Everyone needs a best friend. Our characters aren't any different. Secondary friendships can bring so much to a story. They're going to understand the hero or heroine far better than their potential love interest - in the beginning. They're going to have their own feelings about the developing relationship, pro and con, and their advice or actions can potentially drive the upcoming scenes.
People are never one sided, even if they only rate a secondary character status. I love writing friends who will tell it like it is when the hero or heroine needs to hear something. I like the perspective they can offer when turned to for advice, and I love the potential for comic relief. Only a true and affectionate friend can give those choice comebacks and toy with the main characters in such a fun and delicious way.
They are going to be both the devil and the angel sitting on our main character's shoulders. They're going to be the one making the off-color asides. They offer insights into the main character's character in subtle but very important ways. How these two play off of each other can be critical to helping us understand the hero or heroine on a more personal level.
In the end, that best friend will be the one holding the ring, waiting for their cue, with a big self-congratulatory smile on their face. Who wouldn't want one of those watching their backs?
I hope you enjoy Sally, Mia Page's wonderful, cheeky best friend in, Grading on Curves -- my new release coming Monday, June 17th. She was a lot of fun to write, and a pleasure to reread when I did edits.
Visit Beachwalk Press for the perfect weekend escape. Speaking of which, my book, Friends and Lovers is another great summer read. -- Tara Mills
I totally agree. I love secondary characters in my case especially family because I always get confused with friendships (lol, in my latest novel, my heroines one friend is her chambermaid and in my head by the end of the series, they are definitely all living in a nice, weird polyamorous thing together, even though I'll probably keep that in my head and out of the book lol)
ReplyDeleteI do like books with a super strong focus on two people, like a play where you really only see the main characters and nobody else. But when you have any other characters, I want them to be awesome and well-developed.
I couldn't agree more. I mean where would Jordie be without Rachel? who would be there to witness all that sassy sarcasm and hilarious banter?
ReplyDeleteThe bestie can make a story.
Totally true--to me heroes and heroines without the scaffolding of relationships are never as well drawn as those who are surrounded by best friends, families, and of course, the occasional villain! :) Great post!
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