Saturday, January 10, 2009

Where's My Hero?

by Christine Wells

At a recent writers' festival where Anna Campbell and I sat on a panel about historical fiction, a man in the audience asked us what was the appeal of Regency-set historical romance. Anna instantly quipped: "Men in Boots".

Now, of course that was a (largely) flippant reply, but I will be the first to admit it is part of the appeal.

Having heard from wonderful writers like Jenny Crusie and Anne Gracie how effective collaging has been for their creative thought processes, I gave it a try for The Dangerous Duke. I'm not sure I have the hang of it yet, but it certainly helped capture the mood of the story. I'd look at the chart I'd made and fall into that world--a welcome change from staring at a blank page.

I often envy contemporary writers their ability to walk into a thrift shop or somewhere and say 'oh, that's the jacket my heroine wears in the first scene'. You can touch the fabric, try it on to see how it would fit across someone's shoulders. As an historical writer you can't do things like that so easily, unless you live near collections of period garments or stately houses. I should be so lucky!

Finding pictures of Men in Boots for my collages is a challenge. I want men who look like they could be a hero in my novel, or even a villain. The typical male model you see in magazines is tanned and muscled from gym workouts which sculpt him into a different shape from an English aristocrat of the Regency era, no matter how much riding, fencing, manual labor, etc the aristocrat might have done. And let's face it, many models, however gorgeous, have absolutely nothing going on behind their eyes. They don't project the sort of personality you want in a hero.

Usually, I look for actors in period dramas for my collage heroes. And thanks to the resurgence of Austen and Bronte adaptations, there's an increasing number of images to be found.

Most often these men don't really look like my hero at all. There might be an expression, an aura, a tilt of the head that's just right, however, and that's enough.

If you're a writer, have you tried collaging? How has it worked for you? If you're a reader, who would you cast as hero in your favourite romance? URLs if possible, please, so we can check them out--ahem, I mean judge whether they are of the right calibre for heroes in a romance.

One random winner will score chocolate and a signed copy of The Dangerous Duke.

150 comments:

Helen said...

Is he coming back to my place
Have Fun
Helen

Helen said...

Christine
I am drooling over these pictures very nice.
Hugh Jackman is someone I would use I loved him in Kate and Leopold and I too love the boots the men wear in the regency times you gotta love those tight pants and boots.

Have Fun
Helen

Laurie G said...

Two of my favorites....

Carter Oosterhouse carpenter- HGTV's Carter Can
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Oosterhouse

Baseball pitcher Cole Hamels- Philedelphia Phillies
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Hamels

Laurie G said...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Oosterhouse

OOPS the last part didn't paste SORRY

Laurie G said...

Still not working! should be oosterhouse at the end!

Deb Marlowe said...

Hello, Christine, my sister! Hope you had wonderful holidays!

I've never collaged, and I am only just beginning to use pictures for my heroes/heroines, and I don't use them for every one.

It's been a very random process for me. My first time was actually on the airplane back home from Nationals in San Francisco. (Santa-you were on that plane with me! Are you out there?) I was freezing and having trouble concentrating on my research book. Someone had left a Vanity Fair in the seat pocket and I picked it up and randomly flipped through. Bang! I saw this picture and thought--oh my gosh, that's Annalise! It was a model who looked just like my mental image of the
heroine I was currently writing. I ripped that page out and took it home and it really did help me as I was writing.

So I started looking through magazines more after that, with an eye to character, and I found my next hero:

http://www.sodahead.com/question/191796/hollywoods-hottest-men---whos-your-favorite/?page=2#post_6565876

Scroll down to Paul Walker. Yummy!

Margay Leah Justice said...

I don't do collaging, but I do clip pictures, articles, etc, and make folders for each character.
Margay

Minna said...

Hmmm. I have to think about this...

Weather Girls - Its Raining Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWwyjmSbJPs

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Christine, any of these would work for me!!!!!!

http://www.full-of-beans.net/sharpe/images/chosenmenside.jpg

Minna said...

Well, here's one. For some reason his picture shows up regurlarly on Petticoats and Pistols.

http://images.google.fi/images?hl=fi&q=Adam+Beach&btnG=Etsi+kuvia&gbv=2

Keira Soleore said...

Helen, the GR must be delighted to be back gorging on Tim Tams. He sure stayed away from temptation long enough this time.

Hugh Jackman, Rufus Sewell, Richard Hawttage...Oooh. No Ioan Gruffud? How about a photo, Christine, but I declare: He.is.mine.

Deb, your Paul Walker is absolutely delish, as is Adam Beach, Minna. Dianna, you decided to go for the whole hog and a barrel. :)

Minna said...

Here's some more:

http://images.google.fi/images?hl=fi&q=michael+t.weiss&btnG=Etsi+kuvia&gbv=2

http://images.google.fi/images?gbv=2&hl=fi&q=%22tomi+einonen%22+einosen+kymmenen+uutiset&btnG=Etsi+kuvia

Due South
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixJrH-YxoSM&feature=related

Minna said...

Then there's this guy from an Australian series, but I can't find his picture, because I don't remember his name or the name of the series. In this series he is this guy who was raised by aboriginals, because his parents had died. Eventually he becomes a cop and because of his different childhood, he has some skills that others don't have. In that series there was also a German actor, whom I've seen also in some Canadian series that was based on L.M. Montgomery's book.

