Rules for Writing the Side Character Who Upstages the Main Character

Hello again, fellow friends, authors, poets, readers, and all who don’t fit in those categories! Today, I have a post for you about that character nobody likes to talk about because they just want the spotlight even if they don’t.

It’s…

Rules for Writing the Side Character Who Upstages the Main Character by AR Kuhn!!

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The Side-Character-That-Upstages-the-Main-Character (Male)

CWs: blood and death

1. You’re handsome, no question, but in a scruffy, roguish way. A twinkle in your eye, a mischievous smile, and you call everyone “kid.” Even they’re the same age as you, because despite your obvious immaturity you’re universally seen as the adult in the room.

2. “Everyone” (except, y’know, anyone who knows you) thinks you’re dumb, but you’re actually really smart.

3. YOU’RE FUNNY. This is non-negotiable. Even if it’s stated that you’re very serious, a team leader, etc., you always get laughs because you’re just so dang charming.

4. Did I mention the main character loves you? Yup, even though you upstage them in every way, they’re not jealous or think you’re a show-off. In fact, they look up to you almost as mentor—even if you’re their same age. (Another reason why you must die.) And you either already have a girlfriend or for some reason all women despise you, so there’s no nasty love triangles to get between you and your best buddy, the MC.

5. You’re good in a fight. Scratch that, GREAT in a fight. You can defeat just about anybody… the one caveat being that at some point, you MUST get gravely injured, have a dramatic injury reveal sometime after the battle, say some sort of really noble thing in a joking fashion while choking on your own blood, and then die in the MC’s arms with a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. YES, YOU MUST DIE. Because you are everyone’s favorite character and that’s just how we cruel authors work.

AR Kuhn writes YA fantasy from a Christian worldview. A writer since age twelve, she’s passionate about sharing stories of light in darkness, design in chaos, and magic in the ordinary. She blogs about writing at https://quilltree.blogspot.com. You can find out more about her on her website, https://authorarkuhn.wordpress.com, or on Instagram (@averyryannekuhn).

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I read this and thought of Keefe in Keeper of the Lost Cities. I finished book nine a couple months ago and finally decided the series was no longer about Sophie but about Keefe.

Have you noticed this in fiction before? Comment below!