#robert crais

[ars-solitudine]

Quella notte facemmo l’amore in modo diverso. Ci stendemmo sul letto vestiti e rimanemmo abbracciati fino all’alba.

Robert Crais

[teaformrholmes]

Here are two friends. Here are two people sharing their lives. As you wish for friendship, share in theirs. As you seek companionship, share in theirs. As you search for love, share in theirs.

Robert Crais on detective duos

[eliceislandent]

8 Qualities of Fictional Heroes

Tomorrow, my novel "The Double" publishes on Amazon. (Grab your copy here.) The hero of the novel, Eddie Ankin, is my entry into the annals of heroic characters in contemporary fiction. An ex-Marine turned Hollywood stuntman who has to take matters into his own hands to stop a killer. I've always wanted to write a hero. I spent much of my early days in television focused on anti-heroes, so I've longed to see what it took to create a hero in today's world with all its challenges, big and small, professional and personal.

Why do we love to read about heroes?

Best-selling novelist Robert Crais has a pretty good answer. As he writes to his hero, Elvis Cole, in the anthology The Lineup, "you are a metaphor...you represents hope to people...most folks, all we have is ourselves, the transmission drops before Christmas, some dip keys your car, the rent jacks up, and we're left wondering how we're going to make it. That's where you come in."

Pick up Mr. Crais’s latest Elvis Cole novel here:

In contemporary fiction, characters like Jack Reacher, John Corey, or most of John Grisham's lawyers often possess qualities that readers find heroic and entertaining.

I thought about these qualities a lot when writing about my hero, Eddie Ankin, trying to build them into him while following him in his first adventure in "The Double." Read the book and judge for yourself if Eddie is a fictional character worthy of the label: "heroic."

In the meantime, here are 8 qualities that I think make a great fictional hero:

1. Mastery: The characters in the story have an extraordinary ability to develop creative solutions and a deep understanding of their respective fields. They use their expertise to excel in challenging situations and produce remarkable results.

2. Determination: Possessed of an unshakeable desire to succeed, heroic characters forge ahead. No matter the obstacle, they persevere with a ferocity borne from unyielding strength of will. They will not quit until their goal is accomplished. They endure hardships and setbacks but find ways to bounce back, showcasing resilience.

3. Courage: These figures may be confronted with risky or hazardous circumstances and demonstrate bravery in the face of adversity. They stay calm in a crisis. They keep their wits about them even in a dangerous or hostile situation. These figures fight for their cause and are not afraid to risk their lives for it.

4. Strong moral compass: They are often driven by a desire to do what is right. There can be a struggle between upholding a strong moral code and getting the job done. On the one hand, they have a strong moral code that they adhere to even when it comes into conflict with the law. On the other hand, they sometimes find themselves operating outside of the law in order to achieve their goals.

Share

5. Intelligence: They are often portrayed as intelligent and resourceful, able to think critically and solve complex problems.

6. Strength: These characters are no slouches in terms of physicality - they possess great strength, agility, and mastery of combat, giving them a definite edge when facing off against opponents.

7. Wit and charisma: Often, they possess a sharp wit and a sense of humor that adds an element of entertainment to their character. This is an important quality for readers to respond to as it injects a playful dynamic into the story and keeps the narrative lively. Characters with wit are adept at maneuvering their way out of tricky situations. For example, Jack Reacher is renowned for his wry comments. In every book, he dishes out funny lines that keeps readers invested in the story. Similarly, John Corey's dry sense of humor and droll sarcasm act as a counterpoint to his gruff demeanor which keeps readers hooked on every page. These characters have a certain magnetism that captivates readers, making them enjoyable to follow throughout their journeys.

8. Complexity: The protagonists of these stories are usually well-developed with interesting and complex backgrounds that draw readers in. Their struggles and motivations are the very things that make them instantly relatable. Watching how they use those struggles to solve the problems they face is what makes them captivating.

What do you look for in your fictional heroes?

Who are your real life heroes?

"The Double" on Amazon. (Grab your copy here.)

