How to Tell if That Throwaway Character Is Really a Star

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy


Primary characters are easy. We pick them, we write abut them, we plan their lives. Secondary characters are a bit more sketchy. Sometimes we know exactly who they are are what role they play. Other times, we have no idea who will be a throwaway and who will be a star.

How do you know who is a throwaway character and who will eventually become an important one?

Characters there only for window dressing usually stay in the background. They serve a small, specific function and once they're done, they're done. They don't affect plot, so they can be as faceless as needed.

However...

Sometimes a walk-on role develops into a character who's a lot more important.

I blame the subconscious when this happens. It recognizes a need in the story that our conscious writer brain hasn't picked up on yet, and fills that need. A character who was supposed to be window dressing keeps showing up and the story is so much richer for it.

For example, a throwaway character in my novel, The Shifter, ended up being a major character in the series--and it was purely by accident. I needed a walk-on and they were never meant to be more than the person who triggered the catalyst to the inciting event. But later, when I needed a character to play a larger role, the same character popped back up. It hit me that using the same one beautifully tied the story together in a way I'd hadn't planned.

(Here are 6 Ways to Make Readers Fall in Love With Your Characters)

There was a reason this worked out so well.

Some throwaway characters fit roles that connect to the larger plot. 

They represent larger themes, or balance the protagonist in some way, or allow as aspect of the story that can't be explored any other way (or any other multitude of reasons). They fit the story in a fundamental way without us even trying to make them.

I couldn't have used any other throwaway character in the entire book and still have accomplished the same thing. Which is a really good indication of a potential star hiding as throwaway character.

(Here's more on How to Make Your Characters Come Alive)

Before creating a brand-new character to fill a bigger story role, check if you have a walk-on character who would work. 

Not only will this keep the number of characters down, but it allows you to deepen your plot and tie elements together in ways that enhance your story.

• Is there a walk-on in a position to make your protagonist's life harder? 
• Can anyone support them when no one else can? 
• Is there someone who will complicate their problems? 

 If so, this character could be more. If not, they're fine in teeny roles.

(Here's more on Fleshing Out Flat Characters)

But be wary of prima donnas who want to take over the story.

Some walk-on characters are so much fun they steal the spotlight from the protagonist. These guys demand more page time and you often end up creating subplots for them--which can hijack your entire plot. They're such great characters you want to help them grow, but keep an eye out so they don't start moving into your story without permission.

Promote the stars. Keep the spotlight hogs in the dark.

Have you had a walk-on character turn in to a star? Have you ever had one try to take over the novel? 

Find out more about characters and point of view in my book, Fixing Your Character & Point-of-View Problems.

Go step-by-step through revising character and character-related issues, such as two-dimensional characters, inconsistent points of view, too-much backstory, stale dialogue, didactic internalization, and lack of voice. Learn how to analyze your draft, spot any problems or weak areas, and fix those problems.

With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Fixing Your Character & Point-of-View Problems offers five self-guided workshops that target the common issues that make readers stop reading. It will help you:

• Flesh out weak characters and build strong character arcs
• Find the right amount of backstory to enhance, not bog down, your story
• Determine the best point(s) of view and how to use them to your advantage
• Eliminate empty dialogue and rambling internalization
• Develop character voices and craft unique, individual characters 

Fixing Your Character & Point-of-View Problems starts every workshop with an analysis to pinpoint problem areas and offers multiple revision options in each area. You choose the options that best fit your writing process. It's an easy-to-follow guide to crafting compelling characters, solid points of view, and strong character voices readers will love.

Available in paperback and ebook formats.

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy The Healing Wars, including The Shifter, Blue Fire, and Darkfall from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. The Shifter, was chosen for the 2014 list of "Ten Books All Young Georgians Should Read" from the Georgia Center for the Book.

She also writes the Grace Harper urban fantasy series for adults under the name, J.T. Hardy.

When she's not writing novels, she's teaching other writers how to improve their craft. She's the founder of Fiction University and has written multiple books on writing.

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