Hello Everyone!
How's everyone? We're hanging out... Making journals...
Getting ready for an April release...
And working on some material for a local writer's workshop. It's on secondary characters - one of my favorite topics.
Why? You ask…
Because they 'complete' us. Much like Charlie and Milo.
There are some who believe the main character(s) is only as
good as those surrounding him/her. Let’s
take a moment munch on our doughnuts and reflect on some secondary characters.
Try to imagine these movies without these characters –
A Star is Born without Bobby Maine (played by Sam Elliott)
or Into the Woods without The Witch (Meryl Streep) or Charlie without Milo.
Or imagine if the part of Mason Evans Sr (Ethan Hawke) from
Boyhood had been divided into three different characters. Each taking a part of
Mason. The connection would be weaken resulting in a weaker story.
Think of
your favorite book…
1)
Who is the secondary character (there is likely
more than one but pick the one you are most drawn to)?
2)
If the author removed that character, how would
the story be changed?
For the example, I’m going to use the movie Robin Hood –
Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner. There are so many great secondary
characters, but I love Azeem. What would the story be without him?
1.
Azeem has given his life entirely to Robin Hood.
If Robin’s moral compass had been Little
John or Will Scarlett think of how different the story would have been.
2.
Azeem also understands ‘true’ love – that’s why
he was going to die was for a woman he loved. So, when Robin decides to go
rescue Marian, Azeem is all in. But what if he to turn to Will? Or Bull?
Azeem accompanies Robin back from the Crusades because he feels
he owes Robin – a life for a life thing. Within seconds of returning to
England, Robin finds himself in a little hot water but Azeem doesn’t save
Robin’s life or even step in to help. He will pick the time to save him –
matter of fact when Robin calls him out on this fact stating a little help
would have been great, Azeem tells Robin to stop whining. Making Azeem a person
with ‘mind’ or dimension. Not a simple character that will step in to fight
when Robin is seriously in trouble.
This exercise was just to get you to start thinking about
secondary characters. Who are some of your favorite characters (books or
movies) and why?
Thanks for stopping by!
Lyncee
7 comments:
Thoughtful post, Lyncee. In my own books, the secondary characters in Book One of the series, become main characters in their own books. There is one other secondary character who shows up in all the books who will never have her own story. Eleanor is the mother of the hero in book one. She is the "wise woman" and everyone pays attention to what she says. I can't imagine "Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl" even being written without Eleanor's character!
PS: Great picture of the dynamic duo heading to the water!
Hi Judith! It the stand alone books, I find that some author struggle with developing their secondary characters or series with the same main character. And yes the duo keep me on my toes! They are always headed for something :-)
Good post, Lyncee. I agree that secondary characters fully fleshed out are key. Secondary characters give the reader a new set of eyes to see who the protagnoist really is (or is pretending to be). Secondary characters can often say things the protagonist cannot. It may be in opposition or support. Often someone in opposition is no less loving, but fills a spot in the protagonist's life that helps them behave better (or worse) or see the world in a different light.
Secondary characters are really important in "relationship" novels--whether that is a romantic, family, friendship, or antogonist. Seeing those relationships help to define the hows and whys of the primary relationship. Like Judith I use secondary characters to be primary characters in follow on novels in a series. One of my favorite things, as a reader, is to find out what's happening in all those secondary characters' lives throughout the series.
Great post, Lyncee. I find that movies or books including families or groups of friends are my favorites, because they usually have great secondary characters. Some romance flicks that come to mind: Crazy Rich Asians, Notting Hill, and When Harry Met Sally.
I often end up liking the secondary characters more than the main character.
I love all the 'love' everyone has for their secondary characters! They need it to be able to step out of the shadows
I love books with well-developed secondary characters. The stories are more interesting, in my opinion. And they are really fun to write!
Thanks for a great post and loved the pictures of Charlie and Milo. Did I tell you my first great-grandbaby is named Milo? Funny coincidence!
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