What I Have Learned About Writing From the TV Show, Glee

Each week, the Glee Club performs a series of songs. Some of the students in the Glee Club are better than others. The stars like to shine. But the advisor of the Glee Club ensures that all of the member get their chance to be a star. The best singer isn’t the only person to get solos. This can be applied directly to writing.

When you write a scene, your protagonist is the focus, but don’t overlook the side-characters. They each have their own special talents, and they need the chance to shine. The mischievous character should cause trouble. The grumpy character should complain. The depressed character should mope.

Don’t let the sidekicks be silent background characters (unless of course if they physically can’t talk  -  in which case make their actions speak as their words). When you give each character its voice, the story becomes a beautiful chorus. The protagonist is still the star of the show, but giving the side-characters a few solos, makes the story all that much better. The protagonist isn’t the only character who should “have a life”.

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