Alpha Heroes

According to wikipedia, an alpha male is the individual in the community whom the others follow and defer to.

What this means in terms of characterization is that this type of hero is a can-do hero. He's a proactive hero. He's intelligent, self-assured, self-confident, skilled, successful, opinionated, respected, proud, strong, courageous, passionate, and powerful.

Your alpha hero will be in a leadership position. He doesn't work at the corporation; he owns it. He doesn't advise the king; he IS the king.

This situation means that plenty of responsibility--for himself and for others--rests on your alpha hero's shoulders.

In contrast to all his good traits, some character weaknesses emerge.

Your alpha hero's independence may lead him to a "needs no one" or distrustful nature. Your alpha hero's talent and charisma often leads to arrogance. Your alpha hero's natural leadership abilities can come off as demanding and bossy in other areas of his life. His power--whether physical and/or social--often leads others to fear, resentment, or subservience.

Your alpha hero may be aggressive, angry, hard, forceful, high-handed, hostile, tough, jealous, or dark--but he is also heroic: honest, loyal, dependable, capable, honorable. He is not abusive, selfish or cruel.

Heroes

HERO:

1. In mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods.
2. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.
3. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field: the heroes of medicine.

Thesaurus Synonyms:

* Artificer
* Champion
* Character
* Defender
* Discoverer
* Fighter
* Guardian
* Inventor
* Leader
* Mythical Being
* Paladin
* Protector
* Shielder

Publishing Tuesday: Romance Genre

ROMANTIC CONFLICT

When developing the romantic conflict, ask yourself these questions.

What is the hero's initial impression of the heroine? Why does that change?

What is the heroine's initial impression of the hero? Why does that change?

What do they offer each other emotionally that they cannot find elsewhere (or give themselves)?

In what way do they complete each other? What makes them perfect for each other? How can this be shown (not told!) to the reader?

What is the trigger that causes each character to fall in love? What event/revelation convinces them they've succumbed/fallen in love?

Heads up: Heroes

This week's Craft topic is Heroes. Look for "Heroes" posts on Wednesday.

Vernacular: character

CHARACTER brings the story the qualities of characterization necessary to convincingly act out choices.

[Robert McKee--STORY]

10 Writing Prompts

01) Character hears/sees someone crying
02) Character goes on the hunt (figuratively or literally)
03) Character gets rejected
04) Character writes/hears/receives a poem
05) Character gets/gives a nickname
06) Character is Fated to do something/be someone
07) Character gets sick
08) Character sends flowers
09) Character receives flowers
10) Character interacts with child/ren

Action Heroines

Action heroines need to be strong, not silly, but they do not necessarily have to be a "tough as nails" warrior.

They have self-confidence, grace, skill, poise, humanity and expertise. They are independent, smart, classy, emotionally strong, self-confident, pro-active.

They are not angry, bitter, brash, clumsy, over-emotional, cold, sarcastic, snappish, weepy, hard, crude or incompetent. They do not "need" to be rescued.

Heroines

HEROINE:

1. A woman noted for courage and daring action.
2. A woman noted for special achievement in a particular field.

Thesaurus Synonyms:

* Artificer
* Champion
* Character
* Defender
* Discoverer
* Fighter
* Guardian
* Inventor
* Leader
* Mythical Being
* Paladin
* Protector
* Shielder

Publishing Tuesday: Harlequin Category Romance

The various Harlequin lines are very different, and may prefer things such as feisty heroines who don't want help even if they need it, alpha males for heroes, gritty protective heroes, heaps of sexual tension throughout, forced proximity, serious emotional baggage, babies, excitement, characters the reader can relate to, and heroines who can match wits with anyone.

www.eHarlequin.com

Heads up: Heroines

This week's Craft topic is Heroines. Look for "Heroines" posts on Wednesday.

Vernacular: wallbanger

A book so dreadful that the reader chucks it full-force against the nearest wall rather than suffer through another word.

10 Writing Prompts

01) Character recognizes someone’s photo on web site
02) Character discovers photo of self on web site
03) Character gets put on the spot
04) Character’s day goes from Good to Bad
05) Character’s day goes from Bad to Worse
06) Character interacts with a ghost
07) Character hears a scream
08) Character becomes embroiled in a misunderstanding
09) Character fakes an emotion
10) Character tells a lie

Industry Thursday: Editors who blog

Evil Editor is an anonymous editor at a publishing house. He blogs on the editor/author relationship and the editorial process, and frequently hosts online submissions for feedback.

http://evileditor.blogspot.com

Female Villain Archetypes [more info]

THE BITCH

abusive, autocrat, lies, cheats, steals, success-oriented, self-involved, doesn't care about anyone but herself


