Thank you TGTBTU for having me here today! I’m so thrilled to visit the Duck Pond again, especially to celebrate the end of what has truly been a writing era for me. The release of Crown of Crystal Flame, fifth and final book of the Tairen Soul series, brings closure to a story that has been part of my life for more than a decade!
In 1999, when I typed the first words of the very first scene and a character named Rainier vel’En Daris, Rain Dragon Soul (the tairen were dragons then) appeared on the page, I had no idea how epic the scope of the story would eventually become. I initially thought the story could be told in a single (albeit long) book. Boy, was I ever wrong! (Though I stand firm by my statement that this story could have been a trilogy – assuming each book was as long as my original Tairen Soul manuscript, which became Lord of the Fading Lands and Lady of Light and Shadows.)
The problem, you see, is that I kept meeting interesting people—among them gorgeous, heroic Fey warriors—whom I wanted to know more about.
I lurve me a good hero (or heroines for that matter) – especially heroes of the “larger than life” variety! It’s part of the reason I adore romance—and one of the reasons I love fantasy, fairy tales, and other “heroic” fiction.
I’m not a particular fan of the celebrated heroes of old—the conquerors, the glory-hounds, or even the perfect prince charmings. Odysseus cheated on his faithful wife Penelope. Alexander invaded and conquered neighboring kingdoms for his own aggrandizement. Jason tossed aside Medea for a politically advantageous union (though, granted, the murderous Medea didn’t deserve a happy ending). And I can’t think of a single perfect prince in the old fairy tales whose ideal mate was anything less than the fairest in the land—as well as being the sweetest, most demure, and most long-suffering angelic being ever born.
Physical attraction (beauty) is always a plus—and often the initial draw that brings two people together. But staying power requires something much deeper and more lasting than physical beauty.
Sure, give me hot! Sure, give me hunky! But above all, give me a true hero! He can have his faults, and he can make his mistakes, but at the end of the day, he will stand for what’s right—even if it costs him everything. (And if we get a dose of smokin’ hotness on top of that, so much the better!)
Some of my all-time-favorite heroic characters from books and movies include:
- Hawkeye from Last of the Mohicans (and for the hunk factor, who can beat Daniel Day-Lewis in a loin cloth? Yum!) My favorite line from the movie: “I will find you! No matter what it takes!”
- John Thornton from North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell. A mill owner who built his fortune up from nothing, only to lose everything because he would not risk the payroll of his mill workers in a risky speculation scheme. My favorite line from the BBC TV series (besides just about every word uttered by Richard Armitage, that is): “Look back. Look back at me.”
- Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks in Apollo 13.
- Russell Crowe as Maximus in Gladiator.
- Sidney Poitier in To Sir With Love.
- Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) in the movie Aliens (OK, she’s a heroine, but she is everything a hero should be in this movie!)
My list was about three times longer – and growing – before I decided to cut for brevity’s sake.
From my own books, besides Rain and Ellysetta, I’d have to say Bel, Gaelen, Shan, Elfeya, and Melliandra all rank high up on my hero meter.
What about you? Who are some of your favorite heroes (or heroines?) in books, movies, or TV? What do you find most heroic about that character?
Author’s Note: Though I wanted to keep today’s blog fun and lighthearted, I don’t want to leave TGTBTU today without a few words of a more serious nature.
9/11 changed my story substantially. The world of Eloran became more than an entertaining fantasy world to me. It became a place I went to work out the anger and emotion bottled inside me. A place I went to examine what I truly believe about right and wrong, good and evil.
Most of all, it became a world where I could write about larger-than-life heroes battling seemingly insurmountable odds to defend their loved ones and their world.
The first book in the series, Lord the Fading Lands, I dedicated to my father, Ray Richter, with the words, “Every person should have a hero. You’ve always been mine.” The last book I dedicated to my husband, Kevin Wilson, because for the last five years, he has single-handedly shouldered the burden of supporting our family so that I could quit my job and dedicate my time to writing.
But every book, from the first to the fifth and each one in between, has also been dedicated in my heart to the everyday heroes among us: the brave men and women of the US Armed Forces, local law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency response personnel. Because they shoulder the burden of defending our freedom and keeping us safe.
So to you, the real heroes, and to your families who sacrifice so much so you can be there for the rest of us, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you. And in the words of the Fey, May the Light always shine on your Path and keep you safe from harm.
I have always been proud of you, Cheryl. And reading your comments about how 9/11 changed you and influenced your writing makes me realize how right I was to be proud.
When all else is stripped away, money, position, etc. how we live our lives is determined by our Character. The essence of who and what we really are. The principles we hold to that guide us.
