When you are beginning to create the characters for your next novel, it is important you pay attention to the minor roles too, and not just focus on your hero and villain. There are many examples of minor characters that stand out in novels; they are only in the story or a short time, but the reader will remember them. When you are trying to build such a character, it is so easy to fall into the trap of making them act in a certain way by giving them stereotypical personality traits. Here are a few examples that I have seen, which bring many problems to the overall realism of the story.  

Characters such as the grumpy old man, the inquisitive elderly neighbour and the Italian taxi driver may seem like a good idea, but the truth is, you are doing yourself, as a writer, a huge disservice. You might think you’re fleshing out your story, but a reader has seen these stereotypical characters so many times, they completely fail to be memorable. You can, of course, have these characters in your novel, but try to think outside the box and give them a quirky side to their character, maybe a strange hobby or pastime that will stick in the mind of a reader. For example, could the inquisitive old lady next door seem frail and innocent, but was in fact a highly decorated detective in her younger days? What could have happened to the grumpy old man to make him so bitter? If you open your mind to possibilities, then you will create a character that is unique and believable.  

Giving your characters stereotypical behavioural traits can also be very insulting. Imagine you have a Jewish character who is obsessed with making money, or an Asian character whose parents just happen to run a corner shop? In our current climate of political correctness and a better understanding of different cultures, it is not a good idea at all to shoebox certain groups of people this way. Stereotypes were used regularly in comedy a few decades ago, but now comedy has moved on, and the funny little Indian shopkeeper who speaks broken English is no longer funny.  A publisher or literary agent will notice this immediately and may discard your novel as a result.  

The difference between stereotypes and character types is quite simple. A negative portrayal of a certain race, gender or class is a stereotype. A character type could be a nervous teenager about to ask a girl for a date or a charming and confident manager. The difference is, you are not suggesting they act this way because they belong to a certain group. 

There is an inclination in a lot of novels to create all the main characters white and from similar backgrounds. However, in today's society, towns and cities are culturally diverse. Wouldn’t it be wise to reflect this in your novel? Give your main character a friend or neighbour from another cultural background and explore how the two cultures could be a positive influence on one another.  

Although your backstory for minor characters does not have to be as detailed as your major characters, it is important you give them as many unique personality traits as you can, so they do not become one dimensional. If you do this, then you risk bringing down your main characters and the interactions they have with one another. How can you bring colour and realism to your next novel?