C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Who’s Your Hero? And Hat’s Off Corner to Joy Campbell

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HOPE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND, BUT I’M SOMEWHERE THOUSANDS OF FEET IN THE AIR-THERE’S A PLANE INVOLVED.   IF I CAN LOG ON AND COMMENT, I WILL, BUT IF I’M KICKED BACK WITH A GLASS OF WINE AND A GOOD BOOK, MY COMMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE LATE. 

I could make a list that would go the length of my blog if I listed my heroes-men and women in my life, in history, and in stories I’ve treasured. Instead, I’m going with the generic hero, the unsung, the unwitting, the Everyman (in the most general sense of “man”) who rises from the humble to the heroic in that moment when man must either rise higher than he’s ever risen before, or succumb to the forces against him.

Flood
©C.Lee
The heroic heart lies
concealed within. 
Mysterious, 
Undetected;
then in one moment, 
Revealed.
Aftermath
©C. Lee

One image.
A trove of feelings compacted into light and shadow
No authored words.
Only the heart of the hero, beating.

Ouroboros 
©C. Lee

Day.
Night.
Another.
Year.
Decade.
Another. 
Hunger harvests. 
Hero 
Endures.
So I know what you’re saying: 300 words? Well, I’m going with the idea that if brevity is the soul of wit it’s also the best way to express an idea. Besides, I often find that if I’m brief, I’m also more likely to be read by others online. The problem is it takes me hours more to write short than it does to write long. 
Here are some others who agree with my thoughts on brevity. Am I in good company or what?
“It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.” 
“Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated.” 
To the Hero in all of us.

******
HAT’S OFF CORNER
Ever heard the saying, ‘one hand washes the other’? Well, in my world ‘one story bleeds into another’. Although there are currently three novels and one novella in the Island Adventure Romance series, the stories all started with Hardware, a romantic suspense novel released through Wild Child Publishing.
You might wonder how that happened. Let’s just say one compelling secondary character, Anya, had such an interesting situation that I had to develop her story. Her sister, Celeste, proved to be a pain-in-the-butt that I did nothing about for a while. Then I wondered what would happen if I tied her to a troublesome secondary character from Contraband, my first published work. Long story short, these problem children lit the pages on fire with their personalities that are akin to the effect you get from striking a match close to gasoline.
The plot thread is still unreeling, because there’s one half of a twin—presumed dead—from Contraband whose adventure is next in line. For those of you who write stories that end up as a series, d’you notice how unresolved situations, snippets of information and back story help to form the basis for follow-up books?
Sign up on the Rafflecopter if you’d like a chance to read the books in this series or win a gift card. Also, feel free to download Anya’s Wish, which is a complimentary novella from the Island Adventure Romance series.
J.L. Campbell lives in Jamaica and writes romantic suspense, women’s fiction and young adult novels. She also writes non-fiction and is a certified editor. Visit her on the web at http://www.joylcampbell.com or at her Amazon page. She’s enjoys good company, so feel free to follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Comments

  1. I found it hard to be concise, too. You really have to choose your words carefully! I don't know if you saw that you won my books in the trick-or-treat giveaway. I just need your mailing info so I can send them to you. Here's my email address: [email protected]

  3. Lee, powerful prose.
    Your snippets definitely bear testament to that saying - less is more…
    Thank you for participating in the Hero Blogfest.

    "…these problem children lit the pages on fire with their personalities that are akin to the effect you get from striking a match close to gasoline…" these characters sound dynamic…volatile…well, in a good way…

    Enjoy the rest of your trip, Lee!

  4. Have a wonderful trip! Is the Everyman Hero the same as the Unlikely Hero? Or are they different? Does Everyman have the potential for heroism always within, while Unlikely Heroes have to overcome their reluctance to be one?

  5. Hey Lee!

    Thus, just like you are or were, my comment might see up in the air. Then again, you might still be over my head. Yes, finally, I have found some time to leave you with one of my beautifully crafted comments. Did you fly on BlogAir? The blogger's favourite airline. Was Penny the "pawlet"?

    Brevity is the way forward. The unsung heroes, the ones who quietly go about be there for others, with little recognition, are my heroes.

    J.L., the Blog Train is on the right track. Nice one.

    As for you, Lee, amazing author and all-round great gal, yes indeed, I'm still your starstruckest fan. Apologies for my absence that caused the entire blogging community to wonder how they would cope without me.

    Gary

  6. Congrats to Joy - great giveaway! Amusingly, my monthly writing.com newsletter uses the same FDR quote this month. I hope you're having a fab time. Take pics! 🙂

  10. I love your hero (s). It is so true that there can be one person who has touched a life so deeply and yet they, themselves, may not even know. Your poem attached to each picture is so heart felt. The 2nd one made me gulp as it reminded me of my mom (she survived WW2). I wish i could be brief but rarely am

  14. Short but very thought provoking Lee. Heroes come in all forms. Joy, series comes from all sorts of places. Including characters who won't leave you alone until their stories are told.

  17. Hi Lee - have a great holiday … and enjoy the wine! I like your idea of the Everyman hero … and writing short - ? What is that ..

    Be sincere, be brief, be seated … Franklin D Roosevelt … perhaps he could awaken himself and teach me!!

    Cheers have a lovely time .. Hilary

  19. Beautiful words, Lee. I love your writing on heroes.
    I always have a hard time being brief. When I first started blogging, my posts were more like short stories instead of mere musings. I've gotten better over the last year=)
    I love the blog hop's theme for heroes. I've said it before but I've always admired those who inspire children. Whether during a school author visit, by telling stories which enable kids to get past bullying and reach for their dreams, or by a simple act of humanitarianism, those type of people encourage me to be a better hero for the livelihood, success and imagination of our youth.
    I also agree with Beverly, Jesus Christ is the greatest hero of them all.

  20. Those heroes we all hear about are often very fascinating, yet I must admit I'm a sucker for the hero/heroine whose deeds may go unnoticed, but the footprint they leave behind, the mark they leave on the world is often a magnificent pay-it-forward movement touching lives everyday.

  21. Here's to the hero in all of us, Lee. Enjoy the trip and thanks so much for hosting me! Thanks also for your kind wishes, guys.

    Beverly, Jesus Christ is more than a worthy hero!

  22. Oooo, the unsung heroes, the Everyman. A most excellent choice. And I agree, it's harder to write short than write long.

    Congratulations to Joy!

  24. Have safe travels and a wonderful trip! What a fabulous post! Excellent photos and words to go with each. :). Awesome!

    Congrats to Joy!
    Jess

  25. Congrats to Joy. I love leaving clues in one book in a series that one of the secondary characters will someday have their own story. I seldom read books that aren't part of a series.

  26. Congratulations, Joy. I have many heroes, but the greatest of all is Jesus Christ who watches over me and guides me through the darkness. He also smiles with me in the light.
    Enjoy your holiday, Lee.