Playing Hurt Blog Tour: Book Settings and Character world building + giveaway!

I am so honored to have Holly on Amaterasu Reads today. My blog is the first stop for the Philippine Book Tour for Playing Hurt and today, Holly talks about her book's setting and how important it is to build a world for a book's characters.

Join me in welcoming Holly to our blog!

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I’m a lifelong Ozarker—a sixth generation Missourian. My roots here run deep—and as a result, both of my published novels have been set, for the most part, in my home state of Missouri. A BLUE SO DARK, my debut, takes place in Springfield—my hometown—and Chelsea, the protagonist of PLAYING HURT, is from Fair Grove, which is a short drive from the city limits of Springfield.

Because I’ve lived in this area so long, the Ozarks are bound to make an appearance— and impact—on my novels. I swear I see the Ozarks not just in the physical setting, but in my characters, as well. I see the Ozarks in Aura’s blunt, straightforward style of narration in A BLUE SO DARK. I see the Ozarks in Brandon’s insistence on serving as Chelsea’s conscience in PLAYING HURT. I see the Ozarks in Chelsea’s incredible work ethic (pre-accident).

World building is a vital part of every book. In most YA, the “world” actually consists of “mini worlds”: your protagonist’s home setting, school culture…How does your character behave in each setting? Always the same? Different? Why? As you’re writing, it’s important to consider the effects of setting on your characters.

For example: Would Chelsea have ever even considered cheating on Gabe if Clint had come to Fair Grove? Maybe not. In a new setting, though, Chelsea is—freer. She behaves a little differently in Minnesota than she might have in Missouri.

The world your characters interact in isn’t merely furniture. It’s another force that helps shape who your characters are, and can often have an impact on how your protagonist behaves…and on the outcome of the book!

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

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PLAYING HURT GIVEAWAY!

There are seven stops on the Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour, and on each stop you will have a chance to win a copy of Holly's second book!

FILL OUT THIS FORM

Rules:
- Open to EVERYONE
- Ends May 27th
- Must be 13 years old or older
- Extra entries for leaving a comment on the review or the guest post / interview