#Plan4WriMo Day 18: Contemplate Relationship Arcs

Not only do your characters have a history, they also have a history with each other. It’s important to know not only how your characters relate to your MC and/or your antagonist, but everyone else in the world you’re building.

You’ll also want to consider how their relationships will change over the course of time—especially over the course of your novel. This is called a relationship arc, and it’s just as important as your plot arc and individual character arcs. And those arcs should all weave together in a fluid way.

Your characters impact each other. Their relationships impact your plot arc. Your plot impacts your characterization arcs.

And away we goooooooo!

That diagram I mentioned earlier this month? You’ll find an example of one below. Enjoy!

Today’s links:

Relationship Chart

Using the 12 Stages of Physical Intimacy to Build Tension in Your Novel

Emotional Amplifiers

THRIVE Blog Tour: Loren Hale Interview & Giveaway!

***twirls through the interwebz** It's almost here, you guys!!

If you've been following this blog for a while you may have noticed that I'm a smidge obsessed with THE ADDICTED SERIES by Krista and Becca Ritchie. You know. Just. A. Little. And the next book in the series, THRIVE, will be available in 8 agonizingly long days! So I'm thrilled to celebrate along with these incredilby kickass New Adult authors by participating in their blog tour. Today I'm going to be "interviewing" antihero and hearthrob Loren Hale, who has had me fascinated from the very first book. But first, a little about Krista and Becca and their soon (but not soon enough) to be born book baby!

Title: Thrive

Authors: Krista and Becca Ritchie

Series: Addicted #2.5

Pub Date: July 18^th, 2014

Two years will change them forever.

Click HERE to add to Goodreads!

When rumors spread like wildfire—like having three-ways with her boyfriend’s rock climbing brother—Lily Calloway spirals into a dark place. Her bedroom. Loren Hale is more confident and determined to keep their sex life private, even from their friends, and he helps Lily in the only way he knows how. But how much love is too much?

Their lives are filmed, watched, and criticized. And through it all, Lily and Loren have to face enemies they never thought they’d see, demons they don’t know if they should bury, and setbacks they didn’t think they’d meet. Not this soon.

And one rumor could be too much for them to handle. It will test their greatest limitations, and if they don’t hold onto each other, someone is going to drown.

A full-length New Adult Romance that bridges the gap between the second and third books. Thrive must be read before Addicted After All if you have not read the Calloway Sisters spin-off 

Hi Lo, welcome to the blog. I interviewed your brother a couple months ago, not sure if he mentioned it?

Yeah he mentioned it. He said it wasn’t hard, which is why I’m here. *slouches in chair* I’m not going to be surprised if he lied to me though.

*Dannie resists urge to invite Lo to lay down on the couch.* I’m a little different than most interviewers, because I’m also a therapist. So you can just let me know if you want to keep any of this *confidential.* Okay?

*flashes half-smile* Great.

Tell us about yourself in [exactly] five words:

Never up to par. *pauses and glares* That was four words, wasn’t it?

It was, but I'll let it slide this time. What did you want to be when you grew up when you were 5? 10? 15? 20? And now?

*sighs heavily and scratches his head* I don’t know *brows furrow as he thinks hard* *shakes head* I don’t know.

Well, regardless, it sounds like you're finding your niche in your new business. Tell us a little about your work? How are you enjoying publishing? What’s the weirdest pitch/query you’ve received so far?

It’s stressful, but better than working at my father’s company. I enjoy it enough. Weirdest pitch...maybe not a pitch but Halway Comics is sent unsolicited manuscripts all the time. I received this one comic with panels and panels of Lil and me, kissing and…other things. *smiles at the memory* she loved it, and I think she stole it from my stack of manuscripts. *shakes head* it’s verging on porn, of us, so I need to find it.

Ruh roh. Good luck with that. If you had a magic wand and could change any three things about your life, what would they be? (Stop focusing on the word “wand”, that’s Lily’s job.)

*leg jostles and glances at phone* I wouldn’t be an addict. Lily wouldn’t be an addict. And my brother would’ve grown up with me, instead of alone.

I'd imagine that last bit is something Ryke has wished for, too. What is your best hidden talent?

Pleasing a sex addict *smiles* but then again, everyone knows about that now. Thanks Celebrity Crush.

What would you consider your greatest accomplishment?

Getting sober for myself, and for Lil.

A huge accomplishment! What’s your favorite thing about Lily?

*his lips rise as he begins to smile* Her heart.

Least favorite thing?

Tabloids can ruin her day.

                                                  

It's gotta be tough, dealing with the onslaught of trash like that when you have no control over it. But now there’s talk that you guys might be doing a reality show in the coming months. How are you feeling about that?

We’re doing this for Rose’s fashion career, and we’ve all agreed to support her. How I’m feeling about it doesn’t matter.

What is each of your costars’ greatest strengths?

*rushes through them quickly, slouching further*

Ryke: being there for people, even guys like me who give him a hard time.

Connor: he’s great at everything.

Rose: she’s the best sister to Lily, always supportive, even when she’s being a bitch.

Daisy: she’s always in a good mood.

