The YSC

This post is about the YSC, or the younger sibling character. In this post we'll look into what this character is most commonly like, how to avoid cliches and what do when they get your MC in major trouble. CAUTION: Do not, under any circumstances read this to your own younger sibling, tears my occur.

Just kidding. I'm a younger sibling myself.

Anyway, over to the point. There are a ton of YSC's out there, even though they're not in every book. Like Batty from the Penderwicks, Ramona from Beezus and Ramona and people like Colin Creevey from Harry Potter, although he's not really anyone's sibling. Though not necessary (like all younger siblings, just kidding, I'm insulting myself here), the YSC provides humor and fun in serious situations.

Usually, the YSC is younger than the MC and much less mature. A lot of times, they're complete opposites from the MC and they don't mix with them very well. Other times they want to be just like the MC and it can get annoying, still other times they want to be independent but still need the help of the long suffering older brother or sister. Here's an organized list of it.

1. MC and YSC don't mix well.
2. YSC wants to be like MC.
3. YSC is independent but need help from the MC.

Here are a couple examples of each using the same story line.


Carlotta sighed deeply as she watched her younger sister climb up on the step stool and take down the brownie mix. As Janet got down, Carlotta took the box from her and read the instructions, much to Janet's dismay. 
"Hey, you took that from me!" She sighed, crossing her chubby little arms. Carlotta ignored her sister and said, 
"Can you please get out a half cup measure and a teaspoon measure while I get the ingredients?" 


Janet sighed but went about getting them anyway as Carlotta got the milk and eggs. When Janet returned, she shoved a third cup measure and a tablespoon measure in Carlotta's face. 


"Janet, those won't work for this recipe." Carlotta sighed. 
"But I like these." Janet protested. 

Okay, so that was the first example. See how Carlotta tries to get Janet to do things, but Janet wants to do them differently? See how Carlotta ignores her sister and how Janet wants to argue? That,  I think, fits pretty well for the first example.

Carlotta looked down at her sister as Janet looked up at Carlotta. 
"Now what?" Janet asked, 
"Now, you can watch me crack an egg." 
"Then can I crack one?" 
"Why?"
"Because there are two." 
"Brilliant math. I know, but I think you're too little to crack eggs by yourself."
"No I'm not." Janet sighed.
"Alright, I'll help you though." Carlotta consented. 


Carefully, so as to set the perfect example for her sister, Carlotta banged the egg on the side of the bowl and opened it up to drop it inside. Janet clapped gleefully while Carlotta rolled her eyes. 


"First, you're going to bang the egg on the side of the bowl." Carlotta said, Janet banged. "Next put your thumb and finger in the hole you made." Janet did. "Now, open it up and dump it in the bowl." Janet dumped. 


"Good job, Janet! You didn't even get any shell in the bowl!" Carlotta smiled. Janet rolled her eyes, something she had just learned how to do.



Okay, so that was example two. See how Janet wanted to do what Carlotta did and how she picked up form her sister's lead? That's example number two for you. Now for the final one.

Carlotta looked over at Janet measuring the milk and flinched, hoping that Janet wouldn't drop it. 
"Here, Janet, I'll do it." Carlotta said, 
"No, I got it." Janet replied quietly. She stuck her tongue out of her month and bit it. 
"Janet, really," Carlotta said. 
"No, I got it." 
"Fine, I'll go pre-heat the oven," Carlotta told her. She was just starting to walk over to the oven when Janet jumped up, spilling the milk over the counter and onto the floor shouting, 
"I'll get it!" 


That was example number three, Janet wanted to do everything on her own and Carlotta didn't want her to because she thought she was too young.

YSC's are almost always mischievous, but you can't make them all laughs because then they'll seem like a cookie cutter. Have some serious scenes with them. Also, if your character has parents, don't make the parents favor the YSC over the other sibling unless it's an important part of the story. It happens too often that the parents think the YSC is the perfect little innocent angel, and I don't think any parents would really think that, maybe, I don't know.

 One final thing, it's fun to have your YSC get your MC in trouble because it adds some playful drama to it. Don't make them get completely off the hook though, but I think all readers like to read about someone getting in trouble of getting in to mischief because it adds some excitement.

So, so you have any thoughts on the YSC?