Everyone's Favorite Side Characters

Let's talk about side characters! Everyone's favorite, because sometimes they just steal the show from the MC with their quippy quips, their badassery their ingenuity.

Sometimes, side characters are th simply the best.

Why is this? Probably because we spend way more time with MCs so they get to be far more human with more flaws and annoying traits. Also, we spend less time with side characters so they can be way more mysterious which inherently makes them more intriguing, which is a HUGE part of their charm.

Some of my absolute favorite side characters are:

• Jacks when we fist meet him in Stephanie Garber's CARAVAL series. Obviously, Jacks was so good he needed his own series, which he got. But I will never get enough of Jacks

• Samwise Gamgee, the real hero of LOTR

• Manon Blackbeak from THRONE OF GLASS series, her character arc is probably the best part of the series

• The entire cast of SIX OF CROWS??

Anyway, so many great examples out there. I'd love to hear some of your favorites, too.

I think writing side characters is the most fun because there are so many types of side characters. They can push your MC along on their journey, they can be a foil, a friend, a frenemy, an enemy, a lover, comedic relief, a skill to make up for your MC's weaknesses...

The list is truly endless.

Thinking of my own books, my side characters are some of my favorite parts of writing. Below, dive in for a sample of the first time Luna encounters Cinna, the Autumn brother of the Seasonal Founders, the Merryweather Four. Cinna has an imporant clue for Luna as she begins to unravel a mystery about a long lost Founder to finally discover who is behind the disappearances that just claimed one of her best friends.

REALM OF THE CELESTIALS

A Message from Cinna

“Actually, Little Moon, I wasn’t just out for a stroll — though Autumnal strolling is my fourth favorite activity — I was looking for you,” Cinna was in front of her in a breath, smelling of cinnamon and sweaters. Luna lifted an eyebrow, trying not to sniff his intoxicating cozy scent anymore.

“I have a gift for you.”

Luna didn’t bother concealing the smirk she shared with Gwenny, “You got me a gift? Aw Cinna, I had no idea you were so sentimental!”

“Don’t pretend Autumn doesn’t make you soft of spirit. But, this is not that kind of gift. It’s to help you follow the path to stop the disappearances. It’s something the Vis Group doesn’t have.”

Luna couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d been hiding ever since Hayes disappeared, but she was ready to take action now. And apparently Cinna was going to help her. “I guess you’ve forgiven me for beating you in that rope swing contest.”

“You burned my rope, and I demand a rematch!” Steam poured out of Cinna’s ears and his cheeks flushed before he gathered himself, “It’s not from me. I’ve been keeping it for a friend for a very long time, Little Moon. It’s time you get what she left you.” Cinna wiggled his fingers and leaves began falling more heavily around them.

“Who is she?” Gwenny asked, standing with her shoulder pressed into Luna’s. Luna’s heart thumped against her rib cage while she waited.

As if her heart was beating but one name over and over.

“Estelle,” Cinna smiled in the vanishing light.

“Luna saw her,” Gwenny chimed in, breathless too. “The Frigi showed her a vision of Estelle.”

Cinna tutted, “Visions are such dreadful things, too reminiscent of my insufferable Winter Sister.” Cinna shuddered, “If only we could skip from Autumn to Spring.”

Flicking his fingers again, Cinna sent tiny flames to hang below the branches all around them like glowing lanterns. “Now dreams, on the other hand, are much more Autumn hearted..."