Creating the Yummy
I've read all my life, from the time I could hold a book. I
love to get lost in another place, another time. I have always enjoyed the
romantic in fiction. However, for many years, I was, and still am, grounded in
reality. I love biographies and have literally read thousands. While I cut my
teeth on Trixie Belden mysteries, I devoured bios—movie stars, presidents,
first ladies. As I look back, the first biography I read was about Helen
Keller, and I was hooked on reality reading.
Perhaps that is why I had such a difficult time entrenching
myself in fiction. The more improbable, the less enjoyable a story is for me. I
suppose that's why I have a difficult time with paranormal reading. I can't
fathom it and my mind doesn't allow me to open up to shifters and werewolves.
Vampires are entirely different, but they have to be loveable and of a
different ilk. Go figure, huh?
When I started reading romance novels, I knew I had found my
fictional niche. I don't read them to escape my life, because I have a
wonderful hero of my own, to whom I've been married for a considerable number
of years. Perhaps, because he is the man he is, I can lose myself in fictional
romance and not wish the hero was my own.
However, to create a hero that women or men will drool over,
now that is satisfying work. When I was a teenager, my walls were papered with
pages torn from movie and teen music magazines. Frankie Avalon, Ricky Nelson,
Dion, along with Rock Hudson, Troy Donahue, Tab Hunter, all made up my
dreamboat faction. I wasn’t a big Elvis fan at that time, while my schoolmates
were.
Often, when I'm creating a hero, or as some like to call
them, The Yummy, I harken back to those days and snatch attributes from Frankie
(his hair,) Ricky (those full lips,) or Rock (his smile.)
The rest however, is less superficial, because I've lived a
few years past teenage, and I know that looks fade, but true character lives
forever.
While a fictional hero needs to be above human capability,
(you'd think paranormal would appeal to me more than it does,) he must have
compassion, be gentlemanly to a point, caring to a fault, strong beyond
measure, astute, and handsome beyond handsome. Yes, he can have flaws, and
should, but he must recognize them and use them to advantage.
My characters are a composite of my ideal man. I also know,
that perfection doesn't really exist, so in creating it, I must make the hero
so human that the reader sees the perfection shining through.
For me, I admire a man who can cry—appropriately. Whiney or
overly emotional men do not fall into the hero category for me. I have great
difficulty with guys who cry at the drop of a hat or who are too clingy. But a
man who can show appropriate emotion has me at Go.
Men come in all shapes and sizes, and many don't appear
particularly heroic, if we use the word to describe the male lead. By definition,
a hero is "someone who commits an act of remarkable bravery or has shown
an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character." Yes,
that is what I'm screaming.
Strength of character. The guy doesn't have to slay dragons,
but he does have to appear as though he could if called upon. He should know
what he is about and face it with uncompromising courage. That could mean going
after the person he wants, taking care of his family, giving more than anyone
else when it comes to his job. Putting others before himself, taking a bullet
for someone he cares for.
Integrity and honor. Strength of his convictions. He doesn't
have to be a superhero. For me, a real life hero is someone who drags himself
out of bed each day, determined to do what he must. He does it as well as he
can. He smiles and has a kind word, a loving word for the person he shares his
life with. He isn't too prideful to hold the hand of the one he loves, nor does
he back down when challenged.
He holds his head up high and is proud of the life he's
created and above all, he can take the praise he so richly deserves.
When an author writes those kinds of heroes, I'm there. I'm
sold. I'm in love from page one. Add a bit of realism to the mix. Not all
Yummies are tall, dark and handsome. Some are short, quiet, and graying. No
less heroic, however.
Sample some of my heroes in my latest releases:
Here's the
blurb for Tarnished Gold:
In 1915, starstruck Jack
Abadie strikes out for the gilded streets of the most sinful town in the
country—Hollywood. With him, he takes a secret that his country hometown would
never understand.
After years of hard work and a chance invitation
to a gay gentlemen's club, Jack is discovered. Soon, his talent, matinee idol
good looks, and affable personality propel him to the height of stardom. But
fame breeds distrust.
Meeting Wyatt Maitland turns Jack’s life upside
down. He wants to be worthy of his good fortune, but old demons haunt him. Only
through Wyatt's strength can Jack face that which keeps him from being the man
he wants to be. Love without trust is empty.
As the 1920s roar, scandals rock the movie
industry. Public tolerance of Hollywood
Read
an excerpt and purchase the Tarnished Gold ebook
or print,
signed by the author (if one of the first twenty sold.)
I also have For
Men Like Us, which takes place during the Regency in England
Blurb for For Men Like Us:
After Preston Meacham’s
lover dies trying to lend him aid at Salamanca
The Napoleonic War left Benedict Wilmot haunted by the acts he was forced to commit and the torture he endured at the hands of a superior, a man who used the threat of a gruesome death to force Ben to do his bidding. Even sleep gives Ben no reprieve, for he can’t escape the destruction he caused.
When their paths cross, Ben feels an overwhelming need to protectPreston from his dangerous
profession. As he explains, “The streets are dangerous for men like us.”
The Napoleonic War left Benedict Wilmot haunted by the acts he was forced to commit and the torture he endured at the hands of a superior, a man who used the threat of a gruesome death to force Ben to do his bidding. Even sleep gives Ben no reprieve, for he can’t escape the destruction he caused.
When their paths cross, Ben feels an overwhelming need to protect
About Brita Addams:
Born in Upstate New
York, Brita Addams has made her home in the sultry south for many years.
Brita's home is a happy place, where she lives with her real-life hero, her
husband, and a fat cat named Stormee.
She writes, for the most part, erotic historical
romance, both het and m/m, which is an ideal fit, given her love of British and
American history. Setting the tone for each historical is important.
Research plays an indispensible part in the writing of any historical work,
romance or otherwise. A great deal of reading and study goes into each work, to
give the story the authenticity it deserves.
As a reader, Brita prefers historical works,
romances and otherwise. She believes herself born in the wrong century, though
she says she would find it difficult to live without air conditioning.
Brita and her husband love to travel,
particularly cruises and long road trips. They completed a Civil War
battlefield tour a couple of years ago, and have visited many places involved
in the American Revolutionary War.
In May, 2013, they are going to England
A bit of trivia – Brita pronounces her name,
B-Rita, like the woman's name, and oddly, not like the famous water filter.
Please visit me at any of these online locations:
Twitter: @britaaddams
Giveaway:
E-book
giveaways at each stop. Random commenter's choice from my backlist (Tarnished
Gold excluded)
Signed
8x10 glossies of Jack Abadie
Grand
Prize is a Kindle,
along with the winner's choice of five (5) of my backlist titles, sent to them
by email.
Rules:
Easy. Leave a
comment at one or all the stops. At each stop, a random commenter will be
selected to win their choice of backlist book (Tarnished Gold excluded.) This
selection will be made daily throughout the tour, except where blog owners wish
to extend the eligibility. Be sure to leave an email address in your
comment.
All names of
commenters and their email addresses will be put into the drawing for the
Kindle, even if they have won the daily drawing. The more comments you make the
more chances you have to win.
Other prizes
include five (5) 8x10 glossies of Jack Abadie, signed. The winners will be
selected on April 10, from all the commenters at all the stops, and notified by
email.
The Grand Prize
winner will be selected on April 10th and notified by email. Once I have heard
from the winner and obtained a shipping address, I will order the Kindle and
have it shipped directly to the winner. They will also be eligible to select
five (5) of my backlist titles and I will email them to the winner.
Contest valid in
the United
States
Full schedule for the Tarnished Gold Virtual Book
Tour
