Online Writing Workshops Presented by Melanie Anne Phillips (Creator of StoryWeaver & co-creator of Dramatica) How to Create Great Characters! Lesson Eleven: The Eight Essential Archetypes: Sidekick & Skeptic

Sections in Lesson Eleven Introduction Functions of the Sidekick & Skeptic On a Practical Note Study Exercises Writing Exercises

Introduction

In this lesson we’ll explore two archetypal characters that modulate our degree of motivation.  Sidekick and Skeptic represent our Optimism and our Pessimism, respectively.  Even if we are motivated to take the initiative, as personified by the Protagonist, the Sidekick and Skeptic within our own minds will determine just how intensely we pursue that course.  The Sidekick urges us on, and the Skeptic urges us to hold back.

In real life, we usually aren’t fortunate enough to have all the information we need to be completely sure about the decisions we have to make.  And, we can't be sure of how we will do in untried situations.  Rather we must weigh the information we have and act on our best judgment.

We arrive at that judgment by pitting our Confidence against our Doubt, our belief in ourselves against the unknown.  It is this back and forth evaluation that is played out in the Story Mind between the Sidekick and the Skeptic.

Functions of the Sidekick and Skeptic

Sidekick may seem an odd name for a character of Optimism, but when you think about it, our Optimism never runs the show - it just cheers us on.  So, the term Sidekick really describes the most common storytelling use of the Confidence Archetype.  Frequently, this quality is illustrated by the Sidekick’s unswerving belief and support of the Protagonist.  But the Sidekick might just as properly be the henchman of the Villain, the assistant to the Antagonist, or even the head of the spy organization who sent the Protagonist (his best agent) on the job in the first place.  In fact, it could be anyone, as long as that character is a Faithful Supporter, True Believe, or Unswerving Follower.

Now Optimism might seem a wholly positive quality, but what about over-confidence?  The Sidekick Archetype has unfailing belief, and this can lead him or her to be gullible when a little more skepticism would have been appropriate.

Regarding the Skeptic, he or she tends to question everyone and everything.  This character will be looking for any loose thread to unravel, and indication (no matter how small) that could indicate what everyone else accepts is false.  The Skeptic doubts everything, thinks every plan is unworkable, and that success is unlikely.

Carried to the extreme, the Skeptic may fail to embrace an actual truth, or refuse to join an endeavor that has a real chance of success.  This can lead him or her to be a drag on the momentum of the effort to achieve the goal, or the effort to stop it, depending on whose side he or she is on.

On a Practical Note

When assigning the Sidekick and Skeptic Archetypes, it is common to have them both on the same team, although that is just a storytelling choice.  This arrangement allows for ongoing bickering between them, adding low-intensity dramatics or comedy to help fill in the gaps between major character conflicts.

Finally, just because one of these Archetypes carries the name “Sidekick,” do not be swayed into assuming that it has to be a subordinate character.  What if you assign the Main Character point of view to the same character?  And what if the message of your story is concerned with whether it is better to have faith or to doubt?  In such cases the Sidekick and Skeptic may be the most central characters around whom the entire story revolves.

Study Exercises:  Sidekick and Skeptic in Real Stories

1.  List three Sidekick Characters from different stories.

2.  Provide an illustration that shows how each provides a sense of Optimism, Support, or Belief.

3.  Find a Sidekick who is not a follower of the Protagonist.

4.  List three Skeptic Characters from different stories.

5.  Provide illustrations showing how each provides a sense of Pessimism, Opposition, or Doubt.

6.  Find a Skeptic who is on a different side than the Sidekick's "team."

Writing Exercises: Sidekick and Skeptic Characters

1.   Devise a scenario in which a plan or course of action is proposed.

2.  Create a Sidekick Archetype by stating how this character will approach the issue.

3.  Create a Skeptic Archetype by stating how this character will approach the issue.

4.  Write a short argument between the two characters as they argue of the best course to take.

Copyright 2003 Melanie Anne Phillips

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