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Have you ever read that book where you kept reading and there was this one subplot character that you just could NOT work out? The rando who turned up to offer wisdom, then vanishes? Maybe they tag around as a mentor figure, but are constantly off doing there own thing behind the scenes? Two very different examples of this that I can think of, are Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, and Hoid, from any of the Cosmere books.

Gandalf acts as a flighty mentor figure who kinda shows up when he wants, but is always very cryptic, and working a lot behind the scenes. We are always wanting to know what he’s doing, and that keeps us in suspense.

Hoid acts as a gem of wisdom and insanity throughout most of the books, and has an air of mystery around him that adds to the intrigue. When he shows up and says something, you want to listen, because it is going to be good.

Sometimes adding these characters is good for a story. Other times, it seems like cheap attempt for suspense.

I have one in my current WIP in order to make some very fun foreshadowing, as well as to create intrigue over what his role in the plot is. He appears openly six times during the course of the novel, and each time, he says something that directly alters what someone would do. Part of that is to make the readers sit up a bit straighter whenever someone who looks slightly like him comes along. Make them question things and theorise. Keep them thinking, and on the edges of their seats.

Your task today is to look at whether or not you have a Subplot Side Character for Suspense, and to evaluate whether or not your story suits it.  Also, feel free to discuss things about this topic. Discussion is good for growth.

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