tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post8272899452880102699..comments2023-10-30T09:00:07.439-05:00Comments on A Walk In My Shoes: Secondary ShoesSusan R. Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578747592345750650noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-8838004182893447602009-11-02T23:36:30.594-06:002009-11-02T23:36:30.594-06:00Psst! I left you a little something on my blog. I ...Psst! I left you a little something on my blog. I know that I didn't need to leave this message with you since you read everything girl, but just in cases... :)Ellie Kingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14711249217634726986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-52896692838811171422009-11-02T01:58:36.801-06:002009-11-02T01:58:36.801-06:00Phew, I think I might have actually got something ...Phew, I think I might have actually got something write for a change!<br />These books need to go on my wish list, thanks for sharing them.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-85216547442586574162009-11-02T00:08:19.080-06:002009-11-02T00:08:19.080-06:00I like this analogy. In all the books I've re...I like this analogy. In all the books I've read that I cherish, the secondary characters have been well thought out, not just a left over impulse.*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-29948377254955980352009-11-01T19:57:43.956-06:002009-11-01T19:57:43.956-06:00I think there are probably many instances througho...I think there are probably many instances throughout history where a secondary character shone a little brighter than the main characters. But most often it's just that we attach ourselves to the secondary characters because they provide comic relief or are maybe a little quirkier. We always know, though, that the main characters are the crux of the story.Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-85555930035287779252009-11-01T14:57:43.401-06:002009-11-01T14:57:43.401-06:00I love the analogy with your daughter's ballet...I love the analogy with your daughter's ballet slippers. And maybe that's your answer: relative amounts of time and attention.Elizabeth Mahlouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00334700057953625321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-20098692267090285702009-11-01T06:42:27.283-06:002009-11-01T06:42:27.283-06:00That's an interesting thing for me to think ab...That's an interesting thing for me to think about, Susan. I have no idea how I do on that. Maybe I'll figure it out from my beta readers as well.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-20090226948472614252009-10-31T15:26:52.418-05:002009-10-31T15:26:52.418-05:00I haven't thought much of the secondary charac...I haven't thought much of the secondary characters, I think I better start. I love people's comments to this one, it's so helpful. =)<br /><br />Happy Halloween =)Melanie's Randomnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11331778717585609001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-82628719147673158512009-10-31T15:02:58.267-05:002009-10-31T15:02:58.267-05:00I really gotta read that book!
I just tell mysel...I really gotta read that book! <br /><br />I just tell myself that the secondary characters have goals as well, and I've read in several books that the secondary characters don't know they aren't the main character, so we have to keep that in mind. <br /><br />Of course, you're right, they shouldn't overshadow the MC, but they should be unique and memorable :)<br /><br />Great post, as per usual!erica m. chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773306703153110737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-4857690154550704702009-10-31T11:21:29.544-05:002009-10-31T11:21:29.544-05:00This has just happened to me for the first time. T...This has just happened to me for the first time. The secondary characters were meant to be just that - supporting. But, as they developed, they became much more and I have to pull back on them. For a short time I became more excited about them then I did my main characters, which is no good at all. So, those two will be a sequel to my current WIP, but right now I need to force them to stay in the backseat (on far opposite sides of the vehicle) instead of the driver's seat.Amy DeTrempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785965181851533070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-20686619082201085632009-10-31T11:12:44.774-05:002009-10-31T11:12:44.774-05:00Hmmm? I don't know that I've thought abou...Hmmm? I don't know that I've thought about this before. I typically let the story out and everyone lands where they land. Sometimes secondary folks take a bigger part as I write, and sometimes they stay on the sidelines like a good secondary character should.K. M. Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07167022736028223997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-6188481167819025972009-10-31T10:45:59.984-05:002009-10-31T10:45:59.984-05:00Thanks for the comments while I was on vacation. :...Thanks for the comments while I was on vacation. :] This issue is a tough one. My first thought was Jacob Black in the Twilight Saga. He's a secondary character that became a main character. If the beta readers can give you concrete things (specific examples) that make them like the secondary character better, it would help you to narrow your focus. Good luck.Tara McClendonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246124060126729229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-16968125636350397502009-10-31T08:23:36.318-05:002009-10-31T08:23:36.318-05:00I like what someone said about voice shining throu...I like what someone said about voice shining through--if it is a strong one for the main character. I WANT this book! I looked it up online and it is getting really tempting!Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-34045528051219802512009-10-31T07:47:52.366-05:002009-10-31T07:47:52.366-05:00I will have to pay more attention to my secondary ...I will have to pay more attention to my secondary characters. I never do. They are mostly there to support the main characters be who they are, tell who they are. It's not fair.