Writerly Sibling Tag

    Hello, hello, hello! Happy to see y'all again. I'm here to do a tag that I should have done a while ago! Alrighty, lets jump in!

   It's called the Writerly Sibling Tag!!

Rule One: Thank the blogger who tagged you & provide a link to there blog. Well, that would be Martha. Thanks Martha!! Martha took it from Abby. Thought I would just add that. 

Rule Two: Answer the inquiries, 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 write out some) or you don't write (in which case you need to start ASAP).

Rule Four: Tag three bloggers. (I probably will only be able to do two.)

Rule Five: If  you happen to have any siblings who blog, they are automatically tagged & cannot count towards your three. (My sister already did this one, so I can't finish this rule. Sorry!!)

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

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

   And now the questions.

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

   Hmm . . . okay. Most annoying? Ha! I would definitely say Eli (or Elijah) from my story, Triple B Ranch. He's so infuriating!! He's a sneaky little rascal. AND he's a man, so that makes him worse! I can't say why he is, but he's very pushy. And disrespectful. 

   Name the most caring sibling in any of your stories.

   Probably Jake from The Nightingale. He is the kind of big brother that will stand up for you. He's so sweet. I love his character. He cares for Bri a lot. He almost dies at one point for her . . . forget that I said that!!

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

   Probably Willie from Blitz. He's super funny. He makes you laugh the first time you meet him! He reminds me of myself.

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

   I would say Minnie from Blitz. She reminds me of one of my younger sibling!

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

   Probably the Millard family, again from Blitz. Here are the family members: The Mom and Dad, Willie, Ruthie, and Minnie.

   Provide one to three excerpts from your sibling character's dialogue from any of your stories.

   Yay! Here you go! (These aren't edited, so be warned there might be bad grammar or something!) 

       Blitz

   I stared at him in surprise. “What are you doing?”

   The answer that came back was coated with bewilderment. “I’m trying to stay away from the dog.”

   “Dog?” I asked.

 

   “Yes dog. Where in the world did he come from?”

   I went around the couch and saw the German Shepherd reaching out it’s head, trying to sniff Willie's feet. I grinned. Every time the dog touched one of my brother’s feet, my brother would hop to the other foot, trying to stay away from him. “Get him away. He is putting his wet nose all over my foot.” Willie said, staring at the dog.

   I slapped my leg. “Come boy.”

   He glanced at me, sniffed Willies feet one more time, then came and sat by my side. I looked at Willie, waiting to see what his reaction would be. He sat down and stared at the dog. “Where on earth did you get him?” 

   I sat down in our Dad’s easy chair and said, “I got him in the park.”

   He nodded and asked, “What’s his name?”

   I shrugged. “I don’t know. He doesn't have a name tag. Just a beat up old collar.”

  “Hmmm. Tell me how you got him.”

   So, I told Willie how I got him. When I was done, I waited for his reaction. He glanced at me and back at the dog. “Huh.”

   “Huh what?”

   “Just . . . what will Mom and Dad think? And how will Boxer react?”

   I shrugged. “I don’t know. But,” I paused, “I want to keep him. He kinda grows on you, don’t you think?”

  The German Shepherd was laying down next to my chair, and he snorted when I said that. I grinned up at Willie. He just shook his head, grinned, then went back to the book he was reading. I stood up and slapped my leg. “Come dog.”

   The German Shepherd stood up and I walked out of the living room and upstairs to my room. I closed my door and plopped my backpack on my bed. I flopped down next to it and sighed. Will I be able to keep him? I closed my eyes and prayed, Lord, please help me to keep this dog, if it be thy will. P- I was cut off by a crash in my ear, and my eyes flew open. I sat up and glanced around. The German Shepherd was leaning down and sniffing a ball of white fur. 

   I gasped. “Boxer!”

   The tiny ball of fur didn’t respond, and I stood up and reached for Boxer. When I touched the little dog, he jumped, hitting me in the face. I stumbled backwards and coughed. I landed on the ground and felt little claws dig into me. I cringed and opened my eyes. I gasped as I saw the rest of the German Shepherd’s back legs go over my head, and I scrambled to my feet. The two dogs ran across my bed, barking and yelping, trying to get to each other. 

   Suddenly the German Shepherd stopped and did a play bow. Boxer, not paying attention, flew off the end of the bed and ran towards my door, yipping. I started to reach over to open it, but I was knocked over by the German Shepherd. The dogs raced around me and I jumped up. I heard a crash of something falling, and I groaned. It was my bookcase. I ran across the room and then tripped, sending my head against the wall. I saw stars.

   I shook my head, trying to clear it. I saw my room door burst open and Willie stop in astonishment. His gaze swept the room, and I groaned. Why oh why does he have to be here now?

