Message Board Topic 5/18

[Comsie]

Have you ever been reading a story with a cast of characters that all seem to have a distinct purpose and charm that adds to the storyline...but soon begin to fade into the background as the story goes on?

 

Naturally, it's the main characters that push a story forward, but those supporting cast members can really help to give the story more depth and a few different perspectives on the same situation. When they disappear, fade away, or just end up 'hanging around' without much impact on the plot itself...it can cause a reader to question what their purpose was to begin with.

 

What can an author do to keep characters from 'dangling' in mid air, and bring them back into the story? Is there a way to give them more to do without derailing the story's main characters? Or is it necessary? Maybe characters that fall into the background need to stay there? What do you guys think? Let us know!

[JamesSavik]

There is no way to prevent dangling characters.

 

It would be nice to get to know every cute delivery boy, the nurse at the clinic or interesting old man you meet at the bus stop but that's life.

 

You only get a look, a few words or maybe a short conversation and then they are gone.