Comments on: Using Sidekick Characters http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/ Author of Books for Children and Young Adults Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:43:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: annastan http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-868 annastan Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:53:49 +0000 http://www.annastan.com/?p=1089#comment-868 Hi Cassandra! You're absolutely right that sidekicks keep the MC from having to talk to him/herself (which might get a bit annoying after a while). I was discussing this topic with a friend of mine today and we were thinking about books like Harry Potter where the MC has two sidekicks but he still has to defeat the bad guy on his own. I think that's a good example of a nice balance between MC "alone time" and "sidekick time." Hi Cassandra! You’re absolutely right that sidekicks keep the MC from having to talk to him/herself (which might get a bit annoying after a while). I was discussing this topic with a friend of mine today and we were thinking about books like Harry Potter where the MC has two sidekicks but he still has to defeat the bad guy on his own. I think that’s a good example of a nice balance between MC “alone time” and “sidekick time.”

]]> By: Cassandra Jade http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-865 Cassandra Jade Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:34:36 +0000 http://www.annastan.com/?p=1089#comment-865 It is interesting that the sidekick in the story often has a more vibrant personality than the main character but as you pointed out, an entire book focused on them and you would probably want to help them off a cliff. Sidekicks are fantastic as they do allow you to get out those lines and responses that your mc would just never say but are so good that you really want to include them anyway. They also give the mc a sounding board so they don't end up talking to themself and they go along with crazy schemes and they tend to just work really well in stories. Thanks for sharing this post. It is interesting that the sidekick in the story often has a more vibrant personality than the main character but as you pointed out, an entire book focused on them and you would probably want to help them off a cliff. Sidekicks are fantastic as they do allow you to get out those lines and responses that your mc would just never say but are so good that you really want to include them anyway. They also give the mc a sounding board so they don’t end up talking to themself and they go along with crazy schemes and they tend to just work really well in stories.
Thanks for sharing this post.

]]> By: annastan http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-735 annastan Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:39:38 +0000 http://www.annastan.com/?p=1089#comment-735 Oh good, I'm glad it's not just me! I've been thinking about trying out the workbook too - you'll have to let me know how it is. Oh good, I’m glad it’s not just me! I’ve been thinking about trying out the workbook too – you’ll have to let me know how it is.

]]> By: Andrea Vlahakis http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-734 Andrea Vlahakis Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:35:18 +0000 http://www.annastan.com/?p=1089#comment-734 You made me chuckle because I'm just about finished with Maass's book and know I'll go back for another read with another batch of notes. I also want to try the workbook. I think the more hands-on approach will be good and will make more sense having read the book first. You made me chuckle because I’m just about finished with Maass’s book and know I’ll go back for another read with another batch of notes.

I also want to try the workbook. I think the more hands-on approach will be good and will make more sense having read the book first.

]]> By: annastan http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-733 annastan Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:01:44 +0000 http://www.annastan.com/?p=1089#comment-733 Hi Andrea! I'm really enjoying Maass's book. I have a feeling that once I get to the end, I'll just flip back to the beginning and start over to make sure I've soaked in all of his wisdom. :-) Hi Andrea! I’m really enjoying Maass’s book. I have a feeling that once I get to the end, I’ll just flip back to the beginning and start over to make sure I’ve soaked in all of his wisdom. :-)

]]> By: Andrea Vlahakis http://www.annastan.com/2009/12/using-sidekick-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-732 Andrea Vlahakis Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:48:42 +0000 http://www.annastan.com/?p=1089#comment-732 Isn't Writing the Breakout Novel a great book? Anna, I agree -- sidekicks shouldn't overshadow the MC because, like you said with Hassan too much of quirky or over-the-top would be too much. I also think they're a better fit, overall, in MG, especially because it IS a time of forging relationships. Isn’t Writing the Breakout Novel a great book?

Anna, I agree — sidekicks shouldn’t overshadow the MC because, like you said with Hassan too much of quirky or over-the-top would be too much.

I also think they’re a better fit, overall, in MG, especially because it IS a time of forging relationships.

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