Saturday Guest Blogger: Wendy Etherington!
I’m always excited when a Temptress is in the house! Please welcome Wendy Etherington to the jungle, one of the warmest, wittiest women in publishing. I’ve known Wendy for quite a while and she’s always fun to be around. She’s got a great blog for us today…and she has a GREAT book out in stores RIGHT NOW!—————-
Hi, all! The gals at Plot Monkeys invited me to guest blog today, so instead of their brilliance, you’ve got me.
But, hey, I brought along some really cute guys.
I’m going to keep things fairly short and hit three main points, then I’ll answer any questions you have. My disclaimer is simply this—the following are my opinions only. You may have heard different advice that works for you. If so, go with it. One of my writing strengths is my heroes, so I’ll attempt to explain my thoughts when creating them.
#1 – Be true to your characters.
Your hero belongs to your heroine. He should be her specific match. He’s not right for her best friend, or the heroine in your last story or anyone else any of your characters know. He’s her hero. So make him perfect for her. That doesn’t always mean giving her what she wants, or what she thinks she wants. For example, if your heroine considers herself plain, she might be intimidated by a gorgeous man. Your hero can still be a gorgeous man—one who can show her he’s different from the men in her past and one who certainly doesn’t see her as plain.
He can be just as Beta as she is, just as Alpha or any combination of the two. (Personally, I think the best heroes are Alpha on the outside and Beta in their deep down gushy parts. Roarke is the prime example. And if you don’t know who Roarke is, then get yourself to the bookstore ASAP and find J.D. Robb’s latest. THAT, people, is a hero. I could give examples for hours, go on and on about his amazingness..)
However—as I clear my throat—due to time and space constraints, I won’t.
Whoever your hero is, he should either compliment or contrast with your heroine, but once the story ends and all the conflicts resolved, it should be obvious to the reader that he’s the only man for her. The one, she now realizes, is perfect.
It’s a simple concept in many way. Not that it’s by any means easy.
**A note about conflict and a problem that a lot of beginning writers tend to have: don’t mistake meanness for conflict. The hero and heroine have conflicts with each other. There’s a problem, a reason they can’t be together. Each of them can have issues, stuff in their past or present that isn’t all pretty or wonderful. But don’t make your hero an ass who treats the heroine like crap because a) his mama was mean to him, b) his last girlfriend ran off with his best friend or c) his dog just died. He’s the hero.
#2 – Be good to your reader.
She’s spent five to eight hard-working bucks on your story. Your book is her entertainment choice. And romance novels—just like movies, plays and musicals—is fantasy escapism. It’s supposed to take you to another world (sometimes literally).
To me, the fantasy is key. Of course some realism is needed (though with the booming paranormal market out there that’s debatable). But on some level the hero is the ideal man, the ultimate in sweep-me-away-and-love-me-forever perfection. Sure, he needs flaws, issues and conflicts. But don’t get so caught up in them that you forget to make him extraordinary. Why can’t he be rich, confident, gorgeous and understanding? Give him traits that stand out—his face, his brains, his body, his tender heart, his generous spirit. Even the darkest hero, in the darkest story has a flicker of light, that one little something that makes the heroine fall in love.
Simply put: give your reader a hero she wants to spend 300-400 pages with.
#3 – Be yourself.
Listen to your Muse. Find your voice as a writer. Everyone’s voice unique, just as everyone’s vision of the idea hero is special. Don’t try to mold yourself into your favorite writer or chase the latest trend. Write about the kind of man you fantasize about, or maybe the one you sleep by every night. Or any combination.
Think about what you like as a reader. For me, I already mentioned I like Alpha heroes with a Beta heart. I also like them tough and smart. I like them unusual or extraordinary in some way. I like them hot-bodied and gorgeous. I like them rich. (Hey, there’s plenty of financial crisis around. When I’m in fantasy entertainment mode, I’d rather leave that behind.) I like action and mysteries, so my heroes generally have some related profession or personality trait. I’m not big on small-town, boy-next-door types. I’m not big on the Super Beta guy (though I bow to the greatest of Vicki Lewis Thompson and her Nerds series.)
There are plenty of other details that I won’t bore you with, but these are things I’ve thought about before I ever write the first word. Really examine your own preferences. Write them. There’s an excellent chance other readers will feel the same.
Besides, if you’re passionate about your hero—and would really rather have him yourself than turn him over to the heroine—then that love will come through in your story.
