UNORTHODOX HEROES AND HEROINES

Romance novels tend to have a formula for the plot, as well as a prototype for the hero and heroine. There's nothing wrong with this plan, because those who read and love romance expect certain aspects in the novel.

A problem might arise, though, if all our heroines are gorgeous and have flowing lovely hair, and all our heroes are six feet tall with jet black hair and blue eyes. Still, if these attributes fit the character, that's well and good.

To be honest, though, the most memorable romances I have read have something in common: an unorthodox hero or heroine. It wouldn't do, though, to make both different from the norm.
Where's the conflict in that?




Author Pamela Morsi is a master at writing romance with characters that don't fit the mold.
Simple Jess--I read this long ago, but I still remember the characters. The heroine, Althea Winsloe, is a young widow with a young son and a farm with the finest corn bottom on the mountain. Knowing she must marry, she chooses Simple Jess, and very big young man who happens to be a little slow, but is strong, handsome, and friendly. However, he learns quickly what love and sex are, and makes a fine husband.
Ms. Morsi's romance novels almost always showcase characters that do not fit the norm.

Author LaVyrle Spencer, as you may know, is my favorite romance author of all time. Most of her characters do conform to the standards--at least to some degree--but some of her books have unorthodox characters.
And Then Came Heaven--In this novel, the hero is Eddie Olczak, a young husband and father of two beautiful little girls. His wife, Krystyna, dies in a tragic accident, leaving Eddie mourning and forlorn with a broken heart. Sister Regina teaches the children in the church school, and she has already learned to love them--which is against the rules. She also cares for Eddie, for she has always felt a special affinity for him, his wife, and daughters. She becomes concerned about the church's strict rules while worrying about the family. She and Eddie continually cross paths, and one day, both frightened and thrilled, they discover they have feelings for each other.
This is one of Ms. Spencer's novels I have read several times, and I experience the same deep emotion for these characters every time.

The Great Escape; Natural Born Charmer; and First Lady--Susan Elizabeth Phillips has no rival in the super fun/super sexy novels with quirky characters: An ex-President's daughter and a menacing-looking guy on a motorcycle; a Chicago Stars quarterback and a young woman who is wearing a beaver suit when he picks her up on the road; Female President of the United States runs away, is picked up by a stranger driving a beat-up RV, and travels incognito across the country with him.

Phantom Waltz--Catherine Anderson has written more than one novel about an unorthodox heroine, mainly those with physical or mental handicaps: a paraplegic heroine, a young woman who is blind regains her sight after most of her life, and a young woman with severe traumatic disorder.


None of my own novels feature unorthodox or unusual heroines, but I would like to write one--maybe. I think, though, I'm still stuck in the orthodox, the normal, the familiar.

Have you read a novel with a heroine or hero who differs from the norm? I'm certain this description has varying degrees, depending on our own perspective.

What do you think, either about your own novels or another author's novels?

Sneak Peek Sunday-TRUCK STOP PARADISE

TRUCK STOP PARADISE-a Texas Contemporary Novel

Chad stood very still near the counter and stared at Leigh as she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. Rubbing her hands down her face, she hiccupped and sobbed. Now she was crying instead of laughing hysterically. He had no idea what to do. What had Crissy said? Obviously, she was talking about him, probably called him a name, and now Leigh had gone off the deep end.

He moved away from the counter. "Leigh…"

 

Suddenly, she jumped to her feet and began swiping at her eyes. "Don’t touch me, Chad."

 

Turning away from him, she rushed to the stairs and ran up. He took off after her, taking the stairs two at a time, so that by the time she'd reached the landing, he grabbed her arm and held on. She pushed and shoved at his hand.

"Let me go. Stop touching me!"

He loosened his grip but did not let her go. Instead, he pulled her slowly to him, and he wrapped his other arm around her waist.
~~*~~*~~
TRUCK STOP PARADISE on Amazon--99cent novella:
http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Stop-Paradise-ebook/dp/B00CD38BEO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366115197&sr=1-1&keywords=celia+yeary   

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Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
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Are You a Writer, an Author, or a Storyteller?

WRITER-JOHN

The question might seem obvious, but a subtle distinction exists between the three. Of course, we are writers. Practically everyone is a writer--"a person who uses written words to communicate ideas." Another way to describe a writer is: "the word refers to the creation of human language."

I once saw a cartoon of the inside of a large cave. Figures and symbols covered every available space on the ceiling and walls. A caveman stood with his hand to his chin, looking up, contemplating...something. Two cavewomen sat together on a stone. One said, "We're going to have to move again. George has just finished another novel."

We've grown up writing. At age three, we used crayons to draw a picture and add a crooked letter here and there, "writing a letter to Grandmother."

As we grow up, we write notes to friends, essays for a class, or a love letter to someone we love. We write something every day, some way. We might even keep a diary.

A professional writer uses words to produce creative pieces such as literary art, novels, short stories, poetry, plays, news articles, essays, or songs. Writers often write about how to write, or why they write, or write critical articles about someone else's writing. Often a professional writer gets paid when a piece is published.

 Authors:

Dickens, Collins, Gaskell, and Proctor

 

An author is one who originates any written work. An author can claim responsibility for creating the writing.

THE STORYTELLER-Eugene, Oregon

 

A storyteller is one who conveys events in words, images, and sounds, often by embellishing and improvising the tale. The storyteller educates, preserves cultural phenomenon, instills moral values, and entertains. The narration, then, includes a plot and characters, complete with a point of view.

When I began writing, I did not refer to myself as anything other than "someone who wrote stories." Calling myself an author didn't sound right. All my stories were stored in files and folders in my computer. But with my first contract, I felt perfectly at ease referring to myself as an author. I became...Celia Yeary, Author.

With published stories came reviews. I will never forget the day when one reviewer called me a true "storyteller." Wow. That somehow made an impression, as though I had reached some pinnacle of success. I held that thought close and still do. For someone to refer to me as a storyteller still makes me proud.

Today, my local readers are very generous is telling me what they think of my newest book. Often the person will say something similar: "How do you think of all these stories? They're so good."

I'm actually hearing, "You're such a good storyteller." No one uses "author," and I take their words to mean, "storyteller."

What do you think about this idea? Which are you? Have you been called a storyteller? Is it really the best compliment?

I like all three terms--writer, author, storyteller. Me...You...all wrapped up in one package.