Samantha Tonge's Blog, page 4

The Christmas Calendar Girls!

I’m very excited to reveal the title of my next novel, out 3rd October from Aria Fiction!

 

The Christmas Calendar Girls is about kindness, looking out for your neighbours and making every day feel like Christmas.

 

I can’t wait to share it! And it’s already up on Amazon for preorder, right HERE!

 

I’m Still Standing

Yesterday I saw Rocketman, the movie of singer and legend Elton John. Specifically it deals with his burgeoning artistic career, during his years of addiction. As a writer, recovering alcoholic and former bulimic (like Elton) I found it highly relatable.

His song, I’m Still Standing, makes complete sense to me now – on a personal level, but also with regards to my career.

Aspiring and published authors, from time to time, consider giving up.  I certainly have. It’s a roller coaster of a career (an overused phrase but true), what with the highs and lows that come with Amazon rankings, reviews, rejections, lost and gained contracts, and awards. And due to the rise of ebooks, more publishing avenues and great quality self-publishing, it is more competitive than ever.

Like many addicts, Elton’s behaviours were driven by a sense of not feeling loved – of not being good enough. And certainly the latter plagues me when it comes to my career. Therapy, as part of my treatment, made me realise I wasn’t just aiming to be the best author Sam Tonge could be – I was struggling to be THE BEST AUTHOR EVER. A goal I was never going to score.

It’s got me thinking – after everything that’s happened in my life over recent years, why am I still standing here, as an author? Because whilst it didn’t cause my personal problems, the pressures and expectations (admittedly some of them self-imposed) certainly didn’t help.

Apart from that innate drive in me to write and to want to write, I’ve managed to pinpoint three things that have helped me navigate the hard times.

Surrounding myself with the right people

This is CRUCIAL – speaking as an addict and an artist. It’s really important to surround yourself with people who believe in you…especially when you don’t. And if there is someone in your life who doesn’t fit this remit, you need to ask yourself why you are letting them in. Distance yourself from negativity. And people who make you feel as if you’re a failure – in any way. You don’t have anything to prove to ANYONE, except your conscience and yourself.

I currently belong to a great writing group online. Sure, we moan – that’s important, we all need to air disappointments and gain reassurance from realising we aren’t the only one going through difficult times. But the group is also full of positivity and camaraderie.

The Romantic Novelists Association offers a friendly, helping hand to aspiring and published authors alike.

Over the years I’ve also accumulated wonderful writer, reader and blogger friends whose interest and encouragement keep  me going, probably without them even realising it.

An agent that suits you is also so important. Mine, Clare Wallace from the Darley Anderson Agency, has offered incredible support since I signed with her. She’s helped me keep perspective. Lets me know when I’m being overly negative (that’s important). She’s helped me keep an eye on the long-term so that any current difficulties don’t end up being catastrophised. And Clare is approachable. For me that’s the single most important quality an agent can have. If I’m worried about anything, however small, or on a downer about something that might appear to be minor or irrational to anyone else, it’s important for me to feel I can express that.

I’ve been fortunate with my agents and publishers – but if you have a publisher, agent, writing friend, anyone who is making you feel that you aren’t good enough, you need to have a long think about why they are in your life and whether that needs to change.

Maybe you don’t need to give up being an author. Maybe you just need to give up certain aspects of your writing career, and gain new ones.

 

Flexibility 

The photo below shows the first novel I wrote after getting sober.

I didn’t have it in me, at the time, to write another romcom. I’d had nine published but just couldn’t create more comedy after the gruelling process of getting treatment. Now and then I considered giving up my career altogether. However instead I mooted to my agent the idea of writing dark women’s fiction. She was super supportive and so I wrote Forgive Me Not – the story of a recovering alcoholic who goes home to make amends.

And now, a couple of years on, and most unexpectedly, I’ve found myself writing romcom again  and I’ve just signed a new contract, with a new publisher, Aria Fiction, and have a Christmas one coming out in October!

So sometimes, it might not be that you need to give up – simply changing direction might make you feel differently.

For example years ago, before my first agent and deal – I’d felt like giving up as my novels were being subbed and getting nowhere. But instead of giving up I started writing short stories for women’s magazines. I sold nearly 100 in the end and this massively boosted my confidence and helped me, I’m sure, finally get that novel publishing deal.

