Sharing Inspiration
by Misa Ramirez
Have you ever wondered what makes a hero tick?
I do, and so I’ve studied the hero archetypes (as well as the heroine and villain archetypes), have delved into Enneagrams (an examination of personality types), and even teach the hero’s journey at Southern Methodist University with their CAPE novel writing track.
Every time I teach a class, I come away reinvigorated. And during each session I teach, I learn something new myself.
Sometimes I feel like my whole life is devoted to books (not including my kids and husband, of course!). I write (of course!), I founded Books on the House and Books on the House for Kids and Teens where I work hard to build a community of readers under one roof (authors feature their books and readers discover new authors). Every week, amazing authors are giving away free books. What better celebration of reading could there be?!
I also co-founded The Naked Hero, a web site devoted to exposing the layers of the hero. At The Naked Hero, we delve into the complex world of heroes, heroines, and villains, explore our favorite books, movies, tv shows, and why we love the heroes we love.
I love sharing information with other people, both readers and writers, and The Naked Hero lets me do that in such a fun, interactive way. When we (Lee Lopez, Tonya Kappes, and I) dreamed of The Naked Hero (come on, get your mind out of the gutter!), we knew one thing for sure. We did NOT want to blend in with the crowd! Sort of like the Plot Monkeys here. They are in a class of their own, and I like to think that we are, too.
Like the jungle gang, The Naked Hero founders–ne: Goddesses–are not blenders. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We will climb to the highest peak of Mount Olympus itself if that’s what it takes to make each and every day interesting, hero focused, and most of all, FUN!
Stripping down heroes and getting a glimpse of just what makes them tick is what The Naked Hero is all about, and it’s what I love to do most. Not just in romance fiction, but in all types of books. Sarah Addison Allen and her magic realism? Her heroes and heroines have magic and mystery at their core. The unique band Hold Your Horses and their song 70 million? If you need a pick me up and just want to be thoroughly entertained, watch this video! I find inspiration and satisfaction and motivation in so many ways, and to be able to explore it and share it on my web sites is absolutely the best.
Where do you find inspiration, satisfaction, and motivation?
Misa Ramirez is the author of Living the Vida Lola and Hasta la Vista, Lola!, Lola Cruz Mysteries.
Anyone who replies to Misa’s question can hops over to the Naked Hero and enter to win an I *heart* the naked hero t-shirt and a Lola Cruz Mystery (either Living the Vida Lola or Hasta la Vista, Lola!… winner’s choice).
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome to the Jungle, Misa! Happy to have you. I am off to check out your sites. I have already found Books on the House and I think it’s a fantastic idea! Just started an Artist’s Way class to hopefully reinvigorate my inspiration, satisfaction and motivation!
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Hi Misa! It’s cool to see one of the Goddesses hanging in the trees with the Plot Monkeys!
I do love the Plot Monkeys websit and the naked hero because both of them stand out and aren’t like any other site. Super great blog!!
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Thanks for having me, jungle girls! I love your blog, too. Carly, I read that you were doing The Artist’s Way. I would love to do take a class on that and be guided through it. I hope you share lots and lots as you go through it!
Tonya, you’re up early, girl!
I’m off to give 2 workshops at the DFW Writer’s Conference. Will check in throughout the day!
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Welcome to the jungle Misa! I find inspiration and motivation through my friends, family, or even books i read. Some give me great ideas. My best friend motivates me to go to the gym when i know its super hard to just stick with it.
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Good morning, Misa! Wish I were down DFW way with you. Inspiration? Wish I had some right now. I’m staring at a couple of deadlines and kick-starting my motivation takes more than coffee in the mornings. The time has come for drastic measures! Earbuds in, correct playlist on the iPod, and strict instructions to dogs, lolcat, children and spouse to go find something to do today besides bug mom. Now if I can only catch that scamp of a Muse! Iffy found her scissors and run off. I just know she’s camped out in my closet happily snipping away at the project on the shelf there. Just when I need her here beside me! Well…who needs a Muse, right? I have a lovely heroine with issues, a hero with his heart on his sleeve, and a bunch of people standing between them and their HEA. As we say on twitter, #amwriting
Have a great day, Jungle buddies! And thanks for some insight, Misa. Love the sites and will explore when my word goal for the day is met!
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welcome! I am not a writer, so I can’t really help you…for my life (as a SAHM), I find inspiration in other families like mine. I’m still thinking of a ‘naked hero’. I think I need some coffee…LOL.
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Hope you got that coffee!
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Hi Misa,
welcome. I find all things from my family, some friends, loll and books also. Things usually come to me unexpected and help me from then on.
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I love it when inspiration is unexpected!
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I love hanging out at the Plot monkeys site, I check it everyday! Also love naked hero and have already checked your site out! I guess my family inspires me more then anything. I also get inspiration from reading books. Please enter me!
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So glad you like the naked hero, Quilt Lady. Really, what’s not to love?!
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Just finished giving a workshop on the hero’s journey. So fun to come to the jungle and see so many friends!
