Sidekicks
Kathleen Delaney is back, and her hot topic today has to do with those all-important “other” characters, the sidekicks.
Books on writing often have long chapters on how to develop, and present protagonists and antagonists. They should. After all, the struggle between the hero/heroine and the villain is the basis of our stories. But any good story needs more than that. It needs other people, people who are going to support our Hero/heroine, who are going to help find clues, listen as he/she works out the kinks in the plot, help catch the crook. They ride to the rescue when our hero is in trouble or at least bring in the cavalry, and they give our hero/heroine the support or advice he or she needs to bring the story to a satisfactory close.
I’ve often thought that sidekicks were the underpaid and overworked members of a book’s cast of characters. They’re called supporting actors in the movies, and they get Oscars. In books, they are the members of the cast that get the least attention, certainly the least credit, but we need them “Supporting” means just that, and supporting is what they do. They back up the hero, the heroine, and the story.
Where would Sherlock Holmes have been without Dr.Watson? Lord Peter would never have gotten over his war nerves without Bunter. The Lone Ranger wouldn’t have been as adept at catching all those bad guys without Tonto. I’ve long suspected it was Tonto who kept him supplied with silver bullets. It’s Lula who keeps Stephanie Plum supplied with donuts but Stephanie might not catch another bail bond skip without Lula. Of course, she probably wouldn’t get into as much trouble without her either. Well, she probably would, but without Lula it wouldn’t be as much fun.
Because I believe so firmly in the worth of the support staff, the sidekicks, I made sure Ellen McKenzie had one, her aunt, Mary McGill. In And Murder For Dessert, it’s Aunt Mary who saves Ellen from getting stabbed to death with some pretty fancy work with a frying pan. In the latest Ellen McKenzie book, Murder Half Baked, its Aunt Mary once more who, with quirky humor and practical wisdom, helps put Ellen on the path to finding a murderer. But she does more than that. She props Ellen up when she is sagging under the weight of the many problems I’ve thrown at her, and she backs her up when Ellen puts herself in danger. We all need someone like Mary McGill in our lives.
So, writers, let those supporting characters loose. Let them wander through your books at will. They’ll make the story more interesting and your protagonist as well. And, readers. Nominations are open. Who is your favorite Sidekick? And why? Fictional or not, your choice. Let’s hear from you. This will be fun.
November 9, 2010
Posted in: Guest Blogs
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9 Responses
Great post, Kathleen! I love sidekicks. The sleuth’s got to have someone to talk to, right?
Right, Elizabeth. It can get pretty lonely out there in the cold cold wrld we plunge our people into.
In books I choose Lula from the Stephanie Plum books: in movies I choose
Dobby the house elf from the Harry Potter books (I really want my own house
elf!); and from TV I’d choose Rockford’s dad from the Rockford Files. A real life
sidekick? My youngest daughter and partner in crime…reading mysteries and
watching mystery shows, that is.
I like sidekicks in stories. I think Peabody is the perfect sidekick for Dallas in J.D. Robb’s In Death series! I can’t imagine Andy Taylor having anyone but Barney Fife as his sidekick!!
I agree, Lula is one of the best sidekicks of all time, however I favor Hermione for Harry and Ron.
The sidekick in my book, Downsized To Death,is Harriet of the expressive eyebrow, horsey laugh, and with the ability to whisper loud enough to be hear blocks away. She’s also Pru’s main driver, though a definite cadaver on wheels.
Favorites: Mma Makutsi to Mma Ramotswe in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. She’s wonderful.
And Nurse Dtui and Mr Geung from Colin Cotterill’s Dr Siri series. Funny.
Patg
One reason I like the new “Sherlock” TV show is the increased role they’ve given Watson. Even in the original books he was just a chronicler and the Watson in the Basil Rathbone movies (as much as I love them) is simply a buffoon provided for comic relief. This Watson is complex, troubled and interesting on his own. That’s what attracts me to a sidekick is their humanity and the life they have that’s unrelated to supporting the protaganist. I loved Hawk in the Spenser books and Angel and Louis who sidekick Charley Parker in John Connolly’s dark suspense novels.
I love when it takes a team to solve a crime. Some of the mysteries that I’ve enjoyed the most are due to the wonderful sidekicks the author has created. I will admit I am very fond of Lula in the Stephanie Plum books. In DYING FOR A DATE my protagonist’s mother reluctantly becomes drawn into the investigation. I enjoy the dynamic between the two of them and it’s fun to watch their relationship develop and grow. Sometimes I’m amazed where they are taking me!
I couldn’t write my current WIP without a sidekick — since I broke my protagonist’s legs in the very first scene. Her sidekick is her home healthcare nurse, “Mouse.”
I also love the early Evanovich books.
Wow. Lots of ggod ones out there. I’ve had fun remembering the ones I left out. Will have to go back and checkoutt the I don’t know. Happy reading to you. See–there’s another one–or maybe not. Was Dale Evans sidekick? Kathy
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