I think we can agree that heroes get a lot of attention in romance. There's no reason they shouldn't, right? Whether they're tough alpha males or more sensitive betas, they are the stuff of fantasy. When I find myself recommending a book to friends, I often find myself talking up the hero.
But the hero is only half of the equation. Without a heroine, our stories wouldn't be romances. In a believable romance, the hero should have a heroine who is his equal, someone who complements him just as he complements her. That's the kind of heroine I like to read about, so that's the type of heroine I write.
The heroine I enjoy reading about is strong when she need to be, but not so strong that she needs to do everything her way. If the handsome hero specializes in personal safety, she's not going to defy common sense, ignore his advice, and end up crossing the path of a serial killer just to prove that no one is going to tell her what to do.
That doesn't make her a doormat--in fact, my favorite heroines go toe-to-toe with their men. They make their needs known and can fulfill those needs themselves. The heroine may find love with the hero, but she is a complete individual on her own.
That's my take; now, it's time to share yours. Writers, how do you create strong heroines? Readers, tell us about the qualities your favorite heroines have.
Happy reading!
Lia Sebastian
http://www.liasebastian.com
Monday, April 17, 2006
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6 comments:
When I write a heroine, I try to make her real. Not some steel plated woman that has no fears or issues. I like bold heroines. I didn't know I wrote them till Deanna pointed it out ;)
I agree with you, Lia and Shelli. A heroine has to be believable. A heroine who can kick 35 bad guys' butts with just her bare hands isn't going to ring very true for most readers. I like a heroine who uses her brain, has faults, and isn't afraid to admit when she makes mistakes. I absolutely despise wimpy heroines who faint at the drop of a hat or dissolve into tears over every little thing.
I try to make my heroines likable, too. If I'm reading a book and I don't like the characters, then I won't finish the story. I try very hard to make the heroine a person you want to cheer for, one you'd want to be friends with, and one you want to see end up with the love of her life.
Susan
As shelli said, the keyword is *real*. Some people overcompensate for the wimpy heroines of old by writing one *so* invincible one feels she belongs in a comic book instead. That kind of thing has now become a cliche in its own right.
I feel the best way to create a strong yet credible heroine is simply to think of real-life examples you could base her on. Who are women you've known that are strong, likeable, interesting, yet flawed?
I like real, well-rounded heroines. There's some place between whimpy and invincible and I try to find it. ;0
A "strong" heroine is one who deals with what life ie, the action, throws at her without whining too much, weeping and wringing her hands.
Lia:
I like smart heroines. Sometimes they're doormats, sometimes they're too impulsive, but they all should be smart. I don't like feisty heroines, because they always sound dumb to me.
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