It's all about the Heroes
Happy Saturday, everyone! And Happy Memorial Day weekend for those of you in the U.S. What a gorgeous blog –Sandy, thanks for having me here to enjoy your space.
I can’t decide what I’m more thrilled about this month. The release of my debut Blaze, DOUBLE DARE, or that Pirates of the Caribbean, At Worlds End opens this weekend (have you seen it yet?) and once again, the notoriously naughty Captain Jack Sparrow will be making women lust worldwide.
He shouldn't be, though. I mean, think about it... he's undependable, dishonest, and just a little swishy. Hardly the hunk we'd write as the hero of a romance novel.
Yet millions of women love him. And I don't think it’s simply because Johnny Depp is super-hot. It’s this character he's created that breaks all the hero rules and has grabbed our hearts. Yet as writers, if we wrote a character like that, it'd be a hard road to make it sell. Because, really, as much as we love him (and let me tell ya, I REALLY love him!), Captain Jack Sparrow isn’t really a hero. His every act is based on self-interest (well, except for one that I won’t discuss since it’d ruin the movie for anyone who is going to see it this weekend).
So what makes a hero? Its not just sex-appeal, there are actually quite a few villains who are all-out sexy. It’s not how they look, their wealth or lack thereof, or their profession. If I had to try and narrow it down, I think it all comes down to their conflict. The choices they make and their reasons for doing so. Especially if their choices are in conflict with their natural inclinations.
For instance, in DOUBLE DARE, my hero is an undercover cop who finds himself in total lust with his prime suspect. Jesse has to reconcile his suspicions, his emotional reaction to Audra and his overwhelming attraction to her with his own personal code of honor and his promised promotion. Its how he deals with the conflict, and how he empowers her in the process, that makes him a hero to me.
How about you? What makes a hero true hero material to YOU?
Just for fun, I’ll pick one random name from the responses to win a copy of DOUBLE DARE!
I can’t decide what I’m more thrilled about this month. The release of my debut Blaze, DOUBLE DARE, or that Pirates of the Caribbean, At Worlds End opens this weekend (have you seen it yet?) and once again, the notoriously naughty Captain Jack Sparrow will be making women lust worldwide.
He shouldn't be, though. I mean, think about it... he's undependable, dishonest, and just a little swishy. Hardly the hunk we'd write as the hero of a romance novel.
Yet millions of women love him. And I don't think it’s simply because Johnny Depp is super-hot. It’s this character he's created that breaks all the hero rules and has grabbed our hearts. Yet as writers, if we wrote a character like that, it'd be a hard road to make it sell. Because, really, as much as we love him (and let me tell ya, I REALLY love him!), Captain Jack Sparrow isn’t really a hero. His every act is based on self-interest (well, except for one that I won’t discuss since it’d ruin the movie for anyone who is going to see it this weekend).
So what makes a hero? Its not just sex-appeal, there are actually quite a few villains who are all-out sexy. It’s not how they look, their wealth or lack thereof, or their profession. If I had to try and narrow it down, I think it all comes down to their conflict. The choices they make and their reasons for doing so. Especially if their choices are in conflict with their natural inclinations.
For instance, in DOUBLE DARE, my hero is an undercover cop who finds himself in total lust with his prime suspect. Jesse has to reconcile his suspicions, his emotional reaction to Audra and his overwhelming attraction to her with his own personal code of honor and his promised promotion. Its how he deals with the conflict, and how he empowers her in the process, that makes him a hero to me.
How about you? What makes a hero true hero material to YOU?
Just for fun, I’ll pick one random name from the responses to win a copy of DOUBLE DARE!
Labels: Double Dare, Heroes, Pirates of the Caribbean
posted by Tawny at 5/26/2007 01:59:00 PM
17 Comments:
My idea of a hero is a man who sees the easy way out and doesn't take it. A hero is a man who puts others before himself. It may take some time for him to get to that point, but when he does, then he is a hero, in my eyes.
Great post, Tawny. I'm with you on Cap'n Jack. There is just...something about him.
Hmmm, what makes a hero? Well, I'm a big fan of the hero's journey. It's something I'd like to explore in my own writing. Haven't yet. LOL. I love Eragon for this reason. Christopher Paolini has created a true hero archetype with this character. Eragon rises above extreme adversity despite the tremendous odds stacked against him and some very human mistakes along the way.
Jill ~ Very nicely put.
Sandy :-)
Sandra Barkevich - Romance Author
Hmmm, okay -by that definition, Jill, Capt. Jack IS a hero. Even if I leave the third installment out, he took the hard choice in coming back to the ship at the end of Davey Jones Locker, right?
So heroic isn't really that readily apparent inner fortitude, its a choice?
Is it consistently acting heroic that makes a hero? Or is it the one HUGE gesture that redeems him and earns that hero sticker?
