  Mystery
This week: Edited by: schipperke
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It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light. Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it. Sherlock Holmes speaking to Dr. Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles
Good, Watson! You always keep us flat-footed on the ground. From The Adventure of the Creeping Man
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What does Dr. Watson, Hawk, and Ko Ko the cat have in common? They are all ‘sidekicks’ of famous literary detectives, namely Sherlock Holmes, Spencer and Qwilleran.
Why does a detective need a sidekick?
When Spencer needs to talk about a case he turns to Hawk for advice. Hawk is a street wise sometime criminal, who assists Spencer with information and the muscle to help solve crimes. Hawk does more than that, however. He is Spencer’s true friend and has saved his life and Susan’s life (Spencer’s love) many times. Spencer doesn’t like to involve his girlfriend in his cases because they are often dangerous. He needs to talk to someone about potential clues and alibis of the bad guys. Spencer would seem awfully silly if he sat in his apartment talking to himself all the time.
Another sidekick is Dr. Watson, a calm man, the best friend of Sherlock Holmes. Every brilliant mind needs a friend who may not be as bright, but is more down to earth. Dr. Watson helps to ground his friend, and provides him with a sounding board and a willing ear. His gentle nature helps to soothe Mr. Holmes when a case is baffling. He has also helped to reduce Mr. Holmes’ cocaine drug habit.
Sidekicks don’t even have to be human. Ko Ko the cat is like most cats, an enigma. The cat helps Qwilleran see aspects of a case he may not have noted before, plus the cat helps with some comic relief. Having a cat as a main character in a serial also helps to draw in mystery lovers who are cat lovers too.
The sidekick should be as complex and memorable a character as your protagonist. Most readers come to know and love the sidekick as much as the protagonist. Do a character sketch of your sidekick with as much detail as your main character. Give her a name, a background and a job. Establish the bond between the two characters and invent a history for the two of them. Were they childhood friends? Ex-wives or girlfriends from work? Did they belong to the same frat, or were they from opposite sides of the track?
Your sidekick should compliment your main character. Where one may be brash, the other could be calm. If one loves the opera, maybe the other loves baseball. Maybe your sidekick is an automobile buff and helps the protagonist with auto related clues. Being a detective is a serious job, so many sidekicks work as a source of humor for your story, a bit of levity in an otherwise somber tale.
So sit down at your computer and start thinking about your character’s best bud, his comrade in arms, his sidekick. Make her as memorable as you can and your readers will continue want more.
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The Goldman Series I: A day of disaster and decision, Jack first senses his lifelong enemy
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April Sunday :Hey, Schipp, hon, One thing's certain decks get awfully slippery sometimes. Good idea to tap into re: cruises. TEFF
Thanks Teff! I don't go on boats because I get sea sick...
werden  : I always find the subject of non-fiction mysteries fascinating. My favorites are the ones where ships are found with nobody on board. One wonders where could all the crew have gone and why. I also find the Bermuda Triangle, fascinating.
All the times I went to Bermuda I never disappeared! 
DB Cooper I can't wait to read the Laci Peterson article. I love Writing.Com.
ME TOO! 
billwilcox:Sccccchip!
I really liked your thoughts on nabbed boat people. It reminds me of all the UFO sightings by sailors back during WWII.
Hmm. Why don't you and werden take a trip to Bermuda for some research!
Vivian  :Thanks, Schipp, for highlighting my story in your newsletter. Life is indeed filled with real-life mysteries. ~~ Viv
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Mystery: May 03, 2006 Issue [#1010]
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