When I think sidekick, I think Robin. As in…Batman and.
When I think best friends, I think Monica, Rachel and Phoebe from Friends.
When I think nosy neighbor, I think Mrs. Kravetz from Bewitched.
These aren’t literary examples, but as I contemplate my WIP, I’m focusing on how I portray my main character’s posse, the people that surround her, support her, and the ones whom she, in turn, supports and surrounds. Does she need a sidekick? One best friend? More than one? A nosy neighbor?
Is a sidekick even desirable in traditional women’s fiction? I don’t think so. I tend to think that in classic chick-lit the MC always has a gay best friend or a sensible sister. He or she exists because the MC needs him or her to exist. The sidekick might be endearing and fundamental to the story — but is only there to serve. Like Robin. (At least the real Robin. Kazam!)
So, maybe nix the sidekick. But is a best friend necessary in women’s fiction? Not always, but a main character does need to get and to give, so there needs to be someone or a few someones with whom to have those exchanges and dialogue. For this reason, ensemble novels can be very satisfying in women’s fiction. In an ensemble novel the story is equally focused on multiple characters. Like Friends. I believe The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton is an ensemble novel, but I saw on Twitter (source of all excellent and pertinent information) that someone considered Little Bee by Chris Cleave an ensemble novel. I never thought of it that way because there were two main characters, the story was told from two points of view. Little Bee is captivating literary fiction — not sure it’s women’s fiction — although it’s the story of two women told from each point of view. Written by a man. (A blog post for another day.) I just finished my Cathy Lamb feast with Such a Pretty Face*. I might consider it an ensemble novel because although told from one point of view – in first person – I was equally enthralled by each character’s storyline and they were all woven together, dependent on one another. If I’d taken away one character the story would not have been the same. It would have unraveled.
I do think there needs to be a special relationship for MC because that person is who will help the MC into or out of trouble — or a quandary. Along with the main character, someone needs to be cognizant of the changes going on, even if they don’t like them. In my current novel my MC — Evie — has two best friends. I envision one as the angel on her shoulder and one as the devil on her shoulder. But each character has a life of her own the reader is privy to. Each has a character arc, storyline and a past. Ooh, gotta love those pasts. They could exist without the main character in another story. They’re not sidekicks.
I suppose in women’s fiction the nosy neighbor would be the trouble-maker. The antagonist. The one who throws up the roadblock. Every book needs one or more — and in women’s fiction we often find this in the form of internal demons or an external nemesis. (Cue creepy music) I had a hard time identifying the “bad guy” in my current novel because even the one who should be, is a sympathetic character. Sometimes. But she is the one who throws the curveball and makes the MC questions herself more than anyone else. And yes, sometimes the antagonist is a bitch. Again, only sometimes.
Sidekick, best friend, nosy neighbor, cousin, storekeeper, co-worker, butcher, baker, candlestick maker…it doesn’t matter who it is or what you call it. What matters is that each character has a raison d’être — a reason for existence beyond taking up space on the page.
Guess that could be said of real people too. But that’s another blog.
Tell me about your main character and her posse and your favorite ensemble novels.
* Such A Pretty Face was my least favorite of the five Cathy Lambs novels I’ve read in the past few months. That being said, I really liked it – just not as much as the others. So, if you’ve not yet read Lamb’s books, and you’re open to suggestions, start with Henry’s Sisters or The Last Time I Was Me. And then let me know what you think!
Thanks for this post – it’s interesting to delve into the interrelationships between characters.
My current MC’s “best friend” is herself. Weird, I know, but so far it’s working. Other sidekicks I’ve written include a gorgeous, gay D.A. (gay BFF, yup!) and an anorexic teenager who was fat as a child. My novel that is about to go on submission has a great ensemble cast. I’d have to say, my favorite ensemble book would have to be THE STAND by Stephen King. Every character he writes is pure genius.
