The Girly Girl Blog Hop
It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it. After all, every protagonist needs backup, be they crazy neighbor, quirky best friend, or stranded alien. But it’s a tough gig. Your character file is smaller. And frankly, your odds of surviving are greatly reduced depending on the type of story you turn up in. But while the job may come with less perks, if you do it right, you might just win recognition as Best Supporting Secondary Character.
So, in honor of secondary characters everywhere, let the Sensational Secondary Characters Blog Hop Begin.
Where would King Arthur have been without his Knights of the Round Table? Where would Calvin be without Hobbes? Can we even picture Robin Hood without his Merry Men? I met one of my favorite secondary characters as a teen while reading Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Diana Berry becomes Anne Shirley’s bosom friend on first sight. She’s privileged, pretty and amiable. The perfect kindred spirit for an orphaned girl with an overflowing imagination and talent for finding trouble. Adorable Diana is the perfect foil for Anne. But it is her immediate acceptance and steadfast loyalty to Anne that makes her special.
Minor characters can be playful, vengeful, fussy, or any number of others things as long as they remember their place. No novel can survive without them, but they’re not allowed to steal the show. In my romantic suspense, Backlash, my heroine Lily Wheeler has her best friend Kate Logan. She’s nothing if not loyal.
Here’s a sample. Kate is grilling the hero, Chase Porter.
“Is this the part where you ask me what my intentions are?” (Chase) returned the once-over glance. Spectacular from head to toe and born for high heels.
(Kate) ignored him. “I’d rather know how much trouble Lily’s landed in?”
“Nothing is going to happen to Lily.”
“And you’re basing that assumption on what?” She cocked a hip.
“On the fact that it will happen over my dead body.”
Her eyes stayed cool. “As reassuring as that statement is, I’d feel better knowing you have an actual plan.”
He ground his teeth together. “You’re going to have to trust me.”
Musical laughter filled the air. “Be thankful we have a history, and know if I didn’t think I could trust you, believe me, we’d be having a very different conversation right now.”
Because they did have a history, and because Kate loved Lily, he attempted an explanation.
I’m giving away one ebook copy of Backlash to a commenter. All you have to do to enter is tell me your favorite quality in a secondary character, leave your email address, and be entered to win. Click here to continue on your way! Thanks to Libby Mercer for bringing us all together.
What he’s sworn to protect, she’s willing to sacrifice to save those she loves…
When dedicated teacher Lily Wheeler interrupts a vicious gang attack on one of her students, she vows it won’t happen again. But her rash interference puts her in the path of a cold-blooded killer and the constable tracking him—a man she has little reason to trust, but can never forget.
Constable Chase Porter returned to Aspen Lake to see justice done, not renew old acquaintances. But when he rescues the woman he once loved from a volatile situation, he realizes his feelings for Lily haven’t lessened over the years.
Now, the dangerous killer Chase has sworn to capture has Lily in his sights. Can Chase and Lilly learn to trust each other again before it’s too late—or will old insecurities jeopardize their future?
I LOVE romantic suspense books…sitting on the edge of your seat and analyzing, trying to figure out the mystery….
My favorite secondary character is Jules from Bear Necessities. He’s funny and laid back…well, he IS a bear shifter so laid back is understandable!
Thank you for the giveaway!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
Oh, a bear shifter! Will have to check Jules out. Thanks for stopping by and good luck 😀
A secondary character that I find working really well in a novel has to have a distinct personality of his/her own. I admit to not even condidering secondary characters in my first work, but now I’m much more conscious of making them as real and rounded (albeit brief appearances). In my novel-Take Me Now-I loved writing in the charismatic father of my hero-Ruaridh. So much, I might just develop him at a later date!
Hi Nancy! I love when secondary characters get their own stories or more play in upcoming books. I love the name Ruaridh for a hero!
Great neat blog hop! My favorite quality in a secondary quality is loyalty. Thanks for the giveaway. lisarayns(at)gmail(dot)com
We think alike, Lisa! I’m glad you stopped by and Good Luck!
Aw, you made me remember the Anne of Green Gables books, which I loved so much! And you’re right, Diana was the perfect foil and BFF for impulsive Anne.
Since I read a lot of Chick Lit, I’d say that my favorite quality in a secondary character is sassiness. I like a supporting character who will tell it like it is to the heroine!
Backlash sounds like a great book; I’ll have to check it out! No need to enter me in your giveaway as I’m a fellow hopper and want to give others the chance to win.
Nice to meet you, Tracie! The Anne books were my favorites growing up and I passed many hours reading them. I think sassiness is a wonderful quality to find in a secondary character. Someone who can deliver the honest answers in a way that’s easier to swallow.
My favorite trait is humor for the secondary character
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Another great characteristic! Thanks for stopping by Donna!
Karyn, Romantic suspense… that’s how I define my novel too, with a little chick-lit…. I can’t wait to check out your novel. I love the name CHASE, even though he’s a killer. Oh well! Loving this whole blog experience. It’s my first one and I’m meeting new authors and checking out their books. Hope you’ll pop over and join me. xo cindy
Hi Cindy! Don’t worry my Chase is actually the good guy 😀 I will indeed be stopping by. Like you my TBR pile is growing and I’m meeting lots of new-to-me authors!
Love the excerpt, Karyn! Pulled me in right away. Hmm. Favorite qualities in secondary characters… I think maybe a straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is kind of thing, if this makes any sense? For example, if a primary character was being a drama queen, the secondary might help her put it all into perspective.
Thanks, Libby! It makes absolute sense, that whole yin and yang thing! Thanks for putting together such a fabulous hop!
Great excerpt! 🙂
I love it when secondary characters are funny sidekicks who know how to push the main character’s buttons!
Thanks Cat! I agree about the funny sidekicks. Kind of like Dory in Finding Nemo 😀
I love secondary characters that are a bit snarky, a bit funny but loyal to their BFF. Like Angelina and Miki from Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston. Kate sounds like she could be that kind of character, too. Thanks for the giveaway!
suz2(at)cox(dot)net
I’m with Tracie, I love a secondary with sass! No need to enter the giveaway, but it’s a pleasure to hop with you. Your excerpt sounds great!
The secondary character needs to be funny.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
The traits I like to see in a secondary character are humor but loyal! And I love when secondary characters get their own story! Enjoy your weekend your book sounds sooo interesting, I can’t wait to read it:)
I love how they can make me laugh and smile
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
Ooh, Karyn, your book sounds so good! I love secondary characters who truly get the MC even when she might not get herself.