#WriteTip - Develop Secondary Characters by @HaleyWhitehall (spotlighting her #historical #interracial #romance Midnight Caller)

It's been a while since Haley Whitehall paid a visit (I kid.... a couple of months, at the most). She and I met through an author loop at the same small press many moons ago (approximately 24), and since then some of our titles have hit the rights-reversion mark. While I'm still hovering on the indie sidelines trying to decide if I want to tackle re-editing and re-releasing my own titles, Haley has valiantly taken the plunge. Here's a writing tip from Ms. Whitehall, along with a closer look at Midnight Caller.

Develop Secondary Characters

by Haley Whitehall

I’d like to thank Tara for having me on her blog today and help celebrate my re-release of Midnight Caller. My write tip: develop your secondary characters. Many times the secondary characters are overlooked and if they are developed at all are often cliché characters.

Many writers focus all their attention on the main characters. If it is a romance, they spend all their time developing the hero and heroine and of course the bumpy road that leads to them falling in love. However, in real life, people do not live in a bubble. We do not have tunnel vision and only think about, see, and talk to our significant other.

Secondary characters serve many important functions in a story. They can be a sympathetic ear for the main characters and offer advice. With their help the main characters might be able to figure things out and make life decisions. They can help the main characters out when they are in a fix, or they can cause problems for the main characters either intentionally or unintentionally.  There can be many secondary characters in a story. I love the small town romances where you get to know the whole town: the nosy neighbor, grumpy old man, a few rambunctious children etc. Secondary characters can bring the setting to life, and make it feel more real to the reader. And you know what the best part is? Sometimes secondary characters beg to have a story of their own!

I recently re-edited, lengthened, and re-released Midnight Caller (Moonlight Romance, Book 1). After writing three books in the Moonlight Romance series it occurred to me that an important secondary character in Midnight Caller needed a story of her own. Mrs. Dimshire is a widowed matron in Louisville, and she encourages Emma to take a black lover. I got to thinking what is her story? So when I lengthened Midnight Caller for the re-release I went back and added a few more details about Mrs. Dimshire’s life. If secondary characters are more developed, it makes them more real as well as making it easier to write their stories later.

Secondary characters need to be more than names. We need to take time to describe them and develop them. In my opinion, the more the secondary characters are brought to life the more the story will ring true. Just be careful and don’t let them take over the story!

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Midnight Caller

Moonlight Romance, 1

by Haley Whitehall

Life without love is painful, but in the Reconstruction Era South forbidden fruit can be deadly. A fiery romance between a widow and an African American man has more consequences than either of them imagined.

Slavery has ended, but racial prejudice remains in Kentucky. Emma Bennett guards a secret that could destroy her life. Until now she never considered the price of her security. Becoming a well-respected member in Louisville had seemed a dream come true, but at what cost?

Her husband’s death from a carriage accident releases Emma from her loveless, controlling marriage. Now she has a chance to find happiness and raise a family. But before she begins courting again she wants to experience her freedom. At the advice of the leading socialite in town, she takes a black lover to fulfill her sexual needs. His raw masculine power awakens feelings she didn’t know existed. After the first touch, she craves more.

Frederick works as a roustabout by day and moonlights as a prostitute. He knows better than to fall in love with his white client, but Emma enchants him the first time he calls on her. To keep them both safe, he works hard to put up barriers. Unfortunately, he can’t protect Emma from the slimy Mr. Hawthorne, who wants her as his bride. Frederick vows to keep her safe even if his forbidden love costs him his life.

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About Haley Whitehall

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy.

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#WriteTip - Know the Enemy by @HaleyWhitehall (spotlighting her @LSB_lsbooks #Historical #PNR #Romance)

Fellow Liquid Silver Books author Haley Whitehall has a brand new paranormal historical romance out. In addition to snagging an excerpt from Alpha's Voodoo (which has a super interesting cover), I also convinced her to give me a writing tip. As we all know, heroes and heroines are the focus of most romances. But good stories also require a compelling conflict, which is why antagonists are often very important.  

Know the Enemy

by Haley Whitehall

I’m excited about my newest release Alpha’s Voodoo. It is my first historical paranormal romance. I come bearing a short writing tip: Know the Enemy. Of course, I’m not talking about the trolls on Goodreads. I’m talking about the antagonist in your story.

I knew the hero, Mark Afton, and the heroine, Violet Creed’s backstories early on when writing this story. However, I didn’t know Mark’s enemy very well. Mr. LeBlanc is introduced in Alpha’s Voodoo and readers will learn more about him as the Bayou Pack series continues. He is feuding with the Afton family which affects the entire Bayou Pack.

After four drafts I still didn’t know why Mr. LeBlanc was out to destroy Mark Afton. I just knew that he was. That wasn’t good enough so I had to dig deeper. The more I included about the issues the two men had with each other the stronger the story became, in my opinion.

