Connie
From the novel series "NOLA Street Tales".
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Connie was a very satisfying character to write. On one hand, she’s Sharice’s right hand, making sure her longtime friend is taken care of, no matter the needs. On the other hand, Connie’s jealously and short temper causes just as many problems as she resolves.
I wanted to write Sharice a childhood friend that she came up with to give her a bit of humanity. Sharice is not a good person, but by adding Connie, it humanizes her a bit. It especially makes Sharice look like the more level headed of the two as Connie is filled with raw emotions. Both she and Sharice had to struggle to make it up in the criminal ranks, but while Sharice has grown to understand the politics of the business, Connie hasn’t, and more likely to use violence as an answer to everything.
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SPOILER TALK: While Sharice is typically an even keel person, both times when she shows her ruthlessness is when Connie was attacked. The first incident, Connie was shot trying to protect Sharice and the second instance was one of her own making as she disrespected a powerful dealer who wanted to make an example of her. Both emotional reactions (her love for Sharice and her attitude and arrogance towards their rival) cause reactions that she must answer for. Her jealously of Lavina, a childhood friend of both her and Sharice, also generates an emotional response that turned deadly. It’s something that haunts Connie time and time again.
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Even through all the trouble she causes, nobody loves Sharice more than her. They’ve been through too much together and will do what needs to be done to protect each other. She is the exact opposite of Sharice which is what I wanted to show. It’s no fun having two characters that are similar. While she’s is Sharice’s strength, she’s also her biggest weakness. It’s a dynamic relationship which pushes and hinders them from achieving their goals.
“You never did give a f*ck about anyone but yourself. Sharice was right to turn your ratchet ass down. You just f*ck any and everybody. Who knows what sh*t you carryin’! I’m surprised your daughter is clean if we being real!” Connie confronting Lavina about Lavina’s attempt to have a relationship with Sharice.