Karen H said...

Christine,

Great post. I don't think I can top your choices of heros...especially the first guy. YOWZA...talk about a hottie! He's a pirate I would love to meet!

Another one I think I would add is Dermot Mulroney. That little scar he has on his upper lip is so kissable.

http://www.perfectpeople.net/photo-picture-image/15083/dermot-mulroney.htm

Must go now and wipe the drool off my chin and keyboard...sigh

Dina said...

Hi Christine,

How about Christian Bale, he could be good or bad. ;)

Karen H said...

I can't believe I forgot to mention Aussie actor Alex O'Loughlin. Now that guy can bite my neck any day of the week.

http://www.alexoloughlin.org/?page_id=93

BTW, he is my avatar.

Margay Leah Justice said...

Oh, we were supposed to post links? Here's a couple of my (lesser known) favorites:

http://images.google.com/images?q=alex%20o%27loughlin&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

http://images.google.com/images?q=michael%20fassbender&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Anna, Alex is the one I told you about before who stars in the now-defunct show Moonlight. And Michael is just dishy, especially in Hex.

Margay Leah Justice said...

Karen, I just posted about him! good to see someone else giving him some love. And I forgot about Dermot Mulroney! I don't know why. I loved him in My Best Friend's Wedding and the Wedding Date.

Joan said...

Point of clarification.

Would this be men in boots ONLY?

VBEG

And I second that Yowza about your first pic, Christien. WHO IS HE and does he come with a life size poster for my wall???

I am like Deb. I don't collages....I'm not good with glue... and I only randomly gloam onto certain pictures. In the case of my Patrician series, I've found pics of my heros AFTER the fact.

But a couple of weeks ago I found pictures of my hero/heroine for my next as of yet unplotted Roman series that are PERFECT.

Christie Kelley said...

Great pictures, I mean blog, Christine. Men is boots with swords-- very sexy!

I have my collage right in front of me until the cat knocks it down with that darn tail of hers. It was the first time I did one. My local chapter had a meeting a few months ago where we did collages and it was fantastic. Now I'm hooked.

buddyt said...

My favourite at the mement is Clive Owen.

I think he has the looks and voice to be a Man in Boots !

buddyt said...

Here a URL for lots of pic of him.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4170619136/nm0654110

Becke Davis said...

I was unfamiliar with collaging until I attended Cherry Con in 2007 and Jenny Crusie had a session on it. Her own story collages are amazing, but then, she's an artist.

I hadn't put a word of fiction on paper at that point, so the collage I did was all about a story that was still in my head, and therefore sucked. Last summer I did a collage (more of a montage, really -- all photos and paper images, no other media or fancy stuff)of my first completed story, and it came out really well. Too bad the story didn't turn out as well as the collage; in its early stages, it finaled in several contests, but I can't get the darn thing right. I think the collaging process helped me see some weak spots in the story, though. It's weird how it works, but it does help you get a clearer image of the story.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Christine! Great pictu...I mean post. Grins. I know, someone else said it and I'm lame for repeating it, but oh.....YUM!

Helen, congrats on the chook and yowza on Hugh in Kate and Leopold. Slurp, slurp.

Oh and Men in Boots? Anyone seen Enchanted? Patrick Dempsey in court dress is a thing of (male) beauty.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm179869952/ch0037700

Now I have to go check out all the other hotties...

OH, and Dibs on Alan Rickman in boots...SLURP!!!

Mariee said...

I totally agree about Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman!
Viggo Mortensen isn't to bad either :) http://www.viggophile.net/images/a/a08.jpg

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Good morning, Christine!! Such a lovely blog this fine morning. :)

I was quite distracted by you collage of heroes and had to read it a second time. :)

As much as I've loved seeing how others use collages to help them stay in their stories, I find I'd rather just write. BUT I do like to look my men up on line to refresh my brain as to what they look like.

Current heroes:
Quinn: Russel Crowe in 3:10 to Yuma
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/200709/20070907ho_2yuma_500.jpg

Hawke: Eric Schweig in The Last of The Mohicans
http://members.tripod.com/pebbles62/Lotm.gif

I just look them up periocidally to refresh my brain!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ooooh, Marie! Great link! LOVE me some Viggo

Becke Davis said...

I don't watch "Lost" but I pictured one of my heroes as a cross between Josh Holloway and Gary Cooper:

http://bestof.provocateuse.com/images/photos/josh_holloway_99.jpg

http://www.filmsondisc.com/posterarchive/Gary_Cooper/_derived/gary_cooper.htm_txt_gary_c4.gif

limecello said...

Congrats on the GR, Helen!
Love the pictures and this post, Christine!

Hm :\ links - no time for that - but often for a number of romances, the description fits Raoul Bova [at least in my mind ;)]

Recently I've been watching "Rome" - and there's a bit of eye candy there... though I haven't read many (any?) romances set in the Greek/Roman time period. (I think it'd be really tricky, and I prefer regency.) Though the actor Simon Woods (older Octavian) was also Mr. Bingley in Pride and Prejudice.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Ah, Buddyt....love, love, love Clive in that movie, yummo!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

OOOOOOOooooooo Diana are you another Richard Sharpe series fan? Couldn't miss one two summers ago when it was on BBC America!

Donna MacMeans said...

Christine - Bless you for this post! Love the men you selected and am enjoying visiting the urls of all the ones posted. Thank God for my color printer (grin).

