Welcome Guest Blogger Sydney Croft!
Hi Cigar readers!
For those of you who don't know, Sydney Croft is the pen name for two authors – Stephanie Tyler and Larissa Ione. We chose the name after our publisher, Bantam Dell, decided they wanted us to write under one name, and they wanted something that would match the flavor and tone of the books. And since our books are (and this is a mouthful,) erotic paranormal s/f action/adventure romances with characters who are basically superheroes who work for a super secret agency populated by people with extraordinary abilities (whew!)…we needed a name to reflect that.
Sydney Croft, taken from a mix of Sydney Bristow (Alias,) and Lara Croft (Tomb Raider,) was a fun choice. After all, hasn't everyone, at one time or another, wished they possessed superpowers or some skill taken to near-superhuman levels?
In a way, that's what our books are about. People whose powers are mighty gifts…and, at times, terrible curses. After all, even Superman has his kryptonite.
The books have been described as, "Erotica meets the X-Men," and people have asked us, "Why superheroes?"
Larissa answers: I've always loved the conflict inherent to every superhero. Because basically, their powers either balance their weaknesses, or they enhance existing strengths. Either way, you're looking at characters who must resist the corruption power brings, and who might be terrified to lose those same powers. Still others resent their gifts and want nothing more than to be "normal."
Because of this, there are so many emotional nuances to explore when writing characters with extraordinary abilities. Often, their enemies are individuals who were just one bad decision away from being a hero…giving heroes a constant reminder that they, too, could slip into the dark side without even recognizing the descent for what it is.
Which is why one of my favorite superheroes is Wolverine, from the X-Men. He's got an animal side, a savage, broody wildness that he struggles to control. He's one anger-kill away from becoming his archenemy, Sabretooth, who embraces what Wolverine suppresses. I LOVE the internal struggle characters like Wolverine and Angel (From Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel,) go through while fighting their dark sides.
Steph, who is your favorite superhero?
Steph answers: I love Greek mythology, and to me the superheroes are merely an extension of those wonderful myths of gods and goddesses who have superpowers and can help the mere mortals who need it.
My absolute favorite superhero is Wonder Woman. I love the idea of the transformation from Diana Prince, who, in her own way remains a strong woman behind the man, into this Amazonian woman who can stop bullets and leap tall buildings. The lasso of truth in and of itself is awesome. But my favorite thing about Wonder Woman is that she pushes all the right buttons in terms of the Greek mythology that I love. But I have to admit, Aquaman runs a really close second – what can I say? I was a competitive swimmer for a long time, so the idea of living under the sea with a cute blond guy and having my own seahorse? Come on, what girl could pass that up?
So there you have it. Superheroes rock. Tell us who your favorite superhero is, and you'll be entered to win an autographed copy of Riding The Storm, our debut Sydney Croft release. And please remember that you must be registered at Cigars to be eligible to win!
Welcome!
.....Often, their enemies are individuals who were just one bad decision
away from being a hero…giving heroes a constant reminder that they,
too, could slip into the dark side without even recognizing the descent
for what it is.....
I don't think I've ever heard a better summation of what makes these characters so intriguing -- this is it exactly. And why we become, in some cases, as enthralled with the bad guys as the good. Very thin line there.
I love anything "superhero" and alway have, for many of the reasons you name, but also because it seems that stories about people with special power tend to accentuate what is most human -- while their super powers come into play, it's what's human about them that really saves the day. Their compassion, morality, or love for another. Also, everything in superhero stories seems dramatized times ten -- when they love, the passion is more intense, when they lose, the agony is more intense, too -- makes for great stories.
My favorite? Hard call. I've always loved Superman, especially the most recent version, where they complicated him a bit. Especially like that he's always loved a strong-natured, independent working woman. ;)
Sam
Yep, I'm going to have to
Yep, I'm going to have to agree with Sam...Superman is my favorite. Though I'm not sure what it is exactly that appeals to me--maybe it's that he's not arrogant about his abilities. But, as shallow as I am, it could very well be that every actor who's ever portrayed him as been yummy. :)
Sassa, that's funny--because
Sassa, that's funny--because Superman has been pretty yummy! :)
Sam, I like the most recent
Sam, I like the most recent version of Superman, too. And I really liked the version they developed for the WB TV series, the name of which escapes me right now... Smallville--that's it!
