here's some tips how to make the side characters in your book not appear as stereotypes, but rather as well developed characters.

there's not much to say about this topic, but here's a few tips.

1) in those rare or limited times you see these characters, show their flaws. show me if they chew their nails, or if they space out while someone is talking to them.

2) you cannot let go of these characters just because they arent convenient to the plot, still keep having them even when the conflict is being resolved. have them even after that. even though theyre side characters, that doesnt mean they arent important characters

3) and don't treat these as just things that can be taken away from the plot and nothing change at all. meaning, if i were to take out this particular character, it wouldnt change anything in the story or in another character's life. give them importance.

4) give them struggles. tell me about their depression, tell me their tragic story. but make this important to the story overall. and show me how your main protagonist reacts to this.

5) if a side character is going to die, try to imagine that character as the main character and tell me if thats a satisfying death. if it's not, then try and rewrite that. 

6) always remember what the purpose for this side character is. is this to show us more of the protagonist or antagonist? is this to show us more humour in the book, or more sadness? remind me, over and over, what the purpose is for this character. 

7) use different ways of showing us what your character is like. have a composed character break down, have a bubbly character get angry. show me different sides of this character.

was this helpful? any requests?