Handsome Heroes . . .

Cara/Andrea here,

I’ve just sat down this week to start a new trilogy. It’s hard to say goodbye to the characters from my previous trio, for they’ve become dear friends throughout the course of writing the three books. (Cameron's story. TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE, will be out in November.) After all, we’ve had coffee together every morning for quite some time (not to speak of numerous breaks for chocolate and other butter-laden treats to feed the Muse.)  At this point, I know their minds better than they do <G>

But it’s also fun to make—and I mean that quite literally—new friends.

It’s also challenging.  Now, I tend to start with my hero. (Or I this case heroes, as I have to think ahead to the three sinfully sexy rogues who will play a starring role in each of the three stories.) But more on that in a minute. First a little more backstory on the general creative process.

I have an overview of the series, and a short synopsis for each story, so I know the bare-bones facts about who the heroes and heroines are. (In this case, the working title of the trilogy is “The Hellions of Half Moon Street,” and it will revolve round three sisters who have a secret passion for writing.) But fleshing them out takes a lot more than a few paltry scribbles on the pages. Especially since I’m a total “pantser,” and rarely have any more than a vague idea of how they are going to get from Page One to the HEA.



So the first few chapters are always slow going as I begin feeling out what makes each of the characters tick. (Trust me, some are more introverted than others and are shy about sharing their secrets.)  Now, I’ve found that having a picture helps me —you know, seeing the shape of a mouth, the strength of chiseled features, the expression swirling beneath the hue of the eyes reveals a lot about a person.

So one of the first things I do is to start collecting photos of faces I find  . . . inspiring. And as I said, the first characters I focus on are my heroes. So without further ado, let’s look at a few men who have caught my eye for this new project. I’ve decided my three heroes are going to be dark and a little dangerous. Tough, yet sensitive. Mysterious. Handsome as sin.

A young Timothy Dalton from Wuthering Heights seemed like a good place to start. (I have to confess, he’s been a big favorite for quite a while. He made very dashing James Bond too. ) Then there’s Ioan Gryffudd from the Horatio Hornblower series. The hero in the first book of this new series is a former military officer, so that struck me as a good match. So did Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe. (okay, okay, he’s not dark-haired but I’m allowed a little artistic license, aren’t I?) 

I also came across a rather attractive fellow who’s the son of a princess, (His name is Andrea) and as my heroes are nobleman, I figured there’s nothing wrong with having a little blue blood flowing through their veins.

And then there is Johhny Depp in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. Because honestly, how can we not love a pirate? (And he looks pretty alluring without the mascara and braid as well)

Now, given that’s it’s still summer here in the States, and many of us are indulging in a last swirl of frivolous play time before buckling back down to business after Labor Day, let’s have a little fun. Who would you suggest as the model for a devilishly dashing hero? Anyone goes—actors, celebrities, princes sports stars from the recent Olympics! So let’s hear who makes you heart go pitty-pat!

Comments

[Margot]

I tend to prefer my men pretty, and my number one is Gackt.

(The fact that Anne Stuart's heroes all look like they could be visual kei is part of why her books are among my favorites.)

[Leah Weller]

Johnny Depp just makes my entire body quiver....and I have to watch myself or I'll drool. The older he gets the more handsome, in my opinion.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Oh, Margot—thanks for sharing! He's new to me—and of course, I thoroughly enjoy research and laerning new things,

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Leah, I so agree that JD gets better and better looking as he gets older . . . if such a thing is possible.

[Cindy]

I've no idea how to post pics but Sebastian Stan, Andrew Lee Potts and David Tennant are my eye candy of choice.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Cindy. Yum.

[deniz]

Oh yes! Ioan Gruffudd, definitely. I loved him in Solomon and Gaenor.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Ah, another Ioan fan! Glad you enjoy him as much as I do, deniz.

[Jaye Marie Rome]

Oh, boy, Cara! Way to start a Monday! I love Johnny Depp too...and Robert Downey Jr. for his humor and wit. They make a man so attractive, don't you think? My hunky hero is Hugh Jackman, although I'm not sure he fits the swashbuckling role. So I'll go with my CP, Joanna Shupe's fave - Joe Manganiello. Those abs could cut diamonds! Brooding - yup! Devilish - well, he seems to be a guy, but I bet he could be wicked if he wanted to!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Jaye, how could I have g forgotten Hugh Jackman! (think Kate and Leopold for his swashbuckling ride through Central park to catch a thief!) Joe ain't bad either, LOL.

[Jaye Marie Rome]

Oh, that's Joe "seems to be a nice guy"! As for Kate and Leopold...I looove that movie. Hugh in riding pants...yum! Can't wait for Les Mis in December!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Yes, Hugh is skin-tight breeches. I shall say no more.

[Isobel Carr]

I’m doing the exact same thing at the moment, LOL! I’ve been leaning towards David Gandy, though Ioan Gruffud, Jamie Bamber, and Patrick Petitjean are all in the inspiration file as well.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

And excellent inspiration they are, Isobel!

[Margaret Blake]

Thanks so much for the picture of SB as Sharpe, great to see him like that having seen him as a not very pretty woman!!
Love Ioan Gryffyd too, he has such a strong face. Hugh Jackman too is easy on the eye.

[Susan/DC]

There are several actors who, in my humble opinion, have got better looking as they got older: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Johnny Depp among them. Paul Newman and Gregory Peck were handsome until the day they died. I like all of the actors shown (I definitely drool at the photos of SB as Sharpe), and for current (live) actors, I'd add Michael Fassbender, Goran Visnjic, and Simon Baker.

P.S. Whoever that prince is, he lucked out in the gene pool because he's quite handsome. Here's hoping he's smart and good and not just good-looking.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

SusanDC, I agree wholeheartedly with your choices for great looking men who age even better. (Cary Grant looked fabulous too in films like North by Northwest and To Catch A Thief)

The "prince) (well, he's not really technically a prince) is the son of Princess Caroline of Monaco, and the grandson of Grace Kelly. Alas, I think he's a bit of a bad boy. But he does have the family genes for looks.)

[Bonnie]

Ah, Timothy Dalton in his prime, with those green eyes and dark hair! My, oh, my! I think he looked his best as James Bond. If you're looking for dangerous, how about Clive Owen?

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Bonnie, the green-eyed Timothy Dalton from Jane Eyre makes my heart flutter madly, as does his James Bond.

And yes, how could we have left Clive Owen off the list?

[Danielle Gorman]

I think Ryan Reynolds is dreamy or Ryan Gosling or Matthew Goode. Seriously, love them all.

[Janice]

Firstly, for a Brit story, I'd toss the Americans (unless the hero happened to be one). Americans aren't trained the same way Brits are, with extensive stage work, and it shows in the way they move, the way they wear the costumes, the way they handle themselves. We have many brilliant American actors but few of them can do 17c-18c-19c British well.

In any case I don't start with looks. Looks are superficial and boring to me. I start with essence - is he smart? is he funny? does ne notice people? is he good at what he does? The looks are secondary to the soul that enlivens them.

Pierce Brosnan at any stage of life. David Tennant for the not overtly macho but very smart hero everyone overlooks until there's a big surprise. David Morrisey and Robson Green for the officer types. John Simm for the clever rogue. Johnny Depp because of his way with 17th century dialog. Don Gilet to play the African/Carribean imports.

That's off the top of my head; I'm sure if I cruised my dvd shelves I'd find lots of other names.

PS: I count Johnny Depp as French ;)

[Donna]

What a fun question!
My first thought was Richard Armitage from North and South (the BBC version, not the American one). Link to his picture here:

http://www.richardarmitageonline.com/north-and-south/north-south-thornton1.html

Also, Gerard Butler, and seconding Pierce Brosnan and Clive Owen.

[Donna]

Forgot to say - count me in the Dalton as Rochester fan club. I literally wore out my VHS version of Jane Eyre I watched it so much, and of course, have replaced it on DVD.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Danielle and Donna, many thanks for adding to the gallery of handsome heroes. (And Donna, the Jane Eyre version has pride of place on my keeper shelf. Still love it!)

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Janice, couldn't agree with you more about what really makes a hero. But hey, a writer has to start somewhere. LOL! I like to get a face (or a composite of faces) so I can picture my hero, Then of course, I start adding what's inside the skin. That's the most intriguing, and the most challenging. Who the hero and heroine are, how they relate, how they learn about their strengths and weaknesses, and how they solve their conflicts to find a HEA is what gives the heart and soul to any story.

[LouisaCornell]

SO happy to be in the company of Timothy Dalton as Rochester fans! LOVED him in that. And he was deliciously naughty in Lion in Winter too.

Goran Visnjic is the model for the hero of my second manuscript The Raven's Heart - my governess meets brooding hero book.

Richard Armitage is the model for the hero of the book I want to write after I finish the current WIP. Sometimes my books get pushy and I "see" the hero and/or heroine before I am even ready to start writing!

Another favorite is Roger Howarth who has been on a couple of soap operas. He's a New York based actor and I was lucky enough to see him in the Timothy Dalton role in Lion in Winter on Broadway. He was amazing. Once again he is the hero model for a as yet unwritten manuscript.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Lousia, TD was fabulous in Lion In Winter! (Maybe we need to start a Wenchly chapter of the Timothy Dalton Fan Club)

I love that your hero and heroines materialize and get pushy . . . that they are already forming their personalities, and letting you know them, is wonderful.

Just googled Roger Howarth. Oh, my. Have another face to add to the inspiration board. (Do you mind sharing? )

[LouisaCornell]

A Wenchly chapter of the Timothy Dalton Fan Club? Count me in!

And I will certainly share Roger with you. He's got such a great face - handsome, expressive, sexy and he does wounded SO WELL! I watched him in soaps for years, starting with his role as a teenaged Todd Manning in One Life to Live.

Yes, my characters tend to be very demanding and not at all sympathetic of the characters in my current WIP !

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Okay, Louisa, we're charter members!

As I said, Roger is new to me, but I shall watch for him now in film and TV. Yes, he had a very expressive face, and I can imagine he does brooding well.

Why is it that characters in the NEXT book always seem to grow frisky when you are trying to coax the characters in the CURRENT book to be more talkative. It seems . . . unfair. Sigh.

[Kestrel]

I am a little late to this discussion, but I just had to jump in, b/c how could this not be a favorite topic?
I have to add that I am a huge David Tennant fan as well-discovered him in Doctor Who and am now slightly obsessed.
Johnny Depp is a perennial favorite of course.
My husband teases me all the time b/c I used to have a fixation on Vin Diesel, what does that say about me? I also had a thing for Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers too.
I couldn't figure how to post a picture, but I have a blog post http://methodtomadness-kestrel.blogspot.com/2008/08/malik-tor-in-pictures.html w/ inspirations for one of my characters, had lots of fun with that!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for the link, Kestrel. Finding inspiration for our characters is such hard work, isn't it. Ha, I wish writing the story was half so easy once we've found them!

[Isobel Carr]

You've all seen this pic of Depp, right? It's my all-time fav (18th century clothes and horse).

http://bit.ly/NEkrLA

[Susan/DC]

An addendum to my original post: I agree with Janice that intelligence, humor, and heart count more than mere bone structure. It's one of the reasons I think the actors I mentioned got better looking as they got older -- they went from being mere boys (although very pretty ones) to men of depth and experience.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Oh, thanks, Isobel! Wonderful!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Susan/DC, I couldn't agree more!

[Anne Roller]

Just two words. Benedict Cumberbatch.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Okay, Anne, if you insist, we'll allow him on the list, .

[Artemisia]

Do they have to be actors? Two words: Joshua Bell.

[Artemisia]

Ok. Orlando Bloom

[Artemisia]

I know he's gay and all that, but no one does arrogant aristocrat better than Rupert Everett, probably because he's related to most of them. There's also a guy named Jack Davenport.And in a few years I'd watch out for Tom "Draco Malfoy" Felton.