What’s wrong with this woman?
On the surface, absolutely nothing. If her clothing is any indication - which I suspect it is (LOL), it would appear she lives in the Regency era. She’s sitting in a chair, hands folded demurely in her lap.
What does she lack? Well, to start with, she’s an illustration, nothing more than a one-dimensional black and white drawing. I could surround this woman with a story, if I wrote Regency Romances, that is. I could flesh her out, give her color and depth and dimension. Right now, she’s flat.
No matter how sexy the hero and how compelling a plot, nothing turns me off faster than a one-dimensional heroine. I suppose it’s partly because I’m a strong woman…I’m not always outgoing, but I have presence. I prefer heroines who can rise to the occasion; passionate, intelligent women, capable of great love and burning up the sheets, but who can also, not only outsmart the villain, but smack him or her to kingdom come if necessary.
A TSTL heroine? No thank you. I am so outta here! The same goes for a weak, whiny ninny who’s in constant need of rescuing from dire situations of her own making. I especially dislike the snarky, snippy, bitchy, harpy-type heroine because I spend the entire book wondering why in the hell the hero would want a single thing to do with her. Hey, I’m all for a funny, mouthy, sarcastic, cynical heroine, but flat out bitchy? A simple ‘no’ will suffice.
While we all want to love our heroes - and lust after them - let’s not forget that our hero must meet his match in our heroine. Whether I’m reading a book or writing one, I don’t want to stick my man with a woman who has no more substance than a line-drawing!
Let’s add the desperate-to-be-taken-seriously-as-an-equal-when-clearly-they-are-not, heroine to the annoying heroine list.
Or, Miss I’m nothing without a man, how about that man over there? I say this because I’ve read a few books where the only reason I can divine the heroine wants this man is because she’s afraid she’ll won’t be able to trap another before time runs out. She’s on the prowl for XY chromosomes, period. The ol’ last chance for love scenario, it reeks of desperation too.
XXOO Kat
Great points, Julia! A weak or mean heroine can ruin a good story.
Yep, have to agree with your assessment of the heroine. And, simplistically-minded heroines and heroes drive me nuts, too.
I agree what man would want to fall in love with a mean and bitchy woman. Kat has a few good ones too!
The trendy first person narrative told by a snarky bitch is one of my big pet peeves. Sometimes funny does not equal romantic or sexy. I hope that trend fizzles out soon!
My favorite heroines are Amanda Quick’s quirky, intelligent, no-nonsense women. Love them!
I agree that the snarky, bitchy heroine who thinks her sarcasm is going to win over the hero and the reader is the heroine I can do without. I have more respect for the gal who can crush you like a bug, but doesn’t remind you of it every third page.
I’ve had trouble finding likable heroines in the books that have been pitched to me lately. It’s easier to pick out likable heroes (probably because they’re all the same these days-New York has found what it likes so we’re all constructing a man that fits the mold that’ll get us selected for publication-survival and all), but likable heroines, whether they’re 14 or 34, need to climb out of that sarcastabitch role and into a more “I can kick your butt if it’s necessary, but I can donate stuff to Good Will on the side.”
Something like that…
Lovely blog topic! I dig a chance to talk about Girl Power!
From Sandy Lender
“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”
I happen to agree with Penelope about Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick heroines. They are intelligent and unafraid to show it. If they have a quirk or two, so be it. The hero either accepts that or moves on. She is who she is. Bottom line: a heroine needs to be real. It’s okay if she cries because we do sometimes but she certainly won’t wallow in that whole ‘weepy thing’. She is smart, spunky, hardworking and ultimately real. She is loyal too. Basically a heroine should have the better qualities that WE have in real life. She’ll probably have a few of the flaws too…some uncertainty, some insecurity.
It never occurred to me to create heroines that couldn’t take care of themselves. I want my guys to want the woman because she doesn’t need him … but simply can’t live without him.
But honestly when I’m reading I don’t pick out one character over another. The chemistry has to be there blending everything or I won’t finish the book. (Which happened recently with a romance I was reading. Just too much stuff that didn’t seem plausible happening between the hero and heroine. Both were poorly written IMO.)
Hi Nina! I agree the chemistry must be there - but I always have a hard time believing in the chemistry when one character is an idiot. I love heroines who can take care of themselves - who want the hero with all their heart, but if something was to happen and they didn’t have their HEA with him, they’d survive. (Of course we all want that HEA!)
