A great side character can light up a scene, steal a laugh, and stick in a reader’s mind long after the main plot fades. But there’s a balance to strike. You want them vivid—but not so vivid they eclipse your protagonist. Memorable—but still serving the story. It’s about giving them spark and limits. Let them shine—just not so brightly they blind the reader to the point of the scene.
Give Them One Defining Trait or Quirk
A side character doesn’t need a complex backstory or five-point arc. What they need is something specific. One clear trait, contradiction, or habit that sticks.
Maybe they’re unreasonably confident about things they know nothing about. Maybe they always carry snacks. Maybe they can’t remember names but never forget a grudge.
You’re not building a whole character file—you’re giving the reader a hook. Something to latch onto, recognize, and remember.
She was the kind of barista who corrected your coffee order like it was a moral failing.
That line alone gives us voice, tone, and a sense of who she is. You don’t need much—just something vivid.
Use Them to Challenge (or Reveal) the Protagonist
Every side character should serve a function. Ideally, they help illuminate something about your main character.
Maybe they call out the protagonist’s flaws. Maybe they offer a different worldview. Maybe they bring out a side of your main character no one else can.
Think of them as emotional catalysts—not just filler. The funny friend can also show what the main character isn’t saying. The strict boss can reveal where the protagonist lacks confidence.
Make the interaction matter. Let them deepen the story, not distract from it.
Limit Their Screen Time
If a side character keeps showing up in scenes where they’re not needed, they’ll start to pull focus. The best way to keep them in check is to be intentional about where and when they appear.
Don’t let them wander into the story just because you enjoy writing them. Bring them in when they have something to do—whether that’s pushing the plot, raising tension, or revealing character.
Their absence can be just as effective as their presence.
Don’t Solve Their Problems
It’s tempting to give a compelling side character a subplot of their own—but unless you’re writing a series or a very long novel, be careful.
If you start answering questions about their growth, arc, or journey, your main narrative can get diluted.
That doesn’t mean they have to be flat. You can hint at complexity without resolving it. A one-liner about their ex, or a quiet moment when their guard slips, can suggest layers without taking over the story.
They don’t need closure. They just need dimension.
Give Them an Arc—But Keep It Subtle
A great side character can evolve. Maybe their opinion of the protagonist changes. Maybe they take one small risk they wouldn’t have before.
These arcs don’t need spotlight moments. A small gesture, a changed tone, a final scene that nods to something earlier—that’s enough.
You’re looking for a whisper of change, not a full transformation. Just enough to show that they, too, are living people in this world, not cardboard cutouts.
Make Them Memorable Through Voice
Voice is often what makes a side character unforgettable. It can be rhythm, word choice, worldview. They don’t need a catchphrase—but they do need a way of speaking that feels distinct.
You want the reader to be able to guess who’s talking even if the tag is gone.
“That’s a terrible idea. Let’s do it.”
That’s a line you remember. It hints at personality. It creates tone. Voice goes a long way—especially for characters with limited page time.
Know When to Hold Back
If a side character is stealing the show, it’s usually because they’re the one having more fun, taking more risks, or doing the most interesting things. That’s a signal to look at your main character.
Maybe your protagonist needs sharper stakes. A clearer desire. A more active role.
Great side characters challenge the main character—but they don’t replace them. If the spotlight keeps shifting, it’s your story telling you where the energy is—and that might mean giving your protagonist more of it.
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