Posts Tagged ‘heroes’

Posted on January 17, 2012 - by Shannon Vannatter

Interview with Denise Hunter

Shannon here: This fall–in between deadlines–I set out to find an agent and my writing twin. When a writer sends proposals to agents or editors, we’re supposed to compare our books to published novels. I needed a published author who writes similar to me to compare myself to. 

I’d heard of Denise Hunter, seen her at the American Christian Writers Conference, and knew she was a best-selling contemporary romance author. I bought The Convenient Groom and immediately wished I’d come up with such a great premise.

At ACFW this year, I introduced myself to Denise, told her why I bought her book and how much I loved it. She asked if I’d found my writing twin. Not by a longshot. Denise is a much better writer than me.

Since then I’ve read A Cowboy’s Touch, Driftwood Lane, The Accidental Bride, and Smitten. I read the last two in one weekend. Both of them.

I’ve discovered so many authors with a book I love, but then I’m often disappointed by at least one of their books or I don’t like the others as well as the first book I read by them. Not so with Denise Hunter. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Next on my list–Seaside Letters. So without further ado, here’s Denise:

• What is the biggest writing challenge you’ve encountered this past year – craft, career, writing life, etc? How did you solve it?

My biggest writing challenge is finding my way through the middle of my stories. It really is like driving at night, and you can only see as far as your headlights will shine. I get through it with lots of prayer and lots of forcing myself to sit and work when I’d rather be doing anything else (laundry, dusting, toilets, ANYTHING).

Shannon: Okay, maybe we are twins. The middle befuddles me too. But not enough to make me want to clean or do laundry.

• If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be?

I enjoy design—actually started college as a commercial art major—so that’s what I’d do. Maybe even designing book covers to combine my interests.

• Where is the coziest spot in your home?

My spot on the sofa/recliner. That’s actually where I work.

• What is your favorite time of the day?

The evening, after dinner, when all the day’s work is done and the family is just hanging out.

• In what ways do you think your writing journey has benefited your family? How does your writing affect your family?

Great question! Besides the obvious financial benefits, my career has made me a happier more well-rounded individual. It has forced me out of my comfort zone in a lot of ways. One of the best things about writing, though, is that it has allowed me to stay home with our kids.

• If you could pick a theme song to play every time you entered a room, what would it be?

LOL! “Move” by Mercy Me. Sometimes I need extra motivation.

Shannon: Mercy Me is my favorite group.

• What is your most laughable dating story?

When I started dating Kevin (my husband) I turned into an instant klutz. I spilled, I dropped, I tripped. Only around him, mind you. I still do that.

• Which amusement park ride is your favorite and why?

Definitely roller coasters. But due to an old neck injury, I can’t ride them anymore. So I just live vicariously through my boys, who love them as much as I do.

Shannon: I grew up 5 miles from Six Flags over Georgia and never met a roller coaster I didn’t love.

•  What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?

The internet. Research is SO much easier than it used to be. And communication! It has its negatives too, I know, but it’s so easy to keep in touch with family and friends now.

• Would you rather live a week in the past or a week in the future??

Interesting question! A week in the future. I prefer the unknown.

• How do you balance writing, exercise, home, etc.?

Not very well! The home and writing I’ve got down pretty well. The exercise, not so much. A couple months ago we even moved the treadmill into the living room so it would stand over our shoulders making us feel guilty. I’ve used it once since then. I do much better when it’s warm out though. I like to walk outside.

• Would you rather meet your great grandchildren or great grandparents?

Great grandchildren, just to be certain I’ll get to, and because I DID meet my great grandparents.

• Who is your biggest cheerleader?

My pal Colleen Coble. She’s everybody’s biggest cheerleader!

• What actor/actress would you want to play Shay Brandenberger from The Accidental Bride?

Mandy Moore.

• What is the best book you’ve read recently, and why did you like it?

“Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers—although it wasn’t my first time reading it. The message of love and redemption is amazing.

• What or who makes you giggle and why?

Bffs Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, and Kristin Billerbeck. Because we know one another so well. Also my church small group, for the same reason.

• What is your favorite season and why?

Spring and fall. Because we only get about two seconds of each in Indiana!

Shannon: My favorite seasons too. I hate being hot or cold, so I love the in between.

• The biggest challenge in writing this book?

The middle—always!

Shannon: Ditto!

• What do the Post-Its around your computer/screen/ bulletin board say?

They’re my lists of what I need to buy, who I need to call, and what I need to get done.

•  What is your favorite research or reference book or tool??

“Writing the Breakout Novel” by Donald Maass.

•  What is the most unusual costume you ever wore at a Halloween party?

I was Gilligan one year. It seriously disturbed my husband.

• If you could have free unlimited service for one year from a cook, chauffer, personal secretary, housekeeper, or masseuse, which would you choose and why??

Oooh, I want one of each! Probably the cook. I love to bake—cooking, not so much.

•  Which character in your books is the most like you? How?

Definitely Reese in “Smitten”. I wrote that one with my 3 friends Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, and Diann Hunt. In order to keep our characters consistent throughout, we gave each of our protagonists a healthy dose of ourselves. 

Shannon: Thanks for agreeing to the interview, Denise. I so thoroughly enjoyed it.

My take on Denise’s books: I hated for each book to end, but each gave me that satisfying ahh moment. I love the characters, fell in love with each hero, and marveled at each great, complicated story premise.

The Convenient Groom: She wrote the book–literally–on finding the right mate. But does she really understand what love’s about? Five hours before her Nantucket beach wedding–and on the eve of her big book launch–celebrity marriage counselor Kate Lawrence has everything in place.

A Cowboy’s Touch: Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.

I love the characters and ached for them. I truly couldn’t see how this story could end happily-ever-after. So many complications.

The Accidental Bride: Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can’t seem to keep her head above water—and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders’ Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart—the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn’t sure if the recent events are God’s will or just a preacher’s blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

I loved the hero, Travis. So tough, yet gentle. I loved Shay’s temper, yet Travis knew just how to settle her down.

Driftwood Lane: Meridith believes she is capable of weathering any storm. But she’s never experienced a love powerful enough to uproot her…until now.

Besides the romance and the complicated premise, I loved the one upmanship basketball scenes between the hero and his best friend. And I was reminded that all I really need is a solid foundation through Christ. Everything else is just a bonus.

Smitten: Welcome to Smitten, Vermont. With the help of four friends, it’s about to become the most romantic town in America.

About Denise:  Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too! Learn more at www.denisehunterbooks.com. 

Posted on October 25, 2011 - by Shannon Vannatter

GMC: The Engine Behind Your Characters & Plot

GMC. The first time I heard of it, I’d signed with an agent. Back in 2002 with my original version of White Roses. She told me I should read GMC. I thought car. She patiently explained that it’s a book—GMC: Goals, Motivation, & Conflict by Debra Dixon. It was out of print, but I found a copy for $19.95. I was a stay at home mom and it wasn’t in our budget to pay that much for a used book.

Shortly afterward, the agent downsized her list and I was one of her clients that got cut. Looking back, I don’t know why she signed me. She’s a good agent, still in the business, and has sold a lot of books. All I can figure is that she saw promise, but soon realized she didn’t have enough time to polish a diamond in the rough. And I don’t blame her. I know now that my writing wasn’t anywhere near publishable then.

Fast forward to 2008. I went to the ACFW conference in Minneapolis, where I had a paid critique for Rodeo Dust with Margaret Daley. In my original version, my heroine is at the State Fair of Texas, touring livestock barns with a co-worker/date. Even though, she hates farm animals and she has a rule about not dating co-workers.

Margaret: “Why would the heroine go to place she doesn’t enjoy with a co-worker on a date when she has a rule not to date co-workers?”

Me: “So she can meet the hero there.”

Margaret: “You need to read GMC.”

Okay. I gave in. You don’t have to beat me over the head with it. When I got home, I ordered the book. By then, Debra Dixon had gotten the rights back and I got a new copy for $19.95.

I read it from cover to cover and discovered a whole new world. A world that makes everything your characters do—make sense. I changed it to where my Rodeo Dust heroine went with her brother to the fair because she wanted him to date her best friend. So she accompanied them, so it wouldn’t seem like a date and they could realize how much in common they had. See how much better that is?

I also worked out the GMC for White Roses and every other book I’d been reworking for years. Now, I carefully chart out my GMC before I start a book.

Most of the time anyway. I jumped into a story not too long ago, just because it had been bugging me for a long time. I wrote the first three chapters in a hurry, then had an editor express interest when I showed her the One Sheet. I sent it to my critters, Brenda, Lorna, and Jerri. 

Brenda: “I don’t understand her goal.”

Me: “Oops. I just dashed it off and forgot to do the GMC.”

I worked out the GMC and made changes. Brenda liked it. And so did I

So for a short lesson:

G – Goal: This is what your character wants. 

M – Motivation: This is why your character wants the goal.

C – Conflict: This is why your character can’t reach their goal. 

My heroine wanted her brother to date her best friend because she wants them both to be happy, but they wouldn’t agree to go out on a date.

Thus my Rodeo Dust heroine tours the livestock barns, hating every minute of it. But her brother and best friend love it, proving that they should live happily ever after, just like she knew they should. It makes perfect sense for her to be there. And while she’s there, she meets the hero.

This is only the GMC for the first scene. Your GMC for the entire plot needs to have much more at stake. Something like, if the heroine doesn’t get her brother and best friend together, her brother will accept that job offer in China.

I could get into a lot more detail, but I believe that’s called plagiarism. In short, your story should have an over-arcing internal and external GMC. But each scene should have GMC also. If you work out the GMC for every scene, everything your character does will make perfect sense. 

Maybe if I’d have gotten the book back in 2002, I’d have sold White Roses in 2003 instead of 2009.

To get into all the intricacies of internal and external GMC, I highly recommend the book. This is one of the few craft books that doesn’t make my brain glaze over. It’s all laid out in a simple, easy to understand format. Debra Dixon is now an acquisitions editor at a publishing house. And since 2008, I’ve had editors actually ask me about my characters’ GMC during pitch sessions.

Posted on August 3, 2011 - by Dawn Ford

Castles Made Of Sand

Daydreams and fairy tales have permeated my summer. Damsels in distress that are not as helpless as you might think, heroes that need rescuing, and mighty beasts on the hunt are coming to life under the hot Iowa sun. Because the summer sun is beginning to fade, I wanted to share a favorite past time of mine when I was younger and take you on a fantasy journey with me. Disclaimer, I’m not usually poetic.

Castles Made Of Sand

Pail and shovel in tow,

She tenderly walks upon the burning sand,

And folds out her towel at the edge of the water.

She dreams of castles made of sand,

Build up the towers,

Smooth out the walls,

Carve out the windows,

Angle the turrets just so,

And fashion a drawbridge of seaweed and sticks.

As a beautiful maiden she seeks out a valiant prince,

And locks him inside the dungeon tight.

She travels the globe in adventures so grand,

Prevails against the dangers,

Defeats mighty dragons,

And finds hidden treasures buried deep.

As the setting sun dims its shining light upon her fair head,

She knows her time has ended,

All wishes are granted,

No stories are left to explore,

Her footprints in sand are all that’s left behind.

The castle is deserted and the prince is set free

For princes turn back to frogs,

And castles made of sand eventually fade,

Even summers come to an end.

I wish you a summer full of wonder.

Posted on March 8, 2011 - by JerriLynn

Confessions of an Eclectic Reader

Books.  Oh how I love books. But I’m not tied to the paper kind.  I’m not that person that appreciates the ripple of the paper as you fan the pages or the smell of a new book.  I don’t even get overly excited when you crack the spine the fist time.  Nope.  I like the story in whatever format I can get it. And growing up, it was the story that mattered to me.

I don’t remember a lot of the books that I read before about the fifth grade.  I know I read a lot, but due to a childhood accident, I don’t remember a large block of time.  So, my first memory of books is when I was in the fifth grade and had to read Island of Blue Dolphins.  I’d have to say that still remains one of my favorite books of all time.

