RomanceEverAfter

The Writing Craft: Articles

Denise is the award winning, best-selling author of several romance novels. She lives in Arizona with her own real live, absolutely 100% hero husband.

You can reach her at www.tlt.com/authors/deniseagnew.htm

Anatomy of a Hero
Copyright 2002 Denise A. Agnew

Romance writers have a secret.

We know what makes a hero "to die for."

As romance writers, we construct men that women will fall in love with. At least, that’s the goal. While a romance novel is more than the hero and includes a heroine and a love story, most writers realize without a fantastic hero, you don’t have a great book.

How often have you read a book and found yourself falling for the hero? Rarely? Occasionally? Frequently? When you do find that irresistible hero, you’ll know it. These are the men whose names you recall months after you’ve put the novel on your keeper shelf. These are the guys you want to read about again and again.

Let’s face it. We all want to create characters that leap from the page and straight into the heart of the reader. So the ultimate goal should be irresistible always. Most people don’t realize that it takes a lot of sweat to produce a hero of high quality. They think tall, dark, and handsome should fulfill the requirements. While tall, dark, and handsome make for nice hero qualities, what can you do to create a special person that resonates with a majority of readers?

When you’re designing a hero you aren’t going to please everyone. Not all readers find the same looks attractive. So physical attributes aside for the moment…you’ve got to give the hero elements most readers are going to find appealing. Undesirable traits are sometimes acceptable if there’s a good reason for the hero to have them, especially if he works through those personality flaws by the end of the book.

Where can you find these characteristics to fill out your hero?

First, think back to old boyfriends.

Maybe.

Well, okay, maybe not.

Ahem. Let’s try this again. Think about the things that attract you to a man. Make a list. Do some of those "ingredients" fit in the hero you’re creating right now? Not coming up with enough ideas? Watch some of your favorite movies and if they include great heroes, seriously study those men to see what makes them wonderful. Make another list.

Below I’ve suggested to you some of the facets of a great hero. Granted, this is my opinion, but after analyzing those heroes I have enjoyed reading, watching on the big screen, and writing, I came to the conclusion there are some factors my heroes cannot live without.

Face it. A great bod becomes pretty boring if the man doesn’t have personality oozing from his pores. Give me a hero who has:

A sense of humor. Readers may not see that sense of humor right away, particularly if you’re creating a dark and dangerous hero. At some point in the book show us his humor. Dry wit. Out loud funny.

Animal magnetism. Pheromones anyone? Come on, admit it. You know who these guys are. Some of them are portrayed in hazardous occupations. Cops, firemen, special agents, soldiers…you get the idea. Heroines meet these men and their libido hits the stratosphere. The heroine will have a reaction to the hero at a primal level.

This effect works well when the heroine is a little knocked over by the realization she’s having this down and dirty reaction to a man and can’t seem to stop it. She doesn’t have to show her attraction on the outside, but inside she’s raging with needs and wants. A good example of such a primordial reaction is, "I want to have his baby." A gut level, back-to-the-cave reaction from the heroine that shocks her down to her shoes is a good way to show her reaction.

Again, alpha males may project animal magnetism on the surface, but even that gentle guy next door has to have it somewhere in his make up. For an excellent example (several great examples, actually), read Linda Howard’s Mr. Perfect. The heroine’s primitive response to the cop hero drives her crazy. It’s also screaming funny.

Honor. A man with honor who is willing to die for what he believes in and/or to die for the woman he loves is the ultimate hero. Slather it on. Women will drool.

Mystery. This trait works well for the alpha type, but can work well for beta personalities. Let the reader discover a trickle at a time some of the things that make this man tick. String the reader along a bit. We’ll want to read and read and read to discover just what the mystery is behind his smile or his frown.

Tenderness. A hero who can climb any mountain and still show tenderness will hook the heroine every time and guarantee readers will love him. This is one reason why a big, brawny man gently holding a baby in his arms turns women to mush.

Wounded, but never a wimp. The hero can be the brooding type, but readers have to feel he will pull himself from his slump. The heroine may assist him, but ultimately he’s a man who takes responsibility for his own actions. In the end he makes the decision to transform himself.

I’ve listed only a few hero traits guaranteed to snag readers. I know there are many more. I hope my suggestions have given you a great start to your next best seller. Now get out there and create heroes to die for!

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