: Re: Introducing a character in the third act? I'm well into the third act of my novel and I'm introducing a new character that will play a part in the ending and an even bigger part in the

I see 2 options to hint at a 3rd-Act character before they are introduced. Both ways prep the reader that there is a coming "component" to the story, like a Chekov's gun. The hints can be overt, like they are actually seeking this person, or subtle with their "presence" being felt long before they are introduced.

The character is mentioned by reputation, ability, or
position of authority but the individual is unknown. The other characters know "a person" exists that they may eventually
need/encounter, but they know nothing about them as individuals. You
can build certain expectations about this character which will be
subverted when we actually meet them.
The individual person is known, but their talent or purpose in the
story comes as a reveal or plot twist. This is maybe a person who was seen early
and dismissed or forgotten. (It might even be a member of the team
who has been there all along, but hiding their true nature and
motives.) Characters may become aware of external influence before they realize it is someone they have already met, or that it is a specific individual

A little foreshadowing, even if it turns out to be "wrong", will help this character not be a deus ex machina. Their introduction can still sideline the characters, but for the reader they do not emerge completely from nowhere. Readers have a partial awareness this person exists, but they are an abstract (like the Wizard of Oz) who turns out to be nothing close to what was expected, or they have been feeling his effects (positive or negative) before they become aware it is all due to this surprise person they weren't aware of. Once they realize it is a person, they may not need to look very far to find him.

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: How do I mix linear and non-linear "choices" in an interactive novel? In my interactive novel, I'm trying to keep the word count between choice prompts fairly short and consistent, but that

@Annie587

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: Naming Characters after Friends/Family I drafted a book two years ago that I'm now polishing to publish. When I drafted it, for speed's sake, I named one of my primary characters after an old

@Annie587

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: I'll skip repeating what others have said. Some additional thoughts: As other have pointed out, "tiphoof" is probably not an anatomically accurate term for how a hoofed creature would ever walk,

@Annie587

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: I keep going back to the story in Breaking Bad. The purpose of the story, novel or TV series, is to establish characters in an environment and then show how they react or accommodate to

: Re: Introducing a character in the third act? I'm well into the third act of my novel and I'm introducing a new character that will play a part in the ending and an even bigger part in the

More posts by @Annie587

: How do I mix linear and non-linear "choices" in an interactive novel? In my interactive novel, I'm trying to keep the word count between choice prompts fairly short and consistent, but that

: Naming Characters after Friends/Family I drafted a book two years ago that I'm now polishing to publish. When I drafted it, for speed's sake, I named one of my primary characters after an old

: I'll skip repeating what others have said. Some additional thoughts: As other have pointed out, "tiphoof" is probably not an anatomically accurate term for how a hoofed creature would ever walk,

: I keep going back to the story in Breaking Bad. The purpose of the story, novel or TV series, is to establish characters in an environment and then show how they react or accommodate to

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