7 Supporting Character Types Every Writer Should Know

Discover seven supporting character archetypes that add conflict, guidance, and depth while strengthening your novel’s plot.

During the past few weeks, we have discussed the four characters that strengthen your plot. We have looked at mirrors and foils, as well as static and dynamic characters. We have discussed the Awesome Foursome in detail, and this week I want to talk about The Others.

When you read the first post and saw that I suggested having only four main characters, you probably shook your head in disbelief, raised your pen in defiance, and clicked away, right? That’s okay. You immediately thought of characters like mentors and heralds, and you wanted to use them all.

Remember, the four main characters are integral to the plot. The story will not work without them. The others, as a rule, perform a specific function in the story and can then disappear.

Here are a few types of characters I consider flexible and interchangeable. If you are going to use them, think carefully about why you have added them to the story. What function do they perform?

7 Supporting Character Types Every Writer Should Know

1. Mentor: Also called the protector, the mentor can be a guide or a teacher. This character often gives the protagonist gifts or valuable knowledge. The relationship is not always warm or polite—think of Haymitch or Yoda. In a female form, this character is often the Mother, whether a fairy godmother or a surrogate mother like Mrs Weasley, who gives Harry maternal love and emotional support.
2. Healer: This can be a medical professional or simply someone who helps your protagonist recover after they’ve gotten into trouble. Whether it is stitching up a sword wound beside a fire or a session on the therapist’s couch, this character restores the protagonist so they can go out and try again.
3. Herald: This character calls the protagonist to action and starts them on their journey. Think of Cousin Vinny, Connie in the Stephanie Plum series, or M in the James Bond novels. The herald gives the hero their instructions at the beginning. It is not uncommon for the hero to ignore or resist this initial call to action.
4. Wise One: Similar to the mentor, but less hands-on, the Wise One is not directly involved in the hero’s training. Instead, this character offers advice, knowledge, and sometimes a place of safety. They often know more about the hero’s past than the hero does and reveal this information only when they choose. This creates conflict between them. Think Dumbledore or Gandalf.
5. The Shape Shifter: This can be either a literal or a figurative shape shifter. In fantasy, potions and spells alter a character’s appearance, while creatures like werewolves physically transform into something else. Figuratively, think of psychopaths who present one image to the world while hiding another beneath the surface. Snape in Harry Potter is a good example. We never really know where we stand with him until the very end. The purpose of this character is to create uncertainty and mistrust for both the protagonist and the reader.
6. The Bully: This character does exactly what the name suggests. Bullies add conflict without being the main antagonist. They make the protagonist’s life miserable, and they rarely travel alone. They need a pack.
7. The Gatekeeper: Just when your hero’s goal is within reach, they encounter this character. The Gatekeeper is the final obstacle before the protagonist can confront the antagonist. This character deepens the dark night of the soul, making it seem as though all is lost.

If you research archetypes, you’ll find many more. Some are similar, and the definitions vary. You can call them influence characters or obstacle characters. There are even doppelgängers (two people who look alike—think Hitchcock, Poe, or The Vampire Diaries), as well as Tempters and Sceptics.

Some people say there are 16 archetypes. DISC breaks personality down into four personality types, and the Hero’s Journey includes several of the characters listed above. I want you to notice how interchangeable these characters are. Their functions can often be shared, helping you keep your character count down.