Debbie!! I love figuring out relationships – in real life and in books and in writing. And a gay BFF totally works in many instances, I just mentioned it because it’s what pops to mind when I think of certain chick lit I’ve read and how it was a trend at one point. Doesn’t mean it’s not sometimes the best and only way to go for a certain story! I’m writing a gay 20-something in my WIP, part of the MC’s posse – and she’s a 40 year old mom. We’ll see how that goes!
Welcome to the new digs!
🙂
Amy
In my first novel, which was pretty heavy and dark in theme/subject matter, I actually needed to add the best friend for comic relief. And, of course, she was a sounding board. My MC’s ex-husband was her other “friend” Your post really makes me think of the archetypes (and Chris Vogler’s THE WRITER’S JOURNEY, which explains the purpose/role of so many supporting characters and how they relate to plot/the MC’s journey). In my current WIP, the bff of my MC is an older man (strategically so, since MC has relationship-issues stemming from childhood events).
Thought-provoking post as usual! Thank you, Amy. And Thanks for the intro to Little Bee, and the explanation of ensemble novels. I’m embarrassed to say I wasn’t aware of that distinction.
Melissa,
No reason for embarrassment — sometimes we know things and then find out something to call them. I have an incessant need to categorize things in my head (not in my cabinets) so I am always thinking “what kind of book is this?” And I think you’re spot-on — sometimes we do need comic relief in a serous book and I can see how an older man as a bff would have a lot of meaning for the MC and a lot of subtext for the reader in your novel!
🙂
Amy
My MC is a loner, and as a recent widow is befuddled by the onslaught of sudden friendship imposed by two acquaintances, each with their own set of problems. I love this blog!
Ferris, love the sound of that. 😉
Amy
My MC’s best friend is a man she’s known her entire life and, really, the only one she’s ever trusted enough to show any kind of vulnerable side to. Often, when she does something really rotten, he’s kind of her conscience — which she both values and hates at the same time. He’s one of very few people who can make her feel truly bad for being her, but he’s also the person who stands up for her the most.
Her other sidekick (of sorts) is one she won’t recognize till much later. In fact, she wants to believe he’s totally against her (because he works hard to pretend to) and she does everything she can to keep from showing weakness before him (a mistake she only made once and his reaction to which made her regret). He’s a much bigger advocate for her than she thinks.
More or less, my MC believes she needs no sidekicks, only herself, and her refusal to accept help when she needs it almost causes her downfall. Ultimately, she has to realize she’s the only person who can really save herself…but it doesn’t hurt to accept a little help in doing so along the way.
Now, Amy, here’s a subject I’d like to see you broach sometime. Another writer and I had a discussion a while ago about whether or not women’s fiction is *truly* women’s fiction if some of the book is written from a male’s POV (but not as the hero or from a romantic standpoint). In my book, the MC is clearly defined and most of the book is written from her POV alone, but I’d say at least a third of the book is written from the two male POVs I referred to earlier. Their lives are inextricably linked with hers (one’s her best friend, yes, but both will someday work for her and every decision she makes can affect their lives in some way, too). In the beginning, I had to give them their own POVs, because they know things neither the MC nor the reader could know without a momentary glimpse into their minds every now and then. But they’ve really come to be the heart of my story where she sometimes fails to be, and I already know future books cannot be written without them either. They may be men, but my MC’s aversion to and confrontation with men is part of what makes (to me at least) her journey somewhat unique.
All this talk of sidekicks got me to thinking about this, and I’m interested to hear what you think!
Ashley,
I’m going to have to contemplate this! I’d think women’s fiction is about women and their relationships. Does a male POV hamper that? Do you have any suggestions or examples of books? I wonder about male authors too — although when they write women’s fiction it’s usually referred to as a family drama!
Thoughts?
🙂
Amy
So far, I haven’t come across a book categorized as women’s fiction that made use of the male POV. I’m curious to see if others have! Or just to hear their thoughts!
