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Alexis Morgan | It’s All About Theme
August 27, 2010
Twenty plus years ago, when I first started out to write a book, I managed to
eke out about twenty-five pages before the story came to a screeching
halt—as in I was screeching because I couldn’t make it go any farther.
After some thought, I decided I’d started in the wrong point in the action. I
tossed the original version in the corner and started over.
Can you guess what happened? Yep, twenty-five pages later I once again found
myself mired in the muck and going nowhere fast. Where had I gone wrong? I had
internal conflict. I had external conflict. I had a hot undercover copy for a
hero, and a heroine who had a lot of spunk despite finding herself being held
captive by the bad guys.
At the time, I couldn’t figure it out. And not only had I gone wrong, but I
also gave up. I’d tried to write a book. Maybe it just wasn’t in the cards for
me. But then, a few months later, another story idea started unfolding in the
back of my mind. Hmmm.
It was a western—sort of. You see there were these alien warriors who’d
been drawn to the U.S. in the 1860’s to put an end to the Big Bad that had
destroyed their world before coming to Earth. Although they could never go
back home, the members of this band-of-brothers were willing to sacrifice
themselves for the greater good. The book practically wrote itself. Although
it never sold, it did contain the roots of most of my later sales—westerns
and paranormals.
The difference between my first effort to write and my second? I’d have to say
it was the underlying theme. Most writers are drawn to telling a specific kind
of story because it allows them to explore specific underlying themes that they
find fascinating.
For example, I have friends who write stories who write wonderfully emotional
stories about family—finding family, creating a family, reuniting with
family. There are endless variations in the details, but the driving force is
still family.
While family often plays a role in my stories, the driving force in my stories
is usually the hero’s devotion to duty and honor. Those two traits define his
life and have sculpted him into the alpha hero I love to write about. There’s
just something about the warrior hero that really resonates with the kind of
story I like to tell. It doesn’t matter whether he’s a U.S. Marshall saving the
day when the bank robbers ride into town or a Talion determined to protect his
ruler and his people. The motivations and themes are the same. Grey Danby,
the hero in my latest book, Dark Warrior Untamed, is a
perfect example—he’s torn between his powerful attraction to Piper, the
heroine, and his duty to his people. He’s a man with a divided heart. If he
makes the wrong decision, it’s not just his honor that’s at risk, but the lives
of those he is sworn to protect.
When it comes to the books I read, it’s often these same warriors who stick in
my mind long after I’ve finished reading their story. Here’s a short, but
incomplete, list of some favorites: Grant Sullivan (Linda Howard’s - Midnight Rainbow), Gabe (Rachel Lee’s - Miss Emmaline and the
Archangel), Zsadist (J
R Ward’s - Black Dagger
Brotherhood, Stefan (Patricia Brigg’s Mercy
Thompson series), and so on.
I’d love to hear about some of your favorite warrior heroes—who are they
and why do you love them so? After all, I’m always willing to add a new
favorite to my list.
Comments
45 comments posted.
Re: Alexis Morgan | It’s All About Theme
Well your short list also made mine. I, like you, tend to be drawn to honor and duty (I guess it was because I was lucky enough to be raised by such a man! My dad was a marine, he was the ideal definition. I was also blessed with 2 older brothers who I can honestly say are also my heros.....What a very lucky girl was I?
(Kimberley Coover 10:12am August 27, 2010)
oh i just read a good ebook with a great hero & heroine by gail koger "just my luck"
great alpha hero and bad as* heroine
(April Strength 11:12am August 27, 2010)
I read so many different books and genres that I can't think of one now. I do love the Suzanne Brockman type heroes.
(Andrea Infinger 11:27am August 27, 2010)
Hi,
There are so many warrior heroes out there. I just can't think of any right now although those you've listed are my favourites too.
Oh, there is the Grave series by Jeanne Frost. Bones is a hunk of lovin' vampire...lol!!
Valerie
[email protected]
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 11:30am August 27, 2010)
I love Suzanne Brockmann's heroes, too. Especially Sam and Izzy. Bones is great, and I really like Spade, too.
Alexis
(Alexis Morgan 11:33am August 27, 2010)
Any of the LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD by Gena Showalter would make my list.
(Tammy VanScoy 11:58am August 27, 2010)
Any of the Highland Warriors in Karen Marie Moning's books
(Tamara Shurling 12:08pm August 27, 2010)
I have never read Suzanne Brockmann but i will have to check it out
-Brandy
[email protected]
(Brandy Blake 12:18pm August 27, 2010)
This is a great web site.
(John Ferris 12:22pm August 27, 2010)
Vane from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Night Play
(Maria Munoz 1:06pm August 27, 2010)
I enjoy Suzanne Brockman,Clive Cussler and David Hagberg for my hero type reading.
(Teresa Ward 1:57pm August 27, 2010)
I agree with Suzanne Brockmann... I have to add some of these others to my list to read!
(Colleen Conklin 2:09pm August 27, 2010)
I also enjoyed Midnight Rainbow, I actually love so many books that are so good, but too many to list.
(Colleen Jensen 2:21pm August 27, 2010)
this sounds like a winner
(Debbi Shaw 2:37pm August 27, 2010)
Wow, I can't think of any right now. Now as soon as I post this I will think of 10 but my brain went blank which is absolutely nothing new. Have a wonderful day!!
(Vicki Hancock 2:54pm August 27, 2010)
I would have to pick Gena Showalters's Lords of the Underworld. They are great!
(Cherie Japp 3:08pm August 27, 2010)
Alexis - I am so glad that you had this Blog - this is just the story I have been looking for. I am glad to have my own special warrior at home who was active duty Navy during Vietnam and is retired now from the Reserves. When he was on duty I knew he had to seperate himself mentally sometimes so he could do his "best to protect".