Stories you’re passionate about, will be ones readers enjoy.
So, there it is—all my wisdom in a nutshell. (My wisdom probably could fit in a nutshell, come to think of it.) But then I never claimed to be super smart. I’m just passionate about what I do, and I hope I’ve shared a little insight for you in your own writing journey.
Best,
Wendy
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Don’t forget to come back on Monday for a VERY special week here at Plotmonkeys with a giveaway EVERY day!
WELCOME WENDY!!!!!!!!
When is the Vegas book in stores?
Comment by Carly — March 22, 2008 @ 7:01 am
What is the first JD Robb book - should I start at the beginning?
Comment by Carly — March 22, 2008 @ 7:05 am
What a hot cover! And great advice too! I’m really glad to read this because every story idea that comes to my mind starts with the hero. And I seem to want to spend more time on him (
no pun intended) than on the heroine.
One of my critique partners just sent back my last chapter and her notes said, “I love Adam!!!! I want Adam!” That was the best thing anyone has ever said to me because I figured I must be doing something right with him.
Thanks for the great advice on how to do him
even better.
Comment by Jodie — March 22, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Wendy wrote:
But don’t make your hero an ass who treats the heroine like crap because a) his mama was mean to him, b) his last girlfriend ran off with his best friend or c) his dog just died. He’s the hero.
Julie responds:
Yes, yes, YES!!! I hate this! Nothing will make me toss a book across a room faster than a mean hero. Alpha does not mean MEAN, IMO. Or at least, it doesn’t have to. I’ve read very few books where the hero being out-and-out mean to the heroine is either justified or more importantly, REDEEMABLE. It’s okay to have a character hate your heroine, but it really shouldn’t be your hero.
…okay, I just realized that I severely break this rule in PHANTOM PLEASURES…but he’s under a curse when he’s mean…that doesn’t count, right?
I’m not a “hero writer,” so this advice is always good for me to hear. Thanks, Wendy, for sharing your Saturday with us!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 22, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Glad you guys liked the blog! For Carly, yes you must start at the beginning. And clear off your To-Read pile because I think the series is pushing 25 books now. First book is called NAKED IN DEATH. (BTW, J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts, no doubt the reason Roarke is crafted so wonderfully.) This series is wildly romanctic, but disgused as a dark, edgy police procedural. Enjoy!
Jodie–nearly all my story ideas start with the hero, too. Best of luck with Adam! Sounds like you’re on the right track.
Julie–I think heroes under curses are exempt from the meanness rule. ;-) I see a lot of Paranormal books take Alpha to the extreme. I mean when your guy is turning into a wolf/vampire/phantom on a regular basis, he’s bound to have more of an edge.
Oh, and What Happened in Vegas… is in stores now!
–Wendy
Comment by Wendy Etherington — March 22, 2008 @ 10:03 am
welcome, Wendy…this is spooky, I just finished your “Vegas” book…enjoyed it!
Comment by katie — March 22, 2008 @ 10:07 am
Hi Wendy! Thanks for being here today. You’ve given me great advice today and important things to remember as I have a harder time writing my hero than heroine. Thank you!
Comment by Robin — March 22, 2008 @ 11:06 am
Thanks for swinging by Wendy…Jules, you have brought another gem to be with us…
Wendy, I loved your blog…when you mentioned Roarke, you hooked me right away…kidding, but I do love me some Roarke…
sorry got a little side tracked…the three points you pointed out are great, but my fav is number three…be yourself…actually, I take that back…I liked them all…I could just smooch all the advice together and make it one big point in my head…maybe then it will fit in a walnut or chestnut shelll…lol
Be yourself…I have to remember that when I am writing…write about the kind of guy you fantasize about…great advice there too…I am going need to remember this when I write about my H…if he could be anything like Roarke…maybe his long lost brother or something, then I am golden…but, Alas, I am not Nora so he will have to be someone else…
Like you, I like Alpha males that are real, real Beta on the inside…
I saw your book at Walmart the other day…it looks good…I might have to go back now and get it…ran out of money for books, so only bought too…needed to get food too, go figure…
It was nice to meet you…have fun today…I don’t have any questions right now, but I will check in to see what others have asked and look at your responses…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 22, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Jules, I am not a hero writer either…so, it is hard for me to write one now, when I need to…I have to change my whole mindset…BTW Jules, your Hs are pretty hot…Frankie Vega…to name one…
Question for Wendy, were you always a hero writer? If not, how did you get yourself to write male characters that were complete jerks, overbearing, manipulative, chauvanistic (sp?)? Sorry, got a little carried away…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 22, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Carly, definitely start at the Beginning…you will fall in love with both the H and the h…actually she is the “Star” of the show…Borders actually sells them packaged in threes now…so you won’t have to worry about buying them separately…I know that they have the first three…Naked, Glory and Immortal…together…actually, I could send you Glory, I bought two buy mistake…already gave away the other doubles…I could also send you Interlude in Death, which was part of a novella…BTW, I didn’t start reading the series from the beginning, but from where I read, I wanted to see why Eve developed the way she did and how she met Roarke, so I checked to see if there were others before the one I read and I hit the jackpot…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 22, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
Wendy,
Thanks for visiting today - great advice! I just bought “What Happened in Vegas” and I can’t wait to read it
Comment by limecello — March 22, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
Wendy, Welcome to the Jungle. Your “Vegas” book is on my TBR shelf & I will be reading it soon! I have no desire to be a writer but I loved the advice you gave here today and it made me realize even more what I like in a hero. Yummy, of course, but yummy is really a personal taste.
