Let’s be real: side characters can be the unsung legends of fiction, or the literary equivalent of glitter in your keyboard. Delightful, shiny… and absolutely everywhere if you’re not careful.
In short stories and novellas, every word counts. You don’t have time (or page space) for a supporting cast that tries to steal the show. So how do you make them meaningful without letting them overshadow your main character?
Enter: “8 Steps to Side Characters” by Sacha Black, a whip-smart, no-nonsense guide that gives side characters the structure and punch they deserve. Fair warning: Sacha drops f-bombs like confetti. Personally, I’m here for it. But if you’re averse to spicy language, consider yourself gently warned.
Now, onto the good stuff:
1. Side Characters Need a Job, Not a Backstage Pass
They’re not here for moral support or moral ambiguity unless it serves your plot. Every side character should exist because they reveal something about your main character or theme, not just because you thought a sarcastic barista might be fun.
2. Contrasts Are Queen (or King, or Agents of Chaos)
Sacha reminds us that great side characters are the peanut butter to your protagonist’s jelly, or the sriracha to their toast, depending on your flavor. They highlight traits by being different, and that contrast is where the magic happens.
3. Keep the Cast Lean and Mean
This is a short story, not Game of Thrones. Two to three side characters max. Otherwise, you’re juggling subplots you don’t have the word count to finish and readers who are confused.
4. Let Them Want Things (But Not Everything)
Side characters need goals. They’re not plot furniture. But those goals should tangle with the protagonist’s journey; not become a side quest that hijacks your word count. Think tension, not competition.
5. Depth with a Dash of Drama
You don’t need a 12-page backstory. One strong character trait, a killer line of dialogue, or a unique quirk can make them pop. It’s all about giving archetypes a twist, and honestly? It works like magic.
6. Show, Don’t Info-Dump
Let their personality come out in what they say, what they do, and how they annoy or adore your main character. Dialogue is gold. Reactions are even better. Nobody needs three paragraphs on their tragic childhood when a single eye-roll will do.
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
Your side characters should add spice, not steal the entire kitchen. With intention (and maybe a little attitude), they can be just as unforgettable as your lead; without demanding their own spin-off series.
And if you’re still struggling? Grab Sacha Black’s workbook. It’s sharp, delightfully sweary, and full of brilliant advice for crafting side characters that do their damn job.
