These are the questions that drive writers through their days and nights.
What if?
Any time I’m reading a magazine or newspaper, in the back of my mind I’m wondering what could happen or how I could mix it up. Then when I’m ready to hunt for new ideas, I’ll review links and ideas I’ve collected over time. Maybe the article doesn’t spark an idea right away, but I just proposed a story idea based on an article I saw in 2017. That thought with a few twists has been germinating for more than two years. Maybe now it will have its chance to become a book.
What if is a question authors should always be asking. And then we need to ask it over and over as we drill deeper into the plot and characters. What if she found a body? What if it was still warm? What if it was someone who looked just like her? What if she learns she had a twin she didn’t know about? Etc. Etc. Etc.
Then there’s what next?
I turned in Lethal Intent on February 1. Took a couple weeks to catch up on all of life that fell apart while I was in the deadline dash. While doing that, I ruminated on a few ideas I’d talked about with my editor. These were “I wonder if you’d be interested in a story like…?” conversations. Now I needed to expand them into a page each of three paragraphs that read like backcover copy. The heroines will still be lawyers in various stages of career. But the heroes are a bit of a blank slate. One may be a private investigator if Harper Collins even likes the idea, and I’ve tried to steer clear of law enforcement heroes. Another may be a US marshall assigned overseas because that’s what the story requires.
So today I have a question for you as I ruminate on what’s next as I wait to hear back on these ideas…
What types of heroes would you like to see? Do you have someone you’d nominate for a hero? Leave a comment via the rafflecopter entries. I’ve got a copy of Flight Risk I want to give away. It’s an ARC, but you’ll be able to read it before anyone else.
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I like to see heros with all sorts of jobs. The ones that have dangerous jobs, military, police, private investigator. I also like ones with ordinary jobs, IT, pharmacist, accountant. It shows extraordinary can come from anywhere! Looking forward to this new book!
I love that: Extraordinary can come from anywhere!
Why thank you! 😊
It would be neat to have southern outdoors man as the hero – maybe even one that has abandoned society and leaves in the woods using his own wits. There are all sort of possibilities for who or what he could encounter, help and become the hero over.
Another would be the underdog who comes out on top in a very unusual circumstance winning the hearts of those that might have trampled over him to become successful or didn’t even realize he existed.
Thank you for the opportunity to win an ARC of “Flight Risk” which I have been so looking forward to.
Kay, those are great ideas!
You could have a hero who is a radar specialist–he builds and installs radar for military bases, etc. There is a man in my church who does that. The one occupation I would love to see a hero hold would be farming. I never read about anyone in the hero spot who is a farmer.
I actually met a man recently who travels extensively because he oversees building embassies. I thought that was such a cool building construction management position.
I would like the hero to be someone like a musician or a builder or a genetic scientistwho may have stumbled upon something. I can’t wait for you new book.
Those are fun ideas, too, Janet.
I like strong, yet vulnerable, heroes—ones who have a heart. One who might have fears but steps out or up to meet the challenge.
There’s something so real and comforting about a hero who steps into the challenge in spite of their fears.
I like outdoorsy men, so heroes that work in nature appeal to me.
🙂
I like the idea of someone like a farmer, or rancher – someone who works ways from the mainstream which is where you are suggesting the heroine will be found. Perhaps an old friend from high school or college.
That’s a great idea. There’s something about a guy who does the real life work that is appealing.
I like the idea of a normal, everyday business kind of guy who gets involved in the plot because he wants to help the heroine and because of that gets pulled into what’s happening to her. Or, you could have a guy that used to be a bad guy but is seeking redemption and thinks he can find it by helping the heroine with her problem.
Both of those are great, Megan. So much real life captured in that.
I like the idea of a hero who has pulled away from mainstream society because of a hurt he harbors, perhaps a blow dealt to a friend or family member, that makes him cynical as to the possibility of “good” that others could want to do. For instance, he is placed in contact with the heroine where she is trying to do something good, but is rejected. He “rescues” her, but doubts her actual motives.
Ohh! Great ideas.
It would be really good to have characters who are not so focused on appearances. I would rather be able to visualise them for myself anyway, but I hate when everyone has to be so incredibly good-looking (especially the females). I would rather people be attracted by integrity & personality & actions of others, i.e. matters of choice, rather than advantages they were born with.
I am also disappointed when books being billed as ‘Christian’ include only the barest possible connection, rather than the characters living their faith 24/7 (not being ‘preachy’, but a way of life.) Too many so-called Christian novels these days really are crossing the line as to acceptable behaviour, also.
Back to what you were actually answering : I like a male to consider the opinions of a female, rather than always assuming the lead.
Your comments are really rich, Rob. Thanks! Good things to think about.
I like people who are “ordinary” people and want to help the person(s) who may be in trouble with the law, or whatever, they may be dealing with. Not necessarily, them being involved in anything bad but the “ordinary” person can take an interest in them and become friends and witness to them. More of a mystery than I have quoted. I like Christian fiction mysteries. Bless you as you write more great books.
As much as I like heroes with a military or law enforcement background (protective good guys), I would also like to see some nerdy heroes. Like Jeff Goldbloom from Independence Day type of guys. I was so attracted to his intelligence and offbeat charm in that movie; it’d be great to see more heroes like that.
My favorite hero is a man who is strong and protective as well as kind and gentle (one who loves little toy poodles like my husband). Honesty is a big factor, too! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
For me a hero lives a Godly life. He’s an example of Christ.
I think it would be interesting to see someone with a disability or special needs.
It would also be fun to see a park ranger.
I too would like to see someone with a disability or special needs be a hero. We don’t realize what people with a disability can do. The person with a disability is a person the disability isn’t who they are. It not a disable person but a person with a disability.
I like cowboys or law enforcement fellows.
My hero would be a man of integrity and strength. Someone who would always do the right thing, even in the face of opposition. Yet vulnerable enough to have a tender heart.
A Southern Christian man who has returned to his hometown after serving in the military. He is dedicated, hard working and always looking to help someone in need of support.
I like a hero that is a regular guy, maybe a teacher or a coach who helps special needs kids in his off time. Maybe the heroine has a nephew who is special needs.
My guy heroes are the ones that are there for you no matter what!
My grandson used to help build cell towers. Dangerous job that I’ve never read a book about!
a veterinarian; a sign language interpreter; a band director