I don't collage. I made a shadow box once of my WIP and had great fun doing it. I found all sorts of interesting symbols to represent the yet unwritten subplots and themes. But once it was created - I had no desire to write the book. All the magic was gone. So I don't tempt faith any more by collaging -

BUT I still like to look at pictures of possible heros. As you mentioned, all it takes is the lift of a brow, the tilt of a head, to make me yearn for all that is implied in that simple expression. Gotta love body language. So takes for all the help!

Donna MacMeans said...

BTW, I must admit I love those long coats that men wore in the regency period...and cowboys in Westerns (dusters). I even bought something on-line called a Darcy coat which is long in the front (but not in the back - not sure I like that). Books, long coats - and hey - that open down the chest shirt pic in your post ain't too bad either (snicker).

catslady said...

Hugh Jackman, Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp - all look great in boots but add a sword (swoon) lol.

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Helen.

My favorite are include:

Eric Bana- http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Profiles/20061007/244.bana.eric.100606.jpg

Martin Henderson- www.daylife.com/photo/04EF3Eb72T7hV

Minna said...

TARZANS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IgzkhU4sxc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cYXgKrmYBs&feature=related

http://images.google.fi/images?hl=fi&q=wolf+larson+tarzan&btnG=Etsi+kuvia&gbv=2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvkZjn7ROIY&feature=related

Minna said...

http://images.google.fi/images?gbv=2&hl=fi&q=bruce+campbell++brisco+county+junior&btnG=Etsi+kuvia

danie88 said...

Who would I cast as a hero in my favorite romance....

hmm... well that's a toughy... i have so many favorites it's really hard to choose... i guess it would depend on the type of romance...

like if it was a historical romance I'd cast James McAvoy... *sigh* what a hottie... and it doesn't hurt that he has the hottest accent ever... i love guys with an accent... love love love :D

http://media.photobucket.com/image/james%20mcavoy/zbratty1/james_mcavoy.jpg?o=31

if it was a romantic suspense... I'd cast Paul Walker

http://media.photobucket.com/image/paul%20walker/Popple_kisses/Paul-Walker.jpg?o=1

if it was a contemporary romance... I'd cast Channing Tatum

http://media.photobucket.com/image/channing%20tatum/hpluva1024/new%20hotties/Channing_Tatum.jpg?o=12

if it was a paranormal romance... I'd cast Scott Speedman

http://media.photobucket.com/image/scott%20speedman/pazdude/scott_speedman.jpg?o=7

other honorable mentions...

Brendan Fraser

http://media.photobucket.com/image/brendan%20fraser/xamberxofaithx/brendan-fraser.jpg?o=10

Tyrese

http://media.photobucket.com/image/tyrese/swoffo1/Tyrese.jpg?o=58

Will Smith

http://media.photobucket.com/image/will%20smith/estherjohnson_ma/Will_Smith.jpg?o=1

the list goes on and on...

ive noticed im not the only one drooling over these amazing pictures :D hehe

Nancy said...

Helen, have fun with the GR!

Christine, I don't go for collages. Free association works better for me than tracking down pictures, but these guys on your blog are great!

You raise an interesting point about buff models' physiques versus bodies of Regency lords, and it's interesting that you use the illustration of Clive Owen as Arthur. I've seen him on talk shows, and he's not a buff hunk. He's an extremely attractive man but not in the mold of, say, Hugh Jackman--another attractive and skilled actor with, as you note, something going on behind his eyes.

Nancy said...

Minna, I haven't seen the series you mention, but the character sounds like Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, from the late Arthur Upfield's mystery series. Our friends from Oz probably know a lot more about it than I do. I think they're out of print now, but I enjoyed them immensely.

Joan said...

limecello said: though I haven't read many (any?) romances set in the Greek/Roman time period. (I think it'd be really tricky, and I prefer regency.)

Not so tricky, limecello! There are a pleathera of ancient times/Rome themed stories out here. Just waitng for the astute publishing professional to find me....er, them :-)

Joan said...

minna....

I don't know HOW you find them all but I LOVE when you post links...

Love me some Tarzan....

Janga said...

I find other people's collages interesting, but I too find that it takes too much creative energy for me to do one. What I do that I find useful is an adaptation of the video collage one of the Noodlers blogged about last year. I'm not so much interested in a face (or body) for my hero and other characters (who are sharply imaged in my mind) as I am particular moments that I need to see more clearly. So I created a video montage of such moments--a wedding toast, a father dancing with his daughter, a child at her grandmother's knee, a couple strolling on the beach, etc. It helps when I just can't get a certain scene right. I have not a single face for my hero, but dozens of different faces, so I can superimpose this one's laugh, this one's introspection, this one's curled lip on the face in my head.

Diane Gaston posted some links she uses, and I use these links frequently. The Gilla Roos link even lets you specify age range, ethnicity, and coloring. I should write Diane a thank you note.

Since she posted them on a public site, I don't think she minds sharing them. (The comments are hers.)

Models 1 Agency
http://www.models1.co.uk/ results.asp?subid=4322&careerid=1&sexid=1

Gilla Roos agency (Ben Whitaker, the cover model for A Reputable Rake is in this one)
http://gillaroos.com/ talent_details.asp?talentType=talent&talentID=1590

Here's a fun one for secondary characters:
Ordinary People
http://www.ordinarypeople.co.uk/_ d-base/index.php

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Wow, Janga, those are COOL!

