The rise of the side character – the people you want to steal the narrative scene

I love side characters. I love them so much, I have side characters who’ve made an appearance in more than one of my books. It’ not hard, since I tend to write about families or groups of friends, each person getting their own story. For me, side characters are integral to the story. It’s like life. You need supporting voices. If it’s just you and your significant other you may quickly realize there’s something missing. You often need friendship or things you don’t want or can’t quite get from your lover.

In this blog, which picks up where last week’s left off, I give you a bit more on Sinna’s friends, her support network, and a wonderfully charismatic tool I use to drive the story forward.

Oh, and unless you’re living under a rock, you’ll recognize the picture is V, of BTS. I love watching fan-made videos of him on YouTube, or the endlessly entertaining Taekook ones. He reminds me of two characters in my book, Tan and Bik. I see vulnerability in him – Tan. I also see a little cocky because he knows he’s handsome. You can’t blame the guy, he is! And people tell him so all the time…poor thing.

XOXO,

SS

 

“It’s a movie!” Saint

Sinna just winked. Rocking in Tan’s arms, she was tipsy and feeling all kinds of right. Five idols mingled happily with her extended friends and family from Chicago and New York as though they’d known each other forever. No one was trying to sneak and take pictures – they were open about it, video too – there were no squealing fans, there was no worry over image or decorum or anything. They were just having a good time.

Dominic showed up with a tearful baby and Jeremy, Lani’s husband. After Tommy soothed the fretful child, the two left to put Bubs to sleep and finish up on some work. But after an hour – almost two in Dom’s case – they came back out to join the party.

The room was warm, everyone was laughing, and there was a mixed, merry burble of Korean, English and even some Spanish floating above the music. They ordered more food after the snacks Cressida prepared disappeared. And Sinna watched as 501K charmed Dominic and Jeremy, who were as straight as proverbial arrows, into accepting food off their chopsticks.

See, she mouthed to Tommy, who rolled her eyes and mouthed back, potent!

The 501K boys were certainly that. The group had always made international headlines for their collective handsomeness. It was almost unheard of, but all five members were over 6’, with the big eyes Koreans were rabid for, thick heads of hair and a mélange of beautiful, unique features. And after years in the public eye, they knew how to play to a crowd, even one as small as a few other men.

“Thank you,” she said to Tommy, dumping the last of the Moscato into her friend’s glass.

Tommy swallowed half and handed her the rest. “Why?”

“For getting me this job. And for having my back even when I didn’t know it was vulnerable. I was whining earlier, but this has been an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world.”

“You weren’t whining; you’re tired and overworked. And I got you the opportunity. You got the job yourself.”

“Don’t split hairs with me, bitch. I’ma tryna be grateful.”

Tommy laughed softly. “You’re welcome. Just keep knockin’ it out the park, and fuck with this other shit I got going,” she urged.

“You’re determined to launch your own Asian invasion, aren’t you?”

“Damn right. There is a ton of money to be made in this bitch, and we’re going to get our share,” she promised, grinning as she put her hand in Hyuk’s and let him dance her around the room.

“I asked Dom for permission,” he assured her.

“Very good,” she said, her tone dry.

Saint and Sinna, who overheard the exchange, just laughed.

 

 

“Tommy!”

There was a snuffle and the blankets shifted, then there was a sigh, and movement stopped.

Bubs had better luck. He patted the covers where Tommy’s head should be. “Mama!”

A tousled head appeared.

“You ok, Mama’s angel?”

“Yeah!”

“You hungry?”

“No, I just ate breakfast.”

Tommy yawned and opened her arms. The toddler climbed into them and settled against her pillowy chest. Sinna could tell it was a familiar perch. The little boy watched Lani bustle around the room rattling hangers and setting out shoes like he did it every day.

“Get up!” Lani ordered. “We gotta check on things at the hotel.”

“You can’t wear that.”

Lani stroked the side of her strapless pink mermaid dress with its exposed hems and gold zip. “Why? You know it’s got those cute, sheer, attachable sleeves that tie around the wrist.”

“Save that,” Tommy insisted. “Wear the two-piece jumpsuit.”

Lani’s big eyes narrowed. “Whatchu’ know that you not tellin’ me?”

“Will you just do what I say? Damn!”