I was reading from Little Pieces of Hope by Todd Doughty (wonderful little book, by the way) about Templeton in Charlotte’s Web and the role that a grouchy character plays in stories. Turns out, they do a lot.

Grouchy characters are not necessarily the antagonists.

Just look at Templeton, the grouchy rat.

Quite often he saved Wilbur’s hide.

It was Templeton who grumpily went to the trash heap in the first place to scrounge up the words for Charlotte to weave into her web.

A grouchy character, like Templeton, can bring levity to a middle-grade story.

They can take a story with a too-serious tone down a notch and make the story more playful.

There are some stories that can’t take a grouchy character—Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games comes to mind.

Everything Sad is Untrue is another one.

A grouchy caricature would spoil the whole vibe of those stories.

But like Templeton, there’s Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, and there’s Mr. Curry in the Paddington Bear series.

Think: a curmudgeonly aunt or caretaker in a middle-grade orphan story, too.

Don’t forget Carl Frederiksen in Up! or the loveable Oscar the Grouch in Sesame Street.

Grumpy characters have an important role in stories.

They inject conflict, texture and humor into scenes.

They can serve as mirrors or foils, revealing aspects of a main character that are in contrast to the grouch.

They allow for emotional growth in the main characters who inevitably try to understand why the character is grumpy and, therefore, learn a little something about life.

The grumpy character can also bring out the softer side of a main character.

They can add a touch of realism to the story, too.

The world is full of grumps.

How people deal with them is a learning experience.

When considering a grouch or a grump for your story, think caricature not just character.

A caricature is an over-the-top rendering of something real, turning it silly or strange.

That’s why some stories—those that need to remain serious—can’t handle a grouch.

But some middle grade stories will soar with a grump.

Try adding one to your story and see if they help add depth or humor.

P.S. Check out my recent post at writersonthemove.com, “A Writer’s Life Has Seasons, Too.”

The site is full of writerly advice.

Enjoy your week.

~ Gail

(Tick tock)

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