We talked a bit about the sidekick character last time. But should you consider adding a sidekick to your current WIP? Should you add a sidekick character to your outline? Let’s look at reasons you might want to add a sidekick character to your novel.
Does your story lack tension? Does your protagonist plod through pages of blah, blah, blah before the next thing happens? A sidekick allows for an opportunity of arguments, and insights, and alternative perspectives which can drive up the tension. Think of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Harry is the boy who lived, but the truth is that Hermione Granger’s smarts and talent saved Harry more than once. Hermione keeps Harry on his toes while she stands her ground when she has different ideas than Harry. Harry would be dead (and boring) without Hermione. Hermione makes Harry\’s quest more interesting and tension filled.
Is your protagonist an anti-hero? Think Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock is a high-functioning sociopath. He is difficult for people to understand and deal with. He doesn’t play well with others. With this kind of character, you need to have another character that your reader can relate to. Enter Dr. John Watson. Watson has a sense of humor that is a good counterpoint to Sherlock’s disfunction. Sherlock definitely needs a sidekick, and the stories would not be enjoyable otherwise.
Does your protagonist have a strong point of view or a strong motivation or goal? Think Lord of the Rings. Frodo must destroy the ring and he has a strong motivation to do so. But the ring pulls Frodo from his task bit by bit. However, Sam as Frodo’s sidekick, keeps Frodo on track and saves the day more than once. Sam also is usually the character who voices the morality of the tale. Frodo needs Sam and would not have succeeded in his quest had Sam not been there.
Remember that a sidekick is more than just a companion or just an assistant. The sidekick can alter the course of the story, redirect the protagonist down a different path, highlight the protagonist’s bad or good qualities, or make an anti-hero more tolerable. The sidekick can also help your hero/ine out of a tight spot and save the day.
If you do add a sidekick to your story, make sure that you don’t think of them as a throw-away character. They need their own goals, motivations, conflicts, personality, and worldview. Take the time to fully develop your sidekick as a character so that they become irreplaceable and memorable in the story.