As I pondered what to share with my readers this Monday, which here in the United States is a Memorial Day holiday where we honor our military men and women for their service past and present, I was reminded of a Facebook post I read on the London military serviceman slaughtered in a terrorist attack there last week. The poster called the man a hero, but was argued with by a commenter who claimed military personnel didn't want to be called heroes. Yet that term is used all the time by civilians and even their own superiors as they recognize these men and women's sacrifices.
So what are heroes, really?
This is a term that's become commonplace to me and other romance writers because its the designation we use for our protagonists. Heroes and heroines are our main characters and we refer to them as such even after they have their own names. We use it in plotting, discussions, classes, and even advertisements (hunky hero pics, anyone?).
But I think, at its core, the meaning of the title "hero" is the same. Far from the sexy man cliche, truly formed, well-written romance heroes are men willing to risk everything to be with and protect those they love. Sometimes they may risk their lives, but other times they may be risking lifelong beliefs and behaviors that have been at the core of their existences, putting their emotional lives on the line for something more powerful than themselves.
Here in the US, our military personnel, law enforcement, rescue and medical personnel put themselves at risk every day -- for what? Low pay, continually dwindling benefits, and often times a country that doesn't seem to value what they risk on their jobs. No, I firmly believe most of them show up because they believe in what they're doing and believe its worth the risk. Whether they ever take a bullet is irrelevant. Risking themselves (health, life, family) for something they believe in is heroic.
I have friends in law enforcement, uncles and a father who served in the military, and have lived long-term in 2 military towns. None of those close to me have died in the line of duty, but I still consider their service to our towns and our country heroic.
And isn't the fact that they don't consider themselves heroes make them that much more so in our eyes?
Share with us what hero you want to honor today!
Dani
So what are heroes, really?
This is a term that's become commonplace to me and other romance writers because its the designation we use for our protagonists. Heroes and heroines are our main characters and we refer to them as such even after they have their own names. We use it in plotting, discussions, classes, and even advertisements (hunky hero pics, anyone?).
But I think, at its core, the meaning of the title "hero" is the same. Far from the sexy man cliche, truly formed, well-written romance heroes are men willing to risk everything to be with and protect those they love. Sometimes they may risk their lives, but other times they may be risking lifelong beliefs and behaviors that have been at the core of their existences, putting their emotional lives on the line for something more powerful than themselves.
Here in the US, our military personnel, law enforcement, rescue and medical personnel put themselves at risk every day -- for what? Low pay, continually dwindling benefits, and often times a country that doesn't seem to value what they risk on their jobs. No, I firmly believe most of them show up because they believe in what they're doing and believe its worth the risk. Whether they ever take a bullet is irrelevant. Risking themselves (health, life, family) for something they believe in is heroic.
I have friends in law enforcement, uncles and a father who served in the military, and have lived long-term in 2 military towns. None of those close to me have died in the line of duty, but I still consider their service to our towns and our country heroic.
And isn't the fact that they don't consider themselves heroes make them that much more so in our eyes?
Share with us what hero you want to honor today!
Dani
Sneak Peek: FINDING HER RHYTHM
With a wry twist of his lips, he headed into the busy kitchen, following the draw of happiness and the lure of butter and brown sugar. They'd assembled homemade pizza masterpieces, with Susan's blessing, and had now moved on to the dessert portion of the evening. Although as he walked into the room, he wondered just how many cookies would make it to the oven, considering the blatant dips into the cookie dough bowl. His gaze met a laughing green one, sparkling with knowledge of his thoughts. “Don't worry,” Taylor mock whispered. “That's why we make two batches at a time.” Good thing she couldn't read all his thoughts, or she'd know he would give his next endorsement check to lick the swath of grainy butter mixture from the edge of her mouth. Her lips parted, and he wondered whether his thoughts were so secret after all. Then a wicked grin tilted her full lips, stopping his breath in his chest. Somehow her finger was loaded down with cookie dough—he didn’t see it happen because he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her mouth—and she was offering it to him. “Wanna bite?” she asked. Oh boy, did he. He wanted to make her take the bowl, spread it over those full breasts, and offer him a bite— Breaking the spell with a shake of his head, he leaned back. “No thanks,” he said, his voice coming out a little harder than he intended. Like flipping a light switch, the emotions disappeared from her face. “Okay,” she mumbled, then popped the dough into her own mouth. An intriguing flush swept over her high cheekbones.
Struggling after the death of her parents, Taylor let her hormones lead her into the biggest mistake of her life. Now she has a dangerous ex who still wants to own her and a desperate need for safety. What could be safer than her new job as a rock star nanny? Except now she’s locked herself in with a man who is potentially more dangerous…to her heart.
