Create a Colorful Sidekick
Romance Genre
Character Name: _________________________________________________
Novel’s Working Title: _____________________________________________
Interview Date: __________________________________________________
Introduction:
Sidekicks are also known as confidantes or best friends. Before you begin writing,
determine whether this worksheet will be devoted to the Hero’s Sidekick or the
Heroine’s Sidekick.
Next, determine who the Sidekick is. For example, is he an angel? Werewolf? Genie?
Animal? Alien? Human female? Human male? Computer? Robot? Talking clock?
Keep in mind that the Sidekick is an important secondary character, one who should
have his / her own story goals, scene goals, motivations and internal / external conflicts.
In addition, the sidekick often serves as a catalyst for pulling the lovers apart, or helping
the lovers reunite. Therefore, understanding this character will help you deepen the
characterization of the protagonist. A sidekick can also serve as a major influence upon
the plot / love story.
Instructions:
Allow at least 40 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete this worksheet.
Review this document before you begin writing. Then find a place where you can sit
without distractions. Close your eyes, and breathe deeply to relax your body. When
your mind is at peace, begin to daydream (or visualize) that you are walking into the
Sidekick’s most comfortable space for entertaining. S/he greets you and invites you to
sit down, so you can learn more about him/her and his/her impressions of the chosen
protagonist.
During your visualization, pay careful attention to physical features, mannerisms,
speech patterns, clothing, and the surroundings. Make this visualization as vivid as you
can: create a 3-dimensional movie scene by utilizing your five senses (just as you would
Page 1
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
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Instructions (cont.)
while writing fiction). As the Sidekick talks to you, imagine this person is real, and that
s/he is behaving in a “real way” with a stranger (you).
When you have completed the visualization, open your eyes and begin to answer the
questions on this worksheet. Use a “stream of consciousness” writing approach. In
other words, write everything that pops into your mind, without worrying about its logic,
punctuation, grammar, etc. Trust the process. Try not to get bogged down in
“reasoning out” answers. If one of the questions doesn’t immediately pop into your
head, skip it and go to the next one. That way, you won’t break the flow. You can
always go back to the worksheet later to add information. But for now, plow through to
the end, writing as much as you can without stopping.
First Impressions
(Note: For clarity and ease, I shall use the universal pronoun, “he,” when referring
to the Sidekick throughout the remainder of this document.)
Even though you are a complete stranger, the Sidekick has agreed to let you interview
him. He has allowed you to meet him in a place where he feels the most relaxed and
at ease. . . So where are you? Describe your surroundings (plants, furnishings, wall
hangings, amount of lighting, musty air, dusty books, embroidered ticking, etc.)
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
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First Impressions (cont.)
In as much detail as you can, describe this Sidekick. Race, age, hair style & color, eye
color, shape of nose, skin tone, teeth/smile/breath (does he smoke?), sound of laughter,
hands, perfume / cologne, height, build; sense of humor; personality; physical
imperfections and/or quirks (scars, lisp, buzz haircut, wooden leg, absent-minded,
fashion-challenged, hypochondriac, etc.) Keep in mind that an author has license to
paint a Sidekick more over-the-top than the Hero or Heroine.
Has the Sidekick “dressed to impress” you, or is he so comfortable with himself that he
doesn’t give a flip what you think? Describe the outfit that he’s wearing, and choose
detail to convey his personality: Beer-gut hanging over belt buckle? Plaid shirt with pit
stains? Exquisite silks? Designer suit? Cowboy boots? Scuba gear? Flashy new
wings? Sapphire-studded cuff links? Muzzle? Studded collar? Broken pocket watch?
Freshly polished tiara? Smoking jacket? Holes in soles? Gold-plated tooth?
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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First Impressions (cont.)
Pay close attention to the Sidekick’s communication style: his tone of voice; the speed
at which he talks; his facial expressions; gestures; posture; dialect; exclamations; etc.
Does he have any nervous habits (like clearing his throat repeatedly)? Does he seem
preoccupied with his reflection in the silver tea service? Does he belch? Bray with
laughter? Hiccup? Does he punctuate his conversation with slang (dang, jeepers,
rootin’-tootin’, etc.)? Does he use such colorful language that you’d be embarrassed to
introduce him to your mother? Does he keep yakking off-subject about some pet topic
of his own? He is droll? Sarcastic? Whiney? Insolent? Do you want to shake him?
Or hug him? Or write a story about him?
Describe his posture. Examples: Does he slouch? Does he fidget? Does he sit with
his legs spread? Does he bob around on his wings? Does he lick his fur?
