Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Tina Radcliffe and Falling for the Cowgirl Giveaway!

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Tina Radcliffe and Falling for the Cowgirl Giveaway!

I’m excited to give a warm welcome to Tina Radcliffe, an author who has been a mentor to countless beginning writers, including me. She helped me so much! Today she’s going to talk about heroes, so I’ll turn it over to her!

Build a Hero

by Tina Radcliffe

Did you know that the Cub Scouts of America has a program called Build My Own Hero? The program is designed to help boys “discover what being a “hero” means to them as well as the community they live in. Boys will meet local heroes and learn about everyday heroism around the world. Each Scout will also imagine his own superhero and create a story of how that hero helps others.”

As writers, I believe we have some of the same responsibilities to our readers.

There are a wide range of heroes in our stories as there should be. Consider some of these definitions utilized for the romance hero:

Alpha: The type-A personality, stubborn, hard as ice, take charge, leader.

Beta: The nice guy, boy next door. He’s a nerd on the outside, but he’ll take off his Clark Kent glasses when he’s against the wall.

 Delta: The dark and dangerous hero. Typically, a damaged hero who exiles himself from society and takes on loner/outlaw status.

 Theta: the wounded hero. They are creatives and their way of dealing with pain is to create with it.

Jayne Ann Krentz, contributor to Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal or Romance shares this about heroes:

“The fundamental qualities of a true hero are the ancient, heroic qualities: honor, courage, determination. Nothing has changed since the dawn of storytelling. We still look for the same things today in a hero.”

The scope of describing a hero can include:

  • Bravery
  • Determination
  • Loyalty
  • Courage
  • Dedication
  • Intrepidity
  • Valor
  • Selfless
  • Conviction
  • Focus
  • Gallantry
  • Perseverance
  • Fortitude
  • Sacrifice

And a writer of inspirational romance I include these characteristics when I build my hero.

  • Godliness
  • Kindness
  • Loved by little old ladies, small children and animals

I tend to write a hero who is a bit of an underdog, and a reluctant hero. While he may have a layer of charm and machismo, he is still a down on his luck sort of guy (emotionally) searching for completion. A sense of humor is on the top of my list for all my heroes.

However you define your hero or whether he is Thor, Captain America or Han Solo, Joseph Campbell laid out the path he must take in The Hero With a Thousand Faces, further clarified in Christopher Vogler’s The Hero’s Journey.

  1. Ordinary World – The hero’s normal world before the story begins
  2. Call to Adventure – The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure
  3. Refusal of the Call – The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually because he’s scared
  4. Meeting with the Mentor – The hero meets a mentor to gain advice or training for the adventure and to get them past their fear of the adventure.
  5. Crossing the First Threshold – The hero crosses leaves the ordinary world and goes into the special world. He has committed to the adventure.
  6. Tests, Allies, Enemies – The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the special world. He is training for the final test.
  7. Approach – The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to try a new idea
  8. Ordeal – The biggest life or death crisis. Facing his biggest fears.
  9. Reward – The hero has survived death, overcomes his fear and now earns the reward.
  • The Road Back – The hero must return to the Ordinary World with increased urgency.
  • Resurrection Hero – The final test, the hero has to use everything he’s learned.
  • Return with Elixir – The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir”, and uses it to help everyone in the Ordinary

No matter what plotting method you use, the bottom line remains the same, what makes a hero is his acceptance of the call to adventure and overcoming trials in a way that requires courage and sacrifice. Our hero also grows and evolves and becomes a better version of himself in our stories.

Looking like Chris Hemsworth (with a sense of humor) is a plus too!

If you’re a writer, tell me how you build the perfect hero. If you are a reader what defines your perfect hero, the kind who remains in your heart and on your keeper shelf…forever!

Originally from Western, N.Y., Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From there she moved to Colorado. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina is an RWA Honor Roll member, a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance. Find all her social media links on her website, where you can also sign up for her newsletter which specializes in fun and free goodies. www.tinaradcliffe.com

Additionally, Tina has a new initiative launching this month. The Writer’s Inside Edition is a once a month newsletter for fiction writers of all levels that brings you curated links to: The best publishing news on the web. Contest, conference & workshop listings. Writing opportunities scoured from the web and inside sources. First notification of enrollment in her workshops and classes. Monthly writing world articles created just for the Inside Edition Writers. Critique opportunities and writing challenges. Best of all, there is no charge, and it’s free from annoying promo. Sign up here.

Falling for the Cowgirl (Big Heart Ranch Book 2)

She won the job…

Can he win her heart?

Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice—but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything…including his heart.

Order link   http://a.co/exgvsmo

Wow! Thank you, Tina! I need to check out this novel and The Writer’s Inside Edition!

Tina is graciously offering a giveaway! One randomly chosen commenter to this post by July 2nd will receive a print or Kindle version of Falling for the Cowgirl and Cupture Crystal Click & Seal Shake Tumbler Cup for Hot or Cold Drinks. Winner may pick the color of their choice.  Giveaway limited to US only. (Void where prohibited.)

Janet W Ferguson (66 Posts)

Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after. ​Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. Connect with her at http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/


Welcome to the community at Inspy Romance! The authors are delighted to see you. Jump in with comments, and let’s get to know each other!

Comments

  1. Thanks for the kind words, Janet! I watched that Chris Hemsworth video again for the 50th time! I love it.

    It kinda scary that spellcheck knows how to spell Hemseoth.

  2. Hi Janet and welcome Tina. You laid out the model of a hero/types of hero’s really well, thanks:)
    A book hero that really stands out in my mind is Moshe from Brock and Bodie Thoene’s Zion Series. Ahh, dreamy! Strong, noble, courageous, gentle, patient…I first read this series as a teenager and Moshe has stuck in my mind ever since!!
    Blessings:)

  3. My ideal hero is a man who has high morals, can admit his weaknesses, and makes his girl feel like a princess, and puts God above and throughout all.

  4. Hi Janet and Welcome Tina! Thanks for the informative insightful blog about heroes. Not sure I have a hero that comes to mind. Best wishes and happy writing.

  5. Tina! Mentor extraordinaire!!! Ditto what Janet said.

    Love this post! The heroes I’ve written so far (contemporary and historical) have similar personality types – a combination of Alpha, Beta and Delta. The main quality they share is a sense of humor – very important to me. In fiction and everyday life.

    Thanks for such a fun post! And congratulations on the release of Falling for the Cowgirl!

    • Well, I knew we would be hero-like-minded, Laura.

      I so agree. A hero without humor is like a day without sunshine.

      Watch the Chris Hemsworth video!!!

    • Hi Laura! Isn’t Tina wonderful??!! I love a good sense of humor! Thanks for stopping in!

  8. I like a here like Thor except the whole macho man stupidity from the beginning of the first movie.
    but I’d also add God-loving personality.

  9. I like variety when I read, so I like all types of heroes. Have a great day!

  12. My hero’s tend to be a combination of the nice guy wounded guy type, but they have an edge to them, because of their wounds. It was fun to see all the hero types, Tina. I hadn’t heard of some of them. I’m a Thor kind of gal too. I miss his hair.

  13. What a great post Tina and Janet! No matter how much research I do, while writing the story I imagine the hero as my husband. It’s either corny or romantic, but it’s the way I am.

    Have a great weekend, and happy 4th of July!

  17. Tina, this post is excellent…a keeper!

    I studied your hero types and realized as a writer I create Delta heroes. Something tragic has happened in their past, then they must overcome this situation to help others and fall in love…
    not some much a bad boy, but a moody guy.

    As a reader, my favorite heroes are self-sacrificing men….like Travis in Falling for the Cowgirl.

    Thanks for a great lesson in hero-writing!

  19. Hi Janet & Tina. I enjoyed this post and I’ve learned that my husband is a beta hero. Tina, he also possesses the characteristics that you mention: Godliness, kindness and he’s even
    loved by little old ladies, small children and animals. Guess that’s one reason I enjoy your books so much!
    Thanks for your giveaway.
    Blessings!
    Connie

  20. Hey Tina, so good to see you here…..makes my weekend more fun! One of my fave authors!!!
    Don’t enter me….read it and loved it and doing a review on A. soon! Keep up the great writing!

  21. Hi Tina and Janet!
    Great post!i tend to love Alpha heroes-men who take charge and know what they want. I do love me a man with a sense of humor.
    One of my favorite heroes is Atretes from Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers. He is very alpha—an ex-gladiator. ❤️
    Looking forward to reading your book! I’m signed up for your writer newsletter.

  23. Hi Tina! This is such a great post. I tend to write a take on the beta or theta hero. I like my heroes to be strong but vulnerable and kind (deep down). Looking like Chris Hemsworth is a plus but my heroes tend to have dark and eyes. Hmm, I’ll have to ponder why.

    Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom with us!

  24. Yeah, Chris is a plus no matter what kind of hero you write. Thanks for taking the time to stop by!! Hugs to you.

  25. I didn’t realize there was so many types of heroes. I loved the article. I definitely have a preference when reading but I am learning how to choose the heroes I admire based on their character.

  26. Hi Attennos39. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I agree and as Janet said earlier, our hero taste changes over the course of our heroine-ish lives.

  27. Not sure if I have the perfect hero in mind but the heroes are memorable when the books are memorable and if I can relate to them.

  28. Heroes!!! We all need a hero or two in our lives. Your book sounds like a wonderful read.
    I admire many people… but a hero to me, is one person or persons who go out of their way to make sacrifices, change their lives for the better and or care for those they love most!!

  30. Father Tim from Jan Karon’s Mitford xeries is coming to my mind. He’s not really a typical hero but I love how he works so hard to love his family and friends well and help out his neighbors.

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