Michael Korvello has a dominant nature and a lonely heart that he keeps firmly under wraps. His kids have suffered enough for the mistakes of his past. But his new nanny has those dark desires howling at the gate. The only thing keeping him in check is the fear lurking in those brilliant green eyes. Can he earn her trust, and the right to transform all her desires into reality?
Just when neither can deny their need for each other, Taylor’s ex shows up like an unlucky charm, intent on taking back what he considers his…even if he has to destroy Michael’s world to get to her. Can two kindred souls protect the passionate love they ache for from an outsider bent on ripping them apart?
Available at Amazon, B&N, and other online retailers.
CHECK OUT MORE SNEAK PEEKS HERE! 
We’re working hard to slim down before RWA Nationals in July through healthy eating, exercise, sharing information, and accountability. Join us any time along the way, introduce yourself and post goals, or just contribute to the conversation! We’re here to share!
When it comes to sleep, I'm an 8 hour a night girl. My hubby can attest that my grumpiest years were the infant stages where my babies woke me up during the night. Since I've started working full-time and publishing, one of my most fervent wishes has been to get by with less sleep. But I neglect those hours to my (and my employers) detriment.
Without adequate sleep, I spend all day in a fog and am dozing over my work-in-progress by 7pm. So sleep I must. When I protect those 7-8 hours, my body and brain rewards me by being more alert and on board when I am awake. I'm able to exercise and make better eating choices because I'm not noshin' all day to try to keep myself awake.
Challenge: Are you a 6, 7, 8 hour a night girl? Does the amount of sleep you get affect your writing/exercise/eating choices? How do you ensure you get enough rest? Don't forget to check in!!!
Dani
P.S. A big thanks to Kayelle Allen for the updated version of our button!!!!! Didn't she do a great job?
We’re working hard to slim down before RWA Nationals in July through healthy eating, exercise, sharing information, and accountability. Join us any time along the way, introduce yourself and post goals, or just contribute to the conversation! We’re here to share!
Welcome Ella Sheridan, who is sharing with us about rewarding ourselves this week!
When B. F. Skinner coined the term “operant conditioning,” we finally had a scientific name for a concept that has been around since the beginning of time: our behavior is modified by its consequences. Call it reward and punishment, reinforce and punisher, whatever; the truth is, rewards make us do more of an action and punishments make us do less. When it comes to losing weight, rewards are key.
I used to reward myself with food—stupid, I know. I’m trying to get away from food, not use it to feed my addiction. Now I give myself a free meal once a week, including dessert, not because I need a reward but because I understand that deprivation leads to bingeing. If I don’t allow myself to have something on a limited schedule, I’m guaranteed to break at some point and gorge myself on all the things I keep away from myself the rest of the time. That’s a safety net, not a reward.
So what do I reward myself with? Some of you have heard me talk about gold stars. I decided I needed immediate feedback on my daily efforts. I couldn’t reward myself with food, so what did I use? Well, I took a page out of my childhood book and put a gold start beside every day on my food diary where I have fulfilled ALL of my goals for that day. When I get seven of those stars, I give myself a non-food-related treat. A new shirt. An album off iTunes. A trip to the dollar movie theater. I’m not certain it matters what you reward yourself with as long as it makes you feel good. Make yourself a list; check it when you are doing well and boost that good feeling with some positive reinforcement.
I also give myself a number-related reward. Every five pounds. Every ten pounds. Every two pounds, doesn’t matter as long as you have a set schedule and stick to it. Knowing when you hit that five-pound mark and you get that new pair of jeans to replace the ones that are too big for you right now might just be the incentive you need to get through the week of hormone-related, I-can’t-get-enough-chocolate-to-save-my-life cravings from he**. My next incentive, when I hit the ten-pound loss mark, is a new bra and panty set from Soma. It’s been so long since I felt beautiful in my underwear, none of which is pretty. I can’t wait to go pick out something I can enjoy every time I put clothes over it—or when I take them off. c;
Challenge: So what’s your reward list? How often do you reward yourself? Do you need to do it more often? Let’s throw out some ideas to help each other build our list of “operant conditioning reinforcers”—and yes, cabana boys and chocolates count, if they’re real, not virtual (Bonnie! c;). 
Today the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood is letting me talk writing, family, and RWA's Golden Heart award with my very own sister, author Ella Sheridan! Join us for all kinds of fun today! www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com 
There’s very little that’s hotter than the south in summer! With 100 degree temperatures and high humidity, stepping outside can be like stepping into a sauna sometimes. And unlike some places we don’t get the relief of a daily rain shower. Nope, just sweat, sweat, and more sweat.
But sometimes that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes, it’s the perfect combination to get those hot heroes to take off their shirts for ya. Maybe when they’re working on the lawn, or out in the field, or on the car…After all, it’s hot. And so are they – glistening muscles under the southern sun.
