August 30, 2008
Seduction of a Proper Gentleman starring Lois Lane
Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty GuestsThe Quills are very happy to welcome back NYT Best Selling Author, Victoria Alexander!!
(Everyone who comments on her post will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of her book, A Little Bit Wicked. The winner will be announced Sunday evening)
Just about a month ago I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Romance Writers of America annual conference in San Francisco. Let me tell you—the conference was great and San Francisco is amazing. I had a fabulous time.
One of the things I talked about was—whether you’re a writer or a reader—not apologizing for your literary tastes or for where you get your literary inspiration.
I love Jane Austen’s stories and the way she looked at her world. I love Mark Twain and I think the Diaries of Adam and Eve is one of the most romantic, funniest, charming stories ever written with an ending that just touches your heart. If you have never read this—go, now, read it! I think the last few pages of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is the best ending ever written. It brings me to tears every time I read it. I think I’ve read the entire book maybe once but I’ve read the ending dozens of times. wm So, in terms of literary inspiration, I would love to say Jane Austen or Charles Dickreaens or Mark Twain but I can’t. The influence on my own story telling is grounded firmly in the 20th century, and very much in the 1960’s.
Several years ago, I came face to face with the 60’s and my writing roots while cleaning out a closet. I ran across a stack of comic books originally published in the early 60’s. I had started collecting them again as an adult—whenever I’d run across one I’d buy it.
These were comics I had bought as a child. These were old friends. I knew these stories by heart. Because these weren’t just any old comics. These were Lois Lane comics.
Lois Lane. Girl reporter. Superman’s girlfriend.
I loved Lois Lane. And I’ll confess to you, I was a Lois Lane addict. I knew what day the new comics arrived at the drug store that was a mere five minutes from my house in Stillwater, Oklahoma. For twelve cents I could be swept away to an entirely different world peopled with superheroes and practically unbeatable villains and best of all—a heroine worthy of the name heroine.
In an era in which women were only beginning to look at the world of working outside the home, Lois Lane had not merely a job but a career. She was brave, if somewhat impulsive, intelligent if not always as practical as she should have been, dedicated, honorable and she never had a bad hair day that wasn’t fixed on the next page.
And she was hopelessly in love with a hero too noble to surrender to his own feelings about her and thereby put her life in danger because, of course, evil doers would try to get back at him through her. In addition, her hero, our hero, Superman, was extremely well drawn.
Lois Lane had a profound impact on my writing and probably my life. When I look at the heroines I create today, regardless of what time period they may be set in, I see the influence of Lois Lane. I see her impulsiveness and her imperfections and I also see her courage and strength and sense of honor. And willingness to sacrifice her own happiness and sometimes her very life for the good of the man she loved or even to save the world.
I see Lois Lane in the heroine of my new book—Seduction of a Proper Gentleman.
Kathleen MacDavid is willing to sacrifice, to do whatever it takes including marry a man she’s never met to save her family from a centuries old curse. A curse she had always considered herself way too practical and sensible to believe in.
Seduction is the last of the Last Man Standing books. I’ve never actually brought a series to a close before—I truly think I will write the Efffington stories forever—and I find I’m feeling a little mushy about it. Oliver Leighton, the hero of Seduction has been with me for 6 books now and it’s strangely hard to say goodbye. I know he’s just fictional still…
Apparently, I am not as stalwart, as self-sacrificing, as tough a heroine as Lois Lane. Go figure.
Oliver Leighton, Lois Lane, Sydney Carton, Elizabeth Bennet, Adam and Eve—all characters that have affected my life in some way and will stay with me forever.
So who are those characters that still live in your heart?
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Laura Says:
At the moment I don’t have an answer to your question but just wanted to say, I thoroughly enjoyed your keynote speech - and actually meeting you a day or two later.
Victoria Says:
Thank you! I was terrified going into the talk but once people started laughing, I actually had fun.
ladydawgfan Says:
First things first. I am currently reading “Seduction . . .” and thoroughly enjoying it!! The banter between Kate and Oliver is wonderful! GREAT read, so far!!
As to characters that have stuck with me, besides Elizabeth Bennet, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder when I was a girl. I read all of her books and wanted to live in a sod hut on a prairie when I was 10 instead of the solid house my family lived in (what a disappointment - NOT!). Others were Jane Eyre and Elinor Dashwood. I love the classics because the characters have such depth to them.
Quilt Lady Says:
First off I have read a few of your book and loved them so keep up the good work.
As far as characters that have stuck with me over the years the main one would be Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind, lets face it you just can’t beat the characters in the old classics.
Cindy Kirk Says:
I loved Elizabeth Bennet, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Anne of Green Gables.
I also loved Cherry Ames, Student Nurse series and Peggy Lane Theatre series. I never did get into Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew. And to this day I’m not into romantic suspense.
Shana Says:
Oh, all of you are giving such good answers! Those would be my choices as well. I’d add Jamie and Claire from Diana Gabaldon’s series and Ayla from Jean Auel’s series.
catslady Says:
Oh Ayla is my favorite of all time! I love that series. She has to be the strongest female character I’ve ever read. It used to be Trixie Beldon when I was young - they were the first books I’ve ever owned. The Gabaldon books are in my tbr pile just waiting lol. Are all the Last Man Standing books stand alones(no pun intended lol)?
Isabel Says:
Victoria!!!!
It was so GOOD to meet you in person at the RWA signing. Thank you for signing all my stuff.
And I’m very happy for Kate and Oliver getting their HEA. Your books put a smile on my face. 
I got my very on copy of SOAPG last Wednesday, what a beautiful cover you have here.
