5 Ways to Create Secondary Characters That Will Win Over Readers
Creating secondary characters that readers will fall in love with can significantly enhance your readers’ experience and deepen the world you’ve created. In my new release, You’ve Got Male, I kept it all in the family by using a cast of quirky and fresh side characters that come from multiple generations all living under the same roof and running the family coffee shop, while developing full backstories for each person in a way that leads to unique and hilarious situations.
Give Them Their Own Original Backstory
I start with a Character Bible. This is a place to organize your list of descriptions, quirks, and traits for each character that makes them stand out. Then give them a goal for the story to help them have original perspectives and motivations for each scene they enter. It can be as simple as wanting to marry off their children, as with Violet Bridgerton in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series. Another question to ask is what they are struggling with. Perhaps it stems from something in their childhood or maybe something more immediate like providing for a loved one.
Even though secondary characters are not the main focus, the characters’ struggles always play into the equation and make the characters feel real and relatable. Sharing glimpses of their past, motivations, and personal struggles make them more three-dimensional and interesting. Other questions to ask when creating characters:
Dating history?What was their childhood like?Biggest fear?What defined their relationship with their mother/father?Fatal flaw?Relationship to the protagonist?
Knowing these answers will help you create a character that will make readers feel, but it is not necessary to share all the information you compile. I always strive to create characters that resonate with readers.
Showcase Unique Traits and Quirks
Distinctive traits, habits, or quirks make secondary characters memorable. These can be endearing or intriguing, helping readers to remember and care about them. A character might have a peculiar way of speaking, a unique hobby, or an unusual perspective on life.
In my novel, You’ve Got Male, my heroine’s mother has a unique perspective on love because she married her best friend. Ten years into marriage he came out to the world that he was gay. She still considers him her platonic soulmate and they are as close as ever, even co-owning a coffee shop together. But she wants more for her daughter. She wants her to experience that passionate, breath-stealing, love that comes with a fireworks, sweep-you-off-your-feet kind of kiss that goes soul deep and the mother will stop at nothing to find that—even it if means airing her daughter’s dating life on social media for America to witness.
Check out Marina Adair’s You’ve Got Male here:
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Develop Strong Relationships With Main Characters
Writing is about exploring relationships and the best way to do this is through meaningful interactions between secondary characters and the protagonists. Whether it’s a deep friendship, a complex rivalry, or a supportive mentorship, strong relationships can endear secondary characters to readers.
Their bonds with the protagonist can reveal their positive qualities and make readers root for them. The secondary character’s job is to create conflict or support for the main character, which is why it is important to clarify their motivation in each scene.
Give Them Their Moment in the Spotlight
A secondary character should never take over the protagonist’s journey, but they can have their own time in the sun—a real stand out moment in the story. This could be a scene where they demonstrate bravery, wisdom, or compassion. Highlighting their contributions to the plot and their own mini-arc can make them essential to the story and not just a device for the protagonist.
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Make Them Relatable and Human
Relatable flaws and vulnerabilities are essential to secondary characters. Perfect characters can feel unrealistic and distant, but those who struggle, make mistakes, and grow over time are easier to connect with. Show their human side through their fears, dreams, and personal growth.
Creating secondary characters who are not only believable but also beloved by your readers is achievable by applying these techniques.