3 Ways Sidekicks Strengthen Your Novel

Does your main character need more than a confidant? In this post, we look at sidekicks and the important roles they play in novels.

Sidekicks are often used in quests, thrillers, police procedurals, military and espionage novels, adventure stories, and capers.

What Is A Sidekick?

Sidekick (noun) – A person’s assistant or close associate, especially one who has less authority than that person. (Oxford Dictionaries)

Where Does The Term Come From?

The term ‘sidekick’ was first used by gamblers testing their luck at cards in the 1600s. It referred to an ‘ace in the hole’ – a power card held in reserve.

Why Do We Need Them?

A sidekick is not the same as a confidant or a friend in novel-writing terminology. (Please read: The 4 Main Characters As Literary Devices.)

Sidekicks are often used when a protagonist is isolated, amoral, an anti-hero or a maverick. These characters are usually forced into situations where they must become heroes or take charge, often against their wishes, and they need support.

Characters are often thrown together in tense situations where they develop a relationship built around a shared goal. A sidekick may have knowledge, skills, or information that the protagonist needs. Their role is to help the protagonist move the story forward and achieve the story goal.

3 Ways Sidekicks Strengthen Your Novel

1. Relief

A sidekick can provide comic relief or give readers a character they can identify with, especially when the protagonist is an anti-hero. For example, Sherlock Holmes could become a cold, overbearing character without the humanity, loyalty, and sense of humour that Dr Watson brings to the narrative.

2. Perspective

A sidekick gives readers another way of seeing the protagonist. Their reactions and behaviour help shape our understanding of the main character. A sidekick can reveal the protagonist’s best qualities through loyalty and friendship, or highlight their flaws by challenging their decisions.

3. Tension

A sidekick creates opportunities for conflict and disagreement that do not have to threaten the characters’ lives on every page. For example, a detective’s sidekick may question how an investigation is being handled or disagree about the next step. These smaller conflicts add depth to the relationship and keep the story moving.

In Conclusion

Sidekicks are more than companions or assistants. They can change the direction of a story and provide a contrast to the protagonist, highlighting their behaviour for dramatic effect. They give readers a human connection to the main character, making even difficult or extreme protagonists more relatable. They may not be the lead characters, but many stories would not be the same without them.

10 Examples Of Sidekicks From Novels

1. Robinson Crusoe and Friday (Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe)
2. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain)
3. Dr Jekyll and Mr Utterson (The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde)
4. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza (Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes)
5. Tyrion Lannister and Bronn (A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin)
6. Frodo and Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien)
7. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson (Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle)
8. Harry Potter with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasely (Harry Potter series by JK Rowling)
9. Bertie Wooster and Jeeves (Jeeves series by PG Wodehouse)
10. Inspector Morse and Sergeant Robbie Lewis (Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter)

Five Examples From The Screen

1. Batman and Robin
2. Han Solo and Chewbacca
3. The Lone Ranger and Tonto
4. House and Wilson
5. Captain Kirk and Mr Spock

Suggested extra reading: 3 Super Sidekicks & What They Do For Your Story

Why Villains Don’t Have Sidekicks

The primary relationship between a protagonist and a sidekick is built on trust and loyalty. This relationship allows writers to explore conflict, growth, and change. Villains, however, are usually driven by power and self-interest. They do not have sidekicks. They have henchmen.

Do You Need A Sidekick?

A sidekick is not essential for every story, but if your protagonist is isolated or difficult to understand, a sidekick may be exactly what your story needs.

The Last Word

Sidekicks are not just there to support the hero. They reveal character, create conflict, and help readers see the protagonist from a different perspective. A well-written sidekick can become one of the most memorable characters in your story, proving that sometimes the person standing beside the hero is just as important as the hero themselves.

by Amanda Patterson
© Amanda Patterson

More posts from Amanda:

1. Have You Chosen The Wrong Character As A Protagonist?
2. Does Your Character Fight, Freeze, Flee, Or Fawn?
3. 30 Character Motivations To Kickstart Your Story
4. 5 Instances When You Need To Tell (Not Show) In Your Writing
5. What Is A Sequel In Story Structure? A Writer’s Guide
6. What Is A Scene In Story Structure? A Writer’s Guide
7. How To Write A Gripping Novel: 5 Essential Tips
8. How Many Words Should A Novel Be? A Writer’s Guide To Word Counts
9. What Is A Novel Outline? 5 Strong Reasons To Outline Your Novel Before You Start Writing
10. What Is A Good Daily Word Count? Lessons From 39 Famous Authors

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