Favorite characters that have stayed with me over the years are Lizzy and Darcy and Margaret and John Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.
cheryl c. Says:
Memorable female characters have been Scarlett O’Hara, Elizabeth Bennett, Claire Frasier, Nancy Drew, Jessica Trent from Lord of Scoundrels, Lorelei from McKettrick’c Choice, and Gillian from Ransom. All of them touched by heart in some way.
Irene M. Says:
Hi everyone!
Hey, I’m late to the party but… Great topic VA!
Ayla is a great example of a very strong character—she was able to adapt to the constant changes in her life, something the Cro-Magnon members of “the clan” couldn’t do and why they were destined to die out. I read Clan of the Cave Bear back when it was a new release, early 80’s I think, and I remember everyone was talking about this book. I also read the next 2 books in the “Earth Children” (?) series, but I think even more were written.
Isabel, I loved the characters from North & South. Wow! What a great movie, though, I have to admit I’ve never read the book… ah maybe someday.
I agree with all the characters already mentioned… and I’d like to add George Bailey from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the group. And Jimmy Stewart was a fabulous choice for playing the part of an average guy.
George learns a great lesson in the movie—something we all sometimes need to be reminded of—when he realizes he should never take for granted the affect one person can have on other people’s lives. And that despite the problems and hardships he’d had to endure during his life—he’d still had a really wonderful life!
And VA that’s why I love your new heroine. I think Kathleen MacDavid is a very strong character; when adversity strikes in her life—as it does in everyone’s life—she picks herself up, dusts herself off, and has the courage to carry on. And she’s willing to do whatever she has to do for the people she loves.
Btw~ Judith from A LITTLE BIT WICKED—the book you’re giving away—is no slouch in the “strong heroine” department either, she’s another great memorable character.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of VA’s SEDUCTION OF A PROPER GENTLEMAN.
Cindy Kirk Says:
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My father read a lot of westerns. But I remember him saying how much he LOVED this book!
Stacie Mc Says:
Like those above, Anne of Green Gables, Laura Ingalls WIlder, and Nancy Drew have stuck with me.
I’d also add Meg Wallace from Madeleine L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time books.
Serenissima Says:
Ladies,
I have a very special place from my heart for ANNE OF GREEN GABLES-books. When I was 9-years-old, a librarian recommeded those books for me and oh boy,how I was stucked with Anne´s friend and family. After 30 years, I still re-read all Anne-books once a year.
Later on Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy as well as Margaret Hale and Mr Thornton have found their way to my heart; forever it seems…
Laura T Says:
Hi!
What a fun blog! I have to say that a lot of my favorite heroines are from modern romance novels. Jane Austen’s, of course, and There is this one book I can never get out of my mind… Daisy, from Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg. There are too many to name, but in a lot of the romance novels I read now, including the Jaunty Quills authors and of course Victoria Alexander, where I want to stand up and cheer for their heroines.
It’s so nice when there is a heroine I would love to be friends with.
~Laura T
Kristan Higgins Says:
The character I just can’t get over is Rhett Butler. I read GWTW when I was 13 and believed until the very last page that Scarlett and Rhett would get their happily ever after. Spent much of my adolescence imagining it, in fact. I’ve read that book 14 times in all, and I think Rhett is one of the best, truest, most fascinating characters ever. Sigh.
catslady Says:
Irene, there are 5 Earth’s Children books with one more to go - this has to be the longest to wait for series ever but worth the wait!
Irene M. Says:
catslady “Said: Irene, there are 5 Earth’s Children books with one more to go - this has to be the longest to wait for series ever but worth the wait!”
And Harry Potter fans thought they had a long wait between books. LOL!
Thanks for the update Catslady, I’ll have to check out the books I missed.
Laura T said: “It’s so nice when there is a heroine I would love to be friends with.”
Me too, most of the time I prefer the kind of heroine I’d like to think I would choose for a friend.
Kristan Higgins ~ Big CONGRATS! ~ on your RITA win for CATCH OF THE DAY!!!
And I loved the “Trash Talking Romance Novelists” video. I’ve watched it several times—I almost know it by heart—it’s so funny!
I go around the house imitating you saying…
“You talkin’ to me… Sus-an you talkin’ to me??? … Bring it on baby. Woof-woof!
It drives my sister Susan crazy.
Jane Says:
Congrats on the new release, Victoria. My brother introduced me to comic books as kid and Wonder Woman has always been a favorite. There was something fascinating about a beautiful Amazon who joins the Justice League to fight crime.
Quilt Lady Says:
Congrats on your new release!! I always loved Lois Lane years ago to. I think it was because she was a women kind of living in a mans world. You were talking about her imperfections but to me that is what makes the hero or heroine. In the real world no one is perfect so I don’t think they should be perfect in the fiction world either. Give those characters flaws.
Kathryn Says:
I love Anne of Green Gables and Ayla… two very memorable characters. I still re-read L.M. Montgomery`s books every chance I get. I also loved Aliena from Pillars of the Earth and Julia Bechtel and Poppy Blake from two of Barbara Delinsky`s books. For an enjoyable escapist read I like Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich`s books… she has flaws and doesn`t excuse them; in fact, she capitalizes on them.
By all means, give the characters flaws, it makes them more believable, more like us. Like Quilt Lady (I`m a quilter too, BTW) in the real world no one is perfect!
Victoria Says:
Wow–this was a great topic! I’ll have to use it again sometime.
Sorry I haven’t been around this weekend. Long, holiday weekends are not holidays for those who work at home! All of a sudden, we have all these people around who want to be fed and go places and aaarrrggghhh!!!
Not that I don’t love them…