 

Authenticity

Being true to yourself – sounds naff, doesn’t it? But it’s a major part of recovery and, in my opinion, a crucial tool for coping with difficult times during a writing career. When my problems were at their worst, in 2016, they were also secret. I put on a front. I doubt many people looked at me, the author, and thought I had alcohol issues and eating problems. In fact, I know that’s the case due to the surprise people have expressed since I’ve been open.

I was bright and breezy. And it became a huge strain. I felt as if I had this persona to live up to. As if I were leading a double life. And that’s when life started to feel impossible.  I am a bright and breezy person but it’s not the whole me and it’s felt like a massive relief, since getting treatment, to share more sides of my personality and not just one.

So, for me, it’s been very important to put my heart and myself into my brand. I blog about mental health now. I tweet about sobriety and eating issues. And still all the other things like the baking I love and movies – but the picture is fuller now. And if I’m having a bad day, Twitter might know about it! And that’s fine. It’s real. Not having to put on a front helps when times get tough.

So if you are thinking about your brand my advice would be (and it sounds obvious) make it ABOUT YOU. Don’t tweet motivational quotes, for example, (I love them!) or pictures of cake if they aren’t really your thing and you just think doing so will get you followers – tweet about your own passions instead. And having a tough day? There are plenty of suitable gifs around to express that and no doubt many people will relate!

This way you won’t feel you have anything “to live up to”.

Just keep it real.

 

Having said all of this…

Don’t automatically dismiss your desire to give up

Yes, I am still standing, when it comes to being an author. But, perhaps, one day, that won’t be the right thing to do. Giving up your career or aspirations doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Failing would have been not to try in the first place. Yes, I’d love a movie deal for one of my books. I don’t imagine that will ever happen! But at least I’ve tried.

I still have the odd day when I want to give up. Sometimes the social media work seems overwhelming. It’s hard not to compare yourself to other authors and wonder why Hollywood hasn’t come knocking. A bad review can make you question your talent. My eating disorder issues still rear they head, especially when I take an author photo. Being “out there” as an author can be challenging from that point of view.

Yet there are so many aspects of my career I absolutely love. The writing itself. The fact I feel as if it’s what I was born to do and I’m fulfilling my destiny. And I enjoy meeting so many amazing readers and bloggers on social media. People telling my my stories have, in some small way, had an impact on their lives. I love the generosity and humour of fellow writers. I feel enormous pride about the books I’ve had published. I have a sense of achievement.

But life is not just about one career – there are other ones out there to bring in money and a sense of personal satisfaction.  Life is also about people. Travel. Hobbies.

Giving up doesn’t mean something has been lost. It just means you’ve gained experience, learnt about yourself and now, perhaps, it’s time to try something new.

You are still you. At the core. The person close ones love. That’s what matters.

Regardless of whether your manuscripts stay under the bed, or you are the next JK Rowling, you are still good enough.

 

New Publishing Deal!

I am thrilled to announce that I have been signed by the amazing Aria Fiction, Head of Zeus, for two contemporary romances!

The first novel, a Christmas one, will be published this October and a summer story will follow next year.

I am so excited to share these two books with you and to work with the amazing Aria team.

Both books will come out in ebook, paperback and audio format.

 

Exciting times ahead!

 

 

 

This Isn’t The End

It’s a great feeling, isn’t it? Writing The End after the last sentence of your masterpiece. All those hours you’ve spent with your characters, all the minutes during which you’ve managed to push away doubts or writer’s block.

But I hate to tell you – this isn’t The End. Really, it’s only the beginning. The first draft of a novel is like baking two sponges for a fancy cake. The real work starts after that, creating the filling and topping,  making sure it stands up straight, decorating the top with small details that are so essential for the bigger picture and can make all the difference.

And that’s what you have to do after writing the first draft. Pull the whole thing  – characters, plot, subplot, settings, prose… so that the overall experience of reading it is going to be amazing for the book buyer.

After I’ve written The End, patted myself on the back, celebrated in some way (coffee and cake usually) and taken a short break (some people swear by stepping away for longer, we’re all different) I then mentally rub my hands together and get stuck in again.

