Round Robin Blog. topic: Hero

1. a man distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, fortitude, etc

2. a man who is idealized for possessing superior qualities in any field

3. (Classical Myth & Legend) classical myth a being of extraordinary strength and courage, often the offspring of a mortal and a god, who is celebrated for his exploits

4. the principal male character in a novel, play, etc.

What type of hero traits, personality, in particular always drew you into a story.

True, heart-stopping, emotion-wrenching, all consuming hero-power comes from a whole range of qualities, not all of them instantly, or even ongoingly, lovable. And Mr. Rochester (isn't it funny how seldom he is referred to as Edward) has unlovable qualities in spades.  Mr. Rochester has always been my # 1 favorite literary hero.  I read Jane Eyre when I was twelve (along with Jason and the Golden Fleece). However, Jason and Simbad never measured up to Mr. Rochester as far as I was concerned.

# 2. Perhaps the most well known example of a Byronic hero is none other than Bram Stoker’s timeless Dracula.  In his simultaneously horrifying yet seductive Count Dracula, Stoker created a Byronic hero for the ages, a character that exemplified the menacing combination of  charm and cruelty.

# 3.  Sherlock Holmes is a private detective who doesn’t decide which case to take based on prospective profit, risk level or who happens to ask.  He takes the cases that interest and challenge him. He has been known to draw conclusions from the smallest and most intricate of details, such as the scratches on the edge of a man’s pocket-watch.  He is smart and aloof.

Has it changed with time?

Yes.  I've read every genre of fiction and watched many movies since (both good, and not so good) but usually there is something interesting about the hero.  Dennis Quaid in The Big Easy displayed southern charm and developed into a hero worth character.  Downton Abby, the current British import to American television, displays heroes, unlikely heroes, and heroes in training.  So, yes my heroes have changed and are still changing. 

Do you write this type of hero?

I begin my stories with a since of place and time, however, the kernel of the novel is developed from the snatches of dialogue that will run through my mind.  With Lynx it began because I heard a sexy, Texan's drawl.  Brede was Brede, as rugged and as dependable as harsh west.  In Whisper upon the Water, Jacob Five-Wounds, is a teenager who has lived through extreme hardship to become a leader.  In my soon-to-be novella, Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow, Viktor is the perfect man for my heroine (however neither one of the seem to realize this!

Thank you for joining me for this month's Round Robin Blog. And I'd like to thank Rhobin Courtright for including me in her Round Robin monthly blog.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about my heroes I certainly enjoyed sharing their experiences with all of you.  Please stop my next month to discover what Rhobin's next blog adventure will be!

Next up on our Round Robin Blog is Aimee -- A.J. Maguire at http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Happy Reading,

Connie 

And just in case you'd like to explore everyone's blog from my Word Slinger weblog, here’s the full list of authors writing for this Round Robin event:

Fiona McGier at http://www.fionamcgier.com
Geeta Kakade at http://geetakakade.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator at http://dbator.blogspot.ca
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/
Lynn Crain at http://lynncrain.blogspot.co.at/
Beverley Bateman at http://beverleybateman.blogspot.com/
Ginger Simpson  at http://mizging.blogspot.com
Connie Vines at http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Aimee -- A.J. Maguire at http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright at http://rhobinleecourtright.com/