Christine, I don't think I mentioned it earlier, but one of my fellow Washington Romance Writers does a fabulous collaging for writers workshop. Her name is Elizabeth Holcomb and she's published Scottish historicals. The collaging workshop is held sacred at the WRW Retreat and everyone loves it!

Christine Wells said...

Hi all, sorry to be late! Looks like I missed a lot of fun:)

Helen, congrats on the rooster! And how could I forget Hugh Jackman?? Must put him on my list.

Christine Wells said...

Laurie, I agree, an athlete is always a good choice! I couldn't see Hamels' face, though!

Do these guys' personalities (or at least how we perceive their personalities through the media reportage) make a difference to how hot they are?

Minna said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ9dz9Cge1k

Christine Wells said...

Oooh, nice work, Deb, sister mine! Love the piercing blue eyes and I can't wait to read the next story! I was worried if I looked, I'D end up writing a book about him, too. *g*

Interesting...When I was at San Fran I saw an Armani male fragrance ad that had my hero for the last book on it. Never found him again. Sigh. Sounds like once again we were having similar experiences at roughly the same time....

Christine Wells said...

Margay, it's interesting all the different processes writers have, isn't it? I don't tend to do much peripheral stuff besides the writing and editing because I never really know my characters until they walk on the stage. But so many well-respected writers advocate collaging I decided to give it a try and not be so close-minded. It worked--I picked photos that had energy and danger and sensuality and I really felt that adrenalin and exictement when I stared at it. Hopefully, it translated into THE DANGEROUS DUKE!

Christine Wells said...

Hey, Minna, thanks for that clip! Boy it brought back memories. I was hoping to goodness you didn't mean the Gerri Haliwell version!LOL

Thanks for playing!

Christine Wells said...

Dianna, Sean Bean has a great...physique, doesn't he? Shown to advantage in that uniform. I like him for a villain, actually. He's played a lot of those in the past.

Christine Wells said...

Minna, very nice! What hero from a novel do you think Adam Beach would play?

Minna said...

Oh, that guy on that video is a Finnish actor, Tommi Korpela. And the text on the poster on that video means "one hell of a girl".

Christine Wells said...

Keira, Ioan is all yours! Loved him in Captain Hornblower. Can you think of a hero he's like? Or have you written a hero like him? I think he'd have to be a thoroughly good fellow, with integrity to burn.

Christine Wells said...

Minna, I was totally in love with the star of Due South in high school! Who cared what the TV show was like, I just loved staring at him:)

Christine Wells said...

Minna, that series sounds familiar--was it Boney or something like that? Maybe Foanna would know.

Can you cast these gorgeous men in any romance novels you've read?

Minna said...

Last ones for tonight:
http://images.google.fi/images?hl=fi&q=numb3rs&btnG=Etsi+kuvia&gbv=2

http://images.google.fi/images?gbv=2&hl=fi&q=bones+seely+booth&btnG=Etsi+kuvia

Christine Wells said...

eg, I think Matthew McConnaghey would be perfect as Phin in Jenny Crusie's WELCOME TO TEMPTATION.

Louisa Cornell said...

Tim Tams and grandbabies lured him back, didn't they, Helen!

I always try to find photos to put in my "book" about my novel. It is a notebook I keep with every little note I have written about my book, family trees, photos of houses, dresses, furniture, you name it. I have character sketches in it as well. I call each one the "Bible" for that particular novel.

For The Raven's Heart I have this handsome fellow as Tristan Monticourt, the hero.


http://bestof.provocateuse.com/show/goran_visnjic


And here is Madeline Carston, the heroine.

http://www.lovelylivtyler.com/gallery/showpic.php?cat=_627&fcat=627&count=216&picid=22165&picno=1&page=1


http://www.lovelylivtyler.com/gallery/showpic.php?cat=_629&fcat=629&count=172&picid=9975&picno=6&page=1


I hope those links work!

Christine Wells said...

Hi Karen! I know Dermot's face. Was he in something with Julia Roberts? Mind like a sieve!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Helen, he's obviously missing his Tim Tams. Or he's running as far away from P226 as he can get! Congratulations!

Christine, what a GORGEOUS post. And I use that word advisedly. That photo of Rufus is just lovely. Is that from A Life of her Own, the courtesan movie which I think was released in the States under a different title? Anyway, drool. And drool to Richard. And drool to whoever that first pretty guy was and to Clive. In fact, just DROOL!!!

Minna said...

Well, David Boreanaz: Man Without Memory
Adam Beach: Sara's Angel
And Wolf Larson: Miranda's Viking by Maggie Shayne
or one of Sandra Hill's viking books

http://images.google.fi/images?gbv=2&hl=fi&q=david+boreanaz&btnG=Etsi+kuvia

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, the collaging question. I tried it once for the Manderley book that now has a name, CAPTIVE OF SIN. My hero has a very complex backstory set in India so I found pics of things like peacocks and Indian palaces. But it didn't really work for me. I think I was letting my conscious mind guide me too much and I also think it's that thing you talked about about a lot of male models having nothing going on behind the eyes. You've read Captive of Sin - there's plenty going on under that gorgeous exterior, as you'll remember! It could also be that I'm a predominantly auditory writer so I hear them first. I find it much more inspirational to use music to find that mood for writing.

