In my work-in-progress, my character spends part of the story away from her family and friends. This is tricky, because I don't want the reader to forget about these early characters, especially since one or two of them have important roles later on. So I had to think of some ways to keep these characters in the back of the reader's mind, even though they're not around in the middle of the story. Some strategies for keeping off-stage characters in the story:
Introduce some memories. If the main character thinks about a time or event when they were with the out of sight character, it can do double-duty. You remind the reader of the character who isn't there, as well as adding in some emotion for the main character.
Send a message. When the off-stage character sends a message, it needs to be natural, so this doesn't work if there isn't a good reason for it. But it might also be a way to include a little mystery.
Use imagination. Sometimes, if you're really close to another person, you think about what they might think when they're not with you. I can totally see a girl imagining what her friend (or her sister or her mom) might think of a situation.
Drop a name in conversation. Not exactly subtle, but if there's a natural way to do it, characters who are in the scene could mention the out-of-sight character. It could be a way to advance the plot while reminding the reader of that other character who will eventually show up again later.
Do you have any other ideas for how to remind the reader of characters who aren't front and centre in the action?
Those are all good tips Andrea. If a character is a parent figure or mentor the main character can remember advice given periodically too.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, Natalie!
DeleteGreat advice, thank you! I have two wips with the out of scene characters and this will help me with them.
ReplyDeleteAlways glad when my ideas can help or inspire someone, Deb!
DeleteGreat ideas. I haven't come across this issue yet, but I'll keep the tips in mind.
ReplyDelete~Debbie
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DeleteI hadn't come across it much before this book, either. I guess it depends on the story.
DeleteGreat tips! In MG, because parents are always present without actually being physically present, I have parental viewpoints come out in such things as, "My dad always says..." or "my mom thinks..."
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Barbara. I don't do that as often as I could.
DeleteThose are some great suggestions! Thank you Andrea. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you, Andrea, helped me with this in my WIP. Compare and contrast was one of the MiGwriter suggestions. So when your main character meets someone new, they can think of how this new person is similar to and different from someone off-scene. It's a good way to introduce a new character, too.
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