Ireth
Myth Weaver
A satellite character, as the name implies, is one whose sole purpose for existing revolves entirely around the MC or MCs. Bella Swan is a perfect example, despite ostensibly being the MC herself; she does nothing but revolve around Edward, and even outright admits it. (Points for self-awareness, at least?)
That said, I have a character in my latest WIP who I fear may fall into that trap. Her name is LÃadan, and she's the chief healer of Caer Celynnen, serving the Unseelie Queen of Faerie. But she is also the MC's love interest, and that is the first thing we learn about her. I'm currently seven chapters into the story, and LÃadan has appeared in all of three scenes, all of which involve the MC in some way or another. The first two scenes have her directly interacting with him, while the third has her joining a rescue party to save him when he's kidnapped.
I've been looking for ways to flesh her out as a character beyond being in love with the MC, but it's proving difficult since she doesn't have the opportunity to move around much. Being the healer of Caer Celynnen, she has to stay there and work most of the time, while the bulk of the plot happens elsewhere around the MC. Even her (arguably) most important decision as a character hinges on her being a love interest, when she willingly follows the MC into exile rather than let him die in the forest alone. Unfortunately, this happens close to the end of the story, and is more about the culmination of the MC's character subplot than about her.
Any advice or thoughts about how I can give LÃadan more page-time, and keep her from being completely focused on the MC, is very much appreciated.
That said, I have a character in my latest WIP who I fear may fall into that trap. Her name is LÃadan, and she's the chief healer of Caer Celynnen, serving the Unseelie Queen of Faerie. But she is also the MC's love interest, and that is the first thing we learn about her. I'm currently seven chapters into the story, and LÃadan has appeared in all of three scenes, all of which involve the MC in some way or another. The first two scenes have her directly interacting with him, while the third has her joining a rescue party to save him when he's kidnapped.
I've been looking for ways to flesh her out as a character beyond being in love with the MC, but it's proving difficult since she doesn't have the opportunity to move around much. Being the healer of Caer Celynnen, she has to stay there and work most of the time, while the bulk of the plot happens elsewhere around the MC. Even her (arguably) most important decision as a character hinges on her being a love interest, when she willingly follows the MC into exile rather than let him die in the forest alone. Unfortunately, this happens close to the end of the story, and is more about the culmination of the MC's character subplot than about her.
Any advice or thoughts about how I can give LÃadan more page-time, and keep her from being completely focused on the MC, is very much appreciated.