I've been a romantic ever since I was three years old. I have no idea why. My first "boyfriend" was Mike. Then when I was five it was Johnny. So when I started writing my first novel, fourteen years before I was published, guess what kind of story I wrote...
Suspense. Yes, and romance, of course. I was on the second page of long-hand legal paper when I realized this romance wouldn't work without a spiritual plotline. Of course, I wasn't sure the novel would work at all, because I'd never before written a novel. And now I'm digressing. I'm trying to explain about the importance of having a wonderful hero in a romance.
As I said, I wrote for a very long time before I was published. The thing that changed my mail from rejection slips to eager interest from several publishers was actually having a hero to write about. He wasn't the typical overbearing macho male model I had been focusing on for so long. He had a great sense of fun, he respected me as a woman, he was kind and protective without being a jerk. I began to base my hero in my books on Mel, my new husband sixteen years ago.
Romance readers really went for this new man in my life. He wasn't a womanizer, he had a sense of honor that bonded his heart to one woman--that was a new type of man for me, too. His counterpart in the books I wrote at the time was Dr. Lukas Bower. After the series ended they wanted more of Lukas and Mercy, the love of his life.
What kind of hero do you like? Don't tell me about his beautiful blue eyes or his sexy smile or how tall and muscular he is. Tell me what kind of man he'll be to you five, ten, twenty years down the road. Tell me how happy the relationship will be when others have tarnished and rusted and died. Any good details you can share?
30 Comments:
I dont have one yet— wait thats not true. The ring on my finger reminds me that I do. I have Jesus. He's such a gentleman. Everything that a man should be. My 'purity' ring is a reminder of the commitment I made to Him. A lot of people think that its not possible to think of Jesus as a human now that He's in heaven but i disagree. I see Jesus in my dad. Sometimes i get so frutrated by how nice my dad could be and i'l tell him so. But ever so gently, with Jesus shining right through his eyes, he tells me; "would Jesus have done it any different than i?" it gets me every time. I want a hero just like that.
It would cause so much less pain if more women were to see Jesus as their true Husband. He is the Husband of our eternity. Slow the kindness, the truth, the purity and the love of Christ in your hero and he will be irresistible.
I grew up with a steady diet of Mr. Darcy and Cary Grant. I suppose my hero is an amalgamation of the two. LOL
But Cary did say, "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. I want to be Cary Grant." LOL
I like this. I want to read about men how are honorable and trustworthy. That's my hero. Honest, trustworthy and loves Jesus passionately.
I like this. I want to read about men how are honorable and trustworthy. That's my hero. Honest, trustworthy and loves Jesus passionately.
I love Rockin' Ruby's comment!
My hero is my husband. He is my gentle giant. I love that in a man. My dad didn't know the Lord until his final days. So growing up, I saw in my dad the macho type, low on gentility and high on self.
I didn't want that in my hero. My husband is everything I dreamed he'd be! He's not without flaws, of course--he leaves the toilet seat up--but he's my man and I am blessed!
LOL, Kris. I wish we still had actors like Cary Grant. We have some good ones. I like Hugh Laurie--but wait, he's older. Hmmm, can't think of a lot of young actors today who stand out in my mind. But that's because I'm of another generation.
Eliza, on my first self-chosen (not set-up) date with Mel, I told him I never wanted to date a man who wasn't a rabid Christian. When he found out what I meant, he said, "Shouldn't we all be that way?" I'm afraid I was hooked on my first date.
Diann, you chose very, very well. I can see why Mel gets along with him so well. We've got wonderful husbands.
When I use visuals for characters, I usually use those in my Brit videos. They're unknown to Americans for the most part.
I use pictures and make a collage. I haven't taken the time to do that on my wip, but it does help when I do. And yet, a description of a person's character, I believe, is more important than appearance. Not that appearance isn't important. Readers need to see what they're reading about.
I'm purposely pretty vague with the character descriptions. I'm better at the hero than the heroine, but to me, it's important how they're feeling. I use their looks as to how they're in the world, but not really for readers. Just a weird way, I guess.
It works for you, Kris, so it's not weird. And getting into the feelings of the characters shows their characters.
My favorite part of any story is when the hero endears himself to me by embodying patience, even though the heroine may deserve his wrath. This is especially so when it is unexpected. I'm thinking 'this is it' but the hero goes on 'as is'.
George Gentry and Luc DeForges are still walking around in my head. There is a lot of traffic in there.
Yes, I love that, Mary-Louise. There are a few patient men in this world, and I'm blessed to have several in my life, especially my husband. To me, patience embodies love.
I loved reading your Suspense books!
but all ways wondered, if Mel slept with one eye open! :)
jel, Mel trusts me completely. I release all my angst in the novels. He's safe. ;-)
I'm more of a James Stewart type. or Gregory Peck. Those men are just awesome. :)
Oh, James Stewart is in a class by himself. I also think Harrison Ford is great. James Arness was a favorite, too. And Pernell Roberts. Yes, I'm really dating myself now.
I think Gary Cooper was amazing too. :)
Okay, I can see I need to watch some old movies and remind myself who Gary Cooper was. I may be able to build a hero type for him. I can't make ALL my heroes look like Mel. They just have to be like Mel in their hearts.
lol! i personally like Gary Cooper's 'the Cowboy and the Lady'
that one and the orininal 'Mr.Deeds goes to town'.
Thanks, Ruby. I'll look that up on Netflix now.
Gary Cooper, was a very good in
Friendly Persuasion, and High Noon
He sounds like one of the all-time favorites, then! I've got to get those movies!
Hannah, I found you as a result of a contest my friend bryan Ridenour is having-but i feel I have already won one of your books just by FINDING YOU!! I am so excited to follow this blog and purchase your books to read~ Belinda
Hannah, I found you as a result of a contest my friend bryan Ridenour is having-but i feel I have already won one of your books just by FINDING YOU!! I am so excited to follow this blog and purchase your books to read~ Belinda
The older I get the description or qualities of the hero in storyline has changed slightly. Oh, he should still come to the rescue of the heroine, but he's not a super-human rogue.
He needs to be made of flesh & blood with flaws. One with honor and loyalty with a touch of humor that surprises the reader. Romantic.
I've also liked character heroes that have been viewed as "underdogs" and have overcome obstacles in their way.
Thank you for this post it is helping with my character building in my wip ~Miriam
Okay, Belinda, that is so very cool! If you like Christian fiction, my friends on this blog--Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt and Kristen Billerbeck will be a huge treat for you. Thanks for entering his contest!
Miriam, I've found the same for me. I need a human hero, not superhuman. I can't live up to that. I realize that our characters need to be larger than life, but too large and you lose the connection.
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