Leave a comment

If you love a good story and want to read more about the lessons our favorite stories hold for each of us, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

[talltalestogo]

"The Disguise"

“The Disguise”

The private eye disguise In glasses and bushy brows, With nose and funny mustache Able to deceive the soused. I am impersonating the author, The teller of these tall tales Of tarnish valor and unfair maidens And life’s sordid travails. It is hard to fake the writing To sit here and make stuff up. The computer stares at me blankly Like an audience saying, “Never enough.” I can’t take…

[realbeefman]

hate googling “james wilson” and being BOMBARDED with information about the historical figure. i Do Not Care about that founding father i need to see Images of rsl failing the “act convincingly heterosexual” challenge

[bluesucanuse]

BLUES: SONGS OF THE DAY

THE ARTIST IS: ROBERT CRAY

THE SONG IS: "I SHIVER"

[blackros78]

Johnny Copeland, Robert Cray and Albert Collins

[evilhorse]

The Comet #4

[heidismagblog]

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: August 8, 1988

Lyrics:

Dead of the night baby

We're finally alone

I'll pull up the shades

If you'll unplug the phone

Put on some music

Marvin Gaye's real nice

Once we get settled

I'll turn off the lights

Don't be afraid of the dark

Don't be afraid of the dark

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

It might be scary

Til your eyes adjust

Don't fear the shadows

Me you can trust

I'm at my best

In a pitch black room

Hold on tight baby

You'll feel the power soon

Don't be afraid of the dark

Don't be afraid of the dark

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

You might tremble

You might shake

Scream out loud

You may even pray

I know which moves

Suit you right

You'll beg for more

You'll forget about the night

Songwriter: Robert Cray

Don't be afraid of the dark

Baby, no, no

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

Don't be afraid of the dark

Baby, no, no

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

Hey, baby, no, no, no

I'll be there to hold you

Don't be afraid of the dark

[duranduratulsa]

Robert Cray - Smoking Gun

Song 🎵 of the day: Smoking Gun by Robert Cray Band (1987) from The Persuader #robertcray #robertcrayband #smokinggun #thepersuader #80s

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Eric Clapton with Buddy Guy and Robert Cray - “Key to the Highway” (Live)

Back before Eric Clapton went bonkers and Robert Cray severed ties with ol’ Slowmind, Cray and Buddy Guy joined Clapton on stage in London to perform “Key to the Highway.”

The long-ago recording is out as the latest single from the Definitive 24 Nights, which arrives in audio and video formats June 23.

The guitar playing is, of course, lowdown and intricately intertwined as the three masters uncover the joy in the blues and Clapton reminds listeners his singing is as important as his axe swinging.

Subsequent events make this recording bittersweet, indeed. But inside the Royal Albert Hall some 30 years ago, bitter had not entered the soundscape.

Grade card: Eric Clapton with Buddy Guy and Robert Cray - “Key to the Highway” (Live) - A-

Read Sound Bites’ previous 24 Nights coverage here.

6/13/23

[cbjustmusic]

Chuck Berry and Robert Cray performing “Brown Eyed Handsome Man”, a song Berry wrote and first recorded over 65 years ago. ____________________________ Brown Eyed Handsome Man Songwriter: Chuck Berry

A-a-arrested on charges of unemployment He was sitting in the witness stand The judges wife called up the district attorney She said, "Free that brown-eyed man. If you want your job, you better free that brown-eyed man."

Flying across the desert in a TWA, I saw a woman walkin' 'cross the sand. She'd been walking thirty miles en route to Bombay To meet a brown-eyed handsome man, Her destination was a brown-eyed handsome man.

Way back in history, three thousand years, In fact ever since the world began, There's been a whole lotta good women shedding tears All for a brown-eyed handsome man, (It)'sa lot of trouble with a brown-eyed handsome man.

Beautiful daughter couldn't make up her mind Between a doctor and a lawyer man. Her mother told her, "Darling go out and find yourself A brown-eyed handsome man, Just like your daddy He's a brown-eyed handsome man."

Marlo Venus was a beautiful lass, She had the world in the palm of her hand She lost both her arms in a wrestling match To meet a brown-eyed handsome man, She fought and won herself a brown-eyed handsome man.

2-3 the count with nobody on He hit a high fly into the stands Roundin' third, he was headed for home It was a brown-eyed handsome man that won the game It was a brown-eyed handsome man.

[myimaginaryradio]

Smoking Gun - Robert Cray - 1986

[randomberlinchick]

Just got an email informing me that the concert has been postponed to an undetermined date. . . 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

UPDATE: CANCELED, not postponed

[bluesucanuse]

BLUES: SONGS OF THE DAY

THE ARTIST IS: ROBERT CRAY

THE SONG IS: "BACK DOOR SLAM"