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Supporting characters exist for one reason only: to add depth to the protagonist.

Let me explain. In the confines of the story, supporting characters exist for the sole purpose of

interacting or otherwise engaging with the protagonist. Supporting characters might be

multifaceted but they are stillsupportingcharacters. They exist so they can do things in the story

that will affect the protagonist and thus allow us to better understand that main character.

But just because a character is supporting doesnt make him or her secondary to the

protagonist. In the original Star Warstrilogy for example, Darth Vader is far more interesting and

complex than Luke Skywalker, despite being the supporting character. The purpose of the

supporting character is to help us better understand the main character, but that doesnt mean the

supporting character is any less important.

The Nemesis

Also known as the villain, the nemesis is at odds with the protagonist and creates conflict from

the get-go. Whether this conflict is big good vs. evil stuff or simply a scuffle between the

unpopular protagonist and the mean cheerleader, the purpose of the nemesis is to create conflict for

the protagonist.

Examples:Darth Vader (original Star Warstrilogy), Voldemort (Harry Potterseries), Regina (Mean

Girls)

The BFF / Sidekick

Just because this is the main characters best friend, doesnt mean theres no conflict. In almost

every protagonist-BFF relationship, there ends up being some sort of falling out part-way through

the story that causes additional conflict for the main character. Look at Harry, Ron and Hermione in

the Harry Potter series. It seems like two of the three are always fighting and the only thing that

changes is which two happen to be getting along at any given moment in the story.

Examples:Ron and Hermione(Harry Potterbooks), Goose(Top Gun), Murtaugh (Danny Glovers

character in theLetal Weaponmovies), Dion (Chers BFF in Clueless).

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The Mentor

This character exists to advise the main character and pass on valuable information. Interestingly

enough, the information that the mentor usually shares is intended just as much for the reader (or

audience) as for the main character. For example, whenever Dumbledore gives Harry Potter one of

his end-of-the-book monologues, hes imparting valuable information that not only Harry needs to

know but the reader as well.

Examples: Obi Wan Kenobi (Star Wars movies), Dumbledore (Harry Potterseries).

The Love Interest

This is the Peeta to the protagonists Katniss (The Hunger Gamestrilogy), the Juliet to the main

characters Romeo, the Princess Leia to his Han Solo, the Harry to her Sally. Note that just because

one member of the lover pair might love the other, it doesnt mean the other returns that love. After

all, unrequited love is one of the greatestsources of conflict for a story.

The Fool

In Shakespearean terms, the fool is a character (usually the court jester) who says the things that theprotagonist may not wantto hear but needsto hear. Just because the fool is called The Fool

doesnt mean he or she isfoolish. In many cases, the fool may be the wisest character of the bunch,

sharing pearls of wisdom with the rest of the characters, only no one seems to listen.

Examples:The Fool (King Lear), Haymitch (The Hunger Gamestrilogy), Alan Arkins character

(the grandfather) inLittle Miss Sunshine.

1. Give Supporting Characters Independent Goals

The story follows the main character, yes, but that doesnt mean the whole world revolves around

that character.Things happen. Supporting characters are likely to be involved in behind-the-scenes

activities that influence society or the MCs personal world.

Give supporting characters a life. What are they trying to accomplish? What obstacles are in their

way? How do they interact with other characters, especially the main character? You dont have to

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show us every minute of their lives, just the parts that show us their personalities, affect the story,

and influence the main character.

2. Focus on Speech Patterns of Your Supporting Characters

What do your supporting characters say? Are they so hyper that words spill out of their mouth so

fast you could clock it on radar? Or are they reserved, and speak only when spoken to?

I always say dialogue is the most effective form of characterization. You can use quirks, stutters,

slurs, screams, whispers, catch phrases, dark words, and light words. You can express intentions.

Hide secrets. Blow secrets. Emotions flow through dialogue too.

Dialogue reveals so much about characters. A good way to create unique speech patterns is to let

each of your characters say certain words a lot, or act a certain way while talking. Then your readers

can identify who is speaking at any given moment, thus eliminating confusion.

3. Let Your Supporting Characters Represent Some Aspect of the Story

Supporting characters allow you to mix multiple themes and lessons into your story. One character

can represent strength and another compassion. Perhaps one redeems himself after failing to assist

the main character in an earlier predicament.

Use characters to their full potential. Dont just put them in the story so your main character has

someone to talk to. As I stated in the first point, give them a goal. In a similar way, when working

on a theme, you can send these characters on their own journeys.

Readers will watch their strengths and weaknesses and see the choices they make. This will add

layers to the story as readers become more invested in the lives of the people surrounding the main

character.

JUST REMEMBER: Dont make them too complex that you cant resolve aspects of their plot

without overpowering your main character - they cant compete with your main character (for your

readers attention) & you can have too many supporting characters.