February 5 – Supporting Cast
Support. To keeping something going. Your supporting cast moves the protagonist’s story forward, or backward, or perhaps slides it sideways.
DIY MFA Radio Episode 103 (sorry, I cannot get the links to work)
Writing the Multiple Point of View novel with Emma Staub.
My WIP has many characters, but it is not a multi-character story. It has one main character, with the story told in many POV’s. Each character moves my protagonist closer to his goal, even when he is not in that particular scene. The supporting characters’ views, on achievement and success, impacts my protagonist.
“adulthood is a moving target” – Emma Staub (Episode 103)
This is the theme of my story. I didn’t have one until I listened to this podcast. But I digress……
Back to the supporting cast.
the Fool – the protagonist’s cousin. She introduces Love Interest (2) and moves the story along when it gets stuck.
the Love Interest (1) she is toxic, pulls down the protagonist. She is messy, not good for him and bad things happen to her all the time.
the Love Interest (2) she is “normal”, has normal issues.
the Side Kick (1) he is toxic, messy, pulls down the protagonist, he causes bad things to happen.
the Side Kick (2) he is “normal”, has normal issues
(ahh, I see what is happening here)
the Mentor – his grandfather, a man who has lived life, made his mistakes, sharing what he has learned.
and of course, the Puppy, because all stories should have a puppy.
brendarech.com 