Novel Revision Series: Minor and Supporting Characters

A writer need not move inexorably toward the finish line. The asides, the exhales, are allowed. They are required.” — Edan Lepucki
In this discussion-based craft seminar, we’ll consider how minor and supporting characters are introduced or created in the reader’s mind. These characters are important because they often give depth and texture to your novel, round out important scenes, and reflect and deepen your main characters. Major characters need to be created in tandem with narrative structure and point of view, but minor and supporting characters often stand on their own, and they tend to be flat in first drafts, like place holders, and can often be greatly improved in the process of revision.

Do you fully understand your minor and supporting characters? Are you under-describing or over-describing? Are you relying too much on physical description, or are your descriptions too “on the nose"? Could using spines, metaphors, or another character-creating techniques help bring your supporting cast alive?

Participants are invited to bring in scenes from their novels in progress featuring important minor and supporting characters for possible on-the-spot notes and revision.

Part of GrubStreet's Novel Revision Series, led by Tim Weed and designed for those who have either finished or are nearing completion of a novel draft. Take every class in the series or simply choose the craft topics that are relevant to the revision challenges you face with your novel in progress. Classes include:

• Novel Revision Series: Zeroing in on Genre and Theme
• Novel Revision Series: Dramatic Structure & Narrative Drive
• Novel Revision Series: Descriptive Writing & Image Systems
• Novel Revision Series: Interiority, Backstory & Flashback
• Novel Revision Series: Point of View & Psychic Distance
• Novel Revision Series: Dialogue & the Scene
• Novel Revision Series: Minor & Supporting Characters
• Novel Revision Series: Killer Openings & Symphonic Endings