CharacterDevelopment – The Pencil Driven Life

The Role of Secondary Characters: Amplifying Your Protagonist’s Journey

WRITER'S EDGE – TUESDAYS

Welcome to Writer's Edge, your weekly resource for mastering the art and craft of storytelling. Every Tuesday, I'll share insights drawn from my experience as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, blending the best elements of Edge Coach, First Edge, and Craft Edge. Whether you're staring at a blank page, wrestling with revisions, or fine-tuning your final draft, you'll find actionable advice, proven techniques, and encouragement tailored to your stage of the writing journey. Let Writer's Edge sharpen your skills, spark your creativity, and guide you toward building stories that captivate readers.

Secondary characters are the unsung heroes of storytelling. While the protagonist takes center stage, secondary characters add richness to the narrative, deepen themes, and push the protagonist toward growth. Today, we’ll explore how to craft impactful secondary characters who elevate your story.

Why Secondary Characters Matter

Secondary characters serve as mirrors, foils, and catalysts for your protagonist. They:

Reflect the protagonist’s qualities, helping readers understand them better.
Challenge the protagonist’s beliefs or decisions, driving internal and external conflict.
Embody themes, reinforcing the story’s core message.

Think of Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes. He’s not only Holmes’s loyal companion but also the everyman who grounds the narrative, making Holmes’s brilliance accessible to readers.

Types of Secondary Characters

Mentors:
- Provide wisdom or guidance, often tied to the protagonist’s growth.
- Example: Haymitch in The Hunger Games challenges Katniss to confront her fears and trust her instincts.
Foils:
- Highlight the protagonist’s traits by offering a contrasting personality.
- Example: Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter emphasizes Harry’s moral integrity through his oppositional actions.
Allies:
- Support the protagonist in achieving their goals, offering camaraderie and perspective.
- Example: Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings exemplifies loyalty and perseverance, themes central to Frodo’s journey.
Antagonistic Figures:
- These aren’t always the main antagonist but provide obstacles or differing viewpoints.
- Example: Javert in Les Misérables challenges Jean Valjean’s path to redemption.

Crafting Memorable Secondary Characters

Give Them Their Own Goals:
- Secondary characters shouldn’t exist solely to serve the protagonist. Give them desires, flaws, and arcs of their own.
- Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch’s fight for justice isn’t just Scout’s story; it’s his deeply personal mission.
Tie Them to the Theme:
- Let secondary characters embody different facets of your story’s themes. Their perspectives can enrich the narrative and deepen the message.
Balance Their Presence:
- Secondary characters should enhance the story, not overshadow the protagonist. Keep their arcs meaningful but focused.

Practical Exercise: The Secondary Character Web

Take a moment to map out your secondary characters:

How does each relate to the protagonist?
What role do they play in the plot?
How do they contribute to the story’s themes?

Use this exercise to identify underdeveloped characters or opportunities to strengthen their impact.

Edge Coaching Tip:

Avoid stereotypes. Give your secondary characters complexity, even if they only appear briefly. A well-rounded side character can leave a lasting impression on readers.

Your Challenge This Week:

Choose one secondary character in your story and write a short scene from their perspective. Explore their goals, motivations, and conflicts to deepen their role in the narrative.

Next Tuesday, we’ll tackle how to balance backstory and action to keep your story engaging.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Creating Dynamic Characters: The Art of Internal and External Conflict

Welcome to Writer's Edge, your weekly resource for mastering the art and craft of storytelling. Every Tuesday, I'll share insights drawn from my experience as a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, blending the best elements of Edge Coach, First Edge, and Craft Edge. Whether you're staring at a blank page, wrestling with revisions, or fine-tuning your final draft, you'll find actionable advice, proven techniques, and encouragement tailored to your stage of the writing journey. Let Writer's Edge sharpen your skills, spark your creativity, and guide you toward building stories that captivate readers.

Characters are the beating heart of any story. While a gripping plot can draw readers in, it’s the characters—flawed, complex, and relatable—that keep them turning pages. Today, we’re exploring how internal and external conflicts shape your characters and make your story unforgettable.

What is Internal Conflict?

Internal conflict is the struggle that takes place within your character. It’s their inner demons, fears, desires, or doubts. This type of conflict drives emotional depth and creates a character readers can connect with on a personal level.

Examples of internal conflict:

A young woman torn between loyalty to her family and pursuing her dreams.
A detective haunted by guilt over a past mistake that affects their current case.
A hero questioning their ability to live up to the expectations of others.

