Monday, April 1, 2024

Aramingo character #AtoZChallenge

My April 2024 A to Z Challenge blogging theme is to revise a YA novel I've been working on for almost a decade and then generate a new and better query letter to send in the hopes of traditional publication.
I want to publish that way because I believe it will give the book the best distribution, especially in libraries where underrepresented young people could borrow it. The target audience is teenagers who have an incarcerated family member, teens who are treated as outcasts for situations beyond their control, and Latinas preparing for their quinceañera.
Read more in my theme reveal post: https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2024/03/theme-reveal-2024-atozchallenge-and-wep.html
#AtoZChallenge 2024 badge A


It seems like an odd place to start because this character isn't really a primary one. She's mostly important in Act 1, to establish Lenore's character. But, the alphabet is part of the challenge! 

Aramingo

Aramingo is Lenore's best friend. Here's a scene that reveals she's the kind of teenager who tries to do the right thing, but gets burned for it.

Jamie's scene from Lenore story

In this scene, the girls are in a graveyard with Aramingo's family, cleaning the tombstones of relatives and leaving flowers and such. This is where Aramingo creates the goal for Lenore to get a boyfriend, or at least meet someone she could ask on a date.
Jamie's Lenore story graveyard excerpt

Despite being the same age, Aramigo is a mentor to Lenore in some ways. She's very laid back and relaxed. She really wants her best friend to be happy. 

Her role is fairly minor, as the majority of the story will take place in the summer, when the girls will be apart. Sure, they keep in touch, but it isn't the same. 

There's no reason she'd be mentioned in the query letter.

Feedback is needed! I'm revising, so please make suggestions if you have any. 💗

4 comments:

  1. Nice YA work. -- The second example reads better than the first because more than one thing is happening at a time (Character development, dialogue, and backstory), whereas the first is just backstory. -- note "shutter" should be "shudder" in the second drop. (Recommend search on the word "shutter"; I've seen this trade of words a lot and have done it myself.) Good luck! - Erin Penn (https://www.erinpenn.com/blog/)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Jamie. I love what you're doing for A to Z. Such a wonderful way to work on your WIP and be present in blogosphere as well. All the best to you. I am inspired by your idea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jamie! Great idea to blog your WIP. You can also get your book into libraries via Draft2Digital. I like the second example. The white space is more inviting. Keep at it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Interesting and a great way to work on your WIP.
    As a side note, if you do self-publish, you can still get your work into libraries through services like Draft2Digital (books can go to libraries digitally and even in print through various D2D partners, the library buys the book so the author still gets paid).

    Ronel visiting for A: My Languishing TBR: A
    Abominable Wraiths

    ReplyDelete

Leave a unique or fun message here: