Crafting Memorable Side Characters: How to Engage Readers with Limited Screen Time

Welcome to the art of writing side or background characters, those essential components that enrich the tapestry of your story without needing extensive screen time. Whether you're a novelist or a screenwriter, creating engaging and realistic side characters can elevate your storytelling, making your narrative more compelling. In this article, we will explore practical techniques to bring life to your minor characters and ensure they make a lasting impact.

Give Them a Clear Goal

One effective method is to assign a specific goal to each side character, even if it’s as minor as a fleeting interaction. Consider a chatty waitress who flirts with the hero during a crucial conversation. This simple scene canAdding context and purpose to your minor characters can enhance the depth of your story, compelling readers to pay more attention to the characters they may initially overlook.

Learn from Examples

It's beneficial to study how other authors and filmmakers have successfully incorporated side characters into their works. One standout example is the nun who tells the "Walrus and Carpenter" story at the beginning of the movie "Dogma". Although she is a minor character, her presence immediately sets the tone and adds an important layer to the story.

Referential Depth

Another technique is to have side characters reference or be referenced in a way that ties them to off-screen events. In a novel, a guard can be mentioned for weeks before he plays a crucial role. For instance, a guard might have shot at a duck and nearly hit a sergeant. In a few lines, both the guard and the sergeant can be shown to exist beyond the confines of the story, adding depth to their characters.

Memorable Lines Can Make All the Difference

A side character doesn't need extensive dialogue to leave an impact. Sometimes, a single memorable line can be enough. In the novel The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien excels at crafting minor characters with striking descriptions that stick with the reader. The labels on the gifts left by Bilbo, for instance, provide a wealth of character insight without the characters ever appearing on screen.

(Character Development) in Novels

When writing a novel, you might find yourself delving into the backstories of your minor characters to better understand their motivations and choices under pressure. However, despite the importance of character exploration during the writing process, not all of this extensive information necessarily needs to be included in the final narrative. The key is to create enough of an impression that readers can see the character's personality without overwhelming them with too much detail.

A Case Study in Minor Character Development

To illustrate this point, let's examine a passage from one of my own fanfics. Without naming the character, I aimed to convey his personality through brief interactions:

Clodio Banks and his wife Beryl had just sat down to elevenses when there came a knock on the door. The maidservant went to answer it and came back instantly.

"Mr. Clodio sir there is a messenger for you come from the Thain. He says it is urgent."

With a sigh of exasperation Clodio threw down his napkin and got up.

He did not invite the messenger inside nor offer him a cup of tea but stood in the doorway at the threshold. "You have a message for me"

The messenger nodded but did not look at him directly. Instead he fixed his gaze on the rug in the front hall. "Begging your pardon Mr. Banks sir but I was told to give you this exact message: 'The Thain says you are to come at once to fetch your sons away. They are being sent home in disgrace.'"

Clodio was livid. "What Why" he shouted.

The messenger spoke to the shrubbery at the side of the front step. "I can't say sir I'm sure." Which meant he had not been given leave to say not that he didn't know. Everyone in the Great Smials knew by now he was sure. He stood there briefly just long enough to make Clodio know that he was aware of the lapse of courtesy for not asking him in for tea not to mention failing to offer the customary tip. Not that he expected one. The Mistress's brother was known to pinch his coppers till they squeaked.

"Well sir" he said to the doorpost "I'd best be getting on."

Clodio yelled "Beryl!" and slammed the door in his face.

The messenger grinned. Mr. Reggie had given him plenty of money to break his journey before he returned to the Great Smials. He'd ridden hard to get here so quickly and the pony needed rest. The Man in the Moon was the best inn in Underhill. He’d take himself there for a good meal and a bit of a nap. He’d be surprised if his bit of gossip about the Banks’s sons did not get him a few free ales.

Note: The messenger's loyalty to the Thain and his insouciance towards Clodio are conveyed through subtle cues. The portrayal of him as a minor character is vivid and engaging without the need to name him, as his textual presence is limited.

Conclusion

Creating memorable side characters is an art that requires a delicate touch. By giving them clear goals, drawing on examples, and crafting memorable moments, you can ensure that they leave a lasting impact on your readers. Remember, a well-developed side character, even one with limited screen time, can enrich your storytelling and add depth to your narrative.

So, next time you find yourself writing a side character, ask yourself: How can this person add to the story without overshadowing the main characters? By answering that question, you'll be well on your way to crafting memorable and impactful characters.