What is External Conflict?

External conflict arises from outside forces that challenge your character. It can be another character, society, nature, or even a ticking clock. External conflict drives the plot and forces your character to act.

Examples of external conflict:

A group of survivors trying to escape a zombie apocalypse.
A lawyer fighting a corrupt system to save an innocent client.
A family stranded in a snowstorm, battling the elements to survive.

The Power of Combining Conflicts

The most memorable stories blend internal and external conflicts seamlessly. When your protagonist’s internal struggle impacts how they handle external challenges, it creates a rich, layered narrative.

For example:

A firefighter afraid of heights must confront this fear to save someone from a burning building. The external conflict (the rescue) mirrors the internal conflict (overcoming fear), creating a compelling arc.

Practical Steps to Develop Dynamic Characters

Start with a Core Conflict: Decide on the primary internal and external conflicts for your protagonist. Ensure they’re interconnected.
Explore Their Past: What experiences or traumas shaped your character’s internal struggles? Use these to inform their decisions.
Build Tension: Show how external pressures exacerbate internal struggles. Let readers see your character’s growth as they face these challenges.
Allow Imperfection: Flaws make characters relatable. Let them make mistakes and learn from them.

Edge Coaching Tip:

When crafting internal conflict, use subtext and subtlety. Show, don’t tell. For example, instead of stating, “John was afraid of failing,” show his hesitation, fidgeting, or avoidance when faced with a challenging task.

Your Challenge This Week:

Write a scene where your protagonist’s internal conflict directly impacts how they respond to an external challenge. Experiment with subtext to reveal their inner turmoil.

Next Tuesday, we’ll delve into how secondary characters can amplify your protagonist’s journey and reinforce the story’s themes.

Happy writing!

– Your StoryCoach

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Craft Edge—Emotional Beats in Holiday Scenes: Using the Emotion Thesaurus

CRAFT EDGE - SATURDAYS
Welcome to Craft Edge, my Saturday focus on fiction writing craft. Here you'll find deep dives into writing techniques using One Stop for Writers and Fictionary resources. Whether you're developing characters or structuring scenes, Craft Edge helps you master the tools of storytelling.

Holiday scenes can easily fall into cliché territory. Today, we’ll explore how to use One Stop for Writers’ Emotion Thesaurus to create authentic emotional moments in your seasonal scenes.

Common Holiday Scene Pitfalls

Before diving into solutions, let’s identify what makes holiday scenes feel flat:

Overused physical responses (tears of joy, racing hearts)
Predictable emotional patterns
Surface-level sentimentality
Lack of emotional complexity

Using the Emotion Thesaurus Effectively

The Emotion Thesaurus offers multiple categories for each emotion. Let’s explore them:

Physical Signals

Instead of common responses, consider:

Micro-expressions
Unconscious gestures
Physiological changes
Action tendencies

Internal Sensations

Layer emotion with:

Visceral responses
Body temperature changes
Muscle reactions
Nervous system responses

Mental Responses

Show thought patterns through:

Memory triggers
Focus shifts
Decision-making changes
Perception alterations

Complex Holiday Emotions

Let’s examine some holiday-specific emotional combinations:

Joy + Grief

Physical Signals:

Hands ghosting over old ornaments
Humming carols that break mid-note
Setting an extra place before catching yourself

Anticipation + Anxiety

Internal Sensations:

Stomach butterflies with acid edges
Tingling fingers that can’t quite steady
Heart skipping between excitement and dread

Love + Frustration

Mental Responses:

Counting breaths while wrapping imperfect gifts
Rehearsing responses to familiar criticisms
Finding humor in chaos to avoid explosion

Building Emotional Scenes

Structure your holiday scenes with emotional beats:

Opening State

Establish baseline emotion
Show normal behaviors
Set emotional stakes

Triggering Event

Create emotional catalyst
Show immediate reaction
Layer in complications

Emotional Progression

Build through multiple responses
Mix emotional signals
Create emotional turning points

Resolution

Show emotional impact
Leave room for resonance
Connect to character arc

Example Using the Thesaurus

Let’s transform a basic scene:

Before:
Sarah felt sad as she hung the ornaments on her first Christmas tree alone.

After:
Sarah’s fingers traced the rough edge where last year’s card still clung to the ornament. The glitter had worn away, just like everything else. She hung it anyway, adjusting it three times before letting go, her hand lingering as if the empty apartment might shake it loose.