Minna said...

Boney... I think it could have been something like that...

Unknown said...

WTG Helen that rooster can't stay away from your house to long, he knows who has the Tim Tams.

I think I would choose John Stamos http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/johnstamos/ This man has a smile to die for. I just love him.

I would have posted earlier but I had to go to my father in laws 85 birthday party. We don't know how many more he will have because he is really going down hill now.

Anna Campbell said...

Minna, I think it's Boney which was a huge hit in Australia in the 70s. He WAS rather hot. His name was James Laurenson, I think. I was lucky enough to see him as the director (you're going to come back a star!) in 42nd Street when I was in London in the mid-80s. I suspect he's getting on a bit now!

Margay, I do indeed remember you telling me about Alex O'Loughlin. Fo wipes away more drool from her chin.

Girls, this is all a bit much for the blood pressure at 7:30 in the morning!!!

Minna said...

Google only seems to be offering Boney M. But I think the name of the series was something along those lines.

Minna said...

The series I saw wasn't made in the 70s, but of course it could have been a new version of old series.

Christine Wells said...

Dina, Christian Bale is on the list! Which hero would you cast him as in a novel you've read?

Christine Wells said...

Interesting, Karen, I haven't come across Alex O before, which is strange since we Aussies all know one another:) Nice one!

Christine Wells said...

Margay--the question was, who would you cast as your favourite hero in a romance. I wanted everyone to pick a romance novel and match an actor/model to the hero. But...eye candy is good, too!

Ooh, Michael Fassbender is definite hero material. I'm saving some of those pics to my "potentials" folder! Thanks for that.

Christine Wells said...

Oh, yes, that's where I know Dermot M from. My Best Friend's Wedding. Thanks, Margay!

Minna said...

YES! Now I found it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bony_(TV_series)

http://images.google.fi/images?hl=fi&rlz=1G1GGLQ_FIFI261&q=%22bony%22%20%22cameron%20daddo%22&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Christine Wells said...

JT, that first picture is Henry Cavill, who played Charles Brandon in a recent series called The Tudors.

And no, they don't have to wear boots! They can wear sandals...

Care to share your pics? I tend to find my heroes after the fact, too. I wouldn't find the pic first and then write about the hero. I don't think my imagination works that way. I keep a collection of faces and look through them after I've created a character to see if any of them fit.

Christine Wells said...

Great to hear you collage, Christie! There's so much about the creative mind that's mysterious, isn't there? I find the act of looking for pictures and placing them really helps develop the story.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Minna, you're right. I'd forgotten about Cameron Daddo doing the remake. At one stage, you couldn't turn the TV on in Australia without coming across one of the Daddo boys! They were just everywhere!

Christine Wells said...

Buddyt, I couldn't agree more! I think Owen needs to be in something grittier than an Austen movie, though. He has such a tough, compelling persona.

Minna said...

I've seen Cameron Daddo in another series, as well. It was either F/X: The Series or She Spies.

http://images.google.fi/images?um=1&hl=fi&rlz=1G1GGLQ_FIFI261&q=%22F%2FX%3A+The+Series%22+daddo&btnG=Etsi+kuvia

Margay Leah Justice said...

Ah, well, I guess I was thinking of who I would cast in my own books - the ones I'm writing!

Christine Wells said...

Treethyme, wow, you went to a Cherrycon? That must have been a lot of fun. Great to hear you found the collaging process helpful. Best of luck with the writing! You'll get better and better, don't worry.

Minna said...

This is absolutely the last one:
http://fp.culttv.plus.com/ukculttv/exclusive/codenameeternity/codenameeternity.htm

It's soo bad, it's actually fun to watch, just to see how the makers of the series have screwed up:

http://fp.culttv.plus.com/ukculttv/exclusive/codenameeternity/codeguide.htm

Minna said...

At one stage, you couldn't turn the TV on in Australia without coming across one of the Daddo boys! They were just everywhere!

There's more than just Cameron?

Christine Wells said...

Jeanne, how could I forget Alan Rickman? Ahhh.

Interesting you should mention Dempsey because he's one of the few American actors I can see in an historical. Very nice in velvet and lacing, isn't he?? I must see Enchanted. I think it would be right up my alley!

Christine Wells said...

Lovely, Marie! I have to laugh at the names of some of these sites! Full of Beans, for Sean Bean and Viggophile. People aren't shy are they?

Becke Davis said...

Christine - Cherry Con was life-changing for me. Until then, I'd only thought about writing fiction. I came home from Cherry Con, invested in a badly needed new computer, and have written 500,000 words since then (some of it my non-fiction-writing day job, the the majority of it was fiction).

I've got "quantity" down pat. Now I need to work on "quality."

Christine Wells said...

Suz, I can understand just wanting to write. That's how I am most of the time because I don't really have time for anything else. I will do one for this next book, though. I feel like I need it because I have so many scenes I want to write swimming in my head and I need to find a path through it all. I think a collage will help my brain sort it out.

Thanks for the urls. I couldn't get the first one to work, but the other was verrry nice.

Minna said...

Dempsey reminded me of Dempsey and Makepeace, with Michael Brandon as Dempsey.

Christine Wells said...

Treethyme, I couldn't access those photos but your hero sounds like an interesting mix! Thanks for sharing:)

jo robertson said...

