Dave Larson: The Most Loved Hero of All Time
I guess it doesn’t come as a surprise that Dave Larson won the poll I ran a long time ago. At least it seems like it’s been forever since I ran the poll back on August 11. I can’t believe it was almost a month ago. Anyway, 80% of the votes went to Dave. He also won when he was in a poll I ran way back when between him and the other heroes in the Nebraska Historical Romance Collection.
I think it’s safe to say that of all the heroes I’ve written, Dave will always be the favorite.
Dave Larson: Now Officially The Best Hero of All Time
While his ego was big before, I’m afraid now it might explode.
Dave Larson: Don’t be ridiculous. My ego won’t explode. However, now I have an even better reason to come to you with a letter–
Ruth: Of your demands?
Dave: No. It’s a letter to acknowledge my status as the best hero you’ve ever written.
Ruth: I fail to see the difference since there’s bound to be a demand or two in it.
Dave: *rollls eyes* Ha ha ha. I suppose you think you’re clever?
Ruth: Well, sometimes I do manage to make people laugh.
Dave: I hate to say it, Ruth, but this isn’t one of those times. However, this isn’t why I’m here. I came here to read my letter.
Ruth: Okay. Go ahead.
Dave: To everyone who voted for me, I extend my deepest thanks. To those of you who didn’t, I’ll assume you really did but there was a glitch in the system that made it seem as if you voted for someone else.
Ruth: *snorts* You wish. Maybe the glitch made it seem as if people voted for you when they didn’t.
Dave: Anyway, as I was reading… I think this historic moment–
Ruth: One would hardly call a poll voting on heroes historic, Dave.
Dave: When you are a character, it’s all you have. Now let me continue. I think this historic moment should send the author a clear message, and that is that people want to see more of me–
Ruth: What did I say about the ego, guys?
Dave: You didn’t let me finish. I was going to say “people want to see more of me and Mary” to the end of that sentence. We all know without Mary, I would not have been the kind of hero I am. She brings out the best in me.
Ruth: I won’t argue that one.
Dave: Why do I sense a subtle putdown in that comment?
Ruth: *widen eyes innocently* I was only agreeing with you.
Dave: *not looking convinced but turns back to his letter* That all being said, I can’t help but wonder if there will ever be a third book. Will Forever Yours ever be written?
Ruth: That all depends on you, Dave.
Dave: Me? I’ve been wanting you to write this book ever since you finished To Have and To Hold.
Ruth: That might be true, but you’ve never told me what the first chapter of the book should be. I can’t write anything if I don’t have at least the first scene in place. As it is, my mind is blank.
Dave: But you have other scenes in mind.
Ruth: True, but I don’t have the very first scene, Dave, and that’s the most crucial scene there is when it comes to starting a book.
Dave: Can’t you start the book at chapter two and go back to chapter one?
Ruth: No because chapter one might change the rest of the book.
Dave: What?
Ruth: I can’t explain it, but as soon as I start the first scene, the story takes on a life of its own. I’ve tried outlining, plotting, and writing ahead. None of those work for me. I have to start the book and let it evolve. Did you think you were the original hero I intended for Eye of the Beholder? Nope. In the beginning, it was supposed to be Neil Craftsman.
Dave: No way!
Ruth: Way, Dave. Way.
Dave: But that would have been horrible.
Ruth: Well, not really. Originally, Neil was supposed to be a good guy. But as I was writing the story, I thought it would make more of an impact if the man Mary came to marry rejected her. So I needed the man who would marry her instead and you were created.
Dave: Even if Neil was the good guy, he wouldn’t have appreciated her as much as I do.
Ruth: We’ll never know because it didn’t happen. So you need to tell me what’s in the first scene before I can write Forever Yours. The ball is in your court, Dave. :)
