Friday, February 21, 2014

HEROES


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.

Now don’t forget to check out Ginger Simpson’s blog next at http://mizging.blogspot.com.

And then work your way through the rest of our group and compare our very different takes on the topic of Heroes.

Diane Bator at http://dbator.blogspot.ca
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/

12 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. Thanks Rhobin and you're right about the quirks, but those can be so individual.

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  3. When 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.)

    Excellent, thought provoking post, Beverly.

    Marci

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  4. 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.

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  5. Wow...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*

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    1. Thanks Ginger. You're lucky your characters come to you defined. Mine hide and make me dig out their characteristics.
      Tom Selleck works for me. :)

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  6. 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!

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    1. I 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.

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  7. Great, 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.

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    1. Thanks 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.

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  8. I agree "quirks" are what I love about functional character. These 'quirks' are what make them real characters to me.

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  9. You're so right. That's what makes them individual.

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