Plot Monkeys

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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