Writing the Influence Character
Much has been written about the protagonist, but few talk about what’s called the “influence character.” This is a character whose power comes from his or her influence/impact on the protagonist. This is often who the protagonist is in an important relationship with, in the B story, or perhaps, a lead role in the B story. It might be a love interest, mentor, friend, sibling, rival, ally, parent, classmate–almost anything. It’s someone who has power based on impact. And typically the influence character and protagonist are linked together, usually by a similar goal.
Here are some examples.
In Moana, Moana is the protagonist, and Maui is the influence character. In The Hunger Games, Katniss is the protagonist, and Peeta is the influence character. In The Greatest Showman, P. T. Barnum is the protagonist, and Charity is the influence character. In Hamilton, Hamilton is the protagonist, and Eliza is the influence character. In Songbirds and Snakes, Coriolanus is the protagonist, and Sejanus is the influence character. In Legally Blonde, Elle is the protagonist, and Paulette is the influence character.
This doesn’t mean the protagonist isn’t influenced by other characters, of course, but these are the (or rather, “primary”) influence characters–their relationship with the protagonist influences the outcome of the story in significant ways, and for at least part of the story (if not the whole thing), these two people are bound together on a similar course or by a similar end goal. This creates a “we” perspective within the audience. We are trying to do X. We are stuck in the same situation. We need to work together. We need each other.
But this relationship is about more than … well … just being in a relationship. The protagonist and influence character mirror and foil each other in key ways. Often by the time a writer finishes a professional-level story, he or she will have done this, even if he or she isn’t aware of it.
Let’s talk about the key components of this relationship (concepts courtesy of Dramatica).
Change vs. Steadfast
A character who “changes” (arcs drastically) will grow significantly–often doing a 180–by the end of the story. Most of us are familiar with this concept.
A character who holds “steadfast” will stay more or less the same–he or she may grow by degree, but not by a drastic 180.
A “changing” character often starts with a flaw, misbelief, or inaccurate worldview that he or she must overcome in order to succeed in the story.
A “steadfast” character will start with a strength or an accurate worldview that will then be tested through the story. The rising action and tension comes from the cost of the steadfast character trying to hold true to that. The steadfast character will likely still experience doubts, temptations, pain, and suffering–as the world, environment, and other characters challenge that view.
Think of the story of the Little Red Hen. The Little Red Hen understands that you must work for desired results. Others challenge this worldview, which means she has to ultimately work all alone. It still costs her effort and resolve to make the bread, which ultimately proves her worldview is correct while the others’ are wrong.
For the steadfast character, he or she is proven true through the experiences of the story. The experiences must happen, in order to turn his or her faith/belief into knowledge/wisdom. It’s one thing to believe something. It’s another thing to have it tested and proven true.
In this sense, the steadfast character still grows, but it’s by degree.
The steadfast character will often change others and the environment when he or she succeeds, more than herself (generally speaking). (In the future I want to do a post specifically about steadfast characters, but for now, this will suffice.)
If the protagonist is a character who “changes,” the influence character will be a character who is “steadfast.”
Katniss changes–her worldviews change through the story.
Peeta is steadfast–One of Peeta’s main goals is that the Games won’t change who he is, even if he dies. He wants to be steadfast. His feelings toward Katniss (shared in an interview), the fact he’s from the same district, that at some point both Peeta and Katniss can be victors–all impact and influence Katniss’s plotline. While he might seem to waver, ultimately, he stays true to his beliefs.
P.T. Barnum changes–he comes to realize he only needs to be accepted by his loved ones, not win over the world.
Charity is steadfast–she knows what matters from the beginning, and her relationship with Barnum helps him eventually come to his senses. Despite what Barnum costs her, she holds on to what she believes is true.
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