I think all writers can agree that characters build as we write. Especially the hero or heroine. But what we don’t always expect is when the secondary characters—or as I like to call them, our secondary heroes—begin to speak louder and demand to be heard. It happens differently for every writer. I can only tell my own experience as it happened to me. And understand, it doesn’t happen with ever book or with every series.
The stories of these characters becomes important to the reader, as well as the writer. So much so their voice comes through and they’re no longer shoved to the back of the book, but come forward to the front. And eventually—they get their own show.
This is great news for a writer who’s developed a series that readers enjoy. It gives the writer a new path to follow from a different set of eyes, and it fleshes and fills out the back-story of every character within that writer’s universe.
For me, it was a persistent character. A character that I used through the series as a dues ex machina. And as my books grew, and I continued to use this secondary hero—I realized I went back to him because he was comfortable. Because he’s grown as the books have. My secondary hero is Dags McConnell, a bartender from Somewhere USA.
I was hesitant at first to move Dags forward—or backward as the book GRIMOIRE shows as it takes the reader to his life before Zoë and then to the present—because I couldn’t believe anyone would want to read about him. He’s a short little pretty guy I developed a long time ago to use when I needed a crutch. It wasn’t until questions from readers started moving from Zoë—to Dags—that I began to go…hmmmm.
How did he get a book in him? Is it like part of his soul? Is he more powerful than TC? Rhonda put the book in him—when did she do that? Will Dags and Zoë get married? Will she break Dags’ heart? Will he and Zoë have to fight each other? Will Daniel and Dags fight for Zoë’s attention? (Hey kids…what about Joe?!)
The real motivation behind me writing GRIMOIRE is the readers, the ones that made me think about those questions. That’s when I realized, that if I put all of the events of his life since meeting Zoë Martinique together, the boy had a pretty interesting story. So I gathered all the pieces in one place, fleshed them out, and a new hero, and series, was born.
As a reader, take a little time to look at those secondary heroes. You’ll realize your hero and heroine would probably fall apart without them, and you’ll also find you enjoy having them around like an old friend. How often have we as readers cried real tears when a side-kick, best friend, or emotional support for our hero is killed, or hurt? I have. And as a writer, take note on which of those characters is shouting the loudest. It might be time to call the studio execs as a new star is born.
Zoë Martinique series
 WRAITH |
 SPECTRE |
 PHANTASM |
 REVENANT |
So what do you think about secondary characters in a story? Tell us and you might win a copy of GRIMOIRE, and a full set of books 1 – 4 of the Zoë Martinique series in Trade Paperback. It’s a real deal!
To comment on Phaedra Weldon’s blog please click here.
No Comments
Comments are closed.