Top Ten Thursday: 10 Literary Hero Crushes

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Please Read:  This list represents the first 10 literary gentlemen who came to mind.  I’m sure there are others I would have included that I didn’t think about right away.  I’m only including  heroes from books I read, based on the books (or also based on a movie that accurately captured the book version of the character. Spoiler:  Mr. Darcy.)
For example, I didn’t include some of the True Blood gentlemen because I haven’t read the books.  I’m also staying away from strictly movie/TV men, comic book heroes and cartoon misters.  (My apologies, Mr. Stark and Gambit).  I would love to hear about who's on your "list".  ;)  I enjoyed setting up the blog entry like this, expect similar posts in the future!

Anyhow, here’s my list of the Top 10  Literary Hero Crushes, in random order.






10. Mr. Darcy-Pride & Prejudice   By Jane Austen

Heralding from the quintessential  love/hate romance, the list wouldn’t be complete without him.   He’s rich, handsome,  witty, and kind of a jerk….oh, wait…he’s really nice after all….he’s just enough of a jerk so you can CHANGE him!   Why wouldn’t girls like this guy???


  9. Gilbert Blythe -Anne of Green Gables  By Lucy Maud Montgomery

I loved the progression of Anne and Gilbert’s relationship from childhood frenemies to close companions.  Gilbert is a well-educated, hard-working, person with a good balance of  fun and intelligence.  He’s a great character who grows throughout the novels.  Spoiler: Also becomes a doctor.

8.   Griff King from "The Girl in the Steel Corset" By Kady Cross

Who wouldn’t want a rich earl who can soothe your chaotic PMS emotions?  Griffin bears the unique gift of soothing the emotions. He’s ahead of his time,  fosters the outcast protagonists, and actually encourages the female characters to pursue their independence in a world dominated by men.  …And he wears sexy steam punk clothes.  ::Sigh::

7.  Kit Harrison  “Where the Wind Blows” By James Patterson

Kit is an “unconventional” FBI agent who quickly wins the heart of the spunky main protagonist, Frannie, and I can see why.  He’s smart, clever, and pretty kickass in a couple of the scenes.  He knows how to be confident without coming across as arrogant, and he’s not afraid to fight for what he believes in.   Kit is a wonderful unsung literary hero.



6. Charlie Swan from Twilight*  By Stephanie Meyer

Wait. WUUUUT. 
Yes, you heard me.  I’m a sucker for a man in uniform.   Forget Team Edward or Jacob.  Charlie is one fine cop who does his darndest to protect the mean streets of Forks, while simultaneously raising his bratty monotone daughter and dealing with her obnoxious stalker boyfriend.  You go, Officer Swan! 

Note: *Yes, I know.  The books are ridiculous. Did I like them when I read them? Yes, I did, way before the movies came out.  (Guilty pleasure.)   Did I think the writing was fantastic?   After reading about Edward’s pristine sparkling marble butt fifty times, the answer is no.  However,  I did read the three of the books, so the author did something right.  , After I saw the movies, I couldn’t find it in myself to read the last book, especially knowing all the insane plot developments that occur.  I also can’t salvage my imagination’s visuals of Bella and Edward, without seeing Kristin Stewart’s “acting” and R. Patz boring presence. 
As one of my former students put it, “when I first read the books it was like a gothic mind trip. Now I realize it was just the fantasies of a bored housewife.”

5.   Lord Maccon from "Soulless" by Gail Carriger

He’s grumpy, gruff,  sloppy, and snarky.  Yet, you can’t help but love this guy, partially because Maccon is the closest thing to a real man, despite also being a werewolf.  The author does a great job of balancing his flaws and worthy qualities.  Even though he has his messy room and socially awkward moments, Maccon has a quick wit and radiates a certain charm.  I love this character.   The dialogue between him and the main heroine is entertaining and clever.  If you like boring, sappy, perfect heroes with no personality , you’ll hate Lord Maccon.

 4.  Larry Underwood from "The Stand"  By Stephen King

He’s a musician.  ‘Nough said.

So…"Baby, Can You Dig Your Man?"  I sure dig you, Larry. <3 He’s just a really cool character and he’s the type of guy who can maintain a quick wit/sense of humor throughout the duration of the apocalypse.   Larry is a truly human character;  a tortured everyman walking the fine line between good and evil, and doing so with wit and charm every step of the way.  Spoiler:  This fine musician is also brave enough to walk through the Lincoln Tunnel …after it’s been packed with the bodies of decomposing New Yorkers trying to escape the superflu.

3. Howl From "Howl's Moving Castle" By Diana Wynne Jones

I have to admit, I really enjoy both the book and Miyazaki versions of this timeless character.  He’s one of the more eccentric leading men and he isn’t afraid to use his magic powers. Well, maybe sometimes.   Howl is flamboyant, charming, comical, and at times thoughtful and genuine.  He’s a one-of-a-kind character in a one-of-a-kind universe that only a genius like Diana Wynne Jones could create.

2. Samwise Gamgee from "Lord of the Rings"  By J.R.R. Tolkien

Now here’s a hero you can take home Mama.   Sam is a sweet, albeit flawed, adorkable little hobbit with a strong sense of loyalty.   Though his romance plot with Rosie isn’t central to the plot,  Samwise  proves to be a great friend and stays by Frodo’s side, to the point where he could arguably be the “real” hero of the series.   Samwise is another great “everyman” character, struggling to balance his own hopes and fears with the central mission.

1.   Rhett Butler from "Gone With the Wind" By Margaret Mitchell

This Han Solo of the South is still my favorite.   I love me some scoundrels and antiheroes, especially the ones that look like TDH Rhett.   He’s just got it all.  He’s handsome,  rich, he’s fun, he’s witty, he’s fashionable,  he’s clever, he  pulls off some pretty amazing rescues, and he’s a doting husband  (stupid Scarlett is stupid) and a great daddy.  He's certainly not perfect, but that just makes him more interesting. And get this, even GUYS love Rhett Butler.  My dad quotes his dialogue.  My husband said he’d "slit someone’s throat for a Rhett Butler doll ." (jk…I think)  I bet the guys in your life aren't that enthusiastic about Edward Cullen.  Rhett is a classic (anti)hero written with a  fantastic balance of charm, wit, flaws, and epic dialogue in both the book and the movie.  And of course, in the movie (one of those rare equal-to-the-book-if-not-better situations) he's played by Mr. Clark Gable.






Thanks for reading! I appreciate any comments, responses, inputs, and top notch trolling.

Sniffing Away Writer's Block with...Scented Candles?

Far to the North (Deerfield, MA) lies a magical place filled with apple pies, lavender, summer citrus, French vanilla, and…fresh cut grass.  I speak of our local sensory overload indulgence, the Yankee Candle flagship store.

When it comes to the senses, sometimes I need a break from the ones I’m accustomed to, and feel the sudden need to draw in a castle, walk through a Christmas forest, or a buy some old-fashioned candy.  Granted, I know plenty of people who think the store’s a fun trip, albeit a tacky one. (It actually gives my husband a headache. He won’t go with me.)  For creative types, and I might not be alone here, the gimmicky flag store offers something else; a key to unlocking a sensory writing block.

Smell often strikes me as the most difficult sense to tackle.  I’m a very visual person, I love to eat, I just love rummaging through all the textured junk in my messy apartment, and I’m always listening.  Breaking a sense block is usually pretty easy.  If you need to write visuals or sounds, look at photograph, visit a church,  or walk through the woods.   If you want to indulge your taste senses, eat or drink something.  Tactile inspirations are plentiful in most living quarters, especially those of slobs.  (::nervous laugh::) The flagship store offers something to please all the senses, with a particular focus on what to me, is the most evasive.

I’m not saying you can’t find smell inspiration in your imagination or in the settings around you.  (I mean, I can smell my day-old coffee lurking somewhere on this table. Om nom nom.) Yankee Candle offers a unique focus on this particular sense, and serves as an enjoyable “reboot” for exploring the nicer side of this smell. And drawing in the "castle room" is a pretty sweet deal, too.

Most Massachusetts residents have been to this store at least once in their lifetimes. You can still visit the same theme rooms that I did when I was kid.  Switching from a snowy pine forest to a European village takes an easy two minutes.   I love visiting the different rooms, but the main reason I visit is to indulge the sense of smell.  Every time I go, I browse the candles, then I ask for a scents list to keep for writing inspiration. There’s always something new, and I seldom leave without finding a fresh way to describe something that smells nice; be it a flowery meadow, and old house, or a love interest.  

Now that I have list in my possession, it’s time to put the candles to work with a sultry, smelly, romance scene.  Ohhhhh, yeah:

She indulged in a light splash of Christmas Cookie™ perfume, before slinking quietly into Lord Donovan's Rainbow's End™ scented room.  He gazed up at her buttercream silhouette with a cocky grin, running his hand through his caramel pecan hair.  Delilah recognized his intoxicating Home for the Holidays™ cologne, suddenly reminded of their steamy previous encounter in the cranberry chutney vineyard.  The curtains lifted slightly, pulled by the force of a MidSummer's Night® breeze, allowing a light ribbon of moonlight to caress his bare chest. 


Hmmm. That kinda sucks.  Maybe I shouldn’t go to Yankee Candle for inspiration after all.

NEW Curly Girlz Comics-Updated Daily!

The first day of the new year also marks the launch of my new comic, "Curly Girls Comicz.
Curly hair and the horrors of high school meet graphic superhero fiction for girls in this new time-traveling adventure, in color and updated daily!

  http://www.curly-hair-styles-magazine.com/curly-girlz-comics-issue-1-page-6.html
 Courtesy of Curly Hair Styles Magazine!
 http://www.curly-hair-styles-magazine.com/

Happy New Year!

I just couldn't ring in the new year with a shred of dignity, could I? Oh no, can't have that.
::Facepalm:.

Anyhow, I look forward to a new year, wrapping up some old projects, and starting some new ones.


 :

Oh, Hai Guys!

Last night, my husband spent about 3-4 hours of his life playing "The Room: Tribute Video Game" and collecting all ten spoons.

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/547307

Should I be sad, disturbed, or proud?

Since I introduced this "rubbish" to him, I'll go with proud.

Now back to work on finishing up a certain project.

Snowpocalypse

(Photos taken by a friend.)
New England has faced it's share of disasters this year...flooding, tornadoes, an earthquake (not really a disaster...but quite unusual) a hurricane, and now...whatever this is.  While Nor'easters are no stranger to us, a surprise October snowstorm proved to be one of the most damaging natural events I've ever seen.  It affected most people I know, and without exaggeration, there is a tree or powerline down on every other street.  About the half of my friends and family are still without power.  Others are busy clearing debris and branches from their yards (or worse, their cars.)

I spend the night of the storm trapped in CT due to horrendous driving.  I have to admit, there is something charming about talking with a friend, drinking wine, surrounded by candles. (The drive there was NOT charming.)  I could pretend I lived some "Anne of Green Gables" existence for a little bit.  Confession: I actually kind of like power outages. I enjoy the real dark of night humans were intended to fall asleep to, the clear starry skies, and candlelight.  However, I was quickly reminded that a power outage isn't the romantic steampunk fantasy I have built up in my mind.  It's nice to imagine this True Blood vampire/Jane Austen lifestyle in the dark, until one notices the forty-minute gas lines, twenty-minute grocery lines, and numerous utility workers.  Life is slowly returning to normal in New England, though I fear the effects of this one will be experienced for quite some time.  I wonder if this is nature's foreshadowing for what winter has in store this year?
Confession: I actually like the snow storms. I just don't like driving in them.

"BAD" MOVIES

...Can't stop watching them.  I enjoy watching movies while simultaneously inking, it just expediates the process somehow.  I'm going through some intensely busy times in my life, and whilst balancing the various factors that make one intensely busy, I've discovered gems far more valuable and legal than other options for coping with stress...Bad, bad, movies.  Yes, a little late to the meme as usual...but TROLL 2 and THE ROOM (and others)...

To the folks who created and helped create these films... I love them as they are and would never want them any other way.  They help me. They make my soul leap with joy. Thank you.  (I'm serious).  I will watch scenes from these masterpieces over and over again.

I found it helped to balance the cult classics and classics, thus I also indulged in Gone With the Wind and The Secret of Kells*.  Film equilibrium is key.

*ASecret of Kells probably isn't considered "classic" just yet...but it will be. It's beautiful and brilliant. Watch it.