Even when an antagonist doesn’t play a key role in a story it is important to get to know them. What your hero and heroine fear is part of their character. We all have dirty secrets. What are your characters hiding? What weakness does the enemy want to expose? It will help make the characters seem more real, help readers relate to them.

Available Now!

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Alpha's Voodoo

Bayou Pack Book 1

by Haley Whitehall

Are curses real or merely imagined?

Violet Creed is a colored New Orleans debutante. She was brought up with servants and a strict set of rules regarding propriety, and her papa never approved of her interest in Voodoo. One night she sneaks out of the house and attends one of Marie Laveau’s gatherings—where she loses her virginity and her reputation. Turned out by her papa, Violet is destined for a life on the streets until Madam Dawn saves her.

Cursed to live as a wolf shifter, Mark Afton is a wealthy lawyer and heir to the Bayou Pack. Unfortunately, he can’t take over leadership from his uncle without a mate. Wanting to escape his mother’s endless matchmaking attempts, he accepts Madam Dawn’s invitation to sail on the maiden voyage of the Southern Rose and enjoy the pleasurable company of her ladies.

One of Madam Dawn’s recent hires catches his attention. He is drawn to Violet immediately. Could she be his mate or is their attraction merely Voodoo?

About Haley Whitehall

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy.

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#WriteTip - What is Your Character’s Weakness? by @HaleyWhitehall, Author of a New #CivilWar #PNR

Haley Whitehall has a brand new paranormal romance out, just in time for Valentine's Day. In addition to snagging an excerpt from Civil War Valentine, I also convinced her to give me a writing tip. I had quite a bit of fun making a graphic for this one.

What is Your Character’s Weakness?

by Haley Whitehall

What is your character’s weakness?

Civil War Valentine was my first venture into writing paranormal romance. I have found that with paranormal characters it is easy to fall into the Superman trap. Superman was all powerful and his only weakness was Kryptonite which nullified his special abilities. So really Superman was still too powerful for his own good.

When characters are too powerful it can make it harder for readers to relate to them. We’re human, right? It can also make writing conflict into your story difficult. If your character knows ahead of time the bad guys are coming because of his telepathy and with his super strength, super speed, and quick healing abilities can easily defend himself and his love interest then there isn’t much of a story.

For my first attempt at a paranormal character I chose a ghost: Civil War soldier Elliot Lowery. Ghosts have many natural limitations. Not to mention they used to be mortal so I didn’t have to get inside the head of another creature! Not sure if I’m ready for that yet. For my ghost I just had to choose which limitations to give him and how he was going to overcome them.

You can see how I managed this by reading Civil War Valentine.

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Civil War Valentine

by Haley Whitehall

Charlie Bristol comes to Seattle to set up a traveling Valentine’s Day exhibit. The director of the museum surprises her with a package of Civil War valentines from an anonymous donor. She is touched by the heartfelt messages. Does such powerful love still exist?

During a nap she dreams she's alive during the Civil War and meets Elliot Lowery, the author of the valentines who mistakes her for his fiancée Charlotte. She and Elliot negotiate the murky waters of wartime romance. When she wakes she’s still under the dream's spell and Valentine’s Day love is in the air. Can love work some miracle time and death cannot overcome?

Civil War Valentine is a sweet holiday romance 9000+ word short story.

Excerpt

He stepped through the door, the heat from his muscular frame making her heart race. His eyes swept her body, pausing at her breasts before perusing lower. “That is sure a salacious dress you’re wearing,” he said, a glint in his eye. “It is the right color, though.”

It wasn’t that short. “This is one of my favorite dresses. It has long sleeves…” She glanced down and stopped abruptly. Of course this dress would seem risqué to a man from the 1860s. A blush crept up her cheeks. Why hadn’t her dream fixed that glaring detail?

“It looks more like a nightgown,” he said, his eyes heating.

Well that wouldn’t do. “Give me a minute. I’ll go change.” After she was properly attired, she could enjoy the company of her tall, dark mystery soldier. Charlie headed into the hallway. “Stir the stew,” she called over her shoulder. She didn’t want their Valentine Day’s meal to accidentally burn.

Where was the bedroom? She opened the first door she came to and saw a small bed and a chest of drawers. Lying on the bed was a burgundy and white checkered skirt and matching bodice. It was very feminine. She held up the bodice and looked in the mirror above the chest of drawers. She’d always liked to play dress up when she was a kid. She’d acted in a few plays when she was in school. This evening she was playing the part of a Civil War lady. She might as well enjoy it.

About Haley Whitehall

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical fiction and historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. Visit Haley’s website at http://haleywhitehall.com.

Haley loves to connect with readers. You can find her here: 

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