How do you develop your minor characters to fit the plot?
I have trouble making the minor characters in my story fit the role I need them for. I tend to add too much or too little for them.
Any tips on how to get it right?
How do you develop your minor characters to fit the plot?
I have trouble making the minor characters in my story fit the role I need them for. I tend to add too much or too little for them.
Any tips on how to get it right?
I wrote a general outline for each of my minor characters. Who they are, what is their purpose etc. This is mostly for myself as I intend to use them more further down the line in my series.
In the past I have found that writing small pieces of dialogue for these minor characters the most difficult as they do not have a developed voice like my main characters. More often than not in the early stages of my writing I found these minor characters became what I can only describe as an 'echo' of another character, but with a 'said [characters name]' to differentiate the speaker.
When I found myself 'stuck' by what would this character say or do, I take them to one side and write a short story about them, a defining event, or a small moment. Something that shows a few of their layers. Have they had any tragedy in their life? What is their character?
These are purely notes to myself, they don't end up in the novel as they are purely signposts for myself. But they are their if I ever need to draw upon them for direction.
Hopefully this is of some help.
Ask yourself are these intended characters round or flat. Are they important or unimportant. What contribution do they make to the plot and storyline? Do they advance the plot storyline? You need to establish their roles and what defines them from the other characters in your novel.
Your difficulty seems to be differentiating between what constitutes a round and a flat character. A flat character doesn't necessarily have to be one-dimensional. Thy can have a few layers, but not to many unless you are happy that they evolve into rounded characters.
If a character was a butcher, baker, groom, architect or priest you don't need to round them out as the reader is aware of their vocation. However, if one or more of them is the protagonist or one of the main characters, then you will have to flesh them out.
Shakespeare used disposable flat characters who would appear at the edge of the stage and speak to the audience to advance the storyline.
Village gossips or bar room conversations could be used to good effect. They can advance the storyline by informing the reader of things about the characters history or personalities.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.
I agree with Jonathan apartment last part. As I finished a chapter I like to reread it and make any changes I feel are needed to move forward there and then.