Did You Know Your Darlings Didn’t Die?

Remember that cameo character you wrote 15 years ago to get your protagonist out of that tight spot? Or that oddball shop owner you wrote into that scene because your protagonist needed someone to serve her? Well, I’ve got news for you, they’re still around, and they’re waiting for your instruction.

If you’re desperate to get a great plot off the ground, but are stuck at ground zero in a struggle to find your perfect protagonist, try thinking back to all those fringe characters you’ve created and see if any fit the bill!

1. Finding their hiding place

First things first, if you can’t recall them from memory, look back at that old short story gathering dust in the drawer, or that half-finished manuscript that didn’t quite hit the word count. Next, read back on these old versions to source either any character you come across or the character you specifically want to find.

2. Pull out the characteristics needed

There’s no need to take this fringe character verbatim and dump him or her into your new story because the odds of that working seamlessly are probably zero. Take certain elements of the character that spring to mind, take those, and mould them into the character that will spark the story.

3. Or…

Even better, drag a few of those fringe characters out of the depths of the past and merge certain traits and characteristics like a kind of Frankenstein workshop and see what you come up with! You might be surprised with what you find…

4. Get to know your character again

It’s been a while since you spent time together, so get to know them again by building a profile of the character using those readily available online character profile sheets. Another way to get in the flow with your character again could be to put them in a situation (different from the one you took them from) and see how they get on. Perhaps focus on their senses, which could help you get in their head. You could learn a lot.

5. And now you’re ready

Depending on where you start when writing a book – from the beginning, the end, or your favourite scene – get out the first few thousand words and see how your new protagonist gets on.

6. Double down?

And if you find yourself getting to a point in the novel where even your polished protagonist is at a dead, or loose, end, why not go digging for another one of those once useful peripheral characters you once created all those years ago.

It’s OK, we won’t tell anyone.