The Writerly Sibling Tag

Welcome back for another tag!! Tags are so fun, aren't they? :D

Rule One: Thank the blogger who tagged you & provide a link to their post. So, uh, Katja stole this post from someone who stole this post from someone who stole this post. So I'm just keeping the tradition going! :D But you can read Katja's post here. Thanks, girl!

Rule Two: Answer the inquires, including any ones added by means of rule six.

Rule Three: Always use your own characters. No exception, unless you don’t actually have sibling characters (in which case you need to go write up some) or you don’t write (in which case you need to start ASAP).

Rule Four: Tag three other bloggers.

Rule Five: If you happen to have any siblings who blog, they are automatically tagged & cannot count towards your three.

Rule Six: Add one question or prompt to the list of questions the person before you answered relating to siblings &/or characters. Answer the question, and provide a list of all the questions of that you answered so far.

Rule Seven: Close out the post making some statement or other glorifying the King of kings.

Here we go! Just a warning - I'm notorious for having really complicated sibling relationships in my stories. Step-siblings, half-siblings, adopted siblings, foster siblings, siblings that aren't related by blood, siblings that are actually cousins, etc. So, good luck. XD And, with any of my sibling sets that I reference here - they may not be "official" siblings. But they count, because family ain't just blood.

The Questions

Name the most annoying sibling character in any of your stories (either annoying to you as the author or to any other characters).

Hmmm . . . well, it's just life that siblings are gonna drive each other crazy. But, if we're going for something deeper - probably Haiden Emery from my dystopian story (Edge of the Shadows). Certain characters think he should go down in history as world's worst brother. He's not annoying in the normal annoying way - he's just extremely distant and unfeeling toward his sister. And he doesn't even have any contact with his brother.

But - if we're talking about normal annoying, Jesse Conrad (from my Western story) takes the cake. Immature, annoying, stubborn, and reckless are just a start. But he's still awesome. XD Even if he does get into trouble all.the.time.

And . . . I have to add Luca. He's from the same story world as Like a Warrior, but several years later. He and his barely-younger sister are best friends, and he can drive her crazy like nobody else can. 1) He's a teenage boy, and teenage boys (generally) have a high capability to be jerks. 2) He hates his sister's boyfriend (who is one of my favorite characters); but he probably dislikes this guy so much because 3) When in a new, dangerous situation (like the entire book :P), Luca is overprotective of his sister to the point that he kinda smothers her - not a good idea, with her independent, bossy, fierce nature. So, basically, Luca is an awesome character who can turn into an overprotective jerk. XD

Name the most caring sibling character in any of your stories.

I'd say this would be a tie between Indie (Like a Warrior) and Peiter (Edge of the Shadows). Indie is fiercely loyal and will always be there to take care of you. While Peiter isn't as loyal (there are reasons that his brother Haiden won't talk to him), he's extremely caring. Indie cares for her family, but, if she doesn't consider you part of her family, you might be on your own. Peiter will take care of anybody, though - that's kinda his thing, since he's a doctor.

Name the most entertaining sibling character in any of your stories.

Ooooohhhh . . . pick just one??? Maybe Jordan from my secret modern-day WIP. She's quirky and sarcastic and strong and bossy and Southern and not ashamed of any of that.

Name a sibling character who was inspired in some way by an actual sibling.

Well . . . I can't say that I have one, and my choices are limited since I only have one sibling. But - I have a cousin that's like a sister to me, and she very much inspired a cousin-who-is-like-a-sister character (not gonna tell her name, because I don't want to have to explain later why she's like my cousin XD). So . . . close enough?

And, fun fact - Hawke (Like a Warrior) is a lot different from my sister, but they share a personality type (ESTP).

Name the largest character family (talking family, not family tree) in any of your stories.

