The other day I was hanging out with Robert Crais… Okay I am totally lying.
Seriously people, I write fiction for a living, you really shouldn’t trust me, LOL!
Truthfully (no really, you can trust me) Robert Crais was the guest speaker at the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America. I did meet him, and much to my surprise, he remembered me from a previous meeting. He has that “Aw shucks, I’m just a regular guy,” charm, and he’s cute.
He’s also a very successful author.
So as I listened to him talk about his career, I was also watching how the women in the audience responded to him. They loved him, but it wasn’t just his looks. While they didn’t hurt, it was something else.
Robert Crais made himself real to all of us. He showed us his vulnerablity by telling us a little bit about his background and how his family really wasn’t supportive of his career choice. He described his mother crying on the phone, and his father refusing to come to the phone and talk to him. He told us about some of his mistakes along the way. And occassionally, he made fun of himself and laughed along with us.
By the time he finished, everyone in the room felt like they KNEW Robert Crais and they all rushed to the bookseller to buy his books.
That’s what I like to see in my heroes. I want them to be successful at some point in the book, but what really connects the heroes to the reader is giving the reader a glimpse of their struggles and vulnerablities.
So now when I think of someone who looks like hero material to me, I think of Robert Crais.
What about you all? Who do you think of as hero material?
I like how you’ve written about a hero who doesn’t have to do anything extraordinary other than to live his life on his own terms, despite the obstacles and isolation he may feel at times.
I agree: the ordinary, everyday person who tries their hardest, who doesn’t let life get them down but tries to make the best of their situation without feelng self-pity, those are heroic people. Maybe they work two or even three jobs to support their family, or maybe they are new to this country and do what they can to learn the language and give their family a better life. Those are a few examples of heroes to me.
Stacy, you have some great hero material there! It’s all in how we set up their character, and then test them with tough situations. It’s both the hard part and the fun part of the author’s job. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
I am jealous! I adore Robert Crais and I am totally in love with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike.
You have got to read The Watchman. I have been dying for years to find out more about the Joe character and this book comes through big-time!
I love the big, silent principled heroes. The ones that always do the right thing no matter the cost to themselves. Like military, law enforcement, fire and rescue people.
One of my favorite movies is Transporter II and there is a scene where the wife goes over to Frank’s house looking for some ‘comfort’ and Frank gently turns her down. She asks him “Is it because of who I am?”
and he says, “No. Its because of who I am.”
Angie, me too! I love those principled heroes! Sometimes, it feels like we don’t have enough of them in real life, so I love them in my romances!
Navy SEAL Lt. Murphy is definitely a hero. He perished with two of his SEAL teammates in an ambush in the mountains of Afghanistan. There was one survivor. It was just announced that he will be awarded the Medal of Honor. He’s from my home state so we read a lot about his life before and after he joined the SEALs.
Jane,thanks for sharing the story of a real hero.