First off, I concentrate on three main things:

I ask myself if I have really started the story at the beginning of the action – at the crux of what sends the main character on a journey. I’ve had eleven books published but still, to this day, when I get feedback from my agent it’s usually along the lines of  “Do you think it would be better to start the story at your Chapter Two?” EVERY TIME I write a first chapter full of back story, setting up the plot, introducing details about the protagonists… But all of this can be slotted in later on. In that first chapter you want to grab the reader’s attention and give them a real idea of the main character’s motivation.

My 2018 romantic comedy, One Summer in Rome, is a good example of this. Mary quits her job and flees to Rome, hoping to leave her problems behind her. In my first draft the first chapter was all about showing how her life was in England, her former awful boss, the confrontation that led up to her quitting… In the final draft (the one published) the first chapter sees her already at the airport, setting off on her new adventure.

So when I begin a second draft I ask, is that first chapter really necessary or it is mostly a part of the story that can be woven in later on? Am I using it to get going with the main plot, or is it a comforting chapter for me as the author, to try to  make the reader understand my character as well as I do? Remember, in real life when you meet someone for the first time, you don’t tell them everything about yourself at that first meeting… little bits of your life come out, over time, as the friendship develops. And it’s the same with your novel – the reader doesn’t need to know the protagonist’s whole life history before the story really starts. And you want to grab their attention. So I try to cut more or less straight to the event that kicks off the main plot.

 

Secondly, I ask myself – are the stakes high enough? Because if they aren’t, how can I expect the reader to become invested in my main character and care enough to read on and find out what happens to them? In my last book, for example – Knowing You – Violet is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend which takes her on a journey of discovery. The outcome of this, in the first draft, wasn’t significant enough. Only one area of her life was in danger of imploding if things turned out badly. I needed to change this in order to get the reader really involved and rooting for Violet. So her love life was messed up – but what if, say, her career became affected as well?

I’m always surprised, at the end of a first draft, how much further I can push my character to the edge once I’ve asked this question. Sounds as if I’m cruel, doesn’t it, but I do love my protagonists! And it’s because of that I really want to turn the readers into their cheerleaders. By the end of a novel the main character will have changed in some way – this is the purpose of their story. So I really set them challenges in order to achieve this. Think of everything Elizabeth and Mr Darcy go through in Pride and Prejudice (helped by the minor characters and societal rules of the time) in order to finally express their love for each other.

 

And finally, is the world I’ve created detailed enough? Will the reader become totally immersed in it? To help with this I make sure I have described the book’s world using all five senses. Forgive Me Not is about a Emma, a recovering alcoholic who used to be homeless and returns home to make amends. The story swings between flashbacks to her grey life on the streets, and the present, with her family, on the joyous farm she grew up on. I made sure I graphically conveyed the contrasting sounds, smells and sights of these two settings.

For setting books abroad the internet can be a great tool. In 2014 I wrote From Paris with Love. I’d lived in Paris as a young woman but the memories were hazy so I found a webcam online that showed a moving panoramic view of the city. I printed off an underground map. I checked to see if tourist spots had changed since my last visit there. If you are setting your story somewhere real accuracy is important but not all authors can afford a research trip so you can get around this. Game of Scones was set in Greece but I set it in a fictional village.

And being a foodie, I use food to convey the character of my settings. Aromatic pizza in One Summer in Rome, sweet homemade strawberry jam on the farm in Forgive Me Not. Details to get the reader’s mouth watering.

 

There are many other things to look out for when rewriting a manuscript, but these are the major ones for me.

It isn’t The End. It’s just the beginning of creating something rather exciting.

A Publishing Pick-Me-Up

A couple of weeks ago, during a phone call, I suffered a big disappointment regarding my career and it’s taken me a while to be able to write this post.

 

At first the usual thoughts went through my head:

It’s not fair.

Poor me.

What’s the point?

I may as well stop writing.

Everyone else is having an easier time.

The world is against me.

 

Ridiculous really. I’m in a great place at the moment, with a fantastic agent and brilliant publisher, writing two genres that I absolutely love – and with Knowing You recently out, a book I’m very proud of, receiving wonderful reviews. But oh yes, I had a full-on pity party. Despite all the mindfulness and Buddhism I’ve learnt about over the last couple of years, I still have meltdowns now and again – I’m only human. The difference is I pull myself out of them quicker. NetFlix and chocolate help.