Good question, Christine. I just finished watching Phantom of the Opera on TV with Gerard Butler. I'd love to see him do another bigger than life hero like in The 300. Maybe do King Arthur?

Those pictures are to die for!

jo robertson said...

Uh, at the risk of sounding dim-witted, I confess I don't know what collaging means in the context of writing.

Can you explain, Christine?

Anna Campbell said...

Yeah, Minna, there's a whole clan. Andrew was a popular host of a few shows and now writes children's books, I believe. He wasn't, however, quite as pretty as Cameron. I think there was another one too. Christine might know.

Christine Wells said...

Limecello, I found a link for you:

http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&q=%22Raoul+Bova%22&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

Very nice! And I agree, that tall dark handsome chiselled look is definitely a trademark romance look.

As for Romans, our Joanie writes some very hawt ones! We're all hanging out to read her books when they're published.

Christine Wells said...

Hi Donna, you've just described my problem with plotting a book--the book is already written when I'm finished and there's no discover left any more. I think you probably need to be more random and less conscious about collaging for it to work. It's harder for historicals, because images of historical stuff aren't everywhere, as they are for contemporaries. You can't just flick through a magazine and see a piece of jewellery your heroine might wear. But of course everyone does things differently!

And you're welcome for the hero pics:) I know it's a bit puerile but it really is part of my process, so I thought I'd share:)

Christine Wells said...

Oh, yes, Donna, aren't those caped driving coats sexy? Love the way they emphasise the shoulders and swirl around the boots! Trust you to actually have one!

Christine Wells said...

Hee, catslady! What is it about a man and a sword?*G*

Christine Wells said...

Jane, Eric Bana in Troy is fantastic! In fact, I admired his acting in that show as much as his other, er, attributes! He is very talented.

Martin Henderson is new to me and verrry nice. Thanks, Jane!

Christine Wells said...

Minna, I just fell off my chair laughing at your heading: "TARZANS". Hee hee! Thanks for that!

Christine Wells said...

Danie, I sat through WANTED just because McAvoy was in it (and I was stuck on a plane flying home from Japan:) Trust me, there would be NO other reason for me to watch that movie. It was awful!

I haven't met those others, but I'm interested in how the looks differ for each of the subgenres you chose. Great stuff, Danie!

Oh, and Brendan Fraser is wonderful, isn't he? I always think of him as starring in Loretta Chase's Mr. Impossible. Thanks for playing, Danie!

Christine Wells said...

Nancy, you're right about Clive Owen-yet somehow he seems infinitely more manly and tough than many of his muscular, baby-faced colleagues. There's a ton of character in that face. He's one of the few actors I could see cast as Lyle in THE DANGEROUS DUKE.

Christine Wells said...

Janga, I agree, in a collage or montage, those moments throughout the novel are very important, too. On my collage I have the progression of both the plot and the romance done in particular moments, going down the page, so I can see how each character starts and how they slowly get drawn together. A video montage sounds like a great idea, too. Something in the movement would really work well, I would imagine. Did you do a soundtrack as well? That would add to it, too. Wish I knew how to do things like that.

Thanks so much for posting those links, they're fantastic! Thanks to Diane Gaston, too!

Christine Wells said...

Jeanne, I'll keep an eye out for Elizabeth Holcombe--do you think she'll do a workshop at National?

Christine Wells said...

Very cool links, Minna, thank you!

Christine Wells said...

Glad someone mentioned David Boreanz--he's such a great romantic hero.

Christine Wells said...

Louisa, what a lovely couple! Goran has an interesting face, hasn't he? And I think Liv Tyler is one of the most beautiful women on the planet. Amazing the way she looks like her daddy but SO much prettier.

You should keep those bibles of yours. They'll be worth a lot one day!

Christine Wells said...

Fo, I don't know which movie the Rufus pic was from, though no doubt you're right about its provenance.

As for collaging--I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone. I'm usually against anything that doesn't involve BICHOK (butt in chair hands on keyboard) but the collaging helped that one time. i didn't do it for Wicked Little Game but I'll probably have a go with my next book.

Seriously, whatever you're currently doing is working for you, believe me!

Anna Campbell said...

Mwah to you, Miss Wells!

Christine Wells said...

Great, Minna. Thanks for those superb bits of casting. Now I have to go and read the books! And look at more pics of handsome men. Sigh. Life is tough for a romance writer:)

Christine Wells said...

Virginia, happy 85th to your father in law and I hope there are many more to come. Lovely you could be with him on his special day.

John Stamos. I loved him in Full House when I was a teeny and yes, what a killer smile! Did you see he was the drummer in the clip for the Beach Boys' Kokomo? Loved that song, too!

Christine Wells said...

Hey, Anna, maybe we're just getting our own back--you manage to raise a few readers' blood pressure with Tempt the Devil!!!

Christine Wells said...

LOL, I didn't remember Cameron Daddo was Boney. LOL the Daddo brothers are everywhere in Australia. Why didn't I guess?

Christine Wells said...

Margay wrote:Ah, well, I guess I was thinking of who I would cast in my own books - the ones I'm writing!


That's perfectly acceptable, Margay! You're in the draw:)

Christine Wells said...

Minna, there's Andrew, Cameron and Lachie Daddo. It's like the Baldwins, and they're everywhere. I tend to like Cameron the best, though, looks-wise.

