by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig.com
Sidekicks are vital characters in cozy mysteries. They maintain our sleuth from having quite a lot of inside monologue about suspects and motives, for one factor (which might get very boring to learn). However they play different massive roles in our tales, too.
Give Them a Life Past the Sleuth
I’ve realized that probably the most memorable sidekicks have identities impartial of the primary character. In my Myrtle Clover collection, I gave her sidekick, Miles, a job as a retired engineer, particular hobbies, and his personal social connections. This strategy brings contemporary views and storylines into the books. A sidekick who runs the native bakery brings utterly totally different group insights than one who works on the historic society or retirement residence.
Create Productive Distinction
- Pair a cautious protagonist with an impulsive sidekick (Jane’s cautious planning versus John’s spontaneous selections)
- Match analytical considering with intuitive hunches
- Stability a rule-follower with a rule-bender (a sleuth who goes by the e book working with somebody who’ll peek by home windows)
Construct in Helpful Entry
For me, sidekicks actually shine once they open doorways my sleuth can’t enter alone. Precious sidekicks could be the neighbor who is aware of everybody’s enterprise, the executive assistant with entry to personal information, or the bartender who hears native secrets and techniques.
Permit for Development and Shock
Static sidekicks ultimately turn out to be predictable. It’s value giving your supporting characters their very own arcs of discovery, problem, and alter throughout your collection. It retains issues contemporary for each you and your readers.
Stability Dependable Traits with Hidden Depths
Readers appear to understand characters with recognizable signatures—possibly it’s the sidekick’s catchphrase, accumulating behavior, or legendary baking abilities. However allow them to additionally reveal shocking skills or sudden vulnerabilities.
Which thriller sidekick has stayed with you? I used to be at all times keen on Poirot’s Captain Hastings. 🙂
Craft sidekicks who convey dimension, distinction, and important narrative features to your mysteries: Share on X