And another aid to recovery is to look back on previous disappointments and see how I’ve got over them and this acts as a huge pick-me-up.

In fact I’ve listed a few here – to show those of you currently in the doldrums that things do change and move forwards. The troughs don’t last forever, even thought they feel interminable at the time.

Years of rejections.

It took my six years to get my first agent. I’ve got a folder of 80 rejections. During those years I swore I’d give up writing, it wasn’t worth the tears. In fact my young kids offered to publish me when they grew up. I’m still holding them to that, even though they are now at uni, in case my career nosedives! But yes, tough times – but I just kept going, writing and sending my work out there and eventually got to sign on a dotted line.

Up and down sales

My debut, Doubting Abbey, was a bestselling Christmas book December 2013. I even had interest from a Hollywood film producer! I thought that was it. I’d made it. All my books would continue with this success. But then the sequel From Paris with Love came out. The reviews were great and it did reach #600 in the AmazonUK charts, but it didn’t reach the dizzy heights of its predecessor. With a sharp shock I realised complacency was not going to be allowed to feature in my career.

In 2015 Game of Scones, got to #5 in the kindle chart, won the 2015 Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category and has sold 100,000 copies. The following two books didn’t sell as well. But then my summer 2016 book Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun got to #5 as well.

So for many authors there will be ups and downs along the way and after having 11 books published I realise that, and it helps me now if there are sales disappointments – who knows what is around the corner. I always say an author is only as good as their next book and this excites me and pushes me forwards. And I imagine that is the same excitement felt by agents and publishers when going through their submission pile. There are always endless possibilities. Who knows what your writing brain will come up with next?

Lack of understanding of the industry from bystanders

And it isn’t their fault. I don’t know much about any other sort of career so why should I assume bystanders understand how mine works? Indeed, before I started writing I linked a successful author career with red carpets and mansions with swimming pools. However once you’re in the thick of it, you realise what a tough career it is and the photo below reveals how unglamorous the day to day can be! It can be frustrating when yet another person asks if your life is like J K Rowling’s (I had that just last week). Or they question whether an ebook is a “real” book, or they dismiss your success if you aren’t currently in every single bookstore in the land.

Over time I’ve learned to distance myself from this and accept that the general view of what it’s like to be an author isn’t likely to change – and I’ve been lucky, most people who know about my job have been nothing but supportive. I’ve also found that joining online author groups helps immensely as you quickly realise most writers, at whatever stage, whatever their deal, to one extent or another, are going through the same problems and one of those is facing this very issue.

Rating yourself

It’s a tough one, not comparing yourself to other authors, and it’s hard to remember that us writers are not pitted against each other (even though rankings might make it seem as if we are). Over the last couple of years I’ve had counselling for eating disorder issues that have raised their head again, after 30 years. My counsellor said it was ironic that I’d chosen a career where I am being rated the whole time – Amazon rankings, reviews – as anorexics/bulimics are continually rating themselves too. And yes, it is something I struggle with. But mindfulness and Buddhism remind me to focus on my own journey. That’s what Olympian coaches do. They tell their athletes the only person they are competing against is themselves and their last personal best.

 

So you aren’t alone. Stop being hard on yourself. Be a little kinder to self. Sounds naff, doesn’t it? But it’s so important. Look back at your positives – an encouraging rejection, a lovely review. You are all amazing just for putting your hearts on the line and getting your words out into the public arena.

It is hard. I feel as if I am soldiering on at the moment. It’s not a 9 – 5 job that you can leave at the office. It’s can be in your thoughts 24/7. And for that reason it can sometimes feel as if you’ve been in the industry for a life-time.

So you must also take a time-check. For example I’ve had 11 books published but that has happened within only 5 1/2 years. I’m still in the early stages of my career, from many points of view. I need to remember that and remind myself of how long it takes, in other professions, to become fully trained and reach your goals.

The ups are followed by downs and the downs are always followed by ups – this is true of any personal or professional life. So to keep sane, try not to attach to either as both will pass.

I also try to remind myself that many women of my mother’s generation didn’t have a chance to follow career. The problems I am having would have been problems they’d have love to have had. So I remind myself to be grateful

 

Come and say hello to me on Twitter @SamTongeWriter if you’re having a challenging time.