Here's Andrew. He also writes successful children's books:
http://www.alancaseyentertainment.com.au/DADDO%20Andrew.JPG

Here's Lochie. He's a host on a holiday show:
http://www.icmi.com.au/images/ACTIVITY-826.jpg

Christine Wells said...

Treethyme, what an inspiring story. I'm sure Jenny would be pleased to know Cherrycon worked such wonders for you.

I think you have the right idea--with quantity, quality will come. So many people try to improve their writing without actually writing. You have to be on the right track if you've got that many words down and you're prepared to think about craft and how you can improve. Good luck!

Christine Wells said...

Jo, Gerard Butler has amazing charisma, doesn't he? When I saw him in PS I love you, he reminded me of Mel Gibson in that way. I think he'd be a great historical hero--maybe not a refined era like the Regency--more a Tudor hero or medieval. Arthur would be a good one, too, but I think I'd like to see him in a part that involved a bit of a twinkle in the eye, too!

Dina said...

All of them Christine, lol.
There are so many great men named here, I also agree with James McAvoy, Tatum Channing and Scott Speedman, and I didn't even say Gerard Butler this time, lol.

Christine Wells said...

Sorry, Jo! I should have explained what I meant by collaging a story. I've probably left a lot of people in the dark.

It's a kind of free association, where you flick through magazines, online pictures, etc and think about your story in a general way. Just collect pictures that resonate with you, not necessarily ones that reflect the story literally. For instance, my heroine in The Dangerous Duke writes about a fantasy lover in a diary, so I have lots of romantic pictures of diaries, but I have dreamy pictures, too, that represent the ephemeral nature of her dreams rather than the literal. I also have couples who don't look like my hero and heroine at all, but who are relating to each other in a particular way that I'm aiming for in the story. There's a very hostile pose at the start and by the end, there's a LOT of passion.

It's a tool that works on the subconscious, both to help plot the story and to get you in the mood to write it. Some people use music that way, or even scented candles. I know it sounds airy fairy but it can help!

Christine Wells said...

Dina, I have to say, I'm learning a lot of new faces. Now I also have a few movies and TV series I want to see...

Cassondra said...

Hi Christine!

This is a great blog and yummy pics. I DO collage. I actually can't write without it. My characters won't reveal their deepest darkest secrets until I "find" them, stick them on a collage with other things that catch my eye (even if they have nothing conscious to do with the story, if it nudges my inner artist while I'm thinking about my story, I cut it out and put it on the collage), then I ask them questions and stare at them a while and when I start writing, new stuff comes out that I didn't know was there before. It's weird, but it's effective. It's a great tool for story problem-solving for me.

Getting the time to do it--to search the magazines and put the collage together--is a matter of discipline now. I enjoy it, but it doesn't "seem" like work--it doesn't seem as though I'm writing, as it seems more like play, so I tend to put it off, even though I know it works. Self defeating, that.

BTW: I'm not a Johnny Depp fanatic the way some of the Banditas are, but that's a great shot of him on the cover of that film.

Christine Wells said...

Cassondra, I hope Jo read your post because that's in a nutshell exactly how collaging should work! Thanks for explaining that more eloquently than I did:)

Yes, I agree about that pic of JD. Have you seen The Libertine? Fantastic stuff, although he gets his comeuppance for leading such a terribly dissolute life.

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Suzanne, how could I not be a fan, I mean, look at them! All so totally drool worthy it just boggles the mind.

Keira, you know how I am, I couldn't just pick one or even two so why not go for the gusto?

Christine, one of very few villain players I can uhhhhh, warm up to??

danie88 said...

I honestly just want to see Wanted because McAvoy's in it too LOL It's that bad hmm... interesting... I've heard good and bad things about the movie... but I'll still see it just to see what I think...

I also haven't gotten the chance to see Atonement or Becoming Jane yet (McAvoy stars in both) but I want to see them really badly lol... I've heard great things about both those films...


Yes, I've always liked Brendan Fraser... he's funny, but also serious when he needs to be. LOVED him in The Mummy movies (my favorites) and Journey To The Center Of The Earth

Susan Sey said...

I'm so sorry to chime in late today! It looks like you've hosted a knock-out party, though, Christine!

I tried collaging once. I ended up with some pictures of my main characters, a chicken in a chef's hat & a bulldog. I'm not sure what the animals were doing there but the story got written & I enjoyed looking at the pics. :-)

One of the big drawbacks in my opinion of writing contemporary is the serious lack of men in boots. Just looking at the pictures on the front page here made me sigh with envy.

Christine Wells said...

Dianna, we're just spoiled for choice today, aren't we?

Christine Wells said...

Danie, it depends whether you like action flicks as to whether you'll enjoy WANTED. James has an American accent in it, too, which threw me a bit.

Saw Becoming Jane (he was lovely in that) and Atonement (fabulous, too). I enjoyed Atonement a lot better at the start than I did later on. Thought the war scenes just went on a little too long and of course, it's not a happy ending, but JMcA is fabulous from start to finish.

I'd like to see Fraser in a serious role. I've only seen him play comedy.

Christine Wells said...

Susan, I knew there was a reason you had such affinity with the Golden Rooster.*g* A chicken made it to your collage!

Actually, I'm surprised that it works for me. I'm usually quite a pragmatic person and I don't like anything that distracts me from getting my wordcount, but the visual cues work well. Strangely (or not) when Jeanne analyzed my workspace she commented that I don't like to have visual distractions while I'm writing. It's true--I have a collage but I put it away when I'm finished looking at it and then I go and write. I don't have it in front of my while I work. OK, I'm just weird.*g*

jo robertson said...

