Lately I’ve been thinking about the quiet ones.
Not the brooding heroes or the villains with tragic pasts. I mean the background characters. The ones who don’t get the prophecy or the cool scar or the forbidden love interest. The ones who show up in a few scenes, say something sharp or kind or slightly unhinged, and then step back while the plot marches on.
And honestly? I think they’re the real MVPs of fantasy stories.
As a writer, I’ve been asking myself how I can explore their perspectives more. What would happen if we followed the loyal friend instead of the hero? Or gave the story to the healer, the scribe, or the quiet kid who always brings snacks and sees everything?
The Supporting Cast Is Doing All the Work
It hit me while I was revisiting Moon Shifter Academy. Yes, it’s full of magic, secrets, and dramatic twists, but some of my favorite scenes are the smaller ones. Like when Donna pulls Kat out of a spiral just by walking next to her. No spell. No battle. Just quiet presence.
There’s a power in those roles.
I keep coming back to books where the so-called “side characters” end up stealing the show. In The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, Ronan and Blue might get the spotlight, but Noah — the quiet, broken boy in the background — left just as strong an impression. You can check out The Raven Boys if you haven’t already.
Another favorite is The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. The main character, Paige, drives the action, but the minor characters around her feel like they have entire untold novels inside them. Especially Eliza, who has maybe ten lines in the early books and still somehow lives rent-free in my head. You can find that one here.
And of course there’s Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Kaz and Inej are iconic, but characters like Wylan and Jesper bring so much heart and tension. Their stories would still be worth reading even without the heist. That book is here if you need a refresher.
So Why Don’t We See More of Them?
Maybe because those characters don’t usually ask for attention. They’re not trying to be the center of the prophecy. They’re just trying to survive. To help. To keep someone alive a little longer. Or to solve a problem without burning the world down.
But that’s what makes them interesting. They offer a different lens. Not chosen. Not cursed. Just watching and acting in ways that don’t always make the history books.
And as a writer, I want to explore that space more. The idea of building a fantasy story around someone who isn’t supposed to matter. Who doesn’t have the flashy powers. Who doesn’t even want to be a hero, but ends up shaping the world in quieter ways.
Tell Me Who You Love
So I’m curious…who are the background characters you think deserve their own story?
It can be from any book, not just YA. Maybe it’s the retired warrior running the village bar. Maybe it’s the younger sibling left behind when the prophecy calls someone else. Maybe it’s the ghost in the library who keeps whispering terrible advice but has a surprisingly tender heart.
Drop your favorites in the comments or message me. I’d love to hear who stuck with you, even if they only had a few scenes. Because honestly, those are the characters that stay with me too.
And maybe… they’ll start showing up more in the stories I write next.
Recent Comments