With my Myrtle Clover series, I developed a protagonist who is a very dominant main character. The characters alongside her are far weaker in every way. Even when Myrtle is pitted against a killer, she’s the dominant force in the scene.
With the Memphis series, I wanted a different kind of protagonist. I planned to create a solid center for the storm of activity that whirls around Aunt Pat’s Barbeque Restaurant. After all, someone needs to solve the murders.
The big challenge was the colorful cast of characters that surrounded my straight-‘man,’ Lulu. I have a bubbly group of docents from Graceland, a trio of retired blues musicians, and some really animated suspects. I worried a little that Lulu was going to fade in comparison, although she’s the book’s key player.
I’m hoping my editor at Berkley thinks I did a good job keeping my secondary characters under control.
My approach with this:
- If the secondary character is the focal point of a scene, make sure my protagonist is the one asking the questions and in control of their conversation.
- If a conversation takes place between several secondary characters, ensure my protagonist is making observations (even mentally) so that the reader views the scene through her perspective.
- Show the importance of the book’s central character to the secondary characters. If a secondary character wants advice, a shoulder to cry on, or someone fun to go out with, they call Lulu.
Do you have any scene-stealing bit characters? How do you wrangle them?
Your second point is very important. Some inexperienced writers forget that. (I know I am one of those inexperienced, but here the teacher of English literature is speaking ;D)
I’m with Dorte. Keep the scene in Lulu’s POV, and you’ll just see the surface of the secondary character. They’ll try to steal the show, but with a few cogent internal observations from the protagonist, she’ll steal it right back.
I don’t think I have any that steal the show, but it was the strength of the secondary characters that prompted my first YA book to turn into five.
And like you, I make sure the world is viewed only through the main character’s eyes.
L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
I plan to keep these tips in mind as I edit to make sure I haven’t let someone steal the scene away from the main character. Thanks.
Pits! Almost forgot – award for you at my blog today!
L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
I’m going to swim against the tide here and voice the opinion that it’s okay for secondary characters to have the spotlight – as long as it isn’t for too long.
Secondary characters are the colour and the flash. They can say things or do things that a main character can’t. I compare it to playing smaller roles in a play – my acting could be huge because I wasn’t around long enough for it to be boring.
Nothing is going to take the focus away from your main character for too long if you’re constructing the work the way you say. It’s not possible. But giving other characters their moment in the sun only adds to the richness and texture of the story.
Elspeth
I think your approach is sound and well reasoned. The POV item is particularly helpful to keep the reader centered on one character. That alone does most of it for you. Should be no problem at all the way you’ve elected to handle it. Good job.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Hmmm…this is an interesting thread. I guess the point is that secondary characters should be fascinating enough to contribute to the reader’s enjoyment of the story but should not overwhelm the importance of the main character. It’s kind of like the Oscar-winning supporting actress (or actor) in a film.
Great advice, Elizabeth. All points to keep in mind when wrangling secondary characters.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I agree you have to watch out for letting 2nd tier characters steal the show and upstage the main ones. I was doing that some in my last novel – my editor caught it and made me rewrite some scenes to get the balance better. Good points you’ve made here, Elizabeth – as always.
Marvin D Wilson
Hadn’t thought of secondary characters stealing the show, but it is definitely something I’ll be aware of trying to keep from happening. Thanks!
Great topic! Enjoyed your post and all the comments. I will take care to make sure my secondary characters don’t steal the show.
I’m actually dealing with the same thing right now. I have two characters who gobble most of the attention no matter what scene they appear in.
It’s kind of unnerving, actually, but I’m hesitant to restrict them too much. Sometimes bit players steal the spotlight for a reason. Sometimes they’re more interesting than the character I created originally. Not saying that’s the case in your story, mind you. Just a possible flaw in my own current tale.
I hadn’t really thought about this, so thanks for the post. What actually came to mind when I read this (and feel free to groan) was the role of Jacob in Stephenie Meyer’s books. He went from a minor character in the first book to a starring role.
Diane–Thanks for the award! Do you focus on a different former-secondary character in your books? I’ve seen some series like that and thought they were really interesting.
Jane–Good luck with your edits.
Galen–I think if my bit characters had their way, they’d murder my protagonist!
Dorte–It’s amazing what some careful POV work can do!
Alan–And they do want the limelight. You can feel them pulling at you in the scene.
Helen–Thanks!
Marvin–It probably wasn’t too hard to fix, was it? Just had to play up the protagonist in different scenes. It’s easy to get carried away with the bit players.
Elspeth–You’re right. It’s a delicate balance. I have so much FUN with my secondary characters…it’s almost like I’m cheating on my protagonist. Having that much fun shouldn’t be *right!* But they do add texture…good word.
Elizabeth–Good point…it IS like the Oscars. They need to be good *supporting* characters, but not take over.
Elizabeth–This is the Elizabeth blog today! Me, Elspeth, 2 Elizabeths…we rock! :)
Jody–I seem to have a lot of fun with my bit
characters. Sometimes I just have to rein them in.
Jack–It’s fun to write the secondary char’s. All the fun, none of the commitment!
Tara–I’ve seen that in series sometimes. Almost like the character was so animated and strong that the author decided to promote them for the following book!