We’re all in this together

Facing Your Fears

As some of you know, I’ve faced mental health challenges over the last couple of years. I’ve been lucky enough to get some excellent treatment and thanks to the love and support of family, friends and professionals have conquered many of my demons and I’m grateful.

However, some still lurk in the shadows, flexing their fork in my direction and things came to a head, recently, when I was shortlisted for the prestigious Romantic Novelist Awards  – a huge honour. Indeed, when I first heard I’d been nominated in the romcom category for my 2018 romance One Summer In Rome  I was absolutely ecstatic… but the evening itself presented a huge challenge to someone like myself with a history of  body dysmorphic issues.

 

The thought of being in any way the centre of attention and – abject horror – having professional photos taken, filled me with dread. As did the challenge of finding a suitable outfit – something I imagine many of the nominees can relate to.

But with the support of my husband, and the company of my wonderful and understanding agent, Clare Wallace from Darley Anderson, not only did I get there – I thoroughly enjoyed the event. After I’d said hello to a few people my anxiety started to slip away and much chat and laughter took place. And I now feel more brave about attending any such event in the future.

At the beginning of my writing journey none of this was a problem and I enjoyed many author get-togethers, seeing them as nothing but fun and important for my career. But then my mental health took a downturn, brought back some issues from thirty years ago and I am still fighting them – and am determined to get back to where I was before, seeing every invitation to a launch or blogger get-together or publishing party for what it should be… an exciting and enjoyable aspect of the business I am in.

When the official  photo came in I got control of the self-critical thoughts and forced myself to post the image online.  And this is what CBT therapy is all about – facing your fears. The more you do the thing you are afraid of, the more you can accept that your concerns are unfounded.

Yes it’s hard. Scary. Especially when others may not understand your concern over something that appears trivial or irrational to them, particularly if you’ve become good at putting on a cheerful veneer. But the feeling of achievement you’ll get, if you push yourself, is second to none.

It’s not easy being a woman – or man, for that matter – in today’s society. Some of us may feel we have to have great jobs. Be brill parents or children. Perfect partners. That we’re supposed to look like celebrities and gain hundreds of likes on social media. And this is an area I explore in my  new novel Knowing You, that was published yesterday. Violet works in publishing and due to an upset in her private life starts to question just how successful an editor – and woman – she is. And this leads to a shocking twist at the end. I’m thrilled with the fantastic reviews coming in and humbled to see that her story is resonating with readers…

So if you’re struggling at the moment, mental health wise, and CBT therapy is an option, I would definitely recommend it.

You can do this.

Or if you are simply nervous about taking the plunge in certain areas of your life, go for it. Afraid you will get rejected if you send out that submission? There’s only one way to find out. Anxious about joining that book club you’ve been invited to? Go ahead. Without a doubt every member will have felt like that on their first night.

Whatever your fear is, there is only one true way to tackle it.

And that’s to stare it straight in the face.

 

 

And the winner is…!

On Monday night I attended the amazing Romantic Novelist Awards ceremony in London. And what a location – the Gladstone Library in the Royal Horseguards Hotel, Whitehall.

The evening kicked off with photos being taken of the nominees. Then there was a mix and mingle session before we all took our seats and nervously waited for names to be read out.

I didn’t win but it was such an honour to be shortlisted in the romantic Comedy category, for my book One Summer in Rome – something I would  have fantasised about during my years as an aspiring writer!

I attended the event with my amazing agent, Clare Wallace from the Darley Anderson Agency, and greatly admired her gorgeous leopard print outfit!

My outfit was down to the choice of two. The other – a floral jacket with black trousers – kept suffering a massive wardrobe malfunction at the front, so I went for the safer option… a lace dress with sensible shoes, having suffered badly in the past from walking to and from events in the highest of heels. Yes, I have reached an age where comfort outweighs vanity!

There was much laughter, many canapes and it was a brilliant opportunity to catch up with writing friends I haven’t seen for a long time. A fantastic evening to celebrate such a diverse and popular genre and all supported by some very generous sponsors.

As readers of my blog will know, I’ve faced a challenging couple of years health-wise, and just attending this ceremony, in itself, was incredible – I guess dreams really can come true.

 

Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards – shortlisted!

