I look forward to our monthly group blog. I
love reading the other writers talking about the same topic. We all have such
varied ideas and post so many thought provoking posts. Today we’re talking
about heroes.
What do you think of when someone says the
word heroes?
My mind skirted from my personal heroes, to those who fight for their country, those who travel to foreign countries for the Olympics, to those who serve in the diplomatic corps in embassies around the world, firemen and policemen. There are so many. Then I thought about the heroes I write.
What could I write about all these heroes,
which should I chose?
Then I started thinking about the
characteristics these heroes have. Soldiers are strong, have a love of country,
they’re trained, they’re focused on a goal, dependable, they’re someone you
respect and probably would like as a friend (or lover).
Olympic athletes, a different brand of
heroes but they are strong, love their country, they’re trained and focused on
a goal, dependable (If they practice hours every day to get where they are –
they’re dependable) you respect them and what they do and would probably like
them as a friend.
Police, firemen, diplomats, while
different, they all have a core of similar characteristics. You get the
picture.
So when I’m working on a hero for my book I
realize these are the same qualities my heroes should have. Yes he might be
tall, dark and handsome, drink too much or have other quirks that aren’t in the
above lists, and maybe he’s struggling with some of the qualities. Maybe he has
a physical defect, but these are secondary qualities. It’s the core characteristics
I’ve mentioned that I’m going to be focusing on from now on.
What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Does
he have to be sexy and gorgeous? I’d love to hear from you.
And then work your way through the rest of
our group and compare our very different takes on the topic of Heroes.
Fiona McGier at http://www.fionamcgier.com
Geeta Kakade at http://geetakakade.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator at http://dbator.blogspot.caGeeta Kakade at http://geetakakade.blogspot.com/
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/
Lynn Crain at http://lynncrain.blogspot.co.at/
Connie Vines at http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Aimee -- A.J. Maguire at http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright at http://rhobinleecourtright.com/
There are so many professions that require courage, and I don't know of anyone who can argue against courage as a strong attractive quality. The core characteristics make him loveable, the quirks make him an individual. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rhobin and you're right about the quirks, but those can be so individual.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of a hero, I don't necessarily think of a profession. Average people commit heroic acts. However, the qualities of these different professions are certainly something I like in my heroes (both the ones I write about and the ones I read about.)
ReplyDeleteExcellent, thought provoking post, Beverly.
Marci
Thanks Marci. And you're right, I don't necessarily think of professions. I mentioned my own personal heroes, and they too, have the similar core characteristics.
ReplyDeleteWow...I loved your post, and you obviously think a lot deeper than I do. I guess because I'm a pantser and my characters come to me already defined, my heroes are mostly cowboys or hunky guys because it seems that's what most female readers want. I know I don't want to read about a hero who sits in a recliner all day in his boxers and socks, who needs a shower and a haircut, I want Tom Selleck. *lol*
ReplyDeleteThanks Ginger. You're lucky your characters come to you defined. Mine hide and make me dig out their characteristics.
DeleteTom Selleck works for me. :)
I don't think a man has to be drop-dead gorgeous to be sexy. In fact, if he's "prettier" than me, I'm not interested. I want him to be hairy and different from my girlfriends. I've found sexy qualities in men who weren't conventionally attractive. Of course my husband is sexier than any man I know! Even after all these years!
ReplyDeleteI agree about looks. If the man has all the good traits I've been reading about I think he can be sexy if he's average looking, even nerdy. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
DeleteGreat, thoughtful post, Beverley! I like the way you focus on the traits that makes someone a hero. When I created characters, I try to sort out what in that person would make him a hero. What had molded him to be the kind of man he becomes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane. I think the traits I focused on can be found in all those good men out there. I like your idea of looking deeper into what helped him be that hero.
DeleteI agree "quirks" are what I love about functional character. These 'quirks' are what make them real characters to me.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. That's what makes them individual.
ReplyDelete