Right now I happen to be reading one of Janelle’s Wilde books, the one with Mia & Cameron.
Happy Easter weekend Wendy & all the rest that stop by.
Comment by Donna M — March 22, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
Great advice!
I am looking forward to reading the Vegas book.
Comment by Estella — March 22, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Glad to see everybody here! If you read Vegas, let me know what you think. Gideon was my homage to Indiana Jones. (Hey, if he’s good enough for Spielberg…
To Paula R’s question about always being a hero writer…I think I always have been, I just never realized it until one of my editors pointed it out a few years ago. (We writers are character-perceptive, it seems, but not always self-perceptive.)
I like a lot of things guys do–computers, fast cars, sports topping the list. And even though I consider myself a serious girly girl, I was a big tomboy growing up. For whatever reason, I get guys better than girls most of the time.
Which brings up another point–don’t forget to have your hero THINK like a guy. Since guys think about sex 98% of the time, this is pretty easy when you’re writing for Blaze. But you can do it in other series or ST books as well. Example: my guys generally don’t think about all flowery and pretty about their feelings. They may have meaningful or prophetic moments, but they’re really limited. I’m not big on melodrama. And though I know writers who do it very well, I know I don’t. So that probably helps with the guy POV.
I do well with dry humor and sarcasm. Call it the Joss Weadon School of Writing.
Joss Weadon is the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, if you’re not aware of him. Total genius. A guy who really understands what female viewers/readers go for. (For reference see: David Boreanaz, Marc Blucas and James Marsters.) And, yes, we could go on all day analyzing those amazing characters.
–Wendy
Comment by Wendy Etherington — March 22, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
You know, Wendy, if I had a “dream” person to do a workshop that I could attend, it would be Joss Whedon. The man is a frickin’ genius in characterization, both male and female. But I think he really gets women in ways other writers (particularly men-in-Hollywood) don’t.
An homage to Indiana Jones? I’m all over it! I have my own homage in my upcoming book. A secondary character named Ben. Loved writing him. Loved. What’s not to love?
Comment by Julie Leto — March 22, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Hi Wendy I will have to get a copy of “What Happened in Vegas”
on my way home today.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!
Gee Zoey is 10 months old today and still 3lbs. 4 oz..
My how time flies.
Comment by jeannie & Zoey — March 22, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Welcome, Wendy. I’m not a writer, but your information has given me a great insight
into what goes, or should go, into the process of producing the the books I love to
read! Thanks for joining us today!!
Pat Cochran
Comment by Patricia Cochran — March 22, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
love your books wendy, good to see u here
:elf:
Comment by kim h — March 23, 2008 @ 12:49 am
I just finished all the BLAZE books for this month — And I really enjoyed yours. Gideon Nash is one of my favorite heros in a long time.
I can’t lie, I did not grow attached to Jacinda the way I did to him, but I agree with your advice, Gideon was meant for Jacinda.
And I wish that I could read stories with heroes like Gideon all the time… SO dreamy!
Comment by Samantha — March 23, 2008 @ 12:57 am
I read Wendy’s last book for Temptation and loved it. I’m glad her stories have a home in Blaze because I enjoyed What Happens in Vegas… too. Reading her writing advice, I understand why.
Comment by PatriciaW — March 23, 2008 @ 6:22 pm