So far in this series we have mentioned the existence of four distinct character types:
• Main Character
• Antagonist / Nemesis
• Secondary Character
• Secondary Secondary Character
We have also looked at how these character types reveal themselves to the reader – and each other – through action, dialogue, thought and relationship. We have demonstrated this using a story I wrote several years ago called ‘Sundays’. You can read it here: www.writers-online.co.uk/how-to-write/sundays-a-short-story-by-ian-ayris/
The characters in ‘Sundays’ are:
Main Character – Unnamed Boy
Antagonist / Nemesis – Dad
Secondary character - Mum
Secondary Secondary Characters – Auntie Cheryl and Uncle Pete In Part Three of this series, we looked in detail at the Main Character (the Unnamed Boy). In this article we will first look at the Secondary Character (Mum) and then the Secondary Secondary Characters (Auntie Cheryl and Uncle Pete).
Secondary Characters
Secondary Characters - or however you want to refer to them - do not drive the story. That is the job of the Main Character and the Main Character’s relationship with the Antagonist. They