by C.H. Admirand
TYLER: Hell, CH, I should be back at the ranch, riding the range, looking for the strays that wandered through the break in the fence. It’s honest work that I know how to do. My grandfather taught the three of us the way to keep the ranch going, wasn’t his fault that times got tough right before he died. We’ve been struggling ever since.
CH: I know, Tyler, but I think it’s admirable that you’re willing to take on a night job to help pay the mortgage and feed bill. Emily and Jolene really need your help at the Lucky Star.
TYLER: Hell’s fire, I thought I’d be stocking shelves and hauling kegs for the little redheads. I did not know that I’d be stripping down to the skimpiest pair of black spandex briefs I’ve ever seen. Who the hell wears black underwear anyway? A man’s entitled to wear cotton briefs, boxers, or go cowboy if he wants to.
CH: You’re absolutely right, Tyler. I’m sorry that it’s so hard on you. I’m in a similar situation myself with my job. After all these years, I’m nearly obsolete. I guess you might feel that way about what you do, too.
TYLER: I’m good with my hands. I can rope, ride, and roundup steer. I’ve repaired the roof of our barn so many times, I can do it blindfolded. I’m a fair hand at plumbing, but I never figured I’d have to stand up on a stage in front of all those women waving their money at me…and why the hell do they have to stuff their bills in my briefs?
CH: You’ve spent your life working the Circle G. It’s hard to explain what your typical day is like, isn’t it?
TYLER: I work from sunup to just past sundown, seven days a week…but sometimes, especially during the Spring when the steer start delivering bull calves and heifers, my brothers and I work 24/7. If we’re not tending to the stock, then we’re taking care of our Quarter Horses—best horse for cutting steer from the herd, and working the ranch.
CH: You really love the work, don’t you?
TYLER: Yes ma’am. Um…why didn’t you give me a chance to work at a regular bar?
CH: I wanted to showcase your commitment to do whatever it takes to save the Circle G ranch. I wanted readers to fall in love with you as much as Emily has, for doing what you had to even thought it goes against your grain and had you lying to your brothers to save the family’s name and reputation in Pleasure, Texas.
TYLER: Well, then I guess if you had to…but couldn’t you have come up with another job for me?
CH: You wouldn’t have been desperate, besides don’t you enjoy the female adoration? Every pair of eyes in the Lucky Star is glued on you and your broad shoulders, abs-to-die-for and damn-you-to-hell-and-back dark eyes.
TYLER: It’s not quite like I imagined it would be. The place smells like warm rain…what’s up with that? A bar should smell like beer on tap and peanuts, maybe sawdust and a hint of sweat. Hell, CH, I’d rather be mucking out stalls at the barn.
CH: Cheer up, Tyler, you’ve made a difference at the Circle G and at the Lucky Star…besides if you hadn’t answered the ad for a hardworking man with a strong back and even temperament, you never would have had the chance to meet Emily Langley.
TYLER: Well now, since you put it that way. I’m beholdin’ to you. That little lady surely sets my heart—and a few other body parts—on fire. I knew I’d have to stick around at the Lucky Star, if only to get to know her better. She’s the best part of this damned job.
CH: I know…she’s perfect for you.
TYLER: Thanks, CH. I’ve gotta get back to the Circle G.
CH: Thanks for stopping by to chat, Tyler!♥
TYLER is C.H.’s 10th book and her debut in mass market paperback. TYLER releases March 1, 2011 from Sourcebooks. To read an excerpt, stop by her website at http://www.chadmirand.com/.
Think of it: What would Sherlock Holmes be without Watson? Dorothy Gale without her curious trio? Harry without Hermione & Ron? Don Quixote without Sancho Panza? Hamlet without Horatio?
Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of the secondary character. I think the term used in the film industry serves to clarify the raison d’etre for these characters – “supporting cast”. Because they support the hero, heroine and adversary in your story – in fact they support the story itself!
In general there are two general questions to ask yourself when compiling THIS supporting cast: “What part do they play; what is their function in your story?” And then: “Who are they? Who can they be?” Like the chicken and the egg, the question of which aspect comes first will depend on the author.
The role of the secondary character can be used to: add color, help establish aspects of the plot, help define and clarify the hero, heroine and villain for the reader and other characters, act as a catalyst for the action of the plot, and serve as a foil for the other protagonists.
Particularly in romance, you need these secondary characters to help the hero and heroine toward their HEA. The sibling who reveals the heroine’s fear of men or the loyal housekeeper who never leaves the employ of the curmudgeonly Duke, thereby alerting the reader to the man’s inherent goodness.
They can provoke the action: The BFF who is kidnapped, propelling the heroine into the fray to rescue her, providing GMC. The orphaned child destined for death, who has no savior – unless the hero takes action.
Likewise the adversary can be aided by these characters. The minion who is missing a hand as a result of the villain’s vengeful nature lets the reader in on the fact that the villain is not just a danger to his enemies.
Often the secondary characters are used to act as: sounding boards, confessors, psychologists or as mentors or mirrors. They enable the primary characters perhaps to see their way in a quandary, or to make the right decision, or they help them to learn and grow into a given situation.
These supporting cast members play the role of foil for a primary character. The dissolute best friend whose presence highlights the hero’s more sober lifestyle. The flight BFF who points up the heroine’s savvy. Or the quailing bad guy who helps to illuminate the real power of the evil villain.
Secondary characters also play a general role, providing color and diverse voices to your story. They help establish the world. The variety of these characters, both their physical selves and their personalities, can add a wealth of layers to any story.
You can assign these roles to a variety of secondary characters. It will depend on your story’s setting, and your plot. There may be one secondary character who plays all the roles. Or a veritable slew.
Another fun aspect of secondary characters is the wide diversity of type that you are able to employ in creating them. The constraints you have for the hero, heroine and villain are abandoned in favor of all manner of characteristics. For example, your hero is probably not the type to be a circus nut, who ran off to clown school and is known to drive everyone crazy by juggling everything in their path, including small dogs and valuable vases. But the best buddy can! Your villain would not be believable if he is an inept bungler. But the villain’s clumsy helper can add a great element of humor suspense to the story. Will he carry out the villain’s orders? Or blow the whole nefarious scheme?
These supporting members of your story can run the gamut from good, bad, lovely or grotesque. Their identities and relationships can be whatever you want or need them to be. As with an adversary, a secondary “character” might also be a non-humanoid entity. A perfect storm that tests the hero’s mettle as he races to save the heroine from the evil-doer’s clutches. A dog like Toto that sets the action of The Wizard of Oz in motion, offers companionship and actually serves as one of Dorothy’s rescuers. Or Mount Doom – the destination of all of the band in Lord of the Rings, which looms ominously throughout the books.
There are some of the basics of a supporting cast. One, two, or as many as you need to effectively produce your story. There can be a sense of an ensemble among them, or it can be a solitary individual at the hero and heroine’s sides. They are vital to the book, but keep in mind that they can’t run away with your story. If your secondary characters are clamoring for the spotlight, promise them their own tale – in the sequel!
If you have trouble determining what your secondary characters should be doing in your story, and how you can create them, pick out a favorite book, or watch a favorite movie, and figure out who these secondary characters are – not to be confused with the tertiary characters and the extras. Identify them, and then identify what role(s) they play in the story.
Who are YOUR favorite secondary characters? What interesting ways have you seen the secondary characters used in a story? How do you approach the creation of these integral characters? Please share!
