forum How can I give background/side characters a detailed backstory without them taking over the role of the main character?
Started by @Victoria
tune

people_alt 2 followers

@Victoria

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone could help me out with this… I have many many background characters, each with interesting backstories. How can I give out all these backstories (with time of course) to the reader without the main protagonist losing their role as the most important?

Deleted user

Don't reveal all of it at once. Take bits and pieces and throw them occasionally in to keep the reader wondering. How are you going about this, because it could be the protagonist's mission to uncover the backstory that the side character doesn't want to be revealed.

@Victoria

Thank you for the help. I think I have an idea on what I can do now :) And in the story, the protagonist would normally just meet people (side characters) on their adventures and trips. So I was thinking that that's where you would get to know the characters and their backstories. That's actually a really smart idea with the "protagonist's mission to uncover the backstory that the side character doesn't want to be revealed".

Deleted user

Thanks! I try. ;P Good luck writing, I would really love to read it if you allow me to!

Deleted user

:D I have a story that I have 24 characters for and I have to figure out personalities and stuff for all of them and ugh…

Hannah

A lot of good points have already been brought up. I am by no means a professional, however, you could literally have the protagonist have tea with this side character. I'm imagining a story where the main character is an observer of passersby. Like a shop owner listening to people's stories as they come into the shop for trinkets or even just some relaxation. Maybe they have that personality that entices people to tell their story, makes them feel comfortable enough to do so. Or perhaps this character just enjoys others' stories even when going through their own.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I just felt like contributing :)