The story in that book drew me in, and I remember distinctly wanting to be Karana; strong, resilient, and resourceful. After I finished that book I sought out other books about strong female characters. In a small base library on a military installation in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the offerings were slim and I ended up in the Biography section.

There followed a quick procession of books. Two of which stuck with me; Helen Keller and Joan De’ Arc. But I read everything I could get my hands on. Eventually moving back to fiction and becoming completely immersed in The Bobsy Twins, Nany Drew, and The Hardy Boys. Read every book in all of the series and fell in love with the mystery and adventure of all of them.

Eventually, my tastes moved to more of the macabre. Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Clive Barker were my middle-and high school favorites. But I never felt tied to a genre. I read everything I could get my hands on. Romance. History. Biography. Science Fiction. If there was any kind of a story that I could fall into and become someone else for a short while, I was willing to read it.

As a kid that moved often (I went to 13 schools in 12 years), books were the friends that helped to shape my character. I had real friends, but only for a year or two at a time.  My “book friends” stayed with me, no matter where I went. The Jungle Book, The Lord of the Rings, and Little House on the Prairie and later the Star Wars books would go with me when I left Belinda, Mark, and Jaimie behind.

These weren’t friends that I could tell secrets to, but they were friends with which I could have secret lives.  I could fall into the world of Narnia and become one of the characters and feel the emotions they felt and learn the lessons they learned.  Every book changed me a bit, shaped my character a little, and revealed a facet of myself that I might not have known existed before I started reading.

It’s no wonder now that I’m headstrong and independent to a fault. It’s no wonder that I love technology and am intrigued by mystery, madness, and  psychological thrillers. All of these things became part of me in the pages of a book.

Did books shape your personality? Did they reveal to you a part of who you are? And what were your favorite personality shaping books?  If you’re a reader, I know there had to be at least one book or series of books that still brings images to your mind and reminds you of the things about which you feel so strongly.

Posted on October 12, 2010 - by Shannon Vannatter

Romancing Research

The White Rose trilogy for Heartsong Presents is set in the Arkansas towns of Romance (population 1700) and Rose Bud (population 2000). The two towns are seven miles apart. Romance is known for the re-mailing program and weddings. Romantics send stamped/addressed Valentine’s cards and wedding invitations in manila envelopes to get them mailed with the hand-stamped Romance, AR postmark. Couples come to get married in Romance at the post office, local churches or the Romance Waterfalls. Last spring, my mother, my eight-year-old son, and I took a research trip.

 

The second book, White Doves is set at the post office in Romance, with a Postmaster heroine and mail carrier hero. Postal relief, June Sullivan at the Romance Post Office gave me insight and info into the daily workings. I learned how the mail is sorted by route and some postal lingo. Postmaster Angie Davis gave me the scoop on the weddings. They have three or four weddings a year on Valentine’s Day at the post office. Couples exchange vows in the lobby or outside the office, where someone carved a heart in the parking lot declaring it the Heart of Romance.

Next stop: The Romance Waterfalls. Owner James (Buck) Weatherly took us on an impromptu tour of his privately owned property, he and his wife open to the public for weddings and events. We walked underneath a wisteria-draped archway into a landscaped garden with a heart-shaped flower bed, numerous blossoms and flowering bushes. A wooden walkway leads down to the waterfalls, surrounded by jutting rock/steps with railing all the way down. We could hear the waterfall long before we got there.

Mr. Weatherly built two gazebos and balconies overlooking the waterfalls. Couples get married on the largest balcony and the Weatherly’s open their home for receptions and family reunions. I couldn’t help but include the waterfalls in all three books of my series and the owners let me have my book launch party there. It was hot, so the party ended up in their reception room, but we’re going to try again in April when the 2nd book releases to stores. Hopefully, the weather will be tamer then. Teaser: a realization of true love, a proposal, and a wedding take place at the waterfall in my series.

Last stop: The Rambler Cafe’ in Rose Bud, famous for their steaks. Owner Cheri Limon gave me permission to use her restaurant in a pivotal scene. The rustic restaurant’s plank walls, shelves above each window lined with plants, antique books, and plates was the perfect setting for my hero/pastor to interview a potential associate pastor. Besides hometown friendliness, they have great food and the pie—oh, the pie. Turtle, coconut, pecan, the list goes on.

