tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post6112827624703302020..comments2023-09-16T05:02:59.946-07:00Comments on Heroines with Hearts: O is for OccupationsDebra St. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-2095090071919423362015-04-16T17:15:57.646-07:002015-04-16T17:15:57.646-07:00I know that some very big stars are quite shy wh...I know that some very big stars are quite shy when it comes to their personal lives; they use their roles as masks to hide behind.One actress wore a very sheer dress in a popular movie and said that she would never wear a dress like that...but she did.Several actors who 'bared it all' on the screen could not bring themselves to do certain scenes because it was too much like their real lives...and several who did the 'hoizontal lambada', could not bear to dance fully dress in public.Tonette Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03282619985489614075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-89820176269517670522015-04-16T08:27:26.369-07:002015-04-16T08:27:26.369-07:00Hurray, your comment arrived this time, Tonette - ...Hurray, your comment arrived this time, Tonette - thanks for trying again. Characteristics defined by a job - that's a fascinating subject to think about - but of course, there can always be exceptions. Several of my heroines have been actresses. You would think that anyone who goes out on a stage to perform would have to be a confident person - but I remember a girl in my class at school who went on to become a professional actress. She was a very shy 'mousey' type of person off-stage, but put her in costume on a stage and wow, she became a different person! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-3400807391214174132015-04-16T04:50:48.855-07:002015-04-16T04:50:48.855-07:00Paula alerted me to the fact that my comment hadn&...Paula alerted me to the fact that my comment hadn't posted. I had said that I believe that a person's occupation is significant.Although a person should not defined by their job, there are certain characteristics that are a 'given': a pilot is going to be a confident person, as is a surgeon or a lawyer. An RN isn't going to be shy; someone who works in animal rescue is going to be compassionate.<br />And then again, someone who has just a 'job' and not a career, has a story. Did they never aspire to anything else? Did they lack ability or confidence? Was there some turning point that put them in their position, or do they enjoy the freedom of putting in their hours and going home with a paycheck and little thought to their work? There are almost as many reasons as there are people, and it is part of who they are.Tonette Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03282619985489614075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-87804492555743252802015-04-16T02:44:31.109-07:002015-04-16T02:44:31.109-07:00Yes, Paula, my stories are definitely character le...Yes, Paula, my stories are definitely character led. Whatever the jobs they are of lesser importance. An interesting topic, though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00743481757318429114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-72622991612153400072015-04-15T18:09:31.890-07:002015-04-15T18:09:31.890-07:00An occupation, like an upbringing, would definitel...An occupation, like an upbringing, would definitely impact the words a character thought and talked in. Great point!Ana Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325215832587691886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-47495100002355261952015-04-15T18:07:12.101-07:002015-04-15T18:07:12.101-07:00CPA is a certified public accountant. Ours does ou...CPA is a certified public accountant. Ours does our biweekly payroll and quarterly reports and does our taxes (e-filed today). CPA's also do audits for corporations. A licensed bookkeeper.Ana Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325215832587691886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-10478059128006868852015-04-15T15:26:12.947-07:002015-04-15T15:26:12.947-07:00You've had some interesting occupations there,...You've had some interesting occupations there, Margaret!<br />In most of my novels, the occupations of one or both of the main characters has played an important part in the story, so now I'm wondering if your stories are more character led, whereas mine are more plot-driven - even though I don't really plot in advance. Sometimes the jobs of my characters lead me into developments of the story that I didn't expect! . Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-40425099302495747642015-04-15T14:50:25.642-07:002015-04-15T14:50:25.642-07:00I guess I cheat and make most of my heroes busines...I guess I cheat and make most of my heroes businessmen these days, although I have had a round the world yachtsman, a stud farmer, and a scientist, among others.Generally though because I'm concentrating on the romance my heroes jobs are of secondary importance. I like your idea, though, Paula, of changing characters jobs to see if would alter the story. I might even think about it for my current wip.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00743481757318429114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-7559451172349662612015-04-15T14:36:04.286-07:002015-04-15T14:36:04.286-07:00Debra, that's a VERY good point about the job ...Debra, that's a VERY good point about the job shaping your characters' personalities etc. Must admit I hadn't thought about that! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-55403596312804779492015-04-15T14:31:09.342-07:002015-04-15T14:31:09.342-07:00In my books, the 'importance' of my charac...In my books, the 'importance' of my characters' occupations vary. In some stories, their job is essential to the storyline. For example, Jake's career as a bullrider is a HUGE part of the conflict in "This Feels Like Home". However, in I've also had 'throwaway' jobs for my characters, too. In "A Christmas to Remember", my heroine works in an office...it has no importance in the story, so her job didn't really matter.<br /><br />I'd have to say, though, more often than not, even if the job doesn't fully impact the storyline, it does shape my characters' personalities, outlooks, habits, POV, etc.Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-2952927674768368612015-04-15T13:07:52.254-07:002015-04-15T13:07:52.254-07:00In your current WIP, both occupations are crucial ...In your current WIP, both occupations are crucial to the plot, aren't they?<br />And I have no idea what a CPA is! Which has reminded me I once read a story set in an American school, and half the time had no idea what the author was referring to with all the initials she used! <br />Like your idea of Star Wars being a Western LOL. I'm not sure I could change the genres of any of mine! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-16209811516815824882015-04-15T13:02:01.661-07:002015-04-15T13:02:01.661-07:00In my WIP, the setting and genre dictate the heroi...In my WIP, the setting and genre dictate the heroine be a rancher. <br />The hero is a land speculator looking to turn a profit on buying and selling ranches.<br />In my next WIP, the heroine is a CPA specializing in schools and the hero a private school teacher. Gotta get them to meet.<br />Also interesting to think about is taking stories and switching genres. I've long asserted Star Wars was a western good guys vs the bad guys set in space. Ana Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325215832587691886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-75814995747843417102015-04-15T11:01:49.066-07:002015-04-15T11:01:49.066-07:00Carol, I must admit I like occupations that are ne...Carol, I must admit I like occupations that are necessary for the story. And I like the fact that your heroine told you what her job was! :-) Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-68673833428424018362015-04-15T11:00:49.383-07:002015-04-15T11:00:49.383-07:00Interesting choices, Jen. A teacher here wouldn...Interesting choices, Jen. A teacher here wouldn't be able to renovate a house during the summer unless she was a very fast worker, as our teachers only get a 5 or 6 week break in the summer! Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-84009223117053327612015-04-15T10:54:35.950-07:002015-04-15T10:54:35.950-07:00Currently my hero is a paediatric cardiologist (I ...Currently my hero is a paediatric cardiologist (I like to think big!) This was necessary for the story. The heroines occupation was less Important so long as it gave her the offer of a job broad. She turned out to work in PR/marketing for an international cosmetics company, or do she told me. CarolUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165688485434172060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-26853076413618623932015-04-15T10:00:19.193-07:002015-04-15T10:00:19.193-07:00Hmm, in my current WIP, my heroine is a teacher an...Hmm, in my current WIP, my heroine is a teacher and my hero is a war photographer. Her profession is essential, because she needs to be off of work in the summer so she can renovate her house. He had a few options for his career, but I think what I chose works best for him. In my other WIP, he is a lawyer and she is in public relations. Again, both jobs are important, as he needs a high powered something which is the opposite of what she wants in a boyfriend. I guess in this instance, hers is less important.JENNIFER WILCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16218241106543538422noreply@blogger.com