Lily: *pauses for a second* her greatest strength is probably putting up with me when I was a complete idiot.

What’s your greatest strength?

The ability to discern that I may not have a greatest strength. Thanks. *sighs and tries to re-answer without being an asshole* Lily would say that I haven’t tapped into my superpowers yet, or that maybe my greatest strength  is right in front of me, and I just can’t see it.

I think she might be right. As an addictions counselor, I know how tough (but rewarding) it can be to stay sober, especially when you get swept up in negative self-talk. How do you talk yourself away from the bar in those moments?

I think about what I’ll lose if I go in there. *nods to himself as he stares faraway at the ground* I know there may be a day when that doesn’t stop me.

What’s the best part of being sober?

Being able to be the kinda guy that Lily deserves, being there for her before anything else.

You have one day left to live. How do you spend it?

With Lily. I just would want to be with her.

And now, on to my traditional questions, stolen from James Lipton. There’s only one rule—no Phone-a-Friend-ing in Connor. Ryke already used that trick on me last time.

Damn.

What is your favorite word?

Iconoclast

What is your least favorite word?

Relapse

What turns you on?

Geekiness

What turns you off?

Betrayal

What sound or noise do you love?

Lily’s voice.

What sound or noise do you hate?

My voice.

What profession would you most like to attempt?

None. I’d probably fuck it up.

*Sigh* *Resists urge to hug Lo.* What profession would you least like to attempt?

Working for Rose Calloway. That would be my hell.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear G-d say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

He’d most likely tell me: “Turn back around, there’s been a mix up.”

I don't believe that for even one second. Thanks so much for letting me pick your brain today, Lo. It's an honor and I wish you all the best with your sobriety, the comic business, and the reality show! 

About the Authors

Krista and Becca Ritchie are identical twins. They write New Adult books that make you cringe, gasp, and go ooh-la-la. (If you do that sort of thing.) They are currently working on the spin-offs and final books in the Addicted series. Connect with them on twitter and their website: kbritchie.com 

I can't say enough how excited I am to get my grabby hands on this title. You can check out more of the THRIVE tour here and don't forget to add it to your Goodreads! I'll edit this post with buy links on the 18th! Thanks for including me in the tour, Krista and Becca! Wishing you all the book sales!! Don't forget to check out the giveaway below!

GIVEAWAY

*Kindle Paperwhite

*3 Signed Paperbacks of THRIVE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don't forget to vote for Lo in the #NACrushTourney14! Click the banner below for more info! 

Top Ten Tuesday October 22, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.Check the link to learn more and join the blog hop!

I'm doing my TTT post today because tomorrow is Trick or Treat with Agents! Info is here. So come back if you've got a completed MG, YA, NA, or A manuscript (no erotica, memoir, or PB please!) But without further ado...

TOP TEN CHARACTER NAMES

I'm a sucker for a good character name. I spend entirely too much time deciding what to name people in my own writing. I cheated a little this week and included some characters from movies or television, because at the end of the day that's all writing, too. 

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Ebeneezer Scrooge

Gandalf the Grey

Gargamel

Hannibal Lecter

Mayella Ewell 

Severus Snape

Tom Marvalo Riddle/I Am Lord Voldemort

I think I'm just obsessed with the names of British characters. Okay, what's on YOUR list that I forgot???

Thursday's Children--Inspired by Boston

Thursday's Children is a meme where writers join together to blog about the things that inspire them. Click here to find out more and join the blog hop!

I had another post planned for this week but it's just going to have to wait because a real life villain hurt people I love on Monday afternoon. Physically everyone I know is okay. And their families are okay. But my city is wounded. People are dead. A child is dead, his family injured. And my heart goes with them.


I spent most of Monday night angry. And scared. Because that's what anger always is at its worn and broken heart. But I refuse to spend another week on the couch, staring at the news like I did on September 11, 2001. Or December 14, 2012. Not to say that I'm not horrified and scared and angry and indescribably sad. I am all of those things. But Boston, my city, is a city that fights back. We are, as a dear friend said earlier this week, the city of
Revolution.

There is so much about Boston that inspires me.

Its Unified Spirit. There are lots of jokes about Boston culture. My family pahks our cah in Havahd Yahd. But the jokes stem from the fact that there is an undeniable feel and flavor to the city and its boroughs. We're just a little bit scrappy. Like my mother always says we, "tell it like it is." There is pride in our rich history, spirit fueled by kick-ass sports teams, and fierce loyalty to the artists, athletes, etc who call themselves Bostonian. It's a wicked awesome thing to be a part of, even from a distance. Even when my characters aren't from Boston, they are sprinkled with that spirit, that strength and solidarity. The feistiness and fearlessness. The city itself is my absolute favorite character to write.