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Welcome to the Jungle, Misa! Great blog today. I’m off to check out the sites.
Have a wonderful day all. We have a beautiful spring day here in the Rockies.
Cher
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Beautiful in North Texas, too, Cher!
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Hello Misa!
Great Blog today! 
I often wonder how a busy mother like you ever finds time to think, write or even breathe; how do you do it? Thanks for being here. Have a great weekend! 
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Haha! Good question, Lisa. I plod along most of the time, then go in spurts and fits the rest of the time. I get obsessive. And, oh yeah, the laundry is piled high and there’s often a layer of dust around the house.
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Hi Misa. My wife has been trying to find your latest book, Hasta la Vista, Lola, but our local bookstores are from the stone ages. Maybe I can win it for her today. Happy Weekend!
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Hey Randy! If she doesn’t win, buy it online!
Thanks for stopping by!!
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Misa, Welcome to the Jungle! It a fun place to hangout. Nice post today. What’s next for you? I know you have another Lola book in the works, when will it be out? Thank you for being here today. Have a great weekend!
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Working on a cozy mystery proposal that I LOVE, have a middle grade series I’m waiting to hear on from a few different publishers, and also am working on another middle grade series. I’m loving middle grade!
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Thanks!
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Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
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Hi Misa,
Great post today but unfortunately I’m not a writer but I do find inspiration from my friends, family and books I read!
Will check out those sites and thanks for the links.
Have a great weekend and good luck everyone!
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Hope you enter to win a book at Books on the House!
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hi Misa!!! Welcome to the Jungle!!
I don’t write but for me creative inspiration can come from anywhere, it’s the building on it and seeing the final outcome that can kill me!!
I can’t wait for the next Lola book!!!
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Thank you, Ev!
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:taz: Yeah, I was totally okay with writing my heroes the way I was writing them until the naked hero inspired me to go deeper into analyzing my heroes. Uh-thanks, I think
What inspires me, beyond the fam, is just life. It could be a trip to Wal-mart where a couple maybe having a small tiff, or when a lady starts tearing up at the sweetest little kid. Flowers, animals ( I love watching animals and their behaviors).
Satisfaction comes from watching my kids realize they can do something outside their boxes. And it comes from reading something I wrote and thinking Dang! this is not bad at all.
Motivation comes from all over, especially fellow writers.
Great blog!
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Haha! That’s what we like to hear, Renee!!! SO glad you are digging the naked hero. God, LOVE the way that sounds!!!
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Hi Misa, welcome to the jungle. I have the Hero’s Journey next to me, and I will definitely check out your website…The Naked Hero ( yes, my mind went straight to the gutter. I seem to be doing that a lot lately…LOL!!!) Thanks for sharing the links. I hope you have fun in the jungle. I swing by later to see how things are going.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Hi Misa!
I find inspiration, satisfaction, and motivation at my RWA chapter meetings and/or anytime I am around other writers or their works. These things leave me so invigorated that I can hardly wait to get back to a place where I can sit down and WRITE!
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Mostly I find inspiration where I least expect it, when I cross paths with different people in the course of everyday life. Sometimes, I run into some interesting people (whether I speak with them or just see them across a room). I also find it in nature. I find satisfaction in my family and close friends.
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Great post! I find inspriration, motivation, and satisfaction through my family, friends and the books I read.
I can’t wait for the next Lola book!
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I find inspiration, satisfaction, and motivation through my faith in God, foremost and the tnrough my family and special friends. Also through all the Plot Monkeys authors and readers.
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Currently my inspiration comes to me from my immediate family, my extended
family, and dear friends. They encourage me to be the best I can be. In past years, I was inspired by all the students with whom I worked almost daily
as a high school band program parent volunteer. They all remain close to my
heart!
Pat Cochran
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Hi there Misa!
You are so upbeat!
Welcome to the Jungle! I loved your blog!
My inspiration and motivation come from the people I meet at the store. I work at an office/art supply store and I meet the most interesting people! Guess who comes into our store from time to time, for fountain pens and ink supplies? Dennis Farino and his wife! He used to be on Law & Order. He has acted in a lot of movies. He is more handsome in person!
So, definitely my inspiration comes from the people I meet especially strangers. It is so fun to strike up a conversation with someone at the grocery store, library, when running errands, etc. There are so many funny and inspiring people in this world!
Happy Sunday!
Your books rock Misa!
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I actually find all 3 in books that I read. Different types of books can give me inspiration and motivation. And one of my biggest types of satisfaction is just from reading! I wish there was a job where I could get paid to read
email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
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Hi Misa,
Great post and now I’m off to check out those sites you listed, thanks for the links!
Have a great weekend and good luck everyone!
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Hi Misa,
Normally I find Inspiration everywhere from a song on the radio to a snatch of conversation overheard at a diner. But lately, Inspiration seems to be on vacation. Hope he gets back soon.
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inspiration comes from a saying I’ve read, a picture I’ve seen that is beautiful to me and nature itself lends readily to inspiration- birds singing, wind whistling in the trees, etc.