The 3 KEYS to Writing Lovable SIDE CHARACTERS

Do you want to write unforgettable side characters? If so, this episode is for you. Side characters can often take a backseat to the main story and sometimes feel like filler to simply add to the length of the plot. Sometimes they act as a comic relief or as a side-kick that helps the main character accomplish their goal...but many writers make the mistake of writing side characters that lack internal conflict and meaning. In this special story mining episode, Abbie and I are answering a big question: How can we write better side characters? We'll be using some of our favorite story examples that showcase these tried-and-true storytelling principles. Grab a notebook and let's get into this!
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[@KAEmmons]

Which of these examples was your favorite? AND, what book/series/film would you add as an example of great side-characters? 👏

[@fortheshygirl4938]

Pride and Prejudice (2005) would have to be my favourite subplot. Mr Collins is hilarious; Charlotte's inner conflict has an interesting standout point for a woman in the 18th century. A series I would suggest that has great subplots is either Downtown abbey the series or if you like anime, Snow White with Red Hair or Avatar the Last Airbender. Also, Gilmore girls is perfect for Autumn

[@thelamppostnewsless]

Harry Potter! The side charries are unforgettable!

[@shiannafoxx]

@@fortheshygirl4938 Agree with everything you said, but ATLA isn't an anime

[@m.p.2534]

My favourite side characters are from a fantasy novel in French called "Le souffle du Cerbère" ("The Breath of the Cerberus"). When some of them shockingly died while trying to achieve their dreams, I was litterally bawling my eyes out ! Even when the last bad guy's soldiers died because their boss was just amazing with them (they were the side characters of their own story), it was heartbreaking.

[@narrativedude]

Dr. Ennis and Tristan have the most important trait - IMHO - They are imperfect and thus real. Dr. Ennis and his misplaced passion early on, which led to her death and his life-long guilt. Tristan is the unrealized James H. He wants to make his brother proud, but as a character he’s JH’s foil in so many good ways. Excellent choices.

[@kit888]

03:05 The 3 Keys Same as for the main character (1) Backstory (2) Internal conflict (3) Goal, own reason for being in the story 07:15 Example - All creatures great and small Subplots are about the side characters, they are the heroes there They don't detract from the main character but do affect his life and move his story forward Look at their desires, fears, misbeliefs Focus on their relationships with the other characters They have flaws and lovability 15:40 Example - Poldark Main characters are established before side characters are introduced We measure side characters in relation to the main character, we are interested in them because they matter to the main character They deal with their own flaws and demons, overcome obstacles to their goals (which overlap with the main character's) Show them acting on their beliefs Secondary character's motivations can become its own spinoff series 27:10 Example - Pride and Prejudice Side characters are living their own lives but create situations for the main characters They have their own backstory, internal conflict, goals but those tie in with the main character's journey and plot, seamlessly and naturally Find places in the main plot where side plots can fit in, should not be two separate movies glued together 36:45 Summary

[@worthfightingfor2299]

Thank you sooo much!

[@shiannafoxx]

Thanks for the Sparknotes version cuz I was not about to watch this whole thing lmao

[@itsmelala1714]

I really enjoy anime and manga and I think they really put side characters to another level. My favorite work talking about side characters is Jujutsu Kaisen, because the author really put so much thought about every and each one of them. As per shows, I really loved the k-drama Itaewon Class, all of them had a good development. For something more mainstream I think Pirates of the Caribbeans (the first trilogy) and obviously the Lord of the Rings had amazing character building. Thank you so much for your insights!

[@455els]

I was thinking about anime too! My personal favorite is Atack on Titan, which also puts a lot of thought in the side characters and their stories also influences the main character. Jujutsu Kaisen is also great. I’m excited for the upcoming season which I believe will also focus a lot on the backstory of some side characters

[@reyofsunshine7171]

Every single character in All Creatures Great and Small is so ,so vivid ! Whether in the show or book ! 🥰

[@jsbrads1]

Based on a true story, tho I’m guessing older vet and younger brother were made a bit extreme. I heard the story is generally very accurate to reality and specifically the love interest was very accurate at least in the original book and TV show.

