In my umpteenth edit of the novel, I noticed there are only six characters in it--and two are minor. This is what happens when you move from shorts stories to novels. You forget to increase the cast! Will this make the reader claustrophobic? Can you bear this close scrutiny of such a small group of people? Do other novels focus in this tightly or do I need to repeople it?Saturday, May 31, 2008
Am I Underpopulated?
In my umpteenth edit of the novel, I noticed there are only six characters in it--and two are minor. This is what happens when you move from shorts stories to novels. You forget to increase the cast! Will this make the reader claustrophobic? Can you bear this close scrutiny of such a small group of people? Do other novels focus in this tightly or do I need to repeople it?
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11 comments:
It is what it is. There are no rules about amount of characters in a novel. In a play...these days...small cast.
There's nothing worse than having extra people for no reason. Don't believe me? Read Bright Shiny Morning.
Actually, I came up with two more non-speaking parts so I feel better. I'll look for it though.
It should have as many people in it as it needs. Whether that's 1, 3, 6 or 10,000. Ain't no magic number.
Yes, as many as it needs but I think a calculation of that number should have taken place at some point. Whatever happens, happens seems like an irresponsible philosophy. I mean I could have opened the door to some more people instead of pressing my back against it, comfortable only with my little clique.
Patti, I think it depends on the story. If your setting is pretty contained, six characters may be all you need. It's hard to answer this question without having read the ms. What genre is it? Romances don't need as many characters as, say, a mystery where you need to have a sufficient number of suspects.
Linda
Hi Linda-It's a suspense/literary sort of novel. I just wonder how much of third person close, very close, a reader can take.
I think one really great character is enough so i say it all depends on the story and how you present it.
Well, the ball is in her court. I take no blame or credit. (Only kidding).
Well, the ball is in her court. I take no blame or credit. (Only kidding).
I tend to have the opposite problem and I've just realised the fault of my current work in progress is that it contains a character who isn't really adding anything to the story. As Sandra says, that's no good. So he has to go.
Maybe he can star in his own story later. Or maybe I could use him here. What's he like? (Only kidding).
If I count the dead in my book, it raises the cast by thirteen.
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