Of course, that’s not the only reason they take off their shirts. Swimming is an epidemic during a southern summer. Pools, rivers, lakes…heck, even a pond will do. Anything wet.
Maybe that’s why my hero in FINDING HER RHYTHM has a million-dollar pool at his mansion outside Atlanta, GA. It’s a long-held dream of mine, ever since I saw a bare bones version at a hotel once. But Michael Korvello, famous rock star, doesn’t go for bare bones anything. He likes his pool like his woman, curvy and lush. Slides, smooth rock formations, a waterfall, a little cave…all over the top, surrounded by lush tropical plants. The perfect way to cool down (or in his case, heat it up – his heroine accuses him of having a thing for sex in water).
So share with us your favorite way to cool down in the summer! One lucky winner will get an Amazon or B&N gift card from me. All commenters are eligible to win the grand prizes through the rafflecopter!
FINDING HER RHYTHM
A Backstage Pass Novel
Struggling after the death of her parents, Taylor let her hormones lead her into the biggest mistake of her life. Now she has a dangerous ex who still wants to own her and a desperate need for safety. What could be safer than her new job as a rock star nanny? Except now she’s locked herself in with a man who is potentially more dangerous…to her heart.
Michael Korvello has a dominant nature and a lonely heart that he keeps firmly under wraps. His kids have suffered enough for the mistakes of his past. But his new nanny has those dark desires howling at the gate. The only thing keeping him in check is the fear lurking in those brilliant green eyes. Can he earn her trust, and the right to transform all her desires into reality?
Just when neither can deny their need for each other, Taylor’s ex shows up like an unlucky charm, intent on taking back what he considers his…even if he has to destroy Michael’s world to get to her. Can two kindred souls protect the passionate love they ache for from an outsider bent on ripping them apart.
Don't forget to visit the other blogs on this hop for more fun, prizes, and hot, hot, hot!!! The list can be found here.
I remembered something about myself tonight. I' m a perfectionist.
Shocking, I know. But I've really struggled over the past few days with a synopsis for my editor. Tonight I wasn't feeling well, was trying to finish the synopsis and send it off, trying to bolster my sinking writer's self-confidence, and it hit me -- I don't have my blog post up for tomorrow. Maybe we could skip just one week? Oh, heaven forbid!!! My perfectionist tendencies kicked in. I certainly could not do that.
Looking back over the last week, I've felt the same way in another area: my diet. I haven't done it perfectly, so I've been very down on myself. Exercise is going well, but I haven't followed my diet to the letter. So of course nothing is working. Of course I feel fat. Of course I'm depressed.
Because I'm not perfect. Hello! We're not supposed to be.
Yes, I can try harder. But I also think this perfectionist thing hurts me. You see, if I can't do something perfectly, why do it? It's a lot easier to just give up. :) So this week I'm going to focus on 1 meal at a time, and stop beating myself up over every little mistake.
Challenge: Are you a perfectionist? Or are you more flexible? How do your personality traits hinder or help your weight loss goals?
Check in today and let us know how you're doing!
Dani (who promises to turn on the comments this week so Ella doesn't panic!!!)
I'm hanging out with my sis, Ella Sheridan, over at The Mutual Admiration Society. Guess who's hangin' with us? Michael Korvello, rock star hero of Finding Her Rhythm! Come check out the story behind his "look" (and there might be a giftie up for grabs!).
Most of the Playfriends are gone to the Romantic Times convention this week, so I thought I'd host a little party on the Writing Playground blog! Come check out the hunky hero I most wish I could party with and comment to win some Release Week goodies!
[caption id="attachment_61" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
The Playfriends from The Writing Playground (L to R) Dani Wade, Kimberly Lang, Kira Sinclair, Andrea Laurence, Marilyn Puett[/caption]
The Playfriends from The Writing Playground (L to R) Dani Wade, Kimberly Lang, Kira Sinclair, Andrea Laurence, Marilyn Puett[/caption]
We’re working hard to slim down before RWA Nationals in July through healthy eating, exercise, sharing information, and accountability. Join us any time along the way, introduce yourself and post goals, or just contribute to the conversation! We’re here to share!
I'm going short and sweet this week! I seem to be facing any number or setbacks...admin appreciation week at work (with food coming out the wazoo -- I wasn't horrible, but I wasn't perfect either), illness, revisions and release week, and trying to get my teenager out of the house for a trip. BUT I'm finally moving downward again, woohoo!!! AND my exercise is finally on track too. Though I need to take a page out of Ella Sheridan's book. She's doing incredible.
Sorry this is so short! Release week is kicking my tail. :) But I want us all to have a place to check in, report progress, or your own setbacks and how you are facing them. The halfway point is coming up sooner than we can imagine. Yikes!!!
Challenge: Where are you at for Week 5? What changes have you made to your plan/eating/exercise?