Tips for Maximum Impact

Mix emotional categories
Layer responses over time
Connect emotions to backstory
Use setting to amplify feeling
Allow emotional complexity

Moving Forward

The Emotion Thesaurus isn’t just a reference—it’s a tool for emotional authenticity. Use it to dig deeper into your holiday scenes, finding fresh ways to express timeless feelings.

Remember: The best holiday scenes don’t just show emotion—they make readers feel it.

Edge Coach—Mastering Character Goals in Fictionary: A StoryCoach’s Guide

EDGE COACH - TUESDAYS
Welcome to Edge Coach, my Tuesday focus on professional story development. As a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, I share techniques to strengthen your writing and engage your readers. Whether you're revising your first draft or polishing your final one, Edge Coach offers practical guidance for your story.

Today, we’ll explore how Fictionary’s Character tab helps you track and strengthen your character’s journey through their goals and motivations. This powerful set of tools ensures your characters drive your story forward with purpose and impact.

## The Foundation: Character List and POV

Before diving into goals, establish your story’s framework:

– Use Character List to track every named character

– Mark POV (Point of View) clearly for each scene

– Ensure POV choices serve your story’s purpose

## Goal Tracking: The Heart of Character Development

Fictionary provides multiple layers for tracking goals:

### POV Goal

– What does your POV character want in this scene?

– Is it clearly shown through action or dialogue?

– Does it connect to their larger story arc?

### POV Goal Internal

The emotional driver behind your character’s actions:

– What internal need motivates them?

– How does this goal reflect their wounds or desires?

– Where does internal conflict appear?

### Goal Related to Plot

Connect character desires to story movement:

– How does this scene’s goal advance the main plot?

– Are character and plot goals aligned or in conflict?

– Does each scene goal build toward the story goal?

## Stakes and Consequences

### What if Goal Fails

Fictionary prompts you to consider:

– Immediate consequences of failure

– Long-term impact on character arc

– Ripple effects through the story

### Impact Tracking

Two crucial elements:

1. Impact on POV Character

– Personal consequences

– Character growth opportunities

– Emotional fallout

2. Impact on Protagonist

– How secondary character goals affect your protagonist

– Relationship dynamics

– Story momentum

## Knowledge and Movement

### POV Knowledge Gained

Track your character’s understanding:

– What do they learn in each scene?

– How does new knowledge affect their goals?

– Does information change their motivation?

### Character in Motion

Ensure active character engagement:

– Physical movement that reveals character

– Goal-driven actions

– Dynamic scene presence

## Putting It All Together

When reviewing your manuscript, use these elements to:

1. Verify goal consistency across scenes

2. Strengthen motivation-action connections

3. Ensure satisfying character arcs

4. Track subplot impact on main story

5. Maintain tension through goal conflicts

Remember: Every scene should move your character either toward or away from their goals. Fictionary’s Character tab helps you track this movement with precision.

## StoryCoach Tips

1. Review goals scene by scene first, then look at the larger pattern

2. Check that internal and external goals create tension

3. Verify that knowledge gained affects future goals

4. Ensure character movement serves goal pursuit

5. Track impact ripples through your story

Your characters’ goals drive your story. Use these tools to make every scene count.

Use the Contact form to schedule a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

Edge of Reality–Small Town Excellence: A Novelist’s Guide to Writing Achievement Stories

EDGE OF REALITY - 
Welcome to Edge of Reality, my Friday feature examining current events through a writer's lens. Here you'll discover how real-world stories can inform and enhance your fiction. Whether you're mining life for story ideas or deepening your narrative, Edge of Reality helps you transform truth into compelling fiction.

Small Town Excellence: A Novelist’s Guide to Writing Achievement Stories

When three schools in small-town Boaz, Alabama achieve Blue Ribbon Lighthouse status, a novelist sees beyond the accolades to the human story beneath. Today, we’ll explore how to transform an achievement story into compelling fiction that resonates with readers.

## Finding the Heart of the Story

While the news focuses on scores and evaluations, a novelist sees the deeper narrative: a small community’s journey to excellence. Consider the story elements at play:

– The underdog narrative: Small-town schools reaching national recognition

– Community dynamics: How various stakeholders worked together

– Personal sacrifices: The untold story of teachers’ extra hours and students’ determination

– The power of collective belief: How a shared vision transformed three schools

## Character Gold Mine

This story offers rich character possibilities:

– The veteran teacher who’s seen both struggle and triumph

– The new superintendent with a transformative vision

– The skeptical parent won over by positive changes

– The student who found their voice through new programs

– The custodian who takes pride in creating an environment of excellence

## Conflict Beneath the Surface

Every achievement masks underlying tensions. A novelist might explore:

– Resistance to change from traditional teaching methods

– Budget constraints requiring creative solutions

– Personal costs to families supporting high achievement

– Competition and collaboration between schools

– The pressure of maintaining excellence once achieved

## Setting as Character

Boaz, Alabama becomes more than backdrop. Consider:

– How local industry shapes educational priorities

– The role of traditional values in modern education

– The intersection of rural life and academic excellence

– The school as a community centerpiece

## Transforming Reality into Fiction

How might a novelist adapt this story?

