Every Role Counts: Seeing Your Character Cast Clearly

Stories need more than one character. Full stop. Even the stories you tell friends and family about your day-to-day involve more than just yourself. You're always talking about who did what and how they reacted. Conflict, tension, and surprises require at least two people interacting. Otherwise, where are the stakes? The drama? The sparks?

Well-rounded characters make readers (or your aforementioned friends and family) care about what happens next. Underdeveloped characters, on the other hand, leave the story feeling empty, no matter how interesting the plot could've been.

In case the title didn't make it obvious: this blog is all about character roles. We're breaking down the parts each character plays so you can see how every member of your cast adds value. Understanding these roles helps you plan your story's dynamics before diving into the nitty-gritty of your universe.

1) The Protagonist

Also known as the hero, the protagonist is the character whose journey we follow most closely. If you're writing a dual point-of-view romance novel, you'll likely have two protagonists.

As the main character—or characters, plural—they are meant to be relatable in their imperfections and driven toward the ultimate goal of the story. They give the audience someone to root for as they go on their journey of self-discovery. Through every obstacle they face, they experience meaningful evolution that changes them for the better, emotionally and/or physically.

(For any manga readers out there, Hinata from Haikyuu!! will forever be a top-tier protagonist. Never have I ever been so invested in volleyball, which is exactly the kind of thing you want your hero to achieve.)

2) The Antagonist

The antagonist is often labeled the villain, but they don't have to be purely evil. In fact, the best antagonists have backstories about why they do their villainous acts, not "just because they wanted to." They should have clear strengths and weaknesses of their own, highlighting the hero's traits along the way.

Their job is to push back against the protagonist, creating the obstacles they face. This is because their journey is about testing limits while staying true to their own motivations. Whether they earn a redemption arc is entirely up to their own growth.

(Also for any manga readers out there, Shigaraki from My Hero Academia is a fantastic example of what it means to become a villain and the polar opposite of the protagonist.)

3) The Deuteragonist

Have you ever read a book and just loved the protagonist's quippy best friend or longtime rival? That's the deuteragonist. They're second-in-command, supporting or contrasting the hero while adding depth to the story.

Deuteragonists may have their own arcs, victories, or moments of personal growth that weave into the main story. Their actions, whether helpful or complicating, can make or break the next leg of the protagonist's journey.

4) The Foil

The foil is a secondary character that's all about contrast, but not in the way that the antagonist is. Their job is to highlight the protagonist's traits that might otherwise go unnoticed, or amplify the ones you've already seen. A brave hero seems even braver when paired with a constantly anxious foil, for example.

Foils are ultimately valuable because they are reflective. After all, the name itself was established for their role in helping the main characters shine more brightly. When well-placed, they make key moments pop.

5) The Minor Characters

Minor characters are your supporting cast. They are the ones who fill out your world. Think of the bar owner who only speaks a couple of times but notices your protagonist struggling. They don't need a big arc, but they should serve the story by moving the plot forward.

Something fun to consider is using those minor characters as cameos. If you're planning to build an ongoing world around your books, that bar owner could be the hero of the next novel. And maybe your current protagonist becomes a minor character there. Readers (especially romance readers) love seeing people they've come across before get their limelight.

Happy writing!

~Meg