As promised, I'm dedicating today's post to the sensational secondary characters, those unsung literary heroes that make the novel you're reading all the more captivating.
As long as I've been reading, I've loved the minor characters. Sure, the protagonist may get most of the glory, but seriously, what would Judy Blume's Superfudge have been without a cameo or two from Sheila Tubman? How much fun would Pride and Prejudice have been without the occasional appearance from a narcissistic nincompoop like Mr. Collins? Who would've made Bridget Jones even more paranoid about men if Shazza didn't feed into her fears with plenty of four-letter words every once in a while?
These characters totally made these stories sing, which is why I made sure to give careful thought to my own supporting cast in Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers. Without Sydney's hippie-dippie friend Rain, her boyfriend affectionately known as Stinky Nate and her fabulous sister Sam, the story would've just been about a writer who travels a lot. In a word: B-O-R-I-N-G!
Now here's where you come in. Who's your favorite sensational secondary character and why? Leave a comment here, and you may be the winner of a very cool prize...namely, the e-book of your choice along with a copy of one of my books...the real thing or an e-copy. And if you want a shot at even more prizes, be sure to check out the blogs from all the illustrious writers below. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.
It's very hard to decide my favorite secondary character. I don't know who I love more.
Brn2shop9 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Brn2shop9 | September 27, 2012 at 06:04 AM
I would say Evan from Thoughless. He kept Kellan in check as much as possible and was there for Kiera when she needed to hear the right thing.
Posted by: Amanda | September 27, 2012 at 01:06 PM
My favorite secondary character is Simi from the Dark Hunter series, she is so much fun, and childlike and very protective of her 'father' Acheron.
Posted by: Dawna Newman | September 27, 2012 at 02:17 PM
Oh my goodness. Rain, Stinky Nate and Sam sound like they'll be just as memorable as Sheila Tubman, Mr. Collins and Shazza! Onto the TBR list your books go.
There are so many secondary characters I love, but today Sadie, the ghost from Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl, keeps popping into my head. She's a fabulous secondary.
Posted by: Libby Mercer | September 27, 2012 at 02:58 PM
I particularly like the flying dog from The Neverending Story, but The Saucepan Man from Enid Blyton's The Faraway Tree series is another from childhood that has remained with me!
Posted by: Susan Buchanan | September 27, 2012 at 03:54 PM
My favorite secondary character is Griffin AKA the Hulk from Thoughtless and Effortless he is HOT and keeps my laughing for days with the things he says and does :)
Posted by: Brandi Franklin | September 27, 2012 at 05:10 PM
Great post! I want to know more about Stinky Nate
Posted by: Rachel Kall | September 27, 2012 at 06:27 PM
So hard to choose! I'd have to pick Suze from Confessions of a Shopaholic. Great post! :)
Posted by: Cat Lavoie | September 27, 2012 at 07:24 PM
So many fav secondary characters but I'd have to say that I'll always remember Diana Berry from Anne of Green Gables. I'm curious about a boyfriend called Stinky Nate.
Posted by: Karyn Good | September 28, 2012 at 08:40 AM
There are honestly a lot of secondary characters that I really loved... but I'm going with Adam from Kat Fight by Dina Silver. He was quirky, hilarious, and an amazing friend. I would totally love a guy just like him by my side!
Posted by: Lisa | September 28, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Well, it looks like I need to do a post on Stinky Nate sometime. :) Ha ha. Trust me, y'all would love him...he's quite a character with let's just say, unique views on everything. Loving these responses by the way. I'm also a big fan of the ghost from Twenties Girl, too!
Have a great weekend, all, and thanks for stopping by!
Christa
Posted by: Christa | September 28, 2012 at 10:30 AM
I think one of my favorite of all times is Mr. Collins in Pride & Prejudice. I mean without him the story would have been so uneventful and he's such a contrast to Darcy. Just stopping by to support you as I am on the tour too.
Happy writing,
Elizabeth Marx
Words Written, Memories Made
Posted by: Elizabeth Marx | September 28, 2012 at 03:29 PM
Mike from Racing to Love~Carter's Treasure by Amy Gregory! He's an alpha and a teddy bear to females in 1 man!!!
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
<3 Tobi
tobihelton at gmail dot com
Posted by: Tobi H | September 28, 2012 at 06:26 PM
I love secondary characters! They generally make the stories :) One of my favorites is in the film "Casablanca." Captain Renault is wonderful! :)
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Marie
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Marie H | September 28, 2012 at 11:40 PM
Jane from Pride and prejudice because she's basically perfect in contract to Elizabeth.
Posted by: bn100 | September 29, 2012 at 11:10 PM
Oh, dear. I've been all over the place on this one today. I'm going to say that it's currently a tie between Hermione in Harry Potter and (now how did I forget him all day?!!) Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. What can I say, I'm a sucker for sass!
No need to enter me in the giveaway as I'm a fellow Hopper and want other visitors to win. Great to 'meet' you, Christa!
Posted by: ST Bende | September 30, 2012 at 12:03 AM
Happy to see the very entertaining Christa as part of the hop!
So many great secondary characters out there. I love the Ron+Harry Potter duo. I'm becoming partial to the two guys, Conner and Chad, in my When Girlfriends series. I enjoyed the Darcy+Rachel interchange from Emily Giffin...
Posted by: Savannah Page | September 30, 2012 at 05:23 AM
Great post! I love reading and writing secondary characters. They really make scenes. Hope you've had a great Blog Hop! xo cindy
Posted by: cindy roesel | September 30, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Watson is the ideal sidekick to me. He is witty, funny, brilliant, and the voice of reason. Granted I also like him because Jude Law plays him in the movies, but who doesn't like a brilliant, good looking man?
Posted by: Chanpreet | September 30, 2012 at 11:33 PM
Great post, Christa! Oh, Superfudge. I loved Stephanie's mom in Meredith Schorr's Just Friends With Benefits. Great to "meet" you!
Posted by: Samantha Stroh Bailey | October 01, 2012 at 03:33 PM
I would have to say mine is Chris from Lori Foster's Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series. He cracks me up all the time :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
Posted by: Cassandra Hicks | October 01, 2012 at 04:44 PM
Jasper Fforde writes THE BEST secondary characters! I absolutely love his secondaries in the Thursday Next series: Spike, Stig, Miss Havisham, Hamlet, just to name a few. His other series have similarly wonderful characters. If you haven't read his work, head to the library! I dare say, he's a reader's writer.
Posted by: Laura Hiler | October 01, 2012 at 09:18 PM