I think quirks and sensitivity are positive attributes, but yeah, I do not like the wallowing in tears thing either, Regina.
Hi Sandy - and yes, I am very into girl power! I really hate stupid or obnoxious heroines. I have a collection of old Lois Lane, Lana Lang and Lori Lemur comics! Love me some Supergirl! Great way to put it - our heroines do need to climb out of that sarcastabitch role - yes, resorting to butt kicking and donating to the Goodwill or working at a food bank. I find sarcastic, bitchy protagonists flat - except for Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada because she showed such vulnerability, bringing the character to life for me - it’s just that the glimpses were so few and far between.
I always always always want the dragon to win!
Penny - I too have an awful problem with first person snarky bitch. I lose interest within a page or two. Me My Mine All The Time.
Well, if I was a guy, not me! Gotta go read Kat’s too. Thanks, Amber!
Hey Savanna! How are you? Of course we’re reading and writing the idealized romantic hero/heroine/relationship, but I can’t relate to TSTL people. I get so mad! An occasional stupid decision is no problem, we are all guilty of that IRL - it’s just that a whole book of ‘em drives me nuts!
Ciara - yup!
Kat, genius, as usual! Like me, you have strong opinions! I guess those of us who crawled our way up the ladder of life get annoyed by people still whining at the bottom - unless they have a very good reason! I think it’s just that I don’t want to hear the “oh poor me” stuff all story long!
Tell it like it is Julia! I’m with you on all points. I’ve read so many books where I started to hate the hero because I could not understand what he saw in the bitchy TSTL heroine. Great blog post as always!
I couldnt agree with you more! I can’t even get through the first few chapters if there is nothing to call to me and let me feel the connection. It is so importaint to have that depth to a Heroine.
Great Blog!
I agree, nothing makes a hero look dumber than his insane attraction to a whiny, TSTL heroine. That or a self-absorbed heroine who thinks she’s all that and then some. Great post and I love the comments:-)
Great post! I had to re-write my first chapter into-ing my heroing 5 times to get her right. I totally get this!
Rachel - LOL! Happens sometimes, but yeah, I want my females to be appealing.
No kidding, Paris! It kind of ruins a story for me.
Thanks, Shannan - I’m getting to the point where I’m done in a chapter or two if the heroine is a cardboard cutout - sometimes the best alpha male can’t keep me hooked!
Thanks, Delilah! I like my women smart - they can be sassy, but not bitchy!
I have wondered why men are with ugly-spirited women in real life. Boobs and hummers? Steph Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
Twitter: @fangswandsfairy
Steph - boobs and hummers? I get the boob part…mostly the guys drive hummers, unless you mean some other kind of hummer? I do think IRL men are able to tune quite a bit out of the surface looks good. The question is…for how long?
Look at all these great responses! Obviously this topic has more to offer.
What about stupidly matched heros and heroines who wouldn’t reach their 1st anniversary in real life? More grist for the mill… lol
XXOO Kat
Hi Julia, just trying to get my WIP finished. I’m on the final few miles of the marathon… lol… and, yep, love me some Supergirl or Superwoman, too!
~~~
Yeah, that’s why I read a ton of Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, at one time. I resonated with her take on heroines and heroes.
~~~
***Sandy Lender says:
January 19, 2011 at 4:27 am
I agree that the snarky, bitchy heroine who thinks her sarcasm is going to win over the hero and the reader is the heroine I can do without. I have more respect for the gal who can crush you like a bug, but doesn’t remind you of it every third page.
I’ve had trouble finding likable heroines in the books that have been pitched to me lately. It’s easier to pick out likable heroes (probably because they’re all the same these days–New York has found what it likes so we’re all constructing a man that fits the mold that’ll get us selected for publication–survival and all), but likable heroines, whether they’re 14 or 34, need to climb out of that sarcastabitch role and into a more “I can kick your butt if it’s necessary, but I can donate stuff to Good Will on the side.”
Something like that…
Lovely blog topic! I dig a chance to talk about Girl Power!
From Sandy Lender
“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”***
Hi Sandy, no wonder I have no interest in pubbing with NY. I won’t go by anyone’s standard of a hero, except mine. And, if the heroine is supposed to be no older than 34… well, screw that! What a great a term: sarcastabitch role !!! And, right on, to use an ancient lingo, for Girl Power! Or, as I phrased it on my blog yesterday, Aphrodite Rising. And, since I adore dragons… yeah, I often want them to win. ~smiles~
I know, Kat - very cool! Most of us are women and we really don’t like to be dumbed down.
