I was re-reading the first chapters my WIP and realized that a few secondary characters, though they were important to the story, lacked depth.

I hadn’t taken the time to get to know them as I did with my main characters. I hadn’t done full bios or backgrounds on any of them. I knew nothing about who they were as people or what motivated their actions. That made me feel a little sad. I had neglected some of my characters.

Rather than sulk, I opened up my sketchbook and did a bit of drawing. The result? I came up with a couple character sketches, but it didn’t end there. I was struck by some inspiration which lead to writing excerpts from their diary entries.

A revealing process indeed. It lead to another key point in the story which I had never thought about and it deepened the relationship (and the rift) between the secondary and the main characters. Happy days.

Character Sketch #1:

Name: Rachel
Age: 16
Hair: Jet Black
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 5’8”
Career: Social Climber

An excerpt from Rachel’s diary:

I want to feel guilty, but I can’t. Emily has changed. She’s forgotten where she comes from, she’s forgotten all the rules. That’s why I can’t feel guilty and why I don’t intend to apologize for what I’ve done. Eleanor always told us that if we want something in this world, we have to convince those who have it to give it to us. That’s exactly what I did. Emily could have had it all, but she threw it away. Now Tristan is mine and I don’t intend to let go.

Character sketch #2:

Name: Jill
Age: 16
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Pale Blue 
Height: 5’3”
Career: Tortured Social Climber

An excerpt from Jill’s diary:

Sometimes I think they only reason that Rachel and Emily even hangs out with me is because Victoria’s my sister, but I try not to let it get to me. Rachel can be a real bitch sometimes, but I’d rather not cross her—she has her claws sunk too deep into the CC Elite. I like Emily though and I feel kinda bad for her. I’m torn. Tell Emily and have Rachel turn my life into a living nightmare or stay quiet and watch my friend’s life get turned upside down? I wish Em would just beat Rachel at her own game.