detective’s world, highlighting the indispensable role of side characters in enhancing the protagonist’s qualities.
- Minny Jackson from “The Help”: Minny’s sharp tongue and strong will provide not only comic relief but also critical commentary on the racial tensions of the era. Her story arc, intertwined with the main narrative, adds layers of complexity and emotional depth, showcasing the power of side characters to drive home the story’s themes.
How to Write Compelling Side Characters: 10 Writing Tips
Creating compelling side characters is an art that enhances the depth and richness of your narrative. These characters should be more than mere backdrops to the protagonist; they must add texture to the story, providing support, conflict, or comic relief where necessary. Their presence should feel essential, each bringing a unique flavor to the tale.
1. Give Them Distinct Personalities
To breathe life into your side characters, imbue them with distinct personalities that set them apart from each other and the main cast. This doesn’t mean they need to be larger-than-life; rather, their quirks, desires, and fears should be specific and relatable, making them memorable. Such distinctiveness ensures that they contribute meaningfully to the story’s dynamics, creating a richer, more immersive world for your readers.
2. Make Them Serve a Purpose
Every side character should serve a purpose within your story, whether it’s to challenge the protagonist, advance the plot, or highlight themes. Their roles should be clear and impactful, contributing to the narrative in ways that are integral, not interchangeable. By ensuring each character has a raison d’être, you avoid the pitfall of cluttering your story with unnecessary figures.
3. Develop Their Arcs
While not as prominent as the protagonist’s journey, side characters should also experience growth or change. Their arcs can be subtle, reflecting personal victories or shifts in perspective, which in turn can influence the main storyline or the protagonist’s development. This approach not only adds depth to your narrative but also makes your side characters more relatable and engaging.
4. Avoid Stereotypes
Stereotypes are shortcuts that sell your characters short. Crafting side characters with depth means moving beyond clichés to present individuals who defy expectations or reveal complexities over time. This doesn’t mean you can’t start with a familiar type, but aim to develop them in unexpected ways, adding layers that surprise and delight your readers.
5. Give Them Relationships
Side characters should not exist in isolation; their relationships with other characters, including the protagonist, are crucial. These interactions can reveal hidden facets of their personality, motivate their actions, and impact the narrative. By weaving a network of relationships, you create a dynamic world filled with individuals whose lives intersect in meaningful, often transformative, ways.
6. Use Them to Reveal Main Character Traits
Side characters are invaluable tools for revealing key traits of your main characters. Through their interactions, you can show different aspects of your protagonist’s personality without directly stating them. For example, a side character’s challenges might bring out the hero’s compassion or bravery. This method of character development allows for subtlety and depth, enabling readers to discover the main character’s traits organically.
7. Limit Their Number
While it’s tempting to populate your story with numerous side characters, restraint is key. Having too many can overwhelm the reader and dilute the focus on the main narrative. Each side character should have a clear purpose and contribute to the story in a meaningful way. By limiting the number of side characters, you ensure that each one is fully developed and memorable, which in turn enriches the overall narrative.
8. Make Them Memorable
Creating memorable side characters is about giving them unique attributes, such as distinctive speech patterns, memorable physical characteristics, or compelling backstories. These traits should be vivid enough to leave an impression, yet integrated smoothly into the narrative. Memorable side characters enhance the reader’s engagement and investment in the story, making the fictional world feel rich and full of life.
9. Consider Their Motivations
Every character in your story, including the side characters, should have clear motivations driving their actions. Understanding why a side character behaves in a certain way adds layers to your narrative, making it more believable and complex. Their motivations can also intersect with the main plot in interesting ways, influencing the story’s direction and the decisions of the main characters.
10. Let Them Shine, But Not Too Brightly
While side characters should be compelling and well-developed, they must not overshadow the main characters. Their purpose is to complement the story, not to take center stage. Ensure that their moments of brilliance serve to propel the main narrative forward, rather than diverting attention away from it. Striking the right balance allows side characters to shine in their roles without detracting from the importance of the protagonist’s journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Crafting side characters comes with its own set of challenges and questions. Below are responses to several frequently asked questions, aimed at helping writers navigate the complexities of character development.
What Role Do Side Characters Play in the Main Plot?
Side characters enrich the main plot by adding depth, conflict, and context, helping to reveal the main characters’ layers and motivations. They contribute to the story’s dynamics through their interactions with the main characters, influencing the plot’s direction and the protagonist’s growth.
Can Side Characters Have Their Own Arcs?
Yes, side characters can and often do have their own arcs. These arcs can run parallel to the main storyline, adding depth to the narrative and providing a richer, more layered story experience. However, their developments should complement rather than overshadow the primary plot.
Can a Side Character Become a Main Character?
Absolutely, a side character can transition to a main character in sequels or later parts of a series. Their promotion often results from their popularity with readers or because their story arc becomes central to the narrative’s progression.
How to Balance a Large Set of Side Characters?
Balancing a large set of side characters requires careful planning. Prioritize their importance to the story, ensuring each character serves a purpose and contributes to the narrative without overwhelming it. Techniques like grouping characters or focusing on a few at a time can also help maintain balance.
When Should a Side Character Be Introduced or Removed?
Introduce a side character when their presence advances the plot or deepens the main characters’ development. Similarly, a side character should be removed when they no longer serve a purpose in the story or their arc has concluded, ensuring the narrative remains focused and dynamic.