LOL, Christine, on the "airy fairy" comment. I always say "artsy fartsy." Tee hee.

Thanks for the explanation -- and to Cassondra too -- that helped. I sort of had an idea, but wasn't sure how it worked specifically.

Christine Wells said...

Yes, artsy fartsy is probably accurate, Jo! But if you try it and keep an open mind you might find it helps. It's best if you don't try too hard to make everything a concrete representation of the story as you already know it. There's more potential in the images that are just there because you have a good feeling about them but you don't know how they fit--if that makes any sense.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ah, but Christine, you're not a "Visual" per se, right? Grins. So the visual part of the creative process isn't a necessary part of your actual workspace.

Grins.

danie88 said...

I love action flicks so maybe i will like WANTED. James having an american accent in it would throw me a bit too... i LOVE his sexy accent...

Oh! I'm jealous... I gotta see Becoming Jane and Atonement soon... very soon... *makes mental note*

I can't picture Fraser doing a serious role... but I would like to see him play one. He's great in comedies though, gotta love him... :D

Christine Wells said...

O...K... Jeanne, I think I understand.

If anyone didn't catch Jeanne's workshop in Dallas, btw, make sure you listen to it on tape! It was absolutely fascinating.

Christine Wells said...

Danie, I like thrillers and the storyline of Wanted was ok and had a surprising twist, but I like thriller movies that are more based on suspense than action and special effects.

Fedora said...

Hi, Christine, checking in late to say that I was totally distracted from reading your post thoroughly by all those lovely photos... Something about heroes? ;)

Congrats on the GR, Helen--Hugh Jackman is very terribly yum!

Christine Wells said...

Fedora, it seems my cunning plan worked! *g* Thanks for dropping in!

Leslie said...

The movie Brotherhood of the Wolf had two actors I could see as heroes. Samuel Le Bihan and Mark Dacascos are very much hero material IMO. It's a period piece set in 18th century France. Here's the link for pics from the movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0237534/mediaindex

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

*blush* Thanks for the nice plug on the workshop, Christine! :>

Oooh, on the Brotherhood of the Wolf guys, Leslie!

Louisa Cornell said...

Danie88, Fraser does and OUTSTANDING job in the film Gods and Monsters with Sir Ian McKellan. And the best part? Lots of scenes with Brendan shirtless! It is a great movie and great role for him. Of course Sir Ian is good in anything!

Christine Wells said...

Wow, Leslie, Brotherhood of the Wolf looks great! Why haven't I come across this before? Thanks!

Christine Wells said...

Well, Jeanne, it was a fantastic workshop and made me think about how different people process things differently, too. I only heard it on tape, of course, but you're a fabulous presenter.

Christine Wells said...

Louisa, looks like I have to add Gods and Monsters to my list. I'd watch almost anything with Sir Ian in it but Brendan is an added bonus!

Pat Cochran said...

My favorites: Adrian Paul and David
Boreanaz! Hugh Jackman is a nice
looking young man but,as you earlier mentioned, he doesn't physically fit the picture!

Pat Cochran

Christine Wells said...

Hi Pat! Another vote for David Boreanz, yay. I have a soft spot for Hugh--who doesn't? I think maybe he could be an explorer or something. He did play Leopold in Kate & Leopold, didn't he? I'll have to watch that movie also.

Thanks for commenting:)

Keira Soleore said...

Christine asked, "Keira, Ioan is all yours! Loved him in Captain Hornblower. Can you think of a hero he's like? Or have you written a hero like him?"

I loved him in "Amazing Grace." So masterful! Ioan is my man in my second Regency MIP. Curly hair totally floats my boat.

Christine Wells said...

Keira, I have Amazing Grace on my to be watched list. I always miss movies as i never seem to get to the cinema and then I forget about them when they come out on DVD. Thanks for reminding me. Curly hair, huh? I wouldn't have guessed! My dh has curly hair but these days he never lets it grow long enough to really curl.

Minna said...

I'm awake again:

http://images.google.fi/images?gbv=2&hl=fi&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=%22barry+van+dyke%22&spell=1

Minna said...

http://images.google.fi/images?gbv=2&hl=fi&q=%22michael+brandon%22+dempsey+and+makepeace&btnG=Etsi+kuvia

Christine Wells said...

Hee, Minna's back with her dishy men:)

Is that Dick Van Dyke's son?? Where did you come across him?

Laurie G said...

Cole Hamels...

ladiesdotdotdot.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/hump-day-hottie-cole-hamels/

Scroll down to the more current pictures of Cole.... 10 (with the shoulder bandage) & 13 down(taking off his shirt) with the longer hair!!

Christine Wells said...

Hi Laurie...very nice! Lovely smile and eyes, too! Plus, it says right there he smells of strawberry and peppermint. What could be better?*g* Thanks for the url!

Minna said...

Is that Dick Van Dyke's son?? Where did you come across him?

Yeah. I came across him in the series Diagnosis: Murder, which seems to have been a bit of a family enterprise, as Dick and Barry weren't the only Van Dykes in the series.

Christine Wells said...

Well, you know what they say: the family that acts together...

THanks for all your wonderful links, Minna!