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/

Act as if what you do makes a difference

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.  -- William James

I would like to thank Rhobin Lee Courtright for including me in this month's Rhobin's Rambles Blog-Round.

This month's topic: Beginnings

An interesting topic, beginnings.  As writer I tend to think in scenes and storylines.  I know that every story makes two promises to the reader: an emotional one, and an intellectual one, since the function of a story is to make you feel and think.  However, there is also a beginning to each day, where I, as a human being, must function in the act of day-to-day living.

As part of this day-to-day living, I am very much aware of how actions, words, and attitude have either a negative or positive effect on others.

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does. 

And if you are aware of Native American Culture, the Lakota know that what you choose to do at any given time, be it a good deed or an evil one, the consequences of that deed impacts seven generations.  Seven generations!

This is why in both my writing and my living, I try to take the high road.  I am not saying I always succeed, but I at least aim for the target.

 I also strive to keep my characters in check.  Even when my villians do truly terrible things (Sister Enid to Tay in Whisper upon the Water), I show motivation and life events so that the reader understands why this event took place; but I never paint the behavior as acceptable.

Beginnings to a story should give the reader a person to focus on, yet in your life's story: you are the main character.

Look at some of the beginnings in your own life.  What have you learned, what stories do you have to share?

Ummm. . .what have I learned?  I've learned that gators can run. . .very fast.  I learned that on a family vacation to a south Georgia swamp.  While that did not make a particularly wonderful life event (especailly at the beginning of the day), but it will make a great scene in a novel or short story.

I also strove to set an example.
1.  I did not scream as I ran. I prayed that my sons would not witness their mother being chomped on by a bellowing alligator. 
2. I explained that my actions (going down to the water's edge) weren't very wise.
3. We discussed what we might watch for so the event was not repeated.
4. After we left the swamp we stopped at a local eattery for fried gator tail. Yes, not taking the high road here.  We called it 'regional food' and left it at that!

If you have a moment or two, please download my Rodeo Romance Series:
Lynx (contemporary romance), Brede (romantic suspense), or my YA novel, Whisper upon the Water.  All are available on Amazon,com

Now let me introduce you to Rhobin Lee Courtright. 
I hope you are enjoying this month's Blog-Round Event.

Connie Vines

 

Flat Screen TVs May Catch Fire!

Sony flat screen T.V.s can catch fire.  The recall applies to purchases made 2007 to the current time.  www.sony.com is reported to provide more information.

There is also a class action lawsuit which includes my Kenmore Elite refrigerator. Fortunately this isn't preformace related (thank goodness!  how may possible fires/explosions can one household brace for?), but a over rated claim concerning energy costs and yearly savings.

I also purchased a patio door recently--ummm. . .I wonder. . .

Welcome to Read an E-Book Week!

Read an E-Book Week is March 6-12, 2011.

E-BOOKS TURN 40!
That's right - it's been forty years since Michael S. Hart created the first "e-book".


One of the first genres to become successful in the e-book field was that of the romance story. Romance novels were perfect for e-books, the genre already considered a "guilty pleasure" by most of the public, due to its oft-ridiculed and notoriously salacious content. E-book romances were easy to shop for and buy from the privacy of your home, and just as easy to read without revealing your guilty pleasure to others. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, romance e-books had become a quiet success.

Now, with the popularity and the growing number of e-readers, teen and tween readers are purchasing the hand-held readers and enjoying the tech version of pop and classic novels!  Public library also have a growing number of 'digital books' available for download to an patron's PC.

Remember you may indulge in free "mini-reads" of my novels on Fictionwise.com or at my website on Authors Den.