I’ve made half a dozen visits to the Romance/Rose Bud area and learned something new each time. The series has been fun to write and I’ve enjoyed meeting the local people while researching the rich detail and flavor of the area.

Besides researching setting, since my heroine is a florist, she notices flowers and knows them by name. I don’t, so I turned to my mother.  An avid gardener, if she doesn’t know the flower, she has a book where I can find it. I also visited a local florist to learn about arranging flowers and how they’re transported. Lorna, a wedding planner, helped me with describing hand-tied bouquets. I often give my heroines a career that seems interesting to me, so the research is fun to do.

The hero is a pastor. Since I live with one of those, I’ve researched that for the last ten years. And for book 3, the heroine is restoring a historical plantation house. My dad was a carpenter for a good 20 years. That came in handy on getting the order of restoration right. I had no idea if they’d tackle the roof or the siding first, but Daddy knew just how to whip the house into its former glory. Since I’d already done all that flower and plant research, and the hero and heroine needed to work together, the hero for book 3 became a landscaper.

So, even though Lorna’s research and all those historical details exhaust me, as a contemporary writer, there’s just no way of getting around research.  I’ve recently learned the art of including research in family vacations and have several new setting ideas stored up for the future. Got any ideas?

Posted on September 14, 2010 - by Shannon Vannatter

Flying Lessons

Once again, reading has been the thing I do least. With new writing projects, marketing, a husband, an eight year-old, and a church family, something had to give. And sadly it’s been reading. No matter how crazy life gets, I make time to read at least one chapter of the Bible daily. And I’m reading Lorna’s, Making Waves. But since I read about thirty minutes two or three times a week before I go to bed and in the pickup line when I go to get my son from school, it’ll take weeks to finish it.   

Though I read this book a chapter at a time every three weeks, when the working title was Summer of Truth, it’s fun to see the story in book form, with a really great cover and Lorna’s picture on the back. It’s fun to see what she implemented of my critique advice and what she ignored. And she was right in both cases. But a few weeks ago, before I received my copy of Making Waves, I cleared my calendar and made time for a new writer.

And oh am I glad I did. This book has gripping characters to root for, a wonderful sweet romance, conflict galore, emotional baggage, and a wonderful inspirational theme of letting go and letting God. The adventure-seeking hero was absolutely yummy and the play-it-safe heroine so deserving of his affections. The timely subject matter and pacing of this book jolted me through the pages. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. And every time I thought the characters would get a break, boom things would get worse, which kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. Yet the writer managed to bring it all to a logical resolution. One of those sweet, perfect endings that makes you sigh with satisfaction.

So, who is the new writer I’ve discovered. Our very own, Brenda. Poor Brenda got lost in the shuffle of mine and Lorna’s dueling deadlines. She critiqued her little heart out on our work, taking extra time to read full manuscripts in a couple of week’s time before we turned them into our editors. In the meantime, critiques on her WIP got pushed aside. So after my last deadline to turn in book 3, I told Brenda to send me the full of her new romance she’d written. She did, three months ago.

Then school let out. An all consuming, only child was home alone and bored. We invited friends over, but we’re talking boys, so that just meant double supervision. Plus, I had editing deadlines, a couple of family trips, speaking engagements, and trying to spruce up my hopefully next series to send to my editor. I didn’t touch Brenda’s book all summer.

School started again and suddenly my productivity went into overdrive. Within a week and a half, I finished my manuscript and sent it to my editor. Since I felt so badly about neglecting Brenda, I set a week aside to critique hers. And thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Brenda will be pitching Flying Lessons to agents and editors this weekend in Indy. I’m praying they’ll enjoy it as much as I did, so that one day I can hold it in book form with a great cover and Brenda’s picture on the back and read for pure pleasure.

Have you ever discovered a pre-published author who made you feel like an agent or editor discovering the next big thing?