1. Focus on a single classroom during the evaluation process

2. Tell the story through multiple viewpoints: teacher, student, parent, administrator

3. Create parallel storylines of personal and professional challenges

4. Explore the ripple effects of institutional change on individual lives

## Learning from Reality

This real-world achievement teaches novelists to:

– Look beyond surface success to find human struggle

– Balance institutional and personal storylines

– Create tension even in positive narratives

– Weave community dynamics into individual stories

The Boaz schools’ story reminds us that behind every institutional achievement lies a web of personal stories waiting to be told. As novelists, we can take these moments of public pride and explore the private journeys that made them possible.

#SmallTownPride #EducationalExcellence #CommunityStories #WritingSuccess #SchoolFiction #CharacterDevelopment #RuralLife #InstitutionalChange

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Sharpening the Edge—Writing Chapter 18: When Characters Take Control

SHARPENING THE EDGE - MONDAYS
Welcome to Sharpening the Edge, my Monday focus on real-time novel writing. Here you'll find insights from my current work-in-progress, sharing challenges, breakthroughs, and solutions as they happen. Whether you're in the midst of your novel or planning to start, these posts offer practical experience from the writing desk.

This morning, working on Chapter 18, my protagonist proved yet again that characters often know their story better than we do.

I had the scene perfectly planned. Sarah would follow protocol, file her report, and wait for official channels. That’s what an experienced detective would do, right?

Wrong.

Instead, my character stopped typing mid-report, grabbed her keys, and headed for her informant’s apartment. No backup. No protocol. Just pure character truth.

## What I Learned Today:

1. Character Authenticity

When a character resists your plot, listen. Sarah wasn’t being difficult—she was being true to herself. Her need for justice has always outweighed her respect for rules.

2. Scene Momentum

The moment Sarah veered from my plan, the scene crackled with energy. Her decision created immediate tension, raised stakes, and opened new story possibilities.

3. Story Truth

Sometimes our carefully plotted scenes don’t serve the deeper story. Today’s “detour” revealed more about Sarah’s character than my original plan ever could.

## Writing Insight:

Trust your characters. They live in the story world you’ve created. They understand its rules, its pressures, its consequences. Sometimes they’ll see paths you haven’t considered.

Today’s Writing Tip:

Next time your character balks at your scene plan:

– Pause your plotting

– Write the scene they want

– Follow their lead

– See what emerges

Remember: The best stories often come from characters who refuse to behave.

“The moment comes when a character does or says something you hadn’t thought about. At that moment he’s alive and you leave it to him.”

– Graham Greene

Let your characters surprise you today.

Tags: SharpeningEdge, NovelWriting, CharacterDevelopment, WritingCraft, AmWriting

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Sharpening the Edge—Layering Character Backstory: Scene 13A Revelations

Current progress:

Deep in phase one edits of Novel 12, today I tackled Scene 13A: Doubts in Action. My goal? Adding crucial layers to Alexis’s backstory that drive her current decisions.

Craft Challenge:

Adding backstory without disrupting the scene momentum presents a common writer’s dilemma. Too much explanation kills pacing; too little leaves readers disconnected. The key lies in weaving past details through present action.

Writing Insight:

This morning’s breakthrough came through action-reaction sequencing. Instead of explaining Alexis’s history, I let her reactions to current events reveal her past. Each choice she makes hints at previous experiences, layering her character while maintaining scene tension.

Try this technique:

1. Identify a character decision

2. Link it to past experience

3. Show the connection through reaction, not explanation

4. Keep the story moving forward

For example, when Alexis questioned Pastor Josh and he gave her the standard “God works in mysterious ways” response, her hesitation revealed more about her history than a full paragraph of explanation could.

Remember: Strong characters aren’t built through exposition—they’re revealed through action.

You’re invited to schedule a consultation to discuss your character development challenges.

Book a 30-minute appointment

Pay for your appointment

Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.