[@worthfightingfor2299]

Oh my goodness, I LOVE Dwight Enys! I only saw the first two seasons, but I just adore him. (And yes, poor Bingley. 😂)

[@KAEmmons]

SAME!! 💛

[@ameliadouglas6938]

All creatures great and small is a delight. I'm so glad you used it as an example

[@kipbeegle8260]

To better understand The references you made to Poldark I started watching it. Now Im addicted and on season 2. Thanks, now my weekends are filled for the next several weeks.

[@spacewhales2118]

What matters to the characters aka their internal conflict. At times I find that I struggle with internal conflict. I could just be overthinking things. It’s coming along though. I know it will all come together, must be patient with myself.

[@tiarailic4086]

If you guys haven't seen it, you totally should. The tv series Lost. Season one and two were excellent. Unfortunately after that, the seasons had way too many plot holes and didn't hold up to the first couple seasons...but the reason why it was so addictive up to the very end was because each episode zeroed in on a particular character or side character and gave the backstory for how they ended up on this island. We see how each story interconnects and we get to care about each and every character. Even when the story started to slide, I couldnt help but keep watching. My favorite character was Jack, he was flawed and very relatable and an awesome doctor. I'd seriously recommend season one and two for sure💕😊

[@laurasalo6160]

All Creatures Great and Small is a phenomal read. I just ate it up. I was so immersed in a country I'm unfamiliar with and the scenes are so vivid in your head and funny and it has great voice. I love it. A favorite for many years.

[@jamescarvey2133]

Thanks for sharing this unique perspective. TRUE...the side characters are "Protagonists" in their own stories🙏🙏🙏-not merely outriggers. At least that is my take home after listening with " Big Ears." Opps! that just took me down memory lane. My mum used to call me ' Big Ears" ( Noddy's sidekick in the Playful little Noddy series-long out of print) each time she caught me listening in on adult conversations. This video has opened up a whole new dimension to the scope of a story. Much appreciated

[@lindagutierrez5409]

This segment is great, I’ve learned so much. At my time of life, as a single lady my elderly mom is number one person in my life. Everything I plan revolves around my mother’s needs. Mrs. Hall has a lot of common sense and kindness. She’s no nonsense, like let’s do the right thing and move on.

[@narrativedude]

I’m excited to have found your work. Pride and Prejudice, Poldark, and ACGS are favorites and I sit here now anxiously awaiting Jan. 2024 when the next ACGS season is supposed to drop for US audiences. Keep up the good work and may the NanoWrimo be with you.

[@annejia5382]

the upload i just needed 💓 thank you kate and abbie 💛

[@wildeskompositum9556]

Another great video, Thank you guys!

[@mysticmoon7]

As always, I'm going to have to go check out (or rewatch) these story examples you guys provided!

[@audreymaccready5778]

Yep, I have a nice mindmap out of this session. Will do some work on linking up two good side characters in my book.

[@mckinnleyweedin6371]

I think the fact that all the characters from All Creatures Great and Small were real people helps make them so believable! 😅

[@KAEmmons]

Agreed! Such great writing in that series 💛

[@jessicaloveless8525]

Aw I’ve been listening just to podcast and it’s so nice to see your faces again 🥰 I just finished my debut novel!!

[@robertlambert8968]

You guys are boss. I love the conversation and the video series. It's definitely making my first novel feel more doable.

[@lorijo3342]

Great podcast, you both have made it "click" for me. Already a fan of "All Creatures Great and Small", then there is "Downton Abbey" and NOW "Poldark", the British nail it! Just watched S1, E1 yesterday, hooked!...many things introduced clearly and quickly, action, drama/tension, beautiful visuals, close-ups of him (yum! 🤣) etc. Love it and I clearly see the story elements and structure playing out already. Thank you for the help and detailed videos. I've been swirling around for years and feel like I've finally landed to get all of my fragments together into a draft. I look forward to your fun and friendly professional delivery of information; it has taken away the intimidation factor that I felt in other videos and dry reading. 😘🤘

[@djdissi]

Amy, looks like I'm going to join your Patreon. I have two historical stories that have been brewing in my mind for years, one in particular involving 4 generations of women, whose tales are not only isolated from each other, but also entertwined. My family and friends have been constantly encouraging me to write the latter, but it seems so complicated for me, that I quickly get overwhelmed, confused and discouraged not long after I've started (many times lol). I mentioned Ken Follett on another comment I just left a few moments ago. That format works beautifully with his stories and he certainly inspiring, but wonder if I'd need to reconfigure that approach somewhat for my own story. ALSO: just uninstalled my Discord yesterday lol... Never used it and thought it was taking up too much space! Maybe I'll rethink it down the road

