Writing Tips for Creating Supporting Characters

When crafting a story, it's easy to get caught up in developing your protagonist. After all, they're the stars of the show. However, supporting characters are just as crucial. They add depth, complexity, and realism to your narrative and can significantly influence your plot's direction.

Supporting characters are the unsung heroes of any great story. They help to flesh out the world in which your protagonist lives, offering different perspectives and challenges that can reveal more about the main character.

Whether it's a trusted sidekick, a wise mentor, or a formidable antagonist, these characters are the backbone of your narrative, ensuring that your protagonist's journey is as rich and dynamic as possible. Without them, your story might feel flat and one-dimensional.

Let’s dive into five tips for creating supporting characters that stand out!

Give Them Their Own Goals and Motivations

One of the most effective ways to create realistic supporting characters is to give them goals and motivations separate from the protagonist's. This makes them feel like real people rather than just plot devices.

Just as your protagonist tackles the story’s primary conflict, your supporting characters can face a secondary conflict that plays an essential role in the plot and mirrors the main struggle.

For example, suppose your protagonist is on a quest to save the world of your story from destruction. In that case, a supporting character might be motivated by something more personal, like finding a lost family member or achieving their own form of redemption.

These goals should intersect with the protagonist’s journey but also create conflict or tension when this intersection occurs.

Develop Distinct Personalities and Voices

Every supporting character should have a distinct personality and voice. This means thinking about how they speak, their mannerisms, and their interactions with others. Are they sarcastic and witty or more serious and reserved? Do they use formal language, or are they more laid-back in their speech?

These traits help distinguish each character from one another and make them memorable. When each character brings something unique to the table, they enrich the story and contribute to a more dynamic narrative.

Ensure They Have a Role in the Plot

Supporting characters shouldn’t just be there to fill space; they should play an active role in the plot. Whether they help or hinder the protagonist, their actions should significantly impact the story’s progression.

Consider what each supporting character can do to influence the plot’s outcome. Perhaps they hold crucial information that the protagonist needs, or maybe they make a critical mistake that forces the protagonist to adapt.

Creating every character with a purpose ensures that they are indispensable to the story and aren’t just freeloading in the plot.

Create Backstories That Influence Their Actions

A well-crafted backstory can add depth to your supporting characters, making their actions and decisions more understandable. Consider what has happened in their past that drives their current behavior. Did they experience a significant loss that makes them overly cautious? Or perhaps they were once betrayed, leading them to have trust issues.

These backstories don’t need to be fully revealed in the story but should inform how the characters act and react. This will make them feel more three-dimensional and give the reader a deeper understanding of their motivations.

Allow Them to Grow and Change

Like your protagonist, supporting characters should have the opportunity to grow and change throughout the story.

This doesn’t mean they need to have a full character arc, but they should not remain static. Perhaps they learn something from the protagonist, or their experiences throughout the story lead them to a new understanding of their situation.

This growth can be subtle or significant, but it should feel natural and tied to the story’s events. By allowing your supporting characters to evolve, you create a richer, more engaging narrative.

Creating compelling supporting characters is essential to crafting a well-rounded and engaging story. By giving them their own goals, distinct personalities, and meaningful roles in the plot, you ensure that they are more than just background figures—they become integral parts of your narrative tapestry.

As you develop your supporting characters, remember that they reflect the world you’re building. The more attention you give to their creation, the more immersive and realistic your story will become.

Want to Learn More About Creating Supporting Characters?

Check out the Ultimate Writing Project Workbook! 

Packed with exercises, worksheets, and prompts, this FREE workbook will guide you through every step of your writing journey, helping you build compelling characters and a story that resonates deeply with readers.

Get your copy here and start creating characters that will impact your readers.