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
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First Impressions (cont.)
Does he appear to be comfortable talking about himself and the protagonist to you, a
stranger?
Does he keep whining about the fact that he isn’t the protagonist in this book?
(Sidekicks will do this.) Beware of the Sidekick who becomes so much fun to write, that
you start to grow bored with the protagonist.
What are some of the Sidekick’s habitual physical gestures? (Examples: rubs his eyes,
nods off during your questions and starts to snore, scratches himself in indelicate
places, yawns to let you know you bore him, twirls his mustache, snorts snuff, grabs
giant handfuls from the candy dish and shoves sweets into his mouth, works his
forefinger into the hole of the sofa cushion, cracks his knuckles, licks his lips, bounces
playfully on the cushion, sniffs flowers? etc.)
As the Sidekick answers your questions, do you get the sense that he is being
forthright? A smart-aleck? Indifferent? Are there times when he seems to be
deliberately misleading you, perhaps out of a sense of protectiveness toward the
Hero / Heroine?
Page 5
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]
Instructions for the remainder of this document:
Imagine you are asking the Sidekick the following Interview Questions. Allow him to
answer through you, using the stream-of-consciousness writing approach.
Interview Questions: Part I
What Makes Him Tick?
Do you like and respect yourself? Or are you your own worst enemy?
Do you play games with other people’s minds, or can they trust you?
The protagonist considers you his / her best friend. Do you feel the same way about
him / her? Why or why not?
Do you keep the protagonist’s secrets? Why or why not?
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Is it true that you secretly like to run everyone’s life? Who started this nasty rumor?
When you are in conflict with the protagonist, what is your preferred method of
communication? Do you nag, sulk, whine, yell, cry, argue, deny that you are angry,
etc.? Has your preferred method gotten you the results that you desire? If not, how
would you like to change the way that you communicate with the protagonist?
Describe your ideal day. Would visiting with the protagonist make your “To-Do” list?
When the chips are down, would you defend the protagonist? Even if it means
sacrificing your life? Explain any exceptions to this rule.
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Can you count on the protagonist to defend you to the death? Even if s/he doesn’t
approve of your motives, your methods, or the argument in which you’re involved?
Explain any exceptions to this rule.
Do you always behave honorably / ethically? When is your halo most likely to slip?
Does the protagonist know this about you? If so, what is his / her reaction when your
morals are in question?
Do you have any habits or idiosyncrasies that we should be aware of? (Worry-wart,
neat-freak, book-worm, tree-hugger, gambler, womanizer, man-hater, pot-head, music
buff, techno-geek? Etc.)
Page 8
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Tell us about your hobbies and / or personality quirks. (Bungee-jumping, driving an ice
cream truck, searching for metal with your “Divining Rod”, watching American Idol,
completing other people’s crossword puzzles, hunting for coins in public telephones,
tossing salt over your shoulder for good luck, binging on chocolate, stocking your
aquarium, collecting wine corks, rigging practical jokes, hiding new shoe purchases in
your best-friend’s closet so your lover won’t be angry with you, talking to plants, fortunetelling, riding whales, chasing bumblebees, conjuring rainstorms, etc.)
Do you make the protagonist nuts? On purpose? For his/her own good? Share three
examples with me.
What do you consider to be your greatest innate talent? What is your most
accomplished skill? Do either of these “gifts” present an obstacle to the
Hero / Heroine’s romance? If so, describe how.
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Do you consider yourself likeable? Do you consider yourself lovable? Why?
Do you have trouble making friends? If so, what do you think the problem is?
What person (or thing) has had the greatest influence on your life?
Page 10
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Let’s talk about your birth family. Describe your relationship with your:
Mother:
Father:
Siblings:
Extended Family:
Are each of your parents and siblings alive? If not, how did they die? How did their
death impact you?
Page 11
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Where did you grow up? What was the general atmosphere in your home? Was your
family wealthy? Were you healthy and happy? Did your mother and father have a
warm, loving relationship? Were you the caretaker of your siblings? Were you the
parental favorite? The rebel?
Do you behave differently with your family than with the protagonist? If so, why?
Describe your relationship with your children and/or pets, if you have any.
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]
What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Are you comfortable in the society of men? Are you comfortable in the company of
women? What major memories from your past have shaped your opinions about men,
women, romance, and the relationship between the Hero and Heroine?
Do you follow your own advice? What’s your favorite homily or piece of advice?
(Examples, “Look before you leap.” “Open mouth, insert foot.” “I told you so.”) Describe
scenarios in which you might not follow your own advice.