   I saw him step back as the dogs rushed past him. Suddenly he dived onto the floor and grabbed Boxer. The German Shepherd bolted past him and ran into the wall. He whirled around and started to jump up, trying to get Boxer. I stood up fast. My head pounded, but I ignored it. “Down boy!”

   The German Shepherd surprisingly stopped jumping and turned to me, tail wagging. I wanted to smile, but I forced a frown upon my face and said, “Bad dog. Out.”

   His head drooped and he left my room. I sighed. “Sorry Willie, I didn’t think that Boxer was in here.” 

   He nodded. “It’s fine. I’ll lock Boxer up and then come help you clean up.” I nodded my head and turned. My bed was messed up, the sheets almost completely pulled off, and a bunch of stuff on the ground. I groaned and started to pick things up. As I picked up my small bookcase, I saw my bible on the ground, it’s cover facing up and it’s pages crunched. I stared at it, anger welling up in me. 

   I wanted to knock those dogs over the head! I took a deep breath. No. don’t get angry. That’ll only make the situation worse. I picked up the rest of the books and had started to take my sheets off my bed when Willie came back in. He glanced at me, then started to clean up.

   I let the sheets plop into a pile on the floor, and Willie said, “Ruthie, Mom and Dad will be home soon. We need to hurry.”

Triple B Ranch

    We entered the kitchen door and I placed my cowboy hat on a hook. Who could be the visitor? I washed my hands at the sink and followed Josiah. “Do you have any idea who it is?” I asked, pausing. 

   “Nope. I don’t know who it is…” Josiah's voice trailed off as we entered the living room. A man about 21 or 22 was sitting on the couch, a ball cap in his hands. He turned towards us when we came in. 

   “Joey!” The man jumped up and swung his arms around Josiah and thumped him with his fists. Josiah gave him a half smile and thumped the man's back also.

   “Hey, Eli! When did you get back?” 

   “I got back just this morning.” Eli said, stepping back. He was about to say something else when he saw me and Miles. He stopped and glanced from me to Josiah and back. “Joey, who are these people?”

   Josiah looked at me and then said, “This is Clover. And that is Miles White.”

   I nodded my head at him and stuck my hand out. “Nice to meet you, Eli.”

   Eli grinned and shook my hand. “Happy to meet you too.” He then turned to Miles and shook his hand also.

   “So, who are you?” I asked, sitting down in a chair.

   Josiah sat down on the couch and said, “He’s my brother. He had been at college. He left about 2 years ago.”

   “Ahh.” I said, glancing at Eli. “So, what do, or did, you study?”

   Eli plopped onto the couch and leaned back. “I studied Chinese.” He said.

   Mrs. Bell suddenly appeared in the doorway and said cheerfully, “Cloie, can I have your help in the kitchen? And Mr. White, could you help me with carrying something outside?” I nodded my head and stood up. Though Mrs. Bell’s face was cheerful, it didn’t reach her eyes. Her eyes looked worried, and I refrained from asking her if anything was wrong. As me and Miles left the room following Mrs. Bell, I heard Josiah and Eli start to talk. Josiah’s voice sounded firm and slightly angry. I was astonished. I had never really seen him angry… Other than when he found Miles.

   As I was helping with dinner I thought over the meeting with Eli. I remember Josiah looking surprised, and then he had a hurt look cross his face for one instant. I shook my head. It was just my imagination...just my imagination. But that look wouldn’t leave me, and I wondered, was there something going deeper than a family member coming home? 

   Why was he here if he was just going to cause them pain? What was Eli hiding? We finished supper and set the table. As we sat down to eat, I could feel something in the air. Almost something...angry. I shook my head and bowed my head when Josiah started to pray. I heard something shift beside me, and I glanced to my left. 

   Eli had his eyes open and he was looking around the table and eyeing them with a look of disgust. I quickly closed my eyes before he could see me. What was going on?

                                                  

   I woke up the next morning and went downstairs softly so I wouldn’t wake up the house. I stepped onto the wrap around porch and breathed in the clean fresh air. The sun hadn’t even come up yet, and it was still dark. I could see the dim shape of things though. As I sat down on the porch chair to put on my boots, I heard footsteps coming towards me and I sat up and glanced in the direction of the sound. I sighed when I noticed that it was Eli.

   He stepped into the porch light and smiled. The smile was cold and menacing, almost threatening. I didn’t smile back. “Hello, Clover. What are you doing up so early?” He asked, taking another step towards me. I calmly pulled on my other boot and stood up.

   “I like to get up early and watch the sunrise.” I said, stepping away from him and up to the porch railing. I heard him step up next to me and I tightened my hold on the railing. If he touches me… I let my thoughts trail off and start a new one. I don’t trust that man. I looked over at Eli and cleared my throat. 