Love, Mom
First of all let me say WOW… Your comments regarding how 9/11 changed things for your story, and your dedication to all those who serve and protect brings tears to my eyes. Having relatives and friends in the armed forces and and law enforcement means a lot to me, especially with some of the recent deaths of sheriffs here in the Tampa Bay area. Also, I can say it definitely gives me a very unique view on how your work has come to be.
*deep breath* Seriousness aside, I totally agree with you on some of the “classic” heroes. Odysseus has been one that’s always bothered me! While having flaws is good in order to have a fleshed out character I want a hero who at least has a moral compass when it comes to what’s really important! I love your point about needing something more lasting than beauty too, which is something I’ve always adored about your books. Rain fell in love with Ellie for who she was, and to him she was beautiful and shining long before her true form was ever revealed. That’s a message that is relayed too few and far between these days in an era where it seems that looks are everything. As for some of my favorite heroes…
-Gregory House: Yeah, House is a complete and total jerk most of the time. But he also has a very noble sense about him, and (much to Cuddy’s chagrin) is willing to break the rules in order to do the right thing and save a life.
-Alfred Blalock (from the movie “Something the Lord Made”): His story is one that still amazes me, even more-so because it is based on actual real life events.
-Hachi: Another one of the real life heroes. Hachi may have been just an Akita, but the loyalty to his master is a tale that resounded deeply for me.
-Bolvar Fordragon: Probably one of the most heroic and noble characters I can think of in the World of Warcraft universe. While I’m not a big fan of the Alliance, Bolvar’s actions brought me to tears.
Needless to say the heroic fey and others in the Tairen Soul series are to be included! Of course likewise I could go on and on listing heroes but I should probably stop there!
Miss Cheryl, I’ve shared a lot with you for awhile through emails, though when your book tended to eat you, I didn’t hear from you for months, and that, only made me laugh. But, as I’ve told you, my father I lost like you and I buried myself in books, like you. It was everything that kept me going, stopping me from going zombie like Bella (Twilight). My father was a fireman and paramedic, a hero with two different badges and two very different uniforms. He enjoyed books and was almost called to help when the horror of 9/11 struck. I made a speech at his funeral that came not from any paper but from the heart, (I don’t make speeches unless they are ‘wingin it’ and coming from the soul.) But it was of the same material here, heroes are in short supply, and yet, not. They are everywhere and many times we over look them.
Books kept me going after my dad was gone, they kept me sane. When I literally stumbled upon your novels and read them in the car on the way home as a birthday gift from a friend…I realized a new world that would take me in as an orphan to escape this world. But, they also taught me to turn right back around and return to my world, stronger, more hopeful and more understanding. I can’t explain enough how amazing these novels are, what they’ve done for me, how much I look up to them and you. And I swear, one day I’m going to marry Bel, but…they make me laugh when I’m crying. They make me put the novel down to yell at my invisible Vadim Maur or Annoura for what they’re doing (characers from the novels). They make me wish I had the Fey to stand up for me when a girl like Kelissande wags her annoying tongue. They make me wish I could be as great as those characters and make me strive hard to be so.
Heroes are always there, though, they aren’t in a nice loin cloth or Princely attire. No, they are the school teacher that helps you after school, the person that gives to the homeless, someone that stops to tell you your shoe is untied, or that picks up something you’ve dropped. They are every man and woman that helped search at pile of debris for our families and friends, the ones that gave out water and helped the wounded on that day. They are the men and woman in law, in aid, in the force saving us. They are the ones in office doing what they can to make it all better.
My dad would have LOVED your books, Miss Cheryl, and I read them to his grave stone upon every visit.Thank you for the glimpse into the world of the Fey and for giving us all so much love and affection as your fans. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Signed in Blood and Sealed with a Kiss,
Katherine Lockhart
I agreed with many of your choices, Cheryl, but I also love the idea of the reluctant hero. Examples I can think of are Bruce Willis in Armageddon, Jeff Goldblum in Independence Day, etc including members of the armed forces like my cousin Stephanie who have served over the years and most recently in the Middle East.
9/11 changed everybody and I’m greatful to you as a reader for saying that it changed your writing . Here are some of my heros: I love Aragon in Lord of the Rings, because even though he is king he doesn’t want to be and ultimately takes on the responsiblilty of being king. I also love Frodo because he doesn’t set out to be a hero, he becomes one in doing what needs to be done. I agree with you about Hawkeye from Last of the Mohicans.
I was teaching a nurse aid training class on 9/11 in Johnstown PA, only miles from the plane crash. My brother and his family lived even closer to the crash site. When I say the feed of the plane crashing into the towers on tv, (it had everyone’s attention)I sent my class home that day. It is probably the only day (besides my wedding day) that I truly remember to the minute what I was doing and will for the rest of my life. There are many hero’s and heroines in the world, at least I would like to think so, who do great things. Not for the recognition but because it is the right thing to do. One person can make a difference in anothers life without even trying. Cheryl, you did. You are truly a wonderful person too.
There are heroes everywhere we look. Some would suprise us though. 9/11 brought our heroes in the FDNY and the NYPD out for everyone to see. Sometimes we all forget those who are heroes that are in our midsts.
Wonderful choices for heros. and the 9/11 people, there isn’t a dat that goes by that I don’t think of them and how greatful I am that none of my family or friends weren’t cought in it. And Like Heather F. said 9/11 changed everybody and I am also greatful to you for saying that it changed your writing. The heros I would choose would be Bel, Gaelen, obviously because I love them and because they both have done so so much for the Fading lands. I seriously agree with you on Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan and
Russell Crowe as Maximus in Gladiator. Russell is uber smexy to me and to see him in action is just, WOW! lol ^__^ Tom Hanks is awsome in Private Ryan, to do all that he did to get one guy home to his mother because she didn’t have any sons left. *sigh* its just so amazing.
Sorry folks! I’ve been trying to get internet in the last couple of places I’ve been, and it wasn’t working. I’ve switched to a backup computer.
Mom – xoxoxo You made me cry. 🙂 DDSGale – I thought of House. He’s one of my favorite characters on TV. The others you listed are new to me. I’ll have to go check them out!
Katherine – bless your dad. And I totally know what you mean about books giving you a safe haven after deep personal loss. They are that to me as well. xoxox
Amy Katherine – I love the reluctant hero. The roles Bruce Willis played in Armageddon (and Die Hard) were among the heroes I had on my list that I clipped for brevity’s sake. In both cases, not a “prince” – definitely rough around the edges, but definitely hero material. As was Will Smith in I Am Legend.
@Heather F – Aragorn and Frodo both definitely work for me as fabulous hero material.
@Darlene – I remember too. I always will. And I will always remember the feeling of that day and the ones that followed. But out of that horror, for a brief while at least, we remembered what it was to be a *United* States of America.
@Megan – it’s all to easy to forget the quiet heroes who live among us.
@Cheyenne – Hey! Thanks for coming out 🙂
Katherine, my sympathies on the loss of your father. Thank you for sharing. Your thoughts brought me to tears and then I was smiling, agreeing with you wholeheartedly about books and what they do for us.
I live in CA, so was very far away from the tragedy of 9/11, but the numbness, the devastation at what I saw on television was bone deep. I can’t imagine what those of you who live nearby saw and felt that day and the weeks and months to come after. The loss of lives that day was and is felt just as keenly, however. I have no ties through family or friends with the military, but those in our armed services who makes such sacrifice means so much to me and my family. I live freely in the best country in the world, all thanks to those who protect us and I am sincerely grateful for that freedom. They’re my heroes.
wow I am a just a small town girl from and very small town in ga who moved with her hubby of 25 yrs to a smaller town in Al. but I see so man of our young men going into the service. My dad passed away after a protracted battle with cancer in 01 and he’d have loved your books. His favorites where big think fantasies and these would have been right up his ally. ps you hubby sounds like a keeper. I am so glad he allows you write fulltime
Ah, Tom Hanks. My favorite actor until Matt Damon came along. And I LOVE Apollo 13, it always makes me cry.
I know I’ve got heroes bumbling around in my head somewhere, but I’m worn out with all this blogging stuff. Reading all the reviews and things. I can’t think of any. And that’s saying a lot. Except How to Train a Dragon, because I just watched it.
And I’m super disappointed because bn.com keeps telling me they don’t have CoCF in stock anywhere near me.
[SIGH] It’s okay, because the CoCF review gave me some spoilers to think about.
And dude….I somehow managed to miss that you spelled your name with two r’s. What was I thinking.
Sunset, it’s been a long month on the blogging front, and you’ve been a champ, as always! IDK what’s up with the BN. The two stores I went to today in Tampa didn’t have the books in (even the one for the signing only got the books because we special ordered them for the signing). Hopefully that will get sorted very soon! (And I only spell my name w/two R’s when I’m being bad! It’s a joke my agent and I have together.)
My favorite heroes in fiction have always been the reluctant ones…..not for me the Prince Charming, give me Shrek anyday.
In the real world, my favorite heroes, woefully unsung until present, were the generation of Americans that helped fight and win WWII, not just the soldiers on the front lines, but Rosie the Riveter and all the others back home that kept our country strong and united.
kaisquared
I live very close to the NY border, so 911 had a big impact, especially with my niece working right across the street from the Pentagon at the time. Everyone was glued to the TV and by the phones all day, we finally heard from my niece later that night as calls to our area code weren’t getting through. My poor sister freaked all day until she got through to her sister. I didn’t know anyone personally lost, but others in our town did. So many of our local firemen and police went back and forth every day or night after working to help. An emotional impact all around, but especially so when you are closer to it.