Into the Fire

7 responses to “Are you writing them?”

1. 

   Brenda Jackson

   October 9, 2015

   Tough question to answer with absolute resolution because it depends on the story.
   Generally, I don’t like smarmy, wimpy females. BUT–I don’t like over the top rambo-ish women either who either physically or verbally steamroll people to the point of unbelievability. I like a female character who is both feminine and tough but knows how to balance the two (why I like Catherine Rollins so much in Five-0).
   I like an action man with strong principles. For me, the best male character ever created was Mr. Spock. He had the brains and the fight, though in his case the brains did most of the heavy lifting rather than the muscle. And oh, what I wouldn’t give to be able to learn his Vulcan Nerve Pinch and apply it to several people, but I digress….
   My second favorite male character is Adam Cartwright. In addition to being drop-dead gorgeous, he was a westerner’s Mr. Spock–deeply thoughtful, highly principled, but he could bring it if he needed his fists or his gun.
   Growing up in the era of westerns as I did, probably the one non-negotiable trait I’m looking for in a male character is one who is deeply principled and whose story revolves around some aspect of the conflicts he faces because of those deep principles. I think characters in contemporary settings have lost a bit of this—not that modern characters aren’t somewhat principled, but at times it seems rather tradeable.
   As for this trait in women characters, I’m sorry to say I haven’t seen many that wow me, either in novels or TV. In the era of westerns, women were high pitched screaming iggits (for the most part), concerned about getting their man or their decorum. Miss Kitty Russell of Gunsmoke is about the only exception I can think of. And again, Catherine Rollins represents that thinking beyond the box woman as well. In fiction, I’m sorry to say, most women are yawners.
   I’ll have to get a few hours sleep and give it some thought to see if I can come up with any women characters in novels who knocked my socks off. Right now I’m drawing a blank and can’t think of a single one.
   I think my being underwhelmed with most female characters is why I’m having a road block trying to develop characterization for another novel I want to write. I don’t want this chick to end up being everything I hate in female characters that I read about. Probably also why my books tend to be mostly a male world. LOL!

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2. 

   Nicole Petrino-Salter

   October 9, 2015

   I have two favorite male characters off the top of my head. First is Mitch Rapp. Nothing and no one like him. In Consent to Kill he so far surpassed my admiration for him prior to it – well, he’s the best. My second favorite male character (outside of the ones I’ve written in my male-centered stories) is Kristen Heitzmann’s Secrets’ trilogy “Lance Michelli”. If I were a man, I’d probably be like him.
   Females: Kristen Heitzmann’s “Rese Barrett” in her Secrets’ trilogy (maybe because she was so unusual), and “Raleigh Harmon” from Sibella Giorello’s series. Tough and vulnerable, the perfect combo for males and females for me.

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3. 

   BK Jackson

   October 9, 2015

   Yeah I’ve still been pondering this morning but no names of female characters have jumped out at me. Sheesh, I’d figure there’d be at least one. I’ll keep the brain working on that.

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4. 

   Debra

   October 9, 2015

   It’s a tough question for me too. I’ve enjoyed so many characters in the books I’ve read. Even in the one I’m currently reading, I began to like the main character, a female, at the 2/3 mark.
   I have to say that Raleigh Harmon is a gem! I sometimes chuckle at her thoughts and then hurt for her in scenes involving her mother. I think the character just needs to have qualities that are somewhat consistent. I enjoyed a book a couple of years ago in which the main female character was in the military. This young woman was sharp and courageous, but then she would cry over the least little thing.
   I was absolutely envious of Colleen in The Famous One! I liked Elisa Lindheim and John Murphy from Zion Chronicles by Bodie Thoene.
   I loved Lucas Stone in Destination and Roland March in Back on Murder.
   I loved Mildred, Shay and Michael in Breath of Life. But then, I loved everything about that story.

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5. 

   Nicole Petrino-Salter

   October 9, 2015

   Deb, you have no idea how your listing the names of characters I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to “create” blesses me. I’m blown away. Thank you from my heart.
   Love, love Raleigh Harmon. And Roland March – so unique, hard-boiled with a tender heart. I loved a P.I. in Mark Mynheir’s books – can’t think of his name just now. Same kind of character as Roland March – but different of course. And I love Scott Harvath, but he’s second in that field to Mitch Rapp. No one equals Rapp.

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6. 

   Debra

   October 9, 2015

   I just checked my list of book recommendations, Nicole, and I believe the man you’re thinking of is Ray Quinn. I haven’t read any of those yet. Someday…

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7. 

   Nicole Petrino-Salter

   October 9, 2015

   That sounds right, Deb. Loved those books.

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