Do you live in denial about your personality quirks and / or shortcomings? Is the
protagonist often forced to point out your failings to help you “build your character”?
Does this well-meaning interference annoy you?
Page 13
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]
What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
What’s your best defense when the protagonist annoys you or hurts your feelings?
Do you have personal enemies / rivals? How would they describe you?
Do you have a profession? If so, are you good at it? Did you settle for your job /
career, or does it feed your soul? Do you work for money and acclaim, or are you the
altruistic, world-saving type?
How does your work impact your relationship with the protagonist?
Page 14
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Do you have a vested interest in helping the Hero / Heroine fall in love? Are you more
likely to interfere in the relationship? Do you simply not care?
What do you think of the protagonist’s lover? (Best thing that ever happened to him? A
total ditz? A tyrant? A penny-pincher? A charlatan? A gold-digger? Etc.) Why do you
believe this?
What is your relationship with the protagonist’s lover?
Page 15
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Are you secretly jealous of the time that the protagonist spends with his newfound love?
What, if anything, are you planning to do to regain your priority status with the
protagonist?
What is your relationship with a Divine Power? How do your morals and/or religious
viewpoints affect your viewpoint of the Hero and Heroine’s relationship, especially
regarding their sexual attraction?
What is your greatest treasure? Where do you keep it? Who else knows about it?
How are you most likely to behave when you’re:
Angry:
Jealous:
Frustrated:
Hurt:
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
What is your favorite childhood memory?
What is your saddest childhood memory?
Have you seen the world? If not, what would be your top three travel destinations, and
why? If you dream of traveling, what’s keeping you from making that dream a reality?
Does the protagonist know everything there is to know about you? Or do you keep
some things secret, even from him / her? If you keep secrets, what are they?
Page 17
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]
What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
Are you healthy? If not, what is your attitude toward fitness, exercise, doctors, etc.
What do you secretly love about yourself?
If I asked the protagonist to tell me your weaknesses and/or personality flaws, what
would he say? Do you think this is an accurate assessment?
What does the protagonist know about you that no one else does? What kind of power
does this give the protagonist?
Name a time when someone destroyed your trust. How did your hurt impact your
outlook on life? How did it impact your relationship with the protagonist?
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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What Makes Him Tick? (cont.)
If you had 10 minutes to re-live some period of your life, what experience would you
choose and why? Would you do anything differently? If so, what?
Interview Questions: Part II
The Quest
What do you want to achieve, obtain, or become by the end of the book? Why?
What in the outside world (external obstacle) is keeping you from accomplishing this
“story goal?”
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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The Quest (cont.)
What beliefs, self-judgments, fears, prejudices, or other value conflicts are the internal
obstacles that keep you from your “story goal?”
What must happen before you can overcome these obstacles and achieve your “story
goal?”
Interview Questions: Part III
Relationships
Have you “settled” in love before? Why or why not? Describe the pros and cons of that
relationship.
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]
Relationships (cont.)
How have your past relationships colored your perceptions of the protagonist and his
lover?
Do you believe in storybook romances? (In other words, do you believe that love is all
you need to be happy?) If not, what are the top 3 to 5 things that you need in your life
(besides love) to be happy?
What does the protagonist love, admire, or appreciate about you that no one else does?
Do you behave differently with the Hero than with the Heroine? If so, is this change in
your behavior deliberate? If not, do you like behaving this way?
Page 21
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]
Relationships (cont.)
What about the protagonist frightens you?
Interview Questions: Part IV
World View
Do you judge the world primarily through your senses (example: kinesthetic touch or
vision), or do you rely upon your gut instinct to form impressions of a situation?
Do you see the world as a set of problems to be solved? Do you need to conquer and
control everything in your path? Or do you adopt an attitude of live-and-let-live,
everything-happens-for-a-reason, let’s-wait-and-see?
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Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
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World View (cont.)
When you walk into a party, what do you notice first? (Examples: the people, an
alternate escape route, the “vibe,” the decorating, your own jitters, etc.)
When the Hero / Heroine finally get married, how do you plan to behave at the
wedding? Will you be happy for them? Will you grieve the loss of your best friend?
If you’re feeling lonely after the wedding, how do you plan to grow, as a human being,
so that you won’t damage the newfound happiness of the Hero / Heroine in any selfish
way?
Page 23
Create a Colorful Sidekick is copyrighted by Adrienne deWolfe.
For more help with characterization, visit WritingNovelsThatSell.com.
[email protected]