THE BLACK WIDOW

beguiling siren, luring, takes what wants, seductive, charming, liar


THE BACKSTABBER

two-faced friend, dupes others, exploits secrets, betraying


THE LUNATIC

unbalanced madwoman, unfathomable, illogical


THE PARASITE

poisonous, desires security, sees self as victim, blames others, merciless


THE SCHEMER

lethal plotter, plays with others, elaborate plans, traps others


THE FANATIC

uncompromising extremist, does wrong in the name of good, ends justify means, if you're not with me you're against me


THE MATRIARCH

motherly opressor, smothering, controlling, knows what's best, enabler

Male Villain Archetypes [more info]

THE TYRANT

bullying despot, power-hungry, ruthless, conquering, crushing, powerful, people are pawns, destroyer


THE BASTARD

dispossessed, resentful, hurtful, provoking, rebellious, boyish, hateful


THE DEVIL

charming fiend, judging, charismatic, destructive, cajoling, exploits weakness, tempting


THE TRAITOR

double agent, betraying, untrustworthy, two-faced, plotting


THE OUTCAST

lonely, outsider, wants to belong, tortured, unforgiving, willing to sacrifice others


THE EVIL GENIUS

malevolent mastermind, show-off, superior intelligence, contemptful, enjoys elaborate puzzles, pulls people's strings


THE SADIST

savage predator, cruel, violent, brutal, psychological torture is fun


THE TERRORIST

dark knight, warped code of honor, self-righteous, believes in own virtue, judging, ends justify means, amoral

Hero Archetypes [more info]

THE CHIEF

leader, dynamic, workaholic, tough, decisive, goal-oriented, overbearing, inflexible


THE BAD BOY

dangerous, wild, rebel, bitter, volatile, crushed idealist, wrong side of tracks, charismatic, street smart


THE BEST FRIEND

sweet, safe, kind, responsible, decent, nice, anti-confrontation, unassertive, cares about others


THE CHARMER

fun, irresistible, smooth operator, playboy, rogue


THE LOST SOUL

sensitive, understanding, tortured, secretive, brooding, unforgiving, vulnerable, wanderer, outcast, creative, loner


THE PROFESSOR

cool, analytical, intelligent, logical, introverted, inflexible, genuine, fact-oriented, honest, faithful, dependable


THE SWASHBUCKLER

exciting, adventurous, action-oriented, physical, daring, fearless, daredevil, explorer, thrill-seeker


THE WARRIOR

noble, champion, honorable, reluctant rescuer, knight in shining armer, tenacious, relentless, protector, rule-breaker

Heroine Archetypes [more info]

THE BOSS

Pro-active, successful, takes charge, respected, goal-oriented


THE SEDUCTRESS

Enchantress, mysterious, manipulative, distrustful, cynical, tough, survivor


THE SPUNKY KID

gutsy, loyal, honest, moxie, team player, helpful


THE FREE SPIRIT

optimistic, unique, playful, fun-loving, spontaneous, follows heart


THE WAIF

damsel in distress, innocent, naieve, enduring


THE LIBRARIAN

controlled, clever, prim, proper, passionate, shy, intelligent, know-it-all


THE CRUSADER

fighter, meets commitments, on a mission, headstrong, tenacious, goal-oriented


THE NURTURER

serene, capable, nourishing, caretaker, good listener, optimistic

Enneagrams: The Reformer

Rational, idealistic, principled, purposeful, self-controlled, perfectionistic [more info]


Enneagrams: The Helper

Caring, interpersonal, demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, possessive [more info]


Enneagrams: The Achiever

Success-oriented, pragmatic, adaptive, excelling, driven, image-conscious [more info]


Enneagrams: The Individualist

Sensitive, withdrawn, expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, temperamental [more info]


Enneagrams: The Investigator

Intense, cerebral, perceptive, innovative, secretive, isolated [more info]


Enneagrams: The Loyalist

Committed, security-oriented, engaging, responsible, anxious, suspicious [more info]


Enneagrams: The Enthusiast

Busy, fun-loving, spontaneous, versatile, distractable, scattered [more info]


Enneagrams: The Challenger

Powerful, dominating, self-confident, decisive, willful, confrontational [more info]


Enneagrams: The Peacemaker

Easygoing, self-effacing, receptive, reassuring, agreeable, complacent [more info]

Publishing Tuesday: Romance Genre

MOTIVATION AND RISK

Over the course of a romance novel, the romantic stakes need to rise. The hero and heroine need to become more and more invested in each other.

Heads up: Archetypes

This week's Craft topic is Archetypes. Look for "Archetypes" posts on Wednesday.