Here's to Heroes

Did you see the recent story about the NYC subway slasher who went on a violent spree killing several people  He set out to create more carnage, but he ran into Joe Lozito, a regular commuter from Philly.  When the slasher threatened him, Lozito knew he would most likely die if he didn't do something.  Drawing on the moves he'd seen while watching mixed martial arts matches, Lozito fought back, saving his life and possibly the lives of others on the train.  Afterward, Lozito was very humble, brushing off any credit.

In 1996, a Penn State University student opened fire on her fellow classmates, killing one and wounding another.  As she stopped to reload, student Brendon Malovrh ran over and tackled her.  During the struggle, she pulled a knife on Malovrh, but she inadvertently slashed her own leg.  Malovrh used his belt as a tourniquet to save her life.  I remember watching Malovrh while reporters interviewed him.  He was very low-key, humble and seemed to shrink from the attention.

In this day when so many are clamoring for attention (i.e. Lady Gaga), it's refreshing and heartwarming to know that humble heroes still exist. 

Heroes have always been a staple of literature; readers can't resist them.  Perhaps we love them so much because they appeal to our higher nature.  We look upon them and hope that in the same circumstances we would perform as admirably. 

One of my favorite fictional heroes is Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  Fraser is honorable, brave, and self-sacrificing.

Who are some of your favorite fiction heroes?  What makes them stand out in your mind?      

Now you know what's on their mind

What serious writer hasn't wondered what agents and editors want or what are they thinking?  I can distinctly recall many times sitting with the members of my critique group and trying to read between the lines of the rejection letter in question, wondering just what the agent or editor meant by "while your writing has merit, I don't think I'm the one to best represent your work." or some similar phrase.  In such situations someone in the group sighs and ponders, "If I only knew what they were thinking when they wrote this rejection letter."

With the advent of social media and its embrace by agents and editors, writers now have more of an insight into what agents and editors are looking for.  I'm finding it very refreshing and helpful to read their blog postings and twitters.  Social media is more intimate and agents and editors are very candid in their postings.  If writers are wise, they will study these postings.  They are telling us how to approach them and what they want--it's up to us to listen.