Thank you so much for having us here today, by the way!
Sam, I like the most recent
Sam, I like the most recent version of Superman, too. And I really liked the version they developed for the WB TV series, the name of which escapes me right now... Smallville--that's it! :)
Thank you so much for having us here today, by the way!
V. Thought-provoking!
I'm with Sam and "Sydney" ;) here...
"Often, their enemies are individuals who were just one bad decision
away from being a hero…giving heroes a constant reminder that they,
too, could slip into the dark side without even recognizing the descent
for what it is."
I think this is true even for non-super heroes or heroines...aren't we all one bad choice away from being less than heroic? A hero/heroine who struggles for the powerless or fights for justice could just as easily apply the same skills to criminal activities...making money an easy way, or using/abusing people to get what he/she wants.
Maybe I'm feeling a little maudlin today, but I think if we choose to live like supeheroes in our own everyday lives, we ARE heroes. It's much smaller scale, of course, than Superman saving the world from destruction...but in that small scale, it IS saving the world from destruction. It's the battle, the opposition, the contrast, that FIGHT that makes it compelling, IMHO.
Oh, and Spiderman. ;)
Oh, I agree, and like you
Oh, I agree, and like you said, with superhero stories, the descent/bad decisions/consequences, etc. are magnified simply because of the scale, nature and needs of a superhero story. And I think that's why I find superhero stories so fun. Not that any story about "regular" heroes and heroines aren't fun and compelling...you're right--it's the battle, the opposition, the contrast and fight that makes any story compelling. ;)
Favorite Super hero
I'd have to say my favorite super hero is Wolverine (the Hugh Jackman one), and a close second would have to be The Green Lantern and his sidekick Kato. The green Lantern brings back memories of my childhood days. I always wanted to be the karate kicking sidekick Kato. Bruce Lee was my idol back then.
Thank you for taking the time to blog with us and have a great weekend. Mads:)
re: Favorite Super hero
Oooh, I like the Green Lantern, too! Thanks, and I hope you have a great weekend, too!
I have to say catwoman for
I have to say catwoman for obvious reasons lol.
I also love Superman
He may be from another planet, but he really is a "Super" "man." I really like the way he is written as a character with strong morals, and an elevated sense of responsibility for the inhabitants of his adopted planet. He may have super powers but he also has the same emotions as humans that make his responsibilities that much more difficult to carry on his broad shoulders.
Superman being the last of his kind and knowing he has to live with a secret identity are all elements that brings an inherent sadness to his everyday existence and a sense of isolation that all add to make Superman such a complex superhero. I like Superman as much for his weaknesses as I do for his strengths.
Hmmm
I am not sure I have a favorite. Maybe Elecktra, she looks awesome in red leather lol plus I like watching her fight.
Ashley
Elecktra is totally
Elecktra is totally cool--it's not every woman who looks that good in red leather! *g*
Favorite Superhero
Favorite superhero would be from the X-Men -Wolverine
Mmm...Wolverine...I'm with
Mmm...Wolverine...I'm with you, Crystal! Didn't hurt that Hugh Jackman plays Logan in the movies, either! *g*
Favorite Hero
Okay, I'm embarrassed to admit that I really like Hellboy! He's huge, hideous, and has to live with the knowledge that he's a demon, but he has such a tender side to him, especially in his love for Kate Corrigan. He works as a quasi-Government agent, fighting evil. I love his "Right Hand of Doom." I love how he files his horns down in a symbolic gesture of how he also supresses his evil side.
Karen, don't be
Karen, don't be embarrassed! Hellboy is a GREAT superhero! I love his cool sarcasm, too. I remember reading some of the early comics and thinking how great a movie would be, and then they went and did it, and I was SO excited!
I'm a bit of geek...
Superhero
From the time I was little it was Superman. I watched the old TV series and loved the movie with Christopher Reeve.
Ooh, I loved the old series!
Ooh, I loved the old series! :)
Superheroes!
