Into the Fire

I suppose the love we have for our favorite fictional characters originates in the love we have for certain people characteristics and personalities, their talents, and what we admire and/or respect. We cannot ignore their physical attributes or their sex appeal if established. Nor can we eliminate the genre factor. 

My friend and author Brenda S. Anderson unlike me will read a variety of genres, doesn't prefer the romance genre, although she's written some good ones, but instead enjoys reading and writing "women's fiction" – which she knows is not my favorite. Because of her preferences, I think it's safe to say certain romances probably won't produce those characters she might consider her favorites.

The truth is I love romance, but I don't read a lot of the romance genre because so much of it fails to provide me with the characters and situations I find enticing – which is really why I write them. I think some of the formulaic conflict in the romance content is overdone and consequently feels unreal. Which brings me back to The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers and two of my new favorite characters . . . 

Roman Velasco: I love him. Yes, he can be a Type A jerk, but mostly because he has that self-preservation and fear of love thing goin' on big time due to a tragic childhood filled with sorrow, loss, and inner rage. Talented artist, bad boy beautiful, brilliant mind, cynical to the max, and seeking more than the riches he's acquired with his art and loose lifestyle. He hires a "good girl" to be his personal assistant and can't understand why he's enthralled with her – especially after realizing she loves Jesus. That vulnerable streak is barely there, but it surfaces more than he wants to admit. He's a sensuous character who commands each scene without trying to.

Grace Moore: I love her. She wants so desperately to avoid making another mistake, filled with guilt from her marriage and subsequent divorce and the way she became a single mother in spite of treasuring her precious little boy. Roman has no idea she's had a tragic event and hard childhood and after her bad and hurtful marriage also has self-preservation issues. She knows Roman would be bad for her, but every time he really looks at her, she can't deny what she feels. She wants stability, he provides emotional chaos. She's vulnerable but strong in the Lord and well aware of what could happen to her if she succumbs to her attraction to him. I could relate to her fear and guilt and her being drawn to that bad boy artist.

So what is it that makes a character one of your favorites?  

Father, thank you for allowing us to experience a taste of creativity. Thank you for those who honor you with their gifts and talents. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.