I am absolutely thrilled that my 2018 romantic comedy, One Summer In Rome, has been shortlisted for the RoNA annual awards. It is such an honour!

You can find out about the other nominees and categories right HERE.

The winners will be chosen at an awards ceremony in London, on the 4th March.

So I’ve got just a few weeks to find a frock!

Thanks to all the readers and bloggers who’ve supported this book. It was a joy to write.

 

 

 

Knowing You – cover reveal!

I’m very excited to reveal the cover of my new novel, Knowing you, out March 14th.

 

It is set in the publishing world and I can’t wait to share Violet’s story – blurb below!

 

 

An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret…

Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

Her long-term friends Kath and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says…

Knowing You is about friendship and knowing who to trust with your deepest secrets; it’s about taking control of your life and not being afraid to stand out. 

The Major Importance of Minor Characters

I never used to think much about minor characters when I first started out writing. They were simply there to serve the plot in terms of a barman being needed or noisy neighbour. But before I got published as a novelist I sold almost 100 short stories to women’s magazines, and writing those and getting editorial feedback taught me that minor characters really need to fight for their place and prove their worth.

If the cast of your book is too wide, readers will lose track. Their is nothing more annoying than having to keep checking back, in a novel, to see who so-and-so is. And if you have too many really distinctive characters it could be overwhelming. You don’t want the minor players to outshine the leading cast members.

So I’ve always tried to shave my number of characters down to the bare minimum. The ones who survive are there for a reason. No, they mustn’t outshine the lead but they still play a crucial role, as long as they serve one or more of the following purposes:

 

Demonstrate the themes of the story

My last novel, Forgive Me Not, is about Emma, a recovered alcoholic, who goes home to the village of Healdbury to try to make amends after tearing apart her family and causing uproar in the community.  As the title indicates, forgiveness is a big theme of this story and the villagers reflect this. Some cannot forget her old behaviours and the trouble she caused. Others, over the course of the story come to realise they too are flawed and everyone deserves a second chance.  All the people she encounters again serve their place, even those who only appear very briefly. Like the elderly woman, in the street, shop owner Mrs Beatty, who crosses the road immediately when she sees Emma approaching on the pavement when she first returns to the village. This minor character’s one simple action tells the reader what Emma used to be like and suggests she is not going to have an easy time trying to fit back into her old life and make amends to those people she hurt.

 

Show something about the main character

Stig, the homeless man Emma used to know, gives the community insight into what life used to be like for her. It might be shocking for them to hear that the protagonist used to live on Manchester’s streets. It might confirm villagers’ preconceived ideas about the sort of people who end up as rough sleepers, that Emma really must be a no-good no-hoper. But then they get to know Stig, a gentle soul, who once had a good job as a geography teacher but who lost everything due to mental health problems. He demonstrates to the villagers that any one of them, given a certain set of unfortunate circumstances, could lose their home. His appearance in the novel questions any assumptions that might be made about Emma and how much she deserved to find herself homeless. He adds another dimension to her character from the villagers point of view. He is a window into where she has been for the last couple of years.

Another more minor character is runaway homeless teenager Tilly. Her purpose is to show how Emma really has changed – the Emma in addiction only thought about herself. Now she wants to help those less fortunate and Tilly brings out her maternal side.

Then there is Dash, the three-legged dog Emma grew up with. Yes, even animal characters must earn their place. He is overjoyed at her return, despite her selfish and unpredictable behaviours displayed before leaving the village.  His unconditional love shows the reader that there must be good inside her – that once she really must have been a decent person. In fact I’ve just finished a project where a kitten plays rather an important role. It is there, in the background, throughout the novel, and at the end we realise just how significant its presence has been for the main character.

 

They embellish the setting

In Forgive Me Not there are flashbacks to Emma’s past. A violent rough-sleeper who beats her up personifies the drab, threatening, dangerous, solitary place Emma has found herself in. Whereas the appealing rabbits and pigs on the farm in present time, with their colour and playfulness, reflect the happy, carefree, nurtured, safe, communal life she left behind.

 

So think carefully about your  minor characters because they contribute massively to themes, plot, setting, so many aspects of your novel. What’s their point? If they don’t have one, get rid. Like so much in writing, it won’t be a waste. They might suit a future story.