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17708851895104018255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-10357966453889699832009-10-31T07:09:33.118-05:002009-10-31T07:09:33.118-05:00Damn that Donald for going and saying something br...Damn that Donald for going and saying something brilliant like that. Now I've got something else to lose sleep over. I have/do like my secondary characters to be just as intriguing. As a reader I sometimes find them more interesting than the main character, they're lurking, they get you to turn the page, they weave a different path. Or so I thought. Interesting point.jdsanchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04658357606303732115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-40166073458902133442009-10-31T03:54:46.834-05:002009-10-31T03:54:46.834-05:00I think you have raised a very important point. I ...I think you have raised a very important point. I work very hard on fleshing out my secondary characters. I think I have been fairly successful in making them stand out well. Good to know that I am on track. <br /><br />Two of my favorite writers, Maeve Binchy and Luanne Rice, make their secondary characters very special that you continue thinking about them even after you have finished the book but they also draw a balance so that the characters do not overshadow the protagonist. I think its an awesome strategy to grow and learn from. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a nice weekend!Swapna Raghu Sanandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167474469892964199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-35512467300183265992009-10-31T01:46:09.958-05:002009-10-31T01:46:09.958-05:00Great post. It is hard to balance good, well round...Great post. It is hard to balance good, well rounded secondary characters, without making them overshadow the MC. I'm not sure if I have yet mastered this skill. I try to make their interactions with my MC unique. Each gets a little quirk that I employ when they are, on screen, so to speak. Then I limit their, on screen time, so they don't become leads. Does that even make sense? LoL.Katie Salidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159923761047042193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-49768095756368568252009-10-30T21:59:36.865-05:002009-10-30T21:59:36.865-05:00I agree with Jody. You have so little time to deve...I agree with Jody. You have so little time to develop secondary characters that we add touches to them that maybe we forget in our MC's. I know I've done that.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-33835683285216758952009-10-30T21:06:23.906-05:002009-10-30T21:06:23.906-05:00Great question, Susan. I think in our efforts to c...Great question, Susan. I think in our efforts to create memorable secondary character, we often make them too quirky! And in doing so, we make them stand out more than some of our primary characters.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-29000245275744504992009-10-30T18:42:51.325-05:002009-10-30T18:42:51.325-05:00Susan, I think Lucy, the character that I blogged ...Susan, I think Lucy, the character that I blogged about over the summer, emerged from another character in my novel. I had the same problem. When I wrote Attack at Fleetwood Hill, I had to keep Elizabeth from jumping off the page and I didn't plan on that. If I wasn't careful, she would steal the show. Perhaps you can do something with this character of yours later?Clementinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745982305618408952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-56473940652527411362009-10-30T18:30:05.539-05:002009-10-30T18:30:05.539-05:00Susan, I am really enjoying reading this. Thanks f...Susan, I am really enjoying reading this. Thanks for the gentle nudge you gave me, by discussing the book on your blog.<br /><br />I think one of my secondary characters in my MG novel that I finished in June, became more important as the book progressed. As a matter of fact, my crit partner Beth talked about how good he was so much, that I made him appear more in the book. It turns out that he became critical to the story. But he doesn't overshadow the two MC'S. <br /><br />Great post Susan. Happy Halloween! :)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-14490552490977982662009-10-30T17:21:42.360-05:002009-10-30T17:21:42.360-05:00I had feedback saying that the reader was more att...I had feedback saying that the reader was more attached to some of the minor characters, rather then the MC. Poor Stella! Overshadowed in her own story!Jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444920778218867295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-80252057193461773242009-10-30T17:20:48.624-05:002009-10-30T17:20:48.624-05:00That's a tricky one. All the best with that. I...That's a tricky one. All the best with that. I think I am still figuring out how to develop secondary characters.Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-37709922137567482332009-10-30T17:08:56.746-05:002009-10-30T17:08:56.746-05:00Here's a mistake I know well. I had a problem ...Here's a mistake I know well. I had a problem with a main character who didn't work as well as a few of the secondary ones. It took me a while, but I finally figured out that the secondary characters stood out because I was letting them be themselves. <br /><br />Meanwhile, I had a strangle hold on my main character. And she had become wooden because I was trying to control her too much. It was a case of trying too hard. I needed to let her be who she was, or replace her with a character that I didn't feel I needed to control so much.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I've given you two blog awards over at http://www.StarlightBlog.com<br /><br />Don't worry about doing anything with them if you haven't got time. Just know your work is appreciated.mary.anne.gruen@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16839396134411360643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-89059133955617112102009-10-30T16:45:13.804-05:002009-10-30T16:45:13.804-05:00I'm still working on this, but so far I'm ...I'm still working on this, but so far I'm really trying to show how much my MC cares for the secondary characters.Melissa Hursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530652829980250261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515903861204137058.post-17971168697465305902009-10-30T15:49:30.922-05:002009-10-30T15:49:30.922-05:00I'm always impressed with how you tie shoes in...I'm always impressed with how you tie shoes into your writing ideas...well done!<br /><br />I've been wondering about secondary characters. We'll see how it plays out in the book, I was pretty good at them in screenplays.<br /><br />much loveStacey J. Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059617724860253448noreply@blogger.com