[@djdissi]

Just found this video on my recommends and immediately subscribed. Your both so interesting and enjoyable, makes me feel like I can hang out with you guys in my kitchen and talk about this stuff all afternoon! Curious, have you ever discussed historical fiction novelists before, like Ken Follett for example? I know there are countless tv series of this genre everywhere, many of them based on novels (including Follett's), but I always wondered how these stories can be initially created successfully, with so many characters and generations involved, often taking the reader back and forth through the story's timeline, while maintaining such relevance to each of the sub-characters, for the development of the protagonist's story. And all at the right time and place, to keep the story tight and fluid. I mean, where does a writer of this genre start? I mean, other than probably having a history background to begin with... I suppose, no matter what, you always start with a general plot and a protagonist (or a protagonist "family"), right?

[@BIPfilmes]

I loved The characters and all the script of House of the dragon. I wonder you two do some videos about it. Thank you

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Kate can meet us wherever she wants.

[@robertagriffin28]

Please add a link for your Show vs Tell episode

[@rubinleigh2756]

guys... this was a whole vid on side character and no one mentioned Samwise from LOTR... He's like the quintessential beloved side character... I wanna know what makes him great. But yeah this was great, your podcast always gives me something to fill my notebook with. Thank you guys for everything you do!

[@itsrosebennett]

The Red Dead Redemption video games are a fantastic example of main/sub characters being well developed and realistic not to mention how they aid the character in his journey. I fell in love with each member of the gang and their storylines, whether big or small. RDR2 is hailed by many as one of the greatest video games of all time and I concur with that opinion. Simply because I believe the storytelling is done so perfectly. It sounds dramatic but it was life changing for me as a writer and it really opened my eyes to an unknown storytelling medium I never got into in the past.

[@LNRyen]

How do you write good secondary characters with one POV. Only the main characters POV

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Abbie will decide when Kate will join us.

[@lenandov]

There's a chance, a smallish chance, that writers create worlds. Characters and circumstances in that world are real there. So when you are writing, craft your character so that they are born out of love- not mere necessity. Characters who realize their purpose in life is to pass the butter will suffer and be sad. Characters who are born out of love and live for a purpose... those are the children in whom we are well pleased. If you create a throw away character, they will find out and that knowledge will affect their relationship with their creator.

[@lindagutierrez5409]

Abbie taught me new word: experientially adverb, thanks. 😎

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Any other person can ask and come. Abbie is in charge of the schedule.

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Abbie Emmons tell them you’ll ask me and confirm. Don’t make it burdensome.

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Kate can meet us in Bangalore.

[@yaelsbookthoughts9792]

Another aspect of Jane is pride and prejudice is how she contrasts with Lizzy's character. Lizzy holds herself as very informed, cynical and analytical person. She loves Jane but she patronizes her a little thinking that because she gives people the benefit of the doubt then she's being their dupe. However, during the book she gets a rude awakening when she finds out that it was Jane who urged her to give Darcy the benefit of the doubt that was right all along. Lizzy always thought Darcy was critical of everything around him when he was really falling in love with her. Anyways, I think that was the main role of Jane as a side character. It's a testament to Austen's greatness as an author that she was able to give her "life" and depth of character even while keeping her on the path of being Lizzy's contrasting image.

[@maryorosco1027]

I have to say that teen wolf's side character stiles was one of the best side characters to the point that lots of people thought that the main character was stiles

[@PoetryInHats]

There's definitely more room for explicit backstory of minor characters in a book than a movie.

[@h.k.3704]

I am struggling with this because I can only have one conflict with the kind of theme I have. The conflict happens between the MCs. MC1 does what he does for the sake of his family. And... these members exist just to show the reader where MC1 comes from. The story doesn't have time to go through each family members' development as it all takes place in one night. I feel adding layers to them will distract from my main theme and story continuation, although leaving them as they are... pretty bland, doesn't feel right either.

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Neil is coming.

[@anthonycosentino463]

Fer sherrrr...

[@se0jun.mp3]

Every character in Haikyuu. Enough said.

[@Thenoobestgirl]

It blows my mind that vets in that era went around wearing suits while helping cows give birth in the dirt lol