Strategies for Crafting Vibrant Supporting Players
In a two-part post, we delve into the art of crafting engaging minor historical figures. Today, we present five effective strategies for creating memorable supporting players, as outlined by author John Briggs in his upcoming book, Leaping Lemmings, set to release on September 6th, 2016.
John Briggs, a seasoned writer with nearly two decades of experience, offers valuable insights on character development, especially for short stories where economy of words demands sharp, vivid characterization.
1. Unique Traits and Quirks
Give minor characters distinctive features such as unusual habits, speech patterns, smells, or ways they move. These details make them stand out quickly in readers’ minds without needing extensive backstory.
2. Show, Don't Just Tell
Reveal personality through what they do—how they react in situations, their mannerisms, or their choices. Even a small but consistent behavior can make a character vivid.
3. Brief Backstory or Motivation
A touch of history or a hint at why they behave a certain way adds depth and realism, making minor characters feel like real people rather than placeholders.
4. Unexpected Traits
If your minor character fits a stock type (e.g., the mentor, the villain’s henchman), add surprising or personal elements that complicate that role. This breaks stereotypes and keeps the character fresh and engaging.
5. Precise, Evocative Language
Describe how they look, sound, or even smell in vivid terms. This sensory specificity helps readers visualize and remember them distinctly even if their role in the story is brief.
By implementing these approaches, minor characters can become memorable supporting players that enrich your story world and enhance the reader’s experience without overwhelming your narrative.
John Briggs warns against characters that don't interact with their surroundings, as they can feel unbelievable and detract from the reader's experience. He also advises against using stereotypical accents or vernacular for minor characters to maintain believability.
Minor characters are people and should act like it. They should act and react to what's happening around them to feel more believable. A memorable piece of clothing or accessory can help a minor character be more memorable, while differences in uniforms, rank, and tattoos can make a minor character in a uniformed setting stand out.
However, it's crucial to keep minor characters memorable without overdoing it. They should not overshadow the main characters. John Briggs started out in newspapers and was a nationally syndicated children's TV critic before turning his hand to writing books.
These insights are supported by various writing guides emphasizing character development for all roles. Stay tuned for part two of this series, where we'll explore more strategies for making minor characters exciting and memorable.
This is a guest post contributed by John Briggs.
[1] Writing for the Soul: A Guide to Writing the Short Story, John Briggs [3] The Art of Character: Creating Memorable Characters for Fiction, Novels & Plays, David Corbett [5] The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, Christopher Vogler
In John Briggs' upcoming book Leaping Lemmings, he emphasizes that to create engaging minor characters, unique traits and quirks should be given, allowing them to stand out rapidly (Unique Traits and Quirks). Moreover, Briggs advises showcasing personality through actions, reactions, and choices, as even small, consistent behaviors can heighten characters' vividness (Show, Don't Just Tell).