Easiest question yet. Definitely the Caidens (one of them is in the story with Jordan and Savannah). They're a blended family who, I'm not gonna lie, were sparked by my love for the old TV show The Brady Bunch. Just with more kids. At the time their parents married, these were the kids' approximate (I can't remember them all now) ages (M is one family, C is the other - though they're all Caidens now):

Alec (M) - 19

Blythe (M) & Tanner (C) - 17

Vicki (M) - 16

Logan (C) - 15.5

Derrick (M) & Jenna (C) - 14

Heath (C) - 13

Eden (M) - 11

Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling characters’ dialog from any of your stories.

Oooohhh, yay! I'll start off with Hawke and Briannon from Like a Warrior. (They're not technically siblings - technically, Bree is more like Hawke's foster sister. But don't try to tell them that they aren't brother and sister. <3) Indie is their sister (Hawke's by blood, Bree's by choice). This is first-person from Briannon.

“How are you . . . handling this?” Hawke asked.

I smiled a little at his faked tone. “Did Indie put you up to this?”

He chuckled. “She wanted to check on you herself, but obviously she trusts me with your emotions more than she trusts me with cooking eggs.”
“Understandable.”

He shoved me away. “Is that an insult to my cooking or a compliment to my emotional skills?”

“Insult to your cooking. Definitely.”

He punched my arm, and I looked up at his face for the first time. His rare, lopsided, boyish grin was enough to make me smile.

“Thanks for trying,” I said.

He crossed his arms. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’ll be fine.” Why did that have to come out more like a question?

“I want you to stay right around the house today. No going to the market or a neighbor’s house. Not even out to the fields.”
    “I--”

“You’re not going anywhere alone. Not until we can be sure you’re safe. And don’t argue, because I’ll win.”

And - now, the not-so-pleasant Haiden Emery from Edge of the Shadows. (this snippet is unedited - you've been warned :P) Haiden is Raelyn's older brother. This snippet is from the first-person POV of Jarrett, Raelyn's friend (it's complicated, so I'll just leave it at saying he's a friend that isn't romantically involved).

We get outside, shut the door behind us. The sun is just now creeping up, and, combined with the porch light, I can see Haiden better than before.

When I release my hold on Raelyn, I expect her to hobble towards Haiden. I expect him to wrap her in an embrace and tell her how glad he is to see her.

But they don’t.

Haiden gives her a quick smile, then starts speaking.

“The guard is searching for you,” he says. “You need to get somewhere safe. Somewhere they can’t find you.”

She isn’t fazed by the coolness of their reunion. She just motions to the braces on her legs. “How am I supposed to go anywhere like this? I can’t.”

Haiden shoves his hands in his pockets. “What happened? When will they be normal again?”

“I don’t know,” Raelyn says. She drops her eyes to the ground. “And never.”

He stiffens. “Never?”

She nods.

Haiden draws in a loud breath. “You can’t stay here. If I can find you here, so can they.”

Raelyn closes her eyes, leans hard against the brick wall.

Then she says, softly, “I can’t leave. Not now. There’s no logical way.”

“You could die,” Haiden snaps. “Or worse.”

Haiden’s tone makes me step closer to Raelyn.

He hasn’t seen his sister in a week, she was injured so badly she can’t feel part of her legs, and he’s snapping at her.

Everything is wrong here, but neither of them know it.

“I can’t leave, Haiden,” she says. She opens her eyes now. “I want to run, but I can’t. I’ll never be able to run again. Are you so blind? Can you not see that?”

I reach my hand toward her, but she swats me away. Instinctively. Her gaze never leaving her brother’s.

The sun is rising higher now, and soon the neighbors will be stirring.

Haiden is talking again, half spitting out his words.

“Raelyn,” I interrupt. “We need to go back inside. Now.”

Next up is Jarrett (again) and Kinzie. Kinzie isn't his sister by blood, but this scene is when he claims her. <3 (One of the most important things to know about Jarrett is that he claims hurting people and determines to be there for them no matter what. <3) Once again, this is unedited, so beware.

