What makes a good secondary character?

Secondary characters must be three dimensional, just like main characters. Your job as a writer is to learn about your character by observing how they interact with the world around them. Characters—like real people in real life—have hobbies, pets, histories, ruminations, quirks, and obsessions.

What is the secondary character?

What is a Secondary Character? The secondary character is more than just a minor character. He or she is necessary to the story because this character reveals key details, motivates the protagonist, foils the protagonist, or helps define the story’s setting.

What is the second most important character called?

deuteragonist
The definition of a deuteragonist (from the Greek deuteragōnistēs, for “second actor”) is the second most important and present character in a story—often called a secondary main character.

What is the difference between a main character and a secondary character?

Primary Characters: The major players in a story, appearing in numerous scenes throughout the script, the focal point of the Plotline and/or key subplots. Secondary Characters: Important but supporting roles, generally appearing in fewer scenes and with a narrower narrative function.

Can there be more than one main character?

The short answer is: yes. You can write your novel any way you like, so long as it works in practice. Many writers, especially those writing in genres such as fantasy and sci-fi, have multiple main characters in their novels.

How do you introduce a secondary character?

Use action and/or dialogue to present new characters. Show the new character doing something or saying something. For example, make a new player stumble upon the scene, make a dramatic entrance, or interrupt a conversation. Save the backstory about that person for later, after the reader has formed a strong impression.

What role do secondary characters play?

All secondary characters need to serve some sort of purpose in developing the story. They also provide additional perspectives on the story and the world around them. They can work to support/help/assist the protagonist (like a Sidekick), or they can work against the protagonist (like an Antagonist).

Can there be more than one deuteragonist?

Another name for the deuteragonist is a “window character”, and there can be more than one. Because of this position, the deuteragonist is generally a person (or persons) with very close ties to the protagonist – a partner, a mentor, a spouse or significant other.

What’s after secondary characters?

Primary: The main characters. Secondary: Recurring characters who are of lesser importance. Tertiary: Characters who appear in one, perhaps two scenes for a specific, limited purpose. For example Nemesis characters.

Can a story have 2 main characters?

Very few stories have multiple Main Characters within a single story. Usually, when there is more than one Main Character, there is more than one story going on. Stories that have multiple Main Characters work because the MC’s share exactly the same world view and they “hand off” the role back and forth.

Should your characters be primary secondary or tertiary?

No matter if your character is Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary, they have to be authentic. If you treat even a Tertiary character as a placard or a stereotype, you lose respect as a writer. Every character, no matter how small their role, deserves your loving attention.

What is a secondary character in literature?

A secondary character is one that is necessary for the story. The story wouldn’t be complete without them. In some way, they’re essential to the progression of the story. Get the FREE Resource Library!

How many secondary characters should you have in your novel?

There are 5 essential major secondary characters your novel must have: The longer the novel (or series) the more secondary characters you’ll have. If you’re writing a series, your secondary characters may change throughout the series. Let’s talk Harry Potter as an example.

What are some of the best secondary characters in movies?

One of my favorite Secondary Characters is Brooks from The Shawshank Redemption. He plays a critical role as a False Mentor, providing one possible path for Red to take: suicide. Other notable Secondary Characters: Notable Tertiary Characters: