Secondary Characters
Thank you for inviting me to blog today about my new release, The Mistress Memoirs, the latest installment in the Boscastle series. I hope everyone is hanging in through these last weeks of winter. I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for a little mild weather. I can’t believe it’s almost Spring and I have a chance to talk to you again.
One of my favorite things about writing a book is creating secondary characters. Unlike the hero and heroine in romantic fiction, sidekicks aren’t held to the highest standards. Often the more flaws that a supporting character reveals, the stronger the protagonist appears in contrast.
This doesn’t mean the main players have to be perfect, but by the end of the book they should have changed for the better.
Secondary characters are allowed to be static. Even so they can serve as connectors and sounding boards and threads that can either loosen or tighten the tension of the plot.
Sometimes, however, a secondary character steals the show. At this point the author might need to put the brakes on and realign before the book becomes unbalanced. It’s always a compliment when a reader asks if a supporting character will have her own book. Usually my answer to that is not yet. But if enough readers are interested I will try my best to include a popular secondary character in future books. Still, I have to wonder whether this character’s sins would be forgiven once they have to stand in the spotlight. It seems to me that the weaknesses allowed a supporting player are what make them appealing. And even though I know that happy endings are the rule in romance, I do enjoy writing a few wild cards in the background.
My favorite supporting player in The Mistress Memoirs is Georgette Lawson, a moderately successful courtesan who is happy enough in her dream world until her first lover, Sir Colin Boscastle, returns to ruin her life again. Georgette is as lazy as hell. She’s a terrible mother. Although she loves her children, she doesn’t have a clue how to take care of them. She relies on their governess, Miss Kate Walcott, for everything. However, in order to write an entire book about Georgette, she would have to go through a rigorous process of redemption, and I don’t think she’s quite ready for that yet.
Can you think of a secondary character in a work of fiction who has become compelling enough to demand their own stage? The most current character that comes to my mind is Daryl Dixon of The Walking Dead whose quirky mix of bad-ass and baby brother has taken the show’s fans by storm.
Giveaway Alert
We have one copy of The Mistress Memoirs to give away. Leave a comment on this post answering Jillian’s question from above for a chance to win! US only. Please note: You must include a valid email address with your comment to be eligible. Contest ends: 2/28/13 @ 11:59pm.
Jillian Hunter is the author of twenty-one published novels. Her books have been printed in twelve languages and have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists.
This book is available from Signet. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Thanks for the fun post!! Oh, I totally agree w/ Daryl Dixon, I was so glad that he went back to the group and told off his awful brother! *ahem* Another would be Peabody from JD Robb’s In Death Series. She has grown so much through the series.
I think 2ndary char can be great in books particularly when well written & why series are popular. Joanna Bourne’s Adrian/Hawker — he was a wonderful char that couldn’t help but love in her 1st 3 books. got to see him at different ages/stages of life & learn more about him as he helped the heroes land their ladies & with each book, just couldn’t help but want more of him. was so happy when he finally got his HEA told. even better, it was a great book too 🙂
Hi Jillian. I can’t wait to read your latest. the Boscastle series is one of my favorites. Now, I think one of the most successful and famous secondary characters is Huck Finn. Even though he was introduced in a much-loved children’s book, his story became a must read novel for many of us in high school and college. Good luck on your new release. My email is leyhlaw at gmail dot com.
This is why I love series – to get the full story of secondary characters. I’m reading Vicky Dreiling’s first series and there’s one character I thought would have her own book, but apparently not since Vicky has gone on to a new series.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Hello everyone!
I’m glad we all share affection for secondary characters. Imagine how flat fiction would be without them.
Erin, yes, Daryl Dixon — you what I found interesting in the last episode of TWD was that his brother’s vulnerability was beginning to show through, and even though he’s such a detestable character, you realized he was abused like Daryl.
Gamemistress66, it’s wonderful when a secondary character gets a well-told HEA. And that is one of the strengths of writing a series, letting these background character come into their own.
Pollie, I’m glad you like the Boscastles! I was in B&N as I was mulling this article, and my daughter and I both thought of Huck Finn. He is one unforgettable character!
Di, you never know! Perhaps if enough readers wrote to Vicky, she might return to the series you love.
I’m happy to answer any questions you have. I love to talk books with readers!
Lanthe from Kresley Cole IAD series
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My favorite secondary character that demanded his own story be told was the Duke of Villiers in Eloisa James’ Desperate Duchesses series. He started out a very unsympathetic character and as the series progressed, and we got to know him better, he needed his own love story and happily ever after.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
It’s satisfying to watch an unsympathetic character become a hero in the capable hands of a writer like Eloisa James!
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My favorite example of a secondary character that was so compelling he deserved his own book is Lord Stoneville who plays a secondary character in some of Sabrina Jeffries’s Heiresses series. He is a notorious lord who threw parties and was a background character in the series. Readers enjoyed his character so much that he spawned a whole new series – The Hellions of Halstead Hall! Both series were excellent. I definitely thingk a secondary character that becomes a main character in a sequel is quite exciting!
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I think just about any secondary character in Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series deserves a book of their own. Derek, Doolittle, Julie.. any of the side characters absolutely shine when they’re on the page.
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Rothgar in Jo Beverley’s Malloren series. Glad to see he got his own book.
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