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Q&A How Much Focus to Give a Supporting Character?

The situation you're describing reminds me very much of Bishop Myriel in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables: had he not granted Jean Valjean hospitality, had he not drawn him to a new path, we would neve...

posted 7y ago by Galastel‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-12T21:57:19Z (about 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/34353
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T08:19:34Z (about 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/34353
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T08:19:33Z (about 5 years ago)
The situation you're describing reminds me very much of Bishop Myriel in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables: had he not granted Jean Valjean hospitality, had he not drawn him to a new path, we would never have had the reformed Valjean. Thus, Myriel's influence on the story is crucial and transformative. However, once Myriel's part in the story is done, he walks out of it, never to be seen again. Only his silver candlesticks continue making appearances, as a reminder.

So yes, having an important character in a small role that get the ball rolling is absolutely workable. And absolutely fine. There's no need for more involvement. Just give an occasional reminder of the influence that character has had, and it is perfectly enough.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2018-03-16T23:46:33Z (almost 7 years ago)
Original score: 3