         She looks so tiny, in her ash-stained white hoodie. But her eyes, against the darkness around us, are larger-than-life.

“You two live here?” a gruff voice asks.

“We did,” I say, turning away from Kinzie. Her fingers drop from my wrist.

“The McKeeps’ kids?” he asks.

“I am,” Kinzie whispers.

He fastens his beady stare on me. “You?”

I’m tired of lying, but I don’t need anyone being able to trace me. Not after tonight. “I’m her brother,” I say.

He nods. “You have somewhere to go? The neighbors are offering.”

Kinzie needs somewhere to stay. But I can’t go with them. Surely the neighbors know that the McKeeps only had one kid.

“No,” Kinzie says. “We’ll be fine.”

“Sure?” He seems to prefer talking to Kinzie than me. His voice is bordering on soft.

She flashes a smile that, even to me, looks real. “I’m sure.”

He turns back to me, nods, and then walks away.

Kinzie faces me. “Why are you lying? Again?”

“To keep us both safe.”

“Both?”

“So no one knows who I am. And so whoever did this won’t come back to finish you off.”

New tears spring up in her eyes. But she nods. “Thank you.”

Then she leans into me, wrapping her arms around me and hiding her face in my shirt. Like a real sister would have. Like Lexi would have.

I hug her back. She’s so tense, even now.

Then she pulls back, wipes the tears from the corners of her eyes. “So, what now?”

I look back at the fire. He said they were both dead.

I don’t know how much to believe him. But I know that Kinzie and I can’t stay here. I have to find Raelyn, and Kinzie needs to be far away from the people who did this.

“Now we head for the woods,” I say. “I know how to keep us alive there. And we’ll track Raelyn.”
She nods.

“And one more thing,” I say. “Wherever we go, you’re my sister. Clear?”

Name three published books which have an amazing portrayal of siblings or family.

The Colour Red by Katja L. (This one is definitely at the top of my list!! <3333) (But it's not published yet so I guess it doesn't count? Oh well, just means I can pick four. :P)

Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle (I don't care that Harley and Nigel aren't siblings by blood. <3)

A Threat and a Promise by Angie Thompson. (Jae and Loe . . . <33333)

Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris (Both MCs have family that play a big role in the story - just, completely different roles. </3)

Name another author’s character family that you wouldn’t mind jumping into.

One of the easiest questions yet! Lynette Eason's Blue Justice series - the St. John family. <3 I mean, I'd fit right in a bunch of crazy siblings who are all (minus the one rebel surgeon who I love XD) in law enforcement. They're AWESOME! <3

Provide an excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though be sure to credit it)

Okay, so I have to choose something from the Blue Justice series. XD The family camaraderie at the end of every book is amazing. But - since I only have Derek St. John's novella in print (planning on getting the rest for my own soon!), I'll pull from it. Possible minor spoilers for the who-marries-who (but it's kinda obvious if you read the backs of the books anyway) and who-survives part of the series. Claire and Derek (who we know will eventually get married :P) are the two talking at the start, Ruthie is Derek's older sister, Isaac is Ruthie's husband. So - the conversation isn't between actual siblings, but, if you marry into the St. John family, you're one of them. XD <3 (Brackets added so you can know who's taking)

    "So, you're going to stick around?" [Derek asked.]
    [Claire said,] "Absolutely. I've just been schooled in the rules of Phase Ten."
    He stilled. "Bye who?"
    "I think it was Ruthie and Isaac."
    "Oh. And that's it? They just told you the rules?"
    "Hmm."
    He narrowed his eyes. "What else?"
    "Just to keep an eye on you because you cheat."
    "I knew it!" He let go of her and turned to face the room. "Hey, Isaac! Detective Isaac Martinez!"
    The man looked up, startled in the middle of wiping a child's nose. Claire didn't think it was his kid. "What?"
    "I'm calling you out, man."
    Derek's meaning dawned on Isaac and a huge grin slid across his face. "You're on!"
    "Get the cards! Get the cards!"