(Jeanne Miro 4:15pm August 27, 2010)
I love Kenyon's Dark-hunters and shifters.
(Marlene Breakfield 4:26pm August 27, 2010)
Hmmm, I haven't found a warrior
I am really drawn to. They all
seem too much alike.
(Cathie Veres 5:06pm August 27, 2010)
I've been adding a few new books to my "must read" list! I've enjoy Moning's books, too, and have several favorites from Kenyon's stories--definitely Vane! Jeanne, I'm glad the blog resonated with you. Sounds like you've got quite a hero of your very own!
Colleen--always glad to meet another Midnight Rainbow fan. Grant Sullivan is still one of my fave's no matter how many times I've read that book.
(Alexis Morgan 5:34pm August 27, 2010)
Currently, my favorite warrior heroes that I am head-over heels in love with are the Eternal Guardians from Elisabeth Naughton's series. These guys are Argonauts: Theron from MARKED and Zander from ENTWINED. This series really intrigues me because it is wrapped around Greek Mythology: My first love in high school.
(Cynthia Netherton 5:44pm August 27, 2010)
Great insight thank you. I can't say I have a particular warrior or type of warrior that stands above the rest.
(Mary Preston 7:15pm August 27, 2010)
This sounds like a keeper. Can't wait to read it.
(Julie Swaney 7:37pm August 27, 2010)
Cynthia--thanks for the suggestions! Mary and Julie, thanks for stopping by--
Alexis
(Alexis Morgan 7:39pm August 27, 2010)
Your rationalizations for staying connected to your manuscript are close to the heart. When you're in the flow, the book seems to be words flying out of your fingers onto a page and sometimes amaze even yourself. The emotional attachment to others is what keeps me turning the pages to see who's going to do what and if it's out of character and unpredictable, how far can you go?
(Alyson Widen 8:21pm August 27, 2010)
I love it when the characters whisper their stories to me, letting me see the world through their eyes. When that happens, I can only smile as I write.
Alexis
(Alexis Morgan 8:24pm August 27, 2010)
JD Robb's Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke, he's her hero and mine.
(Diane Sadler 9:33pm August 27, 2010)
The first romances I ever read were
Julie Garwood's historicals. Her
highland warriors were men of honor:
brave, tender, someone you can trust
with your life. She always gave them
a heroine who would give them a run
for their money : )
(Patricia Barraclough 10:01pm August 27, 2010)
Sounds like a great read!
(Sheila True 10:05pm August 27, 2010)
I really love Bowen from the IAD series, Bo from Laurenston's latest installment, Mercury from Leigh's breed series, but I think my ultimate fave is Alexander from Jennifer Ashley's Mad Bad Duke.
(Marc Holiday 10:09pm August 27, 2010)
I started reading Nancy Gideon's new Charlotte Caissie and Max Savoie series. I am loving Max who is a shapeshifter and the right hand to the New Orleans Crime Lord Jimmy Legere. His loyalty lies Jimmy who has raised him after his mother was killed.
He is torn between his loyalty and his love for Charlotte Caissie who is a New Orleans Detective. This is what makes Max so lovable to me... a bad boy from the wrong side of the law and Charlotte who is a cop. Both have to cross the line in their belief of right and wrong in order to meet in the middle.
(Kai Wong 11:03pm August 27, 2010)
the cover is great and many more books to come and hope they will be graat sucess
(Desiree Reilly 1:12am August 28, 2010)
I love Bowen from the IAD series to! And Vikings have a soft spot on me as well. But my favorite must be Lochlan MacAllister. I can't help it, but he's my warrior.
(Annemiek de Vries 4:55am August 28, 2010)
I enjoy Margaret Moore's Norman warrior heroes! Honorable, courageous!
I haven't read any of your books but this will change soon!
(Laurie Gommermann 6:57am August 28, 2010)
Wonderful that you stayed with IT!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 8:18am August 28, 2010)
ty fot the books and best of luck for more
(Desiree Reilly 8:36am August 28, 2010)
Heroes are like potato chips -- you can't pick just one!! When you've been reading as many years as I have, all of the books tend to meld together, and you tend to lose track of the names. There are several different authors that I've read over the years, as well as genres, depending on my mood at the time, but they just tend to just be stories of a generalization sense -- very seldom with a hero and heroine.
(Peggy Roberson 9:44am August 28, 2010)
Warrior heroes? Fallon Macleod from Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant.
(Minna Puustinen 10:11am August 28, 2010)
Great list. I haven't read any of them. I will have to add them to my ever growing list of books to read.
(Pam Howell 11:31am August 28, 2010)
I just love to read. And I love variety.
(Sue Goodin 12:10pm August 28, 2010)
I love all the Heros in christine Feehans Books and in Sherrilyn Kenyon books and there is to meny more two count
(Stacey Smith 4:33pm August 28, 2010)
Wulfgar from Kathleen Woodiwiss' "The Wolf and The Dove", read that 30 years ago and still he makes my heart "stumble"!!!
(Sheila Schwartz 8:05pm August 28, 2010)
I've got to admit Zsadist tops my
list. Though it's been awhile
since I read his story, it
continues to resonate in my mind.
(Lisa Richards 9:10pm August 28, 2010)
Elizabeth Lowell's heroes are a favorite of
mine. Tough on the outside, but sensitive
inside.
(Sue Ahn 7:33am August 29, 2010)
I love the warriors from the Black Dagger Brotherhood; they have their own rules and codes that are noble. M-square
(Mickey McCall 10:36pm September 4, 2010)
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