Enriching Romance: The Power of Objectives for Side Characters
Love might be the primary emotion in romance novels, but the journey towards that coveted happily ever after isn't just a straight path. Every twist and turn, every subplot, and every character play a role in the overarching narrative. Especially side characters.
Most authors know to flesh out their protagonists — after all, these are the people on whom the central story pivots. However, a common mistake, especially in the romance genre, is to reduce side characters to mere plot devices or stereotypical figures: the jealous ex, the disapproving parent, or the comedic best friend. But what if, by giving these side characters their own objectives and arcs, we could elevate the entire novel?
The World Beyond the Lovers
Imagine a romance novel where the main characters exist in a vacuum, with no one else around them, no interference, no conversations beyond their own. It sounds monotonous, right? This is because real-life romances are set against the backdrop of a bustling world, filled with friends, family, colleagues, and even rivals. It's this world that adds dimension to the love story, creating a richer, more relatable tale.
Side Characters and Their Objectives
Just as in real life, everyone in your novel should have a purpose. By giving your side characters objectives, you make them more than just cardboard cutouts. Here's why:
Deepening the Plot: A side character's objective can introduce subplots that run parallel to the main love story. This can make the narrative more layered, offering readers a break from the central tension while still keeping them engaged.
Creating Realistic Obstacles: If a side character's objectives clash with the protagonist's desires, it can introduce organic conflict. Instead of resorting to clichés like misunderstandings, external events, or character flaws, you're tapping into real-world dynamics that many readers might recognize from their own lives.
Humanizing the World: Everyone, in reality, has hopes, dreams, and objectives. By acknowledging this in your side characters, you're portraying a world that's alive and buzzing with energy. This creates a sense of immersion for the reader.
How to Assign Objectives to Your Side Characters
Step 1: Understand their Relationship with the Protagonist If the side character is a parent, perhaps they want what's "best" for their child (even if it doesn't align with the protagonist's wishes). If it's a friend, they might desire the protagonist's happiness but also have their own love story unfolding in the background.
Step 2: Create a Backstory Why does the side character have this objective? Maybe the jealous ex isn't just envious but is dealing with feelings of inadequacy or a fear of abandonment. Delve deep, and you might find that even a minor character can have a rich backstory.
Step 3: Decide on the Evolution Objectives can change. As the story progresses, your side characters should also grow, leading to evolved or entirely new objectives. This will keep them dynamic and avoid making them feel like they exist just for the sake of the main storyline.
In Practice: The Best Friend
Let's take a staple character from many romance novels: the protagonist's best friend. Instead of merely being the sounding board for the protagonist's dilemmas, this friend could:
Have their own love story: This subplot can contrast with the main romance, offering different challenges and outcomes.
Experience personal growth: Maybe they're grappling with career choices or familial pressures. This personal objective can intersect with the main story, leading to both conflict and bonding moments.
React to the central romance: Perhaps they're initially skeptical, leading them on a journey of acceptance and understanding.
Side characters, with their depth and objectives, can transform a romance novel from a simple love story to a multifaceted tale of relationships, growth, and the myriad emotions that make us human. By treating them as individuals rather than mere extensions of the main characters, authors can paint a richer tapestry that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned.