~ From Lethal Agenda (in the collection Protecting Tanner Hollow) by Lynette Eason, pp. 354-355.

Name two characters from two unrelated books that you feel would make for great literary siblings (whether in terms of getting along, or being a constant head-to-head combat).

Ooohhh . . . maybe Indie (Like a Warrior) and Jay (from Katja's The Colour Red). Totally different worlds, but I feel like those two could understand each other. <3

What sibling trope would you like to write in the future?

Ummmm . . . maybe a family where all of the siblings were biological siblings and there wasn't much dysfunction. XD I have only one of those so far (it's pretty new), and I like it! It's like a brand new experience. XD

Also - a relationship between a character and their special needs sibling. <3

Which of your own sibling groups would you love to join?

Ohhhhhh . . . I'd be overwhelmed with the Caiden family, and most of the other families aren't quite where'd I want to be. Maybe Lane Conrad's family from my Western story? They're amaing, even though I don't know them well yet. And possibly Willow and Aspen (from Edge of the Shadows). They're way too close-knit for another sibling, but I love how much they mean to each other. <3

If you could adopt only one of your fictional siblings as your own sibling, who would it be?

Jordan Kerry! We'd probably be really good friends! Even when we argued, we think enough alike that maybe we could understand each other (aka, have a good argument). And we could be sarcastic and quirky together.

What fictional character most reminds you of yourself as a sibling?

Definitely Lane Conrad! He's the oldest sibling, and the only one of my sibling characters that shares my personality type. We think a lot alike.

Have you written any sibling dialogue based on a dialogue you had with your own siblings? If so, share it! 

Actually, I haven't. But it does sound like a fun thing to do! 

Time to pick favorites; which of your sibling families is your favorite?

I love 'em all (in their own way), but I'm gonna have to say the Kerries, because I love their camaraderie and loyalty and fierce love and Southernness. But - I also really like the Lucases (MacKenley and Trent from Edge of the Shadows). Even though most people might not see why, I love them. Mac might be stubborn and rebellious, and she might not have made the right choice when she was young. And, even though most people might think she didn't, she really did (and still does) love Trent. <3 And Trent's awesome (but very much in his own unique way XD). 

And I Tag . . .

Allyson

Martha

Anyone who wants to carry on our tradition and steal it!

List of Questions:

1. Name the most annoying sibling character in any of your stories (either annoying to you as the author or to any other characters).
2. Name the most caring sibling character in any of your stories.
3. Name the most entertaining sibling character in any of your stories.
4. Name a sibling character who was inspired in some way by an actual sibling.
5. Name the largest character family (talking family, not family tree) in any of your stories.
6. Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling characters’ dialog from any of your stories.
7. Name three published books which have an amazing portrayal of siblings or family.
8. Name another author’s character family that you wouldn’t mind jumping into.
9. Provide an excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though be sure to credit it)
10. Name two characters from two unrelated books that you feel would make for great literary siblings (whether in terms of getting along, or being a constant head-to-head combat).
11. What sibling trope would you like to write in the future?
12. Which of your own sibling groups would you love to join?
13. If you could adopt only one of your fictional siblings as your own sibling, who would it be?
14. What fictional character most reminds you of yourself as a sibling?
15. Have you written any sibling dialogue based on a dialogue you had with your own siblings? If so, share it! 
16. Time to pick favorites; which of your sibling families is your favorite?

In Keeping with Rule Seven

I'm so grateful that God made me a writer, and gave me a family (including a little sister who fangirls amazingly) that supports me. And God's gift of writing is something beautiful, not to be taken for granted. Through my crazy, loving, messed up families, I hope that God can show something beautiful that touches even just one person. <3

Yours truly,

What's your favorite "book family"? Have you ever written a story that has siblings?