When a Character Demands a Story
Dear Maggie,
Has a minor character in any of your books ever demanded a story of their own? Did you write that story?
Wondering in Woodstock
Dear Wondering,
Yes! I’d originally planned only five books for the Tactical Solutions International romantic suspense series. Before I put pen to paper, I’d identified the main cast of characters for each story, had a feel for their personalities and histories, and outlined the major ‘suspense’ arc for all of the plot lines. Then, shockingly, while in the midst of writing, a few of the minor characters demanded their own story. What’s a writer to do when this happens? Well, write that story of course!
This was the case with Teagan Tate, the male lead in Moving Target. We first meet Teag in Sing for Me, book one in the TSI series. He’s the crass, funny, Aussie drummer in the rock band Madison Grace and a good friend to Fiona Flynn, lead singer of the band and star of book one. Teag was such of fun character to write that I definitely wanted to spend more time with him, and when I started to receive reader requests for his story, I took it as a sign.
Since he wasn’t part of the original line-up, I had to find him a leading lady, create a separate, interesting plot arc, and really think through his background. I’d shown his softer side through his friendship and support of Fiona in Sing for Me, and strongly suggested there was more to him than his womanizing ways in book one, but I hadn’t really dug deeply into his background.
To do this, I had to build on what I’d already established about Teag while filling in the blanks of his past. What motivated him to become a musician? What was his childhood like? Why did he move to the US? Was his heart ever broken? Once I asked, and answered, these kinds of questions, Teag’s full character developed and took shape. After getting to know him better, it was truly satisfying to watch him fall in love, all while maintaining his larger-than-life personality.
When a member of the supporting cast generates a significant reader interest, and when I feel attached to them beyond their first appearance, I take that as my cue to give them some more attention. So far, reader feedback for Teag and Moving Target has been positive. Thanks for the great question!
Do you have a question for me? Send it to maggie@msmaggieclare.com, and I’ll answer it here on the blog.