Here’s one to throw into the mix!
How to get the reader to tolerate the beginning of the heroine’s arc.
I’ve got a 17-year-old heroine (Ella) in a recent novella that I had some test readers help me with because she’s strong, but she starts out a little bit whiny…you know…the “I don’t have to find a husband because I’m happy with my life the way it is so why should I have to bend to anyone’s will?” There’s one to handle with care.
In music, the more softly you begin playing, the more loudly you can grow. In writing, too much whiny-business may mean the arc is that much more pronounced when we get to the end, but, wow, it’s too much whiny-business! (I apologize for the strange rambliness of this response. I’m on Dilaudid.)
From Sandy Lender
“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”
Sandy - did you have knee surgery? The problem with dilaudid is that you develop a tolerance so quickly and have to keep upping the dose!
You are making sense tho. Whiny - I don’t think of your description as whiny, it’s more pig-headed and pig-headed has its advantages. Whiny to me is…why me? Oh poor me…I’m all alone wa wa wa…whine whine whine in a nasal tone.
I don’t mind a heroine who starts out quiet - that gives me the opportunity to do a lot of building and shaping. I do mind obnoxious. Unless she changes her tune - and that doesn’t mean a bitch-slapping by the hero - not his role - maybe by her mom or her sister or best friend or something.
Fantastic post…If a heroine is not strong and can’t hold her own how is she to fight for what she wants. She needs to have a kick butt view. Even if she starts off weak and she becomes strong it still makes her something….So many things can kill a relationship and fast…
Huh. It would never occur to me to write a whiny, TSTL type heroine. I suppose because at heart every heroine I write has some small kernal of me. And I don’t perceive myself as whiny or TSTL. Now I’ll acknowledge that I’m not the pattern card for kick-butt, but com’on… Every mother/grandmother/substitute mom out there has a tad of kick-butt in her… or she’s dead.
Oh Anny! ROTFLMAO! Yes, every grandmother needs some butt-kicking attitude!
Hey, Julia, not knees. Biopsy of a node deep in my neck. Deep so it’s flippin’ painful and YES, tolerance is right! I’ve been promised a script with a better dosage in the morning. Woo-hoo!
I like the use of a friend or mom or college professor to bring the heroine “up to speed” as you suggest. I think it can be a good device to have the hero help in the heroine’s arc, of course, but that has to be handled with care. In some cases, it may detract from her power/strength/sexiness/independence.
I’d like to hear some other writers’ thoughts on just how much the hero can participate in the damsel in distress’s rescue without detracting from her power and ability to rescue herself. And how much is she allowed to resist his assistance before she becomes annoying?
From Sandy Lender
“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”
Ooh, Sandy, hope all goes well and everything is okay and you get your increased dose of dilaudid!
Really thought provoking question. You want me to ask it on my blog tomorrow? How have I handled these situations?
Hmmm. In my contemporary, Beauty and the Feast, Eva goes behind Gabe’s back to deal with her problem because she knows, Alpha male that he is, his first impulse will be to protect her and make it all go away - but that would take a decision that should be hers out of her hands. She decides not to contact him until she has solved her problem herself. He figures out what she’s up to, but he’s too late to intervene, she’s handled things and held onto her self-respect. Gabe is accustomed to getting his own way and Eva will have none of it. Gabe has to accept that or he has to walk away. He accepts that he cannot control her.
In My Everything, Grace makes a decision that puts her at risk, but she feels justified in doing so - she knows the love of her life, Ben, will do the right thing and sacrifice himself no matter what the cost. She saves Ben, and in the process almost loses her life, but her courage helps Ben come to terms with his inner pain and guilt over his first wife’s death.
In Come Back to Me, Cara accepts help from her mother and a secondary lover/anti-hero (sort of), but ultimately, she must save herself. The hero of the book doesn’t even know she’s in danger. They haven’t seen each other in several years.
My heroines are pretty important to me - they have to be able to stand on their own two feet - if not initially, Cara in particular is quite a victim as is Devlin in Anytime Darlin’ - but at the very least, they must come to stand on their own two feet. I want them strong enough that if something horrible was to happen to the love of their life, they would survive.
I like a heroine I can look up to, no matter if she’s sassy, saucy, sweet, a warrior or a damsel in distress. I tend to enjoy some humor in both Hs. But, the appeal for me is the heroine’s ability to challenge the hero, make him work for her love or her body.
Evie