I wouldn’t think a man’s POV would hamper the woman’s journey so long as his story didn’t somehow take precedence over or become just as important as hers.
My use of male POV sometimes makes me wonder if my book would be considered more mainstream fiction than women’s. But, really, I think it’s a little of both.
Hi Ashley! In Jennifer Weiner’s Best Friend’s Forever some of the novel was written from a male POV but it is still women’s fiction. The man is the love interest of the MC. It was interesting getting to delve into his psyche along with the MC’s, who speaks from first person. You should check it out if you want to see an example of how it can be done =)
Meredith,
We’re going to tackle men’s pov in women’s fiction as well as men writing women’s fiction — so think of some questions or comments you might have. Would love to know what you thought of Best Friends Forever and the male POV.
🙂
Amy
Thanks, Meredith! I’m adding Best Friends to my to-read pile now! If you come across any more examples, please let me know!
Ashley,
I’m getting in touch with some male authors to see if they’ll help us address these questions!
I’m on a mission!
🙂
Amy
Yay! I can’t wait to hear what they have to say.
Amy–so funny you brought this up. I recently finished Sarah Pekannan’s Skipping a Beat and Jennifer Weiner’s Fly Away Home . . . there were “best friend” characters in both who were wonderfully quirky, especially in Skipping a Beat. I’m working on those characters in my WIP. Friends are so important in my life. Without them I could see how the MC would seem unrealistic or hard to like unless that is part of the author’s intention.
Nina,
I need to read another “friend” book. I have read quite a few lately where family fills that posse roll and my books tend to focus on friendships. Strangely in the short stories I write it’s always family. Hmmm.
🙂
Amy
Hi Amy,
I have two MCs in my novel and I tell the story in alternating points of view. Each MC gets a chapter to herself as the novel progresses. It is set in Prague and San Francisco, so the best friends are in two different locations. Even though they are living separate lives, they are interconnected through the bonds of friendship. They have dialogue together in phone calls and emails, but they aren’t ever in the same place. It’s been interesting writing this kind of interwoven narrative and hard to distinguish their voices. (I’m still worried they sound the same!) They each have their own supporting characters and nemesis, but they also have issues with each other at times.
Prague and San Francisco sounds so exciting and interesting, Meredith. And I understand about trying to make the voices distinct. I had to work hard to make sure two similar characters in my novel (a sister and a friend) had different voices and that they served different purposes — or else I’d have just needed one of them! And it’s so hard to kill our darlings — although sometimes necessary. Luckily no one has suggested that to me. Not yet anyway!! 😉
Amy
Agree 100% about the raison d’être. While I’m not inclined to adhere to many rules in fiction (ie. their should or should not be a sidekick in women’s fiction) I do believe that “rule” (even hesitate to use the word : )) is a good one. There has to be a reason for every character, every scene. Whether it’s to drive the story forward, provide comic relief, or enhance character development, every thing has to have a reason. That said, I do tend to have one or more significant friends in the lives of my MCs. Perhaps because that feels most true to life for me. I’d be lost without my friends and I feel my characters would be too. I don’t always map out the friendship, it tends to happen organically (I’m so not a planner) but in all of my longer fiction the friend is there. Maybe that’s a way to test one of my character’s mettle – strip them of their BFF, their security blanket and see how they react. ☺
As for ensemble novels I’m currently rereading Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons and enjoying it as much the second time.
Another excellent conversation provoking post! Thanks for keeping them coming. Oh and thanks for the reading suggestion. Added to my list.
Cat
Cat,
You’re right! Rules suck. 🙂 What I like about rules is that they exist so we can question, tweak and manipulate them or throw them aside. It’s a guide — we can do with it what we wish! For me, who likes to categorize things incessantly, I draw a line between best friend and sidekick that some people wouldn’t — but doing so works for me in my ultimate, um, writerly weirdness? Yep, that’s it.
THANKS for chiming in!!
🙂
Amy