Monday's Links to Writing & Marketing Blog Posts

THREE REASONS WHY YOU NEED A SIDEKICK IN YOUR NOVEL

By: Amanda Patterson

Sidekick (noun) - A person’s assistant or close associate, especially one who has less authority than that person. (oxforddictionaries.com)

Where does it come from? The term, ‘Sidekick’ was used by gamblers testing their luck at cards in the 1600s. It meant an ‘ace in the hole’, or a power card held in reserve.

Why do we need sidekicks?

A sidekick is not the same as a confidant, or friend, in novel-writing terminology. He or she is most often employed when the protagonist is isolated or an anti-hero or a maverick. Protagonists in stories with sidekicks are often called upon to be heroes, or to be in charge, and they need support. 

We often have characters thrown together in tense situations and they develop a relationship where a sidekick is needed to get a job done. A sidekick may have knowledge or skills that the protagonist needs. He or she may be able to gather information. A sidekick’s role is to help the protagonist move the story forward and achieve the story goal.

The sidekick is generally used in quests, thrillers, police procedurals, military or espionage novels, adventure stories, and capers.

Three Ways a Sidekick Adds to a Story

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Read the full article HERE!

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Happy writing and running, Kathy