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

   Courageous Love by Susan K. Marlow (All her other books also portray great siblings/or families too!) 

   Song of the Brook By Matilda Nordtvedt.

   The Moody's By Sarah Maxwell.

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

   Ooh! I actually truly don't know. Umm . . . the Carters (from the Andi Carter series)? I know that Andi gets into trouble a lot, but I can't think of any other ones that I would like . . . 

   Provide and excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from any title (though make sure to credit it).

Triple B Ranch

      We all sat down at the breakfast table and prayed. As we raised our heads, Eli commented, “Why do we have to . . . pray?”

   I whirled my head towards his direction and gapped at him. Why do we? Is he crazy to ask that? I narrowed my eyes at him and said, “Why are you so bothered?”

   He glanced at me and wiggled his eyebrows. “Oh, because I think it's silly.”

   I was about to respond when Josiah suddenly spoke up from the end of the table. “Eli.” It was so quiet, almost . . . deadly. “You know why we do. Please do not say anything like that in this house again.”

   Eli now turned his gaze towards Josiah. He narrowed his eyes and hissed, “Why? Because you don’t like to be proven wrong? Oh, wait, you just like to be the head of the family, always right and high and mighty?”

   “No. That isn’t why, and you know it. Please stop and let’s enjoy the food.”

   “No.”

   Josiah raised an eyebrow at him. Eli kept talking. “You don’t care about me. After the . . . tragedy, you turned into a bitter old man. Though your only 2o something years old. You don’t care about anyone. Your a selfish-”

   “Eli! Stop. Why are you acting like this?” Josiah asked.

   “Oh, you know why. You think I was the one who did it, though you know your the one that actually did.”

   “No, you were the one. Now stop!”

   Eli stood up fast, his eyes flashing. I could feel the whole room filled with tension, and I gulped. What on earth was going on?

      (I don't know if I was supposed to do one from a book or one from my own story . . .)

   I hope you like it.

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

   Levi from the Circle C Adventures, and Jem from the Goldtown Adventures. Though Susan K. Marlow DID make both of these, I feel like they would be great together. Yes, they are both headstrong, but . . . I don't know! 😂   

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

   I would probably like to write one with a mean-ish sibling, but then one of the others helps the mean-ish one be nicer, and they learn to forgive . . . 

   Which of your sibling groups would you love to join?

   Okay . . . THAT is a hard one. If I HAD to chose, I would say the Millard family (again from Blitz 😁), because they remind me of myself a lot. Like, the whole family does.

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

   Minnie from Blitz, again!! I LOVE her so much. I just love to make her talk. She is so cute, my heart just melts when . . . I write about her. *SIGH*

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

   Willie. (I'M SO SORRY FOR MENTIONING THEM SO MUCH) He is the exact same person as me, just obviously a boy. His personality is like mine.

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

   No . . . I don't think so. Sorry.

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

    Millard . . . again. I can't stop mentioning them can I??

   Out of all the sibling friendships you've read/ written, which sibling duo has the most mismatched personalities?

    Umm, probably Josiah and Eli from Triple B Ranch. They are a lot different. Josiah has more of a dry humor, and is usually calm, while Eli is slimy and slippery, and is just plain annoying to be around.

   What sibling/ family in any of your stories is most like your own family? (If you don't have any, then that's fine, just say so.)

   Umm . . . well . . . I don't think I really have one other then the Millard family . . . again. Sorry I keep mentioning them . . . *grins slightly and shrugs shoulders* Sorry. 😁   

   And now, to finish off the post (and rule seven).

   If I had not been blessed with this blog, I would never have been able to do this post. The King of kings has has given me the passion to write, and I am blessed by that too. I give thanks to Him that I was able to finish it, and I also give thanks for being tagged for it.

   And now for the questions!!!

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

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

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

   4.    Name a 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 character's dialogue 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 and excerpt of sibling drama or camaraderie from and title (though make sure to credit it).  

   10.   Name two characters from two unrelated books 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 sibling groups would you love to join?

   13.   If you could adopt only one of your fictional siblings as your own siblings, 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've had with your own sibling? If so, share it!

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

   17.   Out of all the sibling friendships you've read/ written, which sibling duo has the most mismatched personalities?

   And this one is the one I did!!

   18. What sibling/ family in any of your stories is most like your own family? (If you don't have any, then that's fine, just say so.)

   And . . . I tag:

   ~ Faith from Faith on the Farm

    ~ And whoever else wants to do it!!

   Well, I think that is all for now folks. Thanks for being so patient and waiting for me. BTW, up at the top is a page titled My "Published" Stories, so if any of you want to check it out, go ahead. I only have one story right now, but I hope put up more!! (I hope I got all the rules right! 😬😂)

   Thanks and BYE!!