Posted on April 9, 2010 - by Kav

The Reluctant Hero

There is nothing like a reluctant hero to make me swoon! You know the guy –  he’s attracted to the heroine but there’s some reason that he’s convinced she’s all wrong for him or he’s all wrong for her. Or there is some cosmic intrusion that is too insurmountable to overcome. Or past demons that need exorcising.  Or present evil to slay.  Or…well, there are countless scenarios that an author can utilize but in the end our hero is a man of truly noble intentions, determined to resist all of our heroine’s endearing qualities. 

 Only the more he tries to resist, the more obsessed he becomes.  She’s in his thoughts at inopportune times. He can’t help doing nice, thoughtful things for her.  He ends up sabotaging any other man’s interest in her.  He’s a good friend while fighting the desire to be a lover. But there’s only so much temptation that a man can resist and his reluctance s-l-o-w-l-y gives way to a new determination to get what he wants…and what he wants is the heroine.

 Oh dear – I feel a swoon coming on which is why I need my very own fainting couch.  The floor all around it would be piled high with books and I could read to my heart’s content and safely swoon at all the appropriate parts.  I might even consider wearing a crash helmet as a safety precaution for the really swoonworthy books. Like these:

 Montana Rose by Mary Connealy

 The people of Divide Montana regard Cassie as a spoiled, silk-clad china doll but now that she is a pregnant widow, she needs a husband.  Red Dawson is not going to be that man.

 The dirt and the smell, the humble clothes, and the sod house – this was who he was, and he didn’t apologize for that to any man…or any woman.

 Red knew there was only one way for him to serve God in this matter.  He had to keep clear of Cassie Griffin.

 By chapter three Red and Cassie are married and the rest of the book is an incredible journey towards love and understanding. 

Swoonworthy Moment:  When Red tells Cassie he loves her.  It’s one of the most intimate, heart-melting love scenes I’ve ever read.

 Every time I read a Mary Connealy book I think she can’t possibly top it and then I read the next one and she does!  This one is offbeat and funny but achingly romantic.  It boggles my mind how this author can consistently be so fresh!

*    *    *    *

 Winter’s end by Ruth Logan Herne

 Marc DeHollander is a man scarred by his past and Kayla Doherty is a woman who reminds him of the worst of it.  Marc’s father is dying of cancer and Kayla’ is his visiting nurse so there’s no way he can avoid her…or the burgeoning attraction he feels for her.

 Her sassy smile reminded Marc why women like Kayla should be avoided.  High-maintenance women didn’t belong in the North Country, much less on a farm.

 Swoonworthy Moment:  I can’t tell you or I’ll ruin it – but it’s the way Marc demonstrates his love and puts the past behind him that had me in a swoon-induced haze for days afterwards!

 This is Ruth’s first book and it’s an incredible, thought-provoking read.  It’s ‘real’.  I especially appreciate how both the hero and heroine do their own growing and healing before their happily ever after is assured. 

*    *    *    *

 Fit To Be Tied by Robin Hatcher

 Sherwood Statham is an English aristocrat who has been all but disowned for his playboy behaviour.  He is sent, penniless, to an American ranch to be ‘straightened out’.

 Cleo Arlington wears pants like a man and works on her family’s ranch with as much expertise as any of the hands.  She’s particularly adept at breaking horses. She doesn’t have time for the citified English dandy and he barely tolerates her tomboy ways.

 He’d actually found himself wanting to kiss Cleo.  That was more than extraordinary.  It was preposterous.  She was the last woman he would ever find attractive.  He liked voluptuous females, women who looked like women – long hair and pretty dresses and dainty shoes and fashionable hats.  Not to mention that he didn’t need any sort of involvement with his employer’s daughter.  He was far from England and virtually penniless.  Wasn’t that enough?  Additional complications in his life were most unwelcome.

 But Cleo is a complication that sticks like an annoying burr!  And sparks soon sizzle and sizzles start to burn and before you know it Sherwood and Cleo are in the middle of one hot romance…but they have to work for their happily ever after.

 Swoonworthy moment:  Sherwood’s fierce loyalty to Cleo.