Hmmm. Daredevil's high on my list. So is Storm. And technically not really a superhero, but I love Vash the Stampede (Trigun, anime series). Romance needs more superheroes!
Daredevil
He's cool! And yeah, Storm is awesome. I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of Vash the Stampede... :(
Looking forward to Riding
Looking forward to Riding The Storm. I've always liked Superman.
Superman
Thanks, Stacy! And wow...it looks like Superman is really taking a strong lead as the favorite superhero!
It's tough to pick just one,
It's tough to pick just one, but I'll go with Spiderman :)
Yay
for Spidey! I love him....
favorite superhero
My favorites are still Buffy and Angel. And I would love to read your book.
Buffy/Angel
Thanks, Cathy! And yeah, I love Buffy and Angel. I've got the new Buffy graphic novels on order!
When I was growing up I was
When I was growing up I was always Wonder Woman..I think I just wanted to own that really cool invisible jet.
Wonder Woman
I SO want an invisible jet...
My Favorite Superhero
Mine would have to be Gambit from Xmen. Love that Cajun accent. Just something about a bad boy, Cajun hero that just gets to me. I love his ability with playing cards as well. Even that is sexy!
Gambit
I think, with the Cajun thing going for him, Stephanie would love him...
Spiderman for me
He's rude sometimes, gets angry, and I love his sarcasm - this is from the TV cartoon version I remember as a kid. Tobey Maguire is not who I would have cast in the role - I find him a bit insipid - but I have still enjoyed the movies a lot. I also was very, very hot for Wonder Woman. I particularly love the Wonder Woman movie where we see the island she came from. Cheesy but great fantasy stuff... Can't wait to read your books. Great concept.
Tobey
Thank you, Sarah! And you know, I wouldn't have cast Tobey Maguire in the Spiderman role, either, but he's growing on me. I still haven't seen the third movie yet, though!
Spidey Number 3
It's a really weird movie. Number 2 is my favourite so far. There's a dance sequence in 3. Kooky. I do like some of the comedy in it with Peter Parker being a player with the Polish/Russian girl who lives in his apartment block. Pissed myself laughing at that - then wasn't sure I should be that amused in a Spiderman movie. Very confusing...
Spiderman
I've always like Spiderman. :) I also just love the superhero's from Julie Kenner's superhero's series.
Kristen
Superhero series
I'll have to read those. Thanks, Kristen!
Hi Larissa an Stephanie, My
Hi Larissa an Stephanie,
My favorite superhero at the moment is Painkiller Jane from the scifi show,
she'll die many times over to save her fellow agents and innocents.*g*
Hugs,Danette http://nenscl.blogspot.com
Painkiller Jane
I'm so going to have to watch that!
My favorite
My would be Ghost rider I recently saw this movie and enjoyed it!
Ghost Rider
Teresa, I can't wait to see that movie! I was going to see it in the theater, but ran out of time. As soon as it hits DVD, though, I'm all over it!
My favorite
My favorite superhero....that's tough. I'm going to say Wolverine because of his brooding nature and healing ability.
Yay Wolverine!
Looks like Wolverine is catching up with Superman and Spiderman as a fave! *g*
I love the storylines of
I love the storylines of these upcoming books by these 2 wonderful authors. The combination of parnormal and an alpha male just grabs my attention, lol. These books have to go on my to buy list.
Thank you, Lisa! We hope you
Thank you, Lisa! We hope you love them--they have been SO much fun to write!
Favorite SuperHero
I got a few who I like. Wolverine *Hugh Jackman* Angel & Buffy & of course superman :-)
Sydney your books sound great look forward to reading them :)
Hugssss LindaH
Thank you, Linda! Nice to
Thank you, Linda! Nice to see you over here!
Superheroes
Good topic! I would have to say my favorite superhero is Superman! I loved all the Superman movies where Christoper Reeve played him. What a hunk! His smile always melted me and those muscles! Mmmm.....!
You know, I thought they did
You know, I thought they did a good job with the latest Superman movie--the guy who plays Superman looks amazingly like Christopher Reeve!
hello stephanie love
hello stephanie
love batman, very hot george clooney any day.
Batman
Ooh, Batman is always a nice choice!