John Wayne was a kick ass character. Yes, I know he's an actor, but he was also larger than that. He was an icon. When you watched a John Wayne movie you knew exactly what you were going to get. That rough cowboy, a romantic leading man who didn't put up with any nonsense, an American hero.
There are many writers that we know what we're going to get when we open that book. Strong female, alpha male, quick wit, snappy dialogue, engaging setting. There's a pattern, rhythm to the writing.
There are some publishers in which you know how they structure their stories, again, there is a pattern, rhythm to the writing. For example, Avon Historicals are heavy on prose, while others are heavy on dialogue.
When I think of Iconic characters there are several that come to mind: Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights, Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, Scarlet from Gone With The Wind, Dorothy & the Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz, Holden Caulfield from Catcher In the Rye, the list could go on forever. But really, most of these are classics--but a classic becomes a classic because the story, plot, and character stand the test of time. People relate to these characters on some level, be it sympathy, envy, love.
A writer's goal is to write iconic characters--one that will stand the test of time, become that classic. So, here's to striving for that goal!
That's it according to Maddy~
Tootles~
Madelyn
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