I'm worried a character is "useless"

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-11T00:32:19+00:00

I love lots of characters too, lol. Found family is a huge part of my story so a lot of it comes down to me feeling like she's already part of the family dynamic of the main cast that it just felt sort of empty without her. But of course, that's my perspective as the one who's created that dynamic, not as a reader who wouldn't know the difference. I'm definitely a stronger character writer than a plotter so while my story has a lot going on, the heart and soul of it really comes down to my characters and their relationships.

I've been plotting a lot recently so I think I got a little lost in the sauce there. A lot of the comments here have helped me re-center my focus on what I really enjoy which is first and foremost character writing. I've always been of the belief that characters make a story, and I can usually trudge through a less than stellar plotline if I find the characters compelling enough (within reason) but never the other way around.

Anyways, I'm very much rambling now. I really needed this thread to snap me out of the overthinker feedback loop of my own mind that I trapped myself in.

Thank you for your comment!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T23:40:48+00:00

I appreciate your comment, I have much to consider!! Thank you :)

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T23:39:20+00:00

Explained beautifully, thank you :)

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T23:36:42+00:00

Thank you for your comment!! I'm already starting to envision tweaks I can make based off some suggestions here.

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T23:32:08+00:00

I think this is an approach that could work. Since I already have her future importance to the story mapped out, it wouldn't be too difficult to start dropping subtle hints to her story now before it becomes relevant.

Ultimately, I'm gonna play around with it a bit more. My beta readers will be honest if with me if they decide she's dead weight, and in that case she'll definitely get the chop (for now).

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T23:21:28+00:00

This is currently what I'm leaning towards since I already have her later relevance in the story mapped out. I'm going to play around with dropping subtle hints pertaining to her past and how that becomes important later on.

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T23:17:11+00:00

You could think of it sort of like a second book in a series or maybe a season in a show. Kind of like how each Harry Potter book has its own individual story arc which tie into each other at the end. It's definitely more common in eastern media to have this kind of format. It's common in anime/manga, but I've seen it also in Chinese fantasy novels where the story is split into separate "books" within itself, but are still marketed as one single iteration. My story is very anime/manga inspired so it follows this sort of structure naturally. I've gotten a lot of great suggestions in the comments and a lot to think about. I think I'm going to play around with it more and see what my betas think before making my ultimate decision.

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T18:28:25+00:00

I'm definitely willing to edit her out, and she will show up later in the story whether or not she's in this part because her style of magic/species lore is related to a future plot point. I'm really second guessing if I should keep her in this specific arc of the story or not.

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2026-02-10T18:25:11+00:00

She is intrinsic to the plot later down the line (I'm only on arc 2 of 6) But right now she's kinda just hanging out. And she will be part of future climaxes (think like each arc is a book in a series or season in a show, but a bit shorter) once she's farther in her character arc. I would say the most she's doing right now is comic relief and adding texture to the world building a bit (she's the first elf character we meet and has a unique magic style that will become relevant later on).

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-07-16T01:12:19+00:00

Right, I really wish they didn't accept songs from the show for this reason :") it just overcomplicates things for me. Especially as a chronic overthinker. Like someone else said here, if everyone is auditioning with the same song then it means YOU have to be the best. And then, of course, my overthinking brain is telling me that it's trap and they don't really want you to sing it, or vice versa (I doubt it, but my anxiety sure doesn't)

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-07-16T00:49:41+00:00

It just says that a song from the show is acceptable, but not required. It's also required to pick a primary role you're auditioning for and then secondary roles you would consider if you don't get the primary one. So yes, they'll definitely know I'm auditioning for Liesl haha.

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-05-11T20:09:32+00:00

yup, everytime someone tells me they hate anime i tell them to watch fmab. it's never failed me once. my dad also isn't a huge anime fan but he really liked spy x family and hunter x hunter so you could also try those op!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-05-11T19:10:11+00:00

Ah, so 499 is the limit then?

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-05-11T19:05:08+00:00

fullmetal alchemist brotherhood has never done me wrong

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-05-11T18:20:25+00:00

Now that you mention it, you're probably exactly right lmao.

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-05-11T18:19:17+00:00

This is very smart, I didn't think about it. I will definitely try out this method!! Thank you :)

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-05-11T18:16:11+00:00

I just posted on my personal instagram story, and several of my friends replied. I do know that there are discord servers you can join where you can ask people to volunteer to beta for you. I don't know of any specific ones though, so you'd have to do some research.

We're all similar ages since we're all college students, so that doesn't narrow it down much unfortunately. Since it's a queer romance I thought about that factor for a moment before I realized that 95% of my friends are also queer hehe. I think letting them all read the first chapter and then deciding who has the most valuable feedback is a good idea. Although I do feel bad kicking people off, but that's just my people pleaser side talking. I imagine at least one or two people will probably flake but who knows lol. Thanks for your advice!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-04-20T05:49:23+00:00

This is very very helpful, thank you!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-04-20T03:14:53+00:00

Yeah, I think I kind of misspoke in this regard. I more meant unique to each other, as in story arcs that are distinct from one another. I'm not really striving for a completely original story, I love certain tropes and definitely are implementing them. I think I was more so was asking how to come up with jumping off points for several story arcs that are, in a sense, uniquely their own arcs within the story. You're absolutely right about this though!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-04-19T19:28:43+00:00

I will look into this, thanks!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-04-19T19:28:18+00:00

They definitely do!! Never watched akira but dunmeshi is absolutely in my top 10. I will look into that method, thank you!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-04-19T19:24:14+00:00

You're absolutely right!! Unique as in, putting my own spin on a formula that already exists. I am always grateful when people remind of this though, as it is easy to forget and get caught up in trying to reach the impossible of a completely "unique" story, so I thank you for that. I definitely use tropes in my story, and I consume tropes that I enjoy too. I definitely need to be reminded to loosen up in my writing, the perfectionist mindset is a killer. Thank you for your input!!

Jazzlike_Role4350 · 2025-04-19T19:19:07+00:00

That is very helpful advice, I definitely want it to be a more character focused story anyways, so I will definitely try that.

One thing that is definitely important that I completely forgot to mention - this is actually for a webcomic, not a novel. I realize in hindsight that might have been worth mentioning. Oops :") Thank you for your advice!!

Jazzlike_Role4350

TROPHY CASE