Main characters must be strong, likable and memorable, to name a few qualities. But what about supporting characters? In my classes, two common problems I see are supporting characters who try to take over and too many characters.
Writing Tip for Today: In the first problem, the supporting character(s) are so strong and memorable themselves, either by being “quirky,” or by their actions, the often overshadow or upstage the protagonist. I think of TV’s “Andy Griffith Show” in this example. It’s said that when the show first went on, Andy himself was a bumbling comic, yukking it up. But with Barney Fife, the bug-eyed deputy as his sidekick, Andy quickly realized he could never compete. So his main character became the straight man. More importantly, Andy became larger-than-life, a Solomon for Mayberry. When you invent your supporting characters, be careful that they aren’t:

• so quirky they overshadow your protagonist.
• more desperate to get a goal than your protagonist.
• more willing to overcome obstacles and act on the desire for the goal.

The second problem is that of numbers. Remedy a cast of thousands by:

• combining supporting characters into composites, cutting down on the numbers of characters.
• introducing supporting characters one or two at a time. Readers can’t remember characters piled on too fast, too soon. Give the reader time to get to know a character before adding in new ones.
• asking yourself which of these characters has a necessary role and which is just scenery.
• not naming minor characters who don’t have speaking parts. This is a tip from screenwriting. If it’s a delivery boy and nothing more, just call him the delivery boy.

Try This! In your WIP, note how many supporting characters are in the story. Make a list of them and then describe their purpose. Are any of them expendable? Kill ’em off!