Ok, I had a minor character who was supposed to be mostly the "friendly tech support" type of character. He started off as being an honorable mention for giving one of my MC's information that they need. Then he got a scene. Now though, he's creeping more and more into the story almost as a third MC while the third MC I originally envisioned hasn't made an appearance yet as an MC, just as an "oh, crap, we don't want to be seen by her..." situation and a couple of semi-honorable mentions. Good thing this is still in the early stages.
Gotta love the characters....
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Oh, yeah, I can sympathize. Every time I introduce a minor character I have to yank the story back to focus on the MC because the new character tries to take over.
The biggest interference was when I realized my MC, a nobleman in a fantasy universe, needed bodyguards. The bodyguards not only claimed the spotlight for half the story, one of them also turned into a love interest for my female MC.
The biggest interference was when I realized my MC, a nobleman in a fantasy universe, needed bodyguards. The bodyguards not only claimed the spotlight for half the story, one of them also turned into a love interest for my female MC.
I've had this problem before. Promise them a starring role in your next work - see if that makes them behave.
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Or just run with it. Cite Psycho as your muse!
What was it? The first twenty-five to thirty minutes of the film was spent following some girl around and then, whammo, she's dead! And Psycho has gone down as one of histories greatest films.
Let the characters drive the story, you never know, it might work out alright.
What was it? The first twenty-five to thirty minutes of the film was spent following some girl around and then, whammo, she's dead! And Psycho has gone down as one of histories greatest films.
Let the characters drive the story, you never know, it might work out alright.
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Yeah, those characters don't always behave the way you expect them to. I had a minor character slated to be killed and although he ended up getting more scenes than I'd planned and I grew to like the guy, I still killed him off. Heard about it from readers but couldn't let the poor man ruin my story.
Well, I don't intend to kill the guy off. I just never intended he'd get this much page time. Not that I'm complaining too much, he's turning out to be another great foil for the mage MC. Unfortunately, the next scene is going to be painful for the poor guy. He gets jumped by the villian.
The Muse likes this guy. Resist the Muse at your own peril -- she likes to mess up those who cling too hard to preconceived notions, and her iron knuckles have spikes on 'em. Serrated spikes. Doused in black mamba venom.
This is funny. Just last night I told my hubby that I've never had a bunch of characters misbehave so much. Not that they are naughty - certain things just aren't happening the way I thought.... I'm just letting them run with it & see what happens. I love seeing that I'm not alone in this Thanks!
Thanks!
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Ah, but if you love him and the readers love him then they'll be outraged when the bad guy jumps him. Evoking emotion in the reader is what it's all about.
LOL - I think you may be right. I hope the Muse doesn't treat him too badly. I already gave him a bum knee. lol
But I'm beginning to really like him a lot and hope he doesn't take over as the main MC. Still, I like the fact that he can call the MC on the MC's faults (poor guy) in ways the other MC can't. And the other MC (one of the original 2 MC's) can smack the two guys when they lose sight of the goal and start obsessing over details. Ah, yes, the fun begins.
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Oh, walk-ons that don't leave!
In Asylum the MC's boyfriend had a friend who turned up and stayed the entire novel, proving himself invaluable in the later stages just so the MC didn't have to wander around alone. Then he invited his other mate along to visit the asylum. Other mate ended up topping himself (that got rid of you, ya boring old snot). Then the other mate's sister was brought in. Initially just to impart news of death and Important Plot Information, but wormed her way into the finale and killed the Big Bad.
I blame sleep deprivation personally.
In Asylum the MC's boyfriend had a friend who turned up and stayed the entire novel, proving himself invaluable in the later stages just so the MC didn't have to wander around alone. Then he invited his other mate along to visit the asylum. Other mate ended up topping himself (that got rid of you, ya boring old snot). Then the other mate's sister was brought in. Initially just to impart news of death and Important Plot Information, but wormed her way into the finale and killed the Big Bad.
I blame sleep deprivation personally.
IMO stay with this character. He might have something interesting to share.
This happened to me recently -- Reed was supposed to be the nice and sweet, kind of nerdy friend but halfway through the story he started acting up and demanding that he become the nice and sweet, kind of nerdy love interest. I gave in. The story's better for it.
This happened to me recently -- Reed was supposed to be the nice and sweet, kind of nerdy friend but halfway through the story he started acting up and demanding that he become the nice and sweet, kind of nerdy love interest. I gave in. The story's better for it.
If this happens to me I kill the bastard. The MC is having a tough enough time without losing the limelight to an info dumping third wheel.
But that's just me.
But that's just me.
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I've run into this too. A minor character in Between Brothers decided he wanted a bigger part and wound up taking over 4 or 5 chapters. I ran with it, and it worked waaaaaay better than keeping him a minor character. Granted it meant revamping a significant chunk of my outline when I was 2/3 of the way through writing the book, but the story was better for it.
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