Are you a Good Bitch, or a Bad Bitch? by Jami Alden
As you are no doubt aware, BUILT, which features novellas by me, the fabulous Amie Stuart, and the equally fabulous Bonnie Edwards hit the shelves this week. Taylor Flynn, the heroine of my novella DOWN AND DIRTY, has a little personality problem. Basically, she’s a bitch. Not to mention a snob, who, for various reasons, doesn’t think the hero is appropriate dating material. I knew as I was writing the story that she bordered on unsympathetic, and possibly unworthy of the hero’s love and devotion. Some people suggested that perhaps I should soften her up. The problem was, I liked her just the way she was. I liked that she was uptight, concerned with her image, and reflected attitudes of women I actually know (and love!). And I love that she’s not so super sweet and incredibly perfect that everyone who meets her is absolutely enchanted by her beauty and grace (barf!). On the contrary, while she’s very beautiful, most people find her kind of cold, and the hero is one of the few people who sees the loveable woman under her perfect exterior. I had such a good time writing her character, this woman who had a very specific idea of her perfect man, and then found herself knocked flat by love where she least expected it.
That being said, I know Taylor will not be everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, one reviewer said she wanted to bitch slap her. Yet she still gave the story a B, so I must have done something right.
We’re all familiar with the reformed rake/uber-alpha/asshole hero, but what about the loveable bitch? Do you like reading or writing them? Has an author ever gone too far in creating either a bitch or an asshole and made you think he/she wasn’t worthy of the other’s love?
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:21 am
You know, we use this bitch/asshole/slutty
characters in books all the time. But most of the time they’re like the main character’s best friend or cousin or something.
But why shouldn’t they get their own story?
I think it’s fun to mix things up every once in awhile.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:21 am
Can I start by saying that I love you Jami Alden? And I’m so glad you’re our guest here at Naughty & Spice!
No I’m not a stalker, I just love your books. Ok I had to get that off my chest.
I really enjoyed your story in Built, and I loved the character Taylor because she was so uptight and kind of bitchy. And I loved the fact that the hero saw through her exterior and loved her anyway. I’m so glad you kept her as is - the character was perfect for the story.
I got a couple of reviews about a book I wrote where the hero is basically a bonehead. I wrote him that way on purpose and guess what? Both reviewers said they loved the story but that they basically wanted to smack him. And I thought, “Awesome!” That was the reaction I was looking for cos come on, not everyone can be perfect! I know we write fantasy but it can’t all easy and fun. Difficult characters are fun to write, fun to read.
I will also admit, though, that a character can be so annoying that it doesn’t work for me. Happened to me recently actually. Love the author’s work but in this particular book, the heroine was such a flighty bitch I couldn’t take it.
Okay, that was my two cents.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I think the average human being cannot relate to a super sweet perfect gal. We all have our naughty snobby side (at least I do!) I like to read something “real”.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
[…] over at Naughty and Spice we’ve got the amazing Jami Alden blogging on bitchy characters , so stop by and weigh in! Posted by Amie • 08.03.07 […]
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Sign me up for the Jami Alden fan club and not just because we’re in an anthology together
As to bitchy characters, this is one near and dear to my heart. Yeah, I’ve written a few…and they’re either loved or hated but here’s the kicker for me, the harder they have to work for that HEA, the more they have to grow, IMO the bigger the payoff (can be) for the reader.
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Good point, Patricia!!
Jami, I just heard your book is going to be in Cosmo? Congrats!
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Hey everyone! Thanks so much for asking me to guest blog today. I’m glad everyone here seems to be receptive to bitchier heroines - that’s what I tend to write. And Shelli - