Monday, January 21, 2008

Teri Thackston




Please help me welcome guest blogger, Teri Thackston—a darn good writer, and equally a warm person. Take it away Teri!

A reviewer once asked why so many romantic suspense books include a hero who’s some kind of cop. Good question. We do use law enforcement officers in our books quite a bit. Police detectives, Texas Rangers, FBI agents, Deputy U.S. Marshals (my personal favorite) seem to draw us as writers. But why?

I believe it’s because they draw us as women, as well. My theory is that as women we want a truly heroic type of man in our stories of love and suspense. That isn’t to say that there aren’t other occupations that are heroic (firemen, soldiers, wilderness rescue teams…is it getting hot in here?). Other heroic types include teachers and public defenders and paramedics. Such people—male and female—commit heroic acts every day in real life, and they populate many romantic suspense novels as well. But there does seem to be a high percentage of heroes who work in some branch of law enforcement.

I think that what many of us—as readers—really want in a hero is a man who lays his life on the line for the sole purpose of protecting or rescuing someone else. Who better than a cop? And when the someone else he’s saving is our heroine…well, what woman doesn’t dream of being rescued or protected by a sexy Deputy Marshal or FBI agent? The dream can be even better when the heroine rescues the hunky hero! What rousing—and arousing—good fun to lose ourselves in such fictional fantasies.

We want to create heroes who will catch the notice—and hearts—not only of our heroines, but of our readers, too. So, fellow readers and writers, what do you think? What makes a man heroic to you? What do you want your hero to do to earn his pay—as well as the heroine’s love?
Check out Teri's website: www.terithackston.com.

11 comments:

Christie Craig said...

Teri,

I think you hit the nail right on the head. Anyone who is willing to put their life on the line for another person pulls at my heart strings. And if that person just happens to be good looking and sweet, and love animals, have a crooked smile, and was always good to his mama...(Okay, I may be getting carried away, but hey I'm in the plotting stages here for my next book.)

Thanks for guest blogging.

Crime Scene Christie

Anonymous said...

Hey, Teri,

Great post! I think you're right. Writers frequently use law enforcement officers as heroes in romantic suspense novels because they are real life heroes. Police, FBI, marshals - they are the ones sworn to uphold the law and protect the weak.

Plus, they kinda look good in (and out of) uniform. LOL.

Faye

Teri Thackston said...

Thanks, Christie -- aren't you always plotting your next book? Gotta watch what we say 'cause we may wind up in that book! :)

Teri Thackston said...

Faye,
Did you say that out loud? :)

ND Hansen-Hill said...

I think you're right, Teri!

It also has to do with making readers care about and identify with your characters. It's so much easier to relate to someone who's willing to put his life on the life to save another human being!

Cheers,
ND|Melody

Anonymous said...

Great post, Teri! And I agree with what everyone else has said. :)

Estella said...

A hero is anyone who is willing to lay his life on the line to rescue or protect another person

Gemma Halliday said...

Great post, Teri! Thanks so much for coming to hang with us!

~Gemma

Jana Semler said...

Teri,
I loved your answer and I think it really rings true. Also, I'd say that because there are often so many twists and turns in a romantic suspense, planting the seed that the hero is a law enforcement agent, also plants the seed that you can trust him. So no matter how dasterdly he appears to be sometimes, you trust that it will all turn out OK.

I've read every one of your books and can't wait for the next one to be released!
Jana
:)

Colleen Thompson said...

Excellent post, Teri! Keep writing those sexy heroes!

Teri Thackston said...

Thanks, everyone, for making me feel so welcome.