tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post3335079190232864118..comments2024-03-28T02:36:36.432-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: THE IMPORTANCE OF SIDEKICKSJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-64508328438318748672013-04-12T09:58:12.521-04:002013-04-12T09:58:12.521-04:00E.B. I wrote those writers down. I need to go to t...E.B. I wrote those writers down. I need to go to the library today to pick up a book for my 2nd book club this week.<br /><br />KM, I agree with you about how secondary characters add to the rich fabric of a story. They are especially important in series. I thought of Nick and Nora, too, but didn't want my blog to run on forever.<br /><br />Polly, you are right to take much care with your secondary characters. As you say, it's the secondary characters, who set these characters apart from the ordinary. I see that in the Louise Penny and Elizabeth George books especially.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-51634546344021882662013-04-12T07:43:50.478-04:002013-04-12T07:43:50.478-04:00What about Harlan Coben's psycho sidekick, Win...What about Harlan Coben's psycho sidekick, Win? Robert Crais wrote such a good sidekick, Joe Pike, that now he's a leading character, and a mighty fine one.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of secondary characters. I take as much care with my secondary characters as with my main ones. In many books, it's the secondary characters who set the book apart from the ordinary.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-35089817823971979902013-04-11T21:35:54.011-04:002013-04-11T21:35:54.011-04:00Sidekicks and other secondary characters certainly...Sidekicks and other secondary characters certainly add to the rich fabric of a story. And if you're writing a series, you can build on a familiar set of characters and settings, and I think readers will look forward to them. Of course, you do have to include enough intro & background that each book can stand independently. Nick & Nora are the ones who come to mind for me, although I would be hard pressed to say who was the sidekick there! They are equally important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-46686051355709916312013-04-11T20:10:09.460-04:002013-04-11T20:10:09.460-04:00Spencer Quinn is the author of the Chet and Bernie...Spencer Quinn is the author of the Chet and Bernie series--you must try it. Evidently, I'm late on the uptake with Detective Barnaby. The BBC already made a series of the book series. It's quite popular in England, although I've never seen them. Usually I'm disappointed by films made from books. But then again, the BBC does some quality work. You can download both series from the library or just check them out.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29010775454196173742013-04-11T19:52:33.391-04:002013-04-11T19:52:33.391-04:00E.B., I've not heard of the Chet and Bernie my...E.B., I've not heard of the Chet and Bernie mysteries, nor the Inspector Barnaby series. They sound like something I'd like to read someday.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-56368372462790851592013-04-11T16:26:37.298-04:002013-04-11T16:26:37.298-04:00I love sidekicks. In the Chet and Bernie mystery s...I love sidekicks. In the Chet and Bernie mystery series, Bernie, the human is actually Chet, the dog's sidekick. Bernie is really bad with money. "Oh, Bernie." Gives a big dog sigh.<br /><br />In the last Evanovich adventure, I was glad to see that Stephanie was cooling off on her sidekick, Lula, who is over-the-top. Good there was a character change.<br /><br />I'm reading the Inspector Barnaby series now, by Caroline Graham. His sidekick Troy is a pain, but Barnaby catches him being petty and self-centered and makes him pay. I love that.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-63640163507955327762013-04-11T13:07:49.847-04:002013-04-11T13:07:49.847-04:00Laura, I agree with you on comedy that must come f...Laura, I agree with you on comedy that must come from a real place and not forced into slapstick. There's a real trick to writing comedy, and not too many writers have it. Because I know it's not my strong suit, so that's why the humor in my books is light hearted and more subtle.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-72867027023215495642013-04-11T12:24:17.346-04:002013-04-11T12:24:17.346-04:00Above comment from Gupppie Laura H.Above comment from Gupppie Laura H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-36638752311903945492013-04-11T12:22:52.448-04:002013-04-11T12:22:52.448-04:00I use a side kick sometimes. He is a guy, differe...I use a side kick sometimes. He is a guy, different from me, an ex-cop and an investigator the Public Defender's Office uses sometimes. He gets to say the im-politic things I don't want my protagonist to use and he's not always polite. My favorite sidekick is Abe Glitzkey of Dismas Hardy in John Lescroart's series of legal thrillers. I love Stephanie Plum but get a little annoyed at her sidekick, Lula because she is a little stereotypical black fat girl. I like the differences in sidekick personalities, but no matter how comical the side kick is supposed to be, the comedy must come from a real place not forced into slapstick. But I love the Stooges. Go figure. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-74164635036167043912013-04-11T09:07:44.889-04:002013-04-11T09:07:44.889-04:00I love the two of them, too, Alyx. I'm not sur...I love the two of them, too, Alyx. I'm not sure if Mary Russell is the sidekick or Sherlock Holmes is as you say. I still haven't read her latest one although I have it on my shelf.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-38489799571211775512013-04-11T08:53:16.699-04:002013-04-11T08:53:16.699-04:00I haven't read too many books with sidekicks i...I haven't read too many books with sidekicks in them, which is odd, since my series DOES have one.<br /><br />If I had to stretch my knowledge of what I read, I'd have to say my favorite sidekick is Mary Russell's sidekick, Sherlock Holmes, in Laurie King's series.Alyx Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815592165482269572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-82538318320495537802013-04-11T07:16:41.520-04:002013-04-11T07:16:41.520-04:00I really like Paddy, Jim, and the good relationsh...I really like Paddy, Jim, and the good relationship Seamus and his son have. Because I'm currently reading - in addition to several other books including your excellent BAD POLICY - one of Jacqueline Winspear's books, I must say I like Billy Beale, but I also like George's Barbara Havers, too.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-7765673085722949852013-04-11T04:28:35.460-04:002013-04-11T04:28:35.460-04:00There are so many different roles a sidekick can u...There are so many different roles a sidekick can undertake and some, like shape shifters, assume different roles depending on the story’s needs. Paddy (or Patrick as he’d prefer to be known) periodically performs the role of sidekick for Seamus McCree. At times he is gatekeeper, mentor, provider of magic, prodder of action and brake against untimely action.<br /><br />My favorite sidekick might depend on what I read most recently. Two who have withstood the test of time are Hawk to Robert B. Parker’s Spenser and Sloan to John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport.<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com