On the field at Fenway with dear friend and CP, Dawn

Those Kick-ass Sports Teams I Mentioned. I've been a Red Sox fan since before I started Kindergarten. My grandfather took me to every spring training game growing up, since the Sox trained near my family's home outside Orlando. (We left New England when I was really little.) The first time I saw a game at Fenway Park (against the Yankees no less) I cried. The first time I saw a concert at Fenway...there are no words. I picked up the Celtics while serving as a Ball Girl for the Orlando Magic in elementary school. And once I learned to like football in high school, it was pretty convenient that my school's mascot happened to be the Patriots, also. There's little opportunity to fully appreciate hockey down here in the Dirty South, but I cheer the Bruins on every year. You can take the girl out of Boston, but you can't take the Boston out of the girl. The L.I.'s in my manuscripts are almost always Boston sports fans, and as often as possible the heroines are, too.

The Music that Books Are Made Of. I make soundtracks for each of my characters as I'm brainstorming and pre-writing manuscripts, so that when I dive into the sea of drafting I can use the music to guide me back to shore, to keep me focused on the story and emotions I'm trying to convey. The anti-hero of the manuscript I'm querying is a big Dropkick Murphys fan while my protag is more of an Aerosmith kind of gal. And yes, those boys I mentioned in my first Thursday's Children post do find their way into my playlists every once in a while. But there's so much good ish on the Boston music scene.

Oh the Places We Go. People probably think of a lot of places when someone mentions Boston: The Old North Church, Harvard Yard, the Back Bay, Fenway Park. These are the famous, history-rich places to love about Boston, but there's so much more to be found in the little local spots, too. Mike's Pastry in the North End--home of the best cannolis you will find in America--is one of my favorite places to write sensory details about. The quiet, tree-adorned shops of Newbury Street inspired an entire manuscript. The Frog Pond at Boston Common is a great place to do your writing in the summer, and in the winter it is a wonderland; the stuff all things romantical are made of.

Me and my homegirl Roxi--Boston Public Garden, August 2011

It's been too long since I've been home now. Almost two years. I want to take my family there this summer, and if Jet Blue keeps harassing me by email, I just might cave in and book the flight. Until then, I'm going to write about all the things in Boston that inspire me. I'll let the wonderful, brave, heroic things about my city serve as inspiration because there is so much good there, even in the midst of one of the city's bleakest moments.

If you'd like to help those most affected by Monday's events, please visit The One Fund. This is the charity that has been set up by Boston officials to directly benefit the families who need our support. 

To the monster responsible: May you find yourself in Roxbury in a broken down convertible with the top down at two in the morning. And in the immortal words of Will Hunting and the entire cast of The Departed, "Go Fuck Yourself."

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Top Ten Tuesday (2): Kick Ass Heroines

I feel wrong beginning any post without mentioning my city, Boston, and all that has happened there in the last twenty-four hours. I will come back to that on Thursday for my Thursday's Children post. I feel like it's too soon to blog on that subject. For now, my thoughts and prayers are with those who have experienced hurt or grief or fear today.

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Tuesday Rewind: Top Ten Kick Ass Heroines

10. Delaney Maxwell--Fracture by Megan Miranda
A little biased because I absolutely adore Megan as a person, but I had yet to meet her when I read Fracture. I love how Delaney fights for what she believes but isn't afraid to ask for help if she needs it.

9. Cinder--Cinder by Marissa Meyer
As someone who couldn't be paid enough to perform an oil change, I have instant respect for this gadget girl. I was pulling for her right away. Looking forward to reading Scarlet soon.

8. Scout Finch--To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I love how Lee shows Jean Louise's growth throughout the story. She is so authentic and tangible, funny, and strong.

7. Tris Prior--Divergent series by Veronica Roth
I originally had Tris in the number one spot but changed my mind. There's no question Tris kicks ass, both literally and figuratively, but there were times in Insurgent when her martyrdom got to be too much for me. I reserve the right to change my mind back after reading the infuriatingly still unnamed Book 3. :)

6. America Singer--The Selection by Kiera Cass
I love that she chooses herself above boys and stands her ground. Really looking forward to getting my paws on the sequel this month!

5. Karou--Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Beyond loving Karou's story, I adore how she refuses to accept societal rules and pressures about who she should love and respect. Another series I am dying to finish already!


4. Katniss Everdeen--The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Katniss is the ultimate kickass heroine. She is humble, fierce, and loyal, and she insists on thinking critically rather than accepting things on blind faith. She has just the right amount of self-loathing and lack-of-awareness that makes her a great heroine for teen readers.


3. Amy--Across the Universe series by Beth Revis
I don't think Amy is a typical kickass heroine but I love her anyway. And I love that Amy is a girl and yet is the strongest character in the series. Her growth throughout from victim to heroine is what made her story so wonderful and real to read.

2. Hermione Granger--Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
Beyond the fact that her name *looks* like heroine, I don't think there's any argument that Hermione kicks some serious fictional ass, even if she isn't the MC. True to her Gryffindor status, she stands up to trolls and Death Eaters, packs some hardcore wand heat (though she is an insufferable know-it-all), and isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in, even if it puts her on the opposite side of the line from her very best friends.

1. Hazel Grace Lancaster--The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I love Hazel's authentic and refreshing attitude toward her experience with cancer. I love how she falls for Augustus "the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." It's so rare to see a female character as strong as her in Contemporary YA. Hazel NEVER forgets to be awesome!!

Who are your favorite YA Heroines?