Sandy, I need to check out Eragon!!! I'm sadly lacking ;-)
Tawny! Hello, my fellow Romance Bandit. Yes, that was an unashamed plug but Tawny and I both blog on a regular basis on the Romance Bandits site which is currently giving away Pirate plunder to mark, you guessed it, the release of POTC III - http://romancebandits.blogspot.com/
Hey, and while I'm plugging, you all want to READ TAWNY'S BOOK! Believe me, you'll thank me. You'll send me emails saying, "Thank you, Anna, for telling me to read Tawny's book." You'll stop me in the street and say, "Thank you, Anna, for telling me to read Tawny's book."
Now, onto the hero thing. I actually love a conflicted hero. But I also love a knight in shining armor type. I think as long as I can believe his emotional journey and he doesn't lie (or at least doesn't lie without having to pay for it BIG TIME!), then I'll go along with any hero. What can I say? I like all sorts of chocolate too!
I love a hero who has muscles, dark hair and stunningly gorgeous eyes. Aside from the physical I love a gentle heart- good with animals and children. I love a man who is decisive and ready to do whatever is necessary to win his lady.
If that man happens to be a half dressed pirate- mmmm, okay! haha
Oh, Tawny! Eragon, first in the Inheritance Trilogy, is a fantastic Fantasy Adventure. It can be found in the YA section. But, trust me when I tell you, this book will appeal to fantasy readers of ALL ages. Just, fabulous.
And, Christopher Paolini is a true inspiration to me as an author. He started writing Eragon when he was 15 years old and self published it until a big publisher stumbled on it and bought the rights. All this by the time he was 18 or 19 years old. The kid is a phenomenal writer. His success is very well deserved. Uhhh, I didn't care for the movie they made of his first book, though. Read the books.
Sandy :-)
Sandra Barkevich - Romance Author
men in uniform s are my heros. Hi Tawny
I love those movies even though Sparrow is a bit "swishy" LOL
Congratulations on the release of your book!
I saw Pirates 3 and cried like a baby. It was awesome!
As for my ideal hero...someone strong, physically and mentally, who knows what he wants from life, but doesn't tread on anyone else in order to get it. He is gentle, yet cocky. He is aloof, yet not. All in all, he is a simple person who cares about his fellow man.
Tawny, I've always thought Capt. Jack was a hero, whether he wanted to be one or not. LOL His ways are just different since he argues with himself, wants to do the wrong thing, then comes through in the end anyway. Yeah Jack!!!!
My idea of a hero is a man who goes to the extra mile for those he loves. He isn't afraid to face danger or battle his own personal demons to protect those he loves.
Hey everyone - GREAT hero descriptions!!! Sorry to fall off the face of the blog... but I can give a great lecture on the value of sunscreen reapplication after this weekend LOL. OUCH! A real hero is the guy who can give a hug and not make the sunburn scream in pain.
Dana - I cried too. Wasn't it a fab movie?! And thanks for the congrats ;-)
Se7en - I just about fell out of my seat laughing in the theater when my SIL spouted off with that swishy comment. I love Capt. Jack... like Jill says, he's somehow always a hero, huh?
Anna, my bandit babe ;-) ROFLMAO about you being stopped in the street for recommending Double Dare. More like the opposite, I'd be chasing you screaming thanks at the top of my lungs! I'd have YOUR book in my hands, though ;-)
Kim!!! *waving* Men in uniform are HOT!
So is Kissa's description of her ideal hero. Yummy.
And Crystal - *sigh* yeah, thats a definite hero!!!
Eragon is now on my must buy list, Sandy - thanks!!
And the winner is (drumroll please) Dana!!
Dana - if you can drop me a note at tawny @ tawnyweber.com with your mailing address and how you'd like the autograph to read, I'll get Double Dare out to you right away!
Congrats.
Sandy -thanks so much for having me!! What a fun place to hang out :-)
You are most welcome, Tawny. It was a pleasure having you here.
Congratulations, Dana!
Oh yeah, Kissa's hero is HOT!
Sandy :-)
Sandra Barkevich - Romance Author
*June 30, 2007 at Sandra's Goings On - Guest Blogger, Elisa Adams ~ Secrets Volume 19: Timeless Passions
My hero is Oger the caveman he does what ever he wants! (lol) Oger is back from vaction and wants to thank you Sandra for keeping him on your link list ;D
ROGER!!! We missed OGER! I'm so glad you're back!
Everyone, if you haven't read my post on entertaining sites, make sure you head on over to OGER primitive thoughts of a caveman.
I'm so happy you're back!
Sandy :-)
Sandra Barkevich - Romance Author
*June 30, 2007 at Sandra's Goings On - Guest Blogger, Elisa Adams ~ Secrets Volume 19: Timeless Passions
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