*    *    *    *

 I’ve been crafting my own reluctant hero.  He’s been giving me some problems, but I enjoy wrestling with him.  Here’s a snippet.

 He would not be swayed by a trim figure and over-bright smile.  And though he had a fondness for freckles, the smattering that bridged her nose weren’t enough to count.  Plus there were flecks of red in her hair…and gold…and a tawny caramel strand that just blew into her eyes.  Not that he was taking any notice. Besides the red nixed it like nothing else could.

 What he was going to do was stand here steadfast until she was gone.  Immovable.  Resolute. There was no way she was getting past him.

 “Excuse me.”

 He stepped aside without even thinking and then cursed himself for being suckered in by a pretty face.  It was the dimple in her cheek.  He’d have to watch for that in the future…not that they had a future…not together.  Her hips swayed and he found himself clamping down on a smile.  He sighed.  It was going to be a long day. 

 How about you…are there any reluctant heroes in your reading or writing past…or present?

Posted on April 8, 2010 - by Regina

BOY OH BOY . . .

Respectful ~ Sensitive ~ Loyal ~ Confident ~ Tenacious ~ Tender ~ Handsome ~ Strong ~ Human ~ Focused on Jesus ~ Honesty.

So these are the traits we’ve identified, so far, as essential to building a good hero.

I agree with all of them. I can usually come up with an example for each and every delicious quality. When I realized what our topic was this time, I cringed. I thought, “Oh, great. All the good ones will be GONE before it’s MY turn!” And I’ve approached it a little differently. While I love to read about a great character, creating a great character is almost as much fun.

That’s when it hit me. What is it about a hero that makes me turn to utter mush inside, that makes me want throw myself in his arms, and ultimately makes me laugh out loud with joy?

Boyishness.

When a big, strong man starts to act like a little boy, it tickles me. I don’t mean when he is behaving in an immature fashion, but rather when those things above—respect, sensitivity, loyalty, confidence, tenacity, tenderness, good-looks, humanity, focus on Jesus, and honesty—all come together in an irresistible package that includes a dash of humility, a smidgen of insecurity, and just a little bit of selfishness.

Men that have a flash of boyishness tend to like women. They enjoy a good argument. They can see multiple sides of an issue, but they can also be so opinionated as to infuriate the women in their midst.

They have a ready grin, and when challenged by their female counterpart, are oh, so deliciously gullible at times.

These men have a way of using their boyishness to scope out the gullibility of their heroine, as well. Let the lady think she has the upper hand, and WHAM! They’ve got you right where they want you.

These are the characters that are strong, but there is a chink in their armor. There are some areas that hurt to talk about, and then there are those issues they just plain don’t want to be faced with. When we write about them, their eyes might dim with pain, or a crease might appear between their brows that they don’t realize is there. The women in their lives who love them are well aware of this. Sometimes they regret bringing up the topic, and sometimes they use this to jolt them into submission or admission.

This man is going to be loyal to their friend or to their lover come heck or high water. And because they have this little boy inside of them who not only rails at the unfairness of it all but also rails at any suggestion that they might not succeed, they will go above and beyond what is expected to ensure success in almost any area—including love. 

So yes, I love a man who can be all the things listed above. Mix with that a healthy dose of boyish good humor and unrealistic expectations that somehow turn into a happily-ever-after, and you’ve got a fan in me.

Mr. Darcy, I’m talking about you, you know . . .

Posted on April 7, 2010 - by Brenda Anderson

The Lure of an Honest Hero

 

Respectful ~ Sensitive ~ Loyal ~ Confident ~ Tenacious

Tender ~ Handsome ~ Strong ~ Human ~ Focused on Jesus

 

As we’ve discussed over the past week and a half, definitely all swoon-worthy qualities of the literary hero.

Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll add a couple characteristics to that list: intelligent and honest.

Aww, be still my pattering heart.

It just so happens that one hero I know of brandishes ALL of those above-listed virtues. Hard to believe, huh? Well, it’s true. Dr. Nick Polchak, from Tim Downs’ Bug Man novels, displays each and every one of those heart-waltzing traits.

To insects.

You knew there was a caveat, didn’t you?

Yes, Nick Polchak is a forensic entomologist. In other words, he studies bugs on dead people. Oh, I knew that would endear him to you.

As for calendar worthy, well Nick’s tall and slender with chestnut eyes. It’s just too bad his Coke-bottle glasses magnify those ever-roving eyes. And if his dorky outfits bother you, that’s your problem not his.

Okay, okay, so Nick Polchak isn’t Mr. Darcy or Rhett Butler or even Buzz Lightyear. And so what if he’s not sensitive and tender … and barely human?

What matters is that he’s honest. Right? Is there a more drool-worthy trait?

I’ve never read of a character who is so direct. About everything. He actually gives voice to those not-so-polite thoughts many of us hardly dare think. So what if he lacks in social graces? So what if he relates more to bugs than humans … and actually refers to himself as a member of an insect species? You’ll always know he’s being straightforward with you. No euphemisms, no white lies to pad your ego. Yes, he would tell a pregnant woman that she looks big as a whale. And your wild rice dish may just inspire him to discuss the benefits mankind reaps from maggots.

And no, Nick’s not tall, dark, and gorgeous, and he’s not sensitive to your feelings. Although, in his last book, Ends of the Earth, he did have two women fighting for his heart, so he’s not completely clueless when it comes to the female species.

The important thing is, you can always trust him.

Perhaps trust is what’s truly endearing about our literary heroes. They may be loyal, tenacious, or confident, but if they’re deceitful, none of the rest matters.

Ultimately, what’s important is that when Nick talks, you’ll probably chuckle, groan, or roll your eyes, but deep down, you’ll know he speaks the truth. That lures me in and bestows hero-status on even the most unlikely of men.

Posted on March 28, 2010 - by Lorna Seilstad

Hunkilicious Heroes

When was the last time you had to wipe the drool off the page as you were reading? You know, an author creates a hero with so much hunkiliciousness that he sends you into a dreamy swoon?

Not too long ago, I read about these heart-stopping heroes on a couple of other blogs. So, for the next two weeks, we here at Inkspirational Messages want to examine some heroes in some favorites reads who wear the “hero” title better than most. What made these not only win the heart of their lady, but also of the readers? Are there any magic qualities? Perfect formulas? We’ll talk about some qualities that stood out to us.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Did the title above bring strains of  Aretha Franklin’s hit song to your mind? I doubt  it was the first thing you thought about when the subject of “heart-stopping” heroes came up. But if you’ll hang in here with me, I hope to show you why I think this is one key ingredient in making a masculine specimen on the page worthy of admiration.

Not long ago, when a couple of us gathered for lunch, Mary Connealy and I were talking about raising daughters. She has four (all grown) and I have two (not grown). She said she told her daughters to make sure they married someone they could respect. That brought to mind a lesson I had at Christian college based on Song of Sololmon. (Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but it was a great class.) Our instructor told us, “Solomon was respected by everyone; not just one love-blinded female.”

But what does this have to do with heroes that make your heart sing? I think when an author creates a character that the reader can respect, he or she has provided the basis of making them a hero we’ll love. Recently, I’ve been reading Sarah Sundin’s excellent book, A Distant Melody. Walt, the hero, isn’t the best looking flyboy in the fleet and he has his flaws, but he’s a man of character. You can’t help fall in love with that. Even when a decision is personally painful to him, he makes the right choice. This kind of honorable character makes him as swoon-worthy as any James Bond.

Along with that, others respect Walt. His friends speak well of him. It leads the reader to think, “Hey, if they trust him, so can I.”  

While sometimes the respectability comes from character, other times a book develops it by focusing on a character’s outstanding ability in their field. While I can’t think of a book right now like that, the character “House” is a perfect example. You don’t have to like house or even want him as your doctor, but you can’t help but respect his abilities.

Now it’s your turn. Can you think of any other books or television shows with heroes you found you respected? What about them did you find respectable?  And what do you think about encouraging your daughter to marry someone they can respect? Is the respect of others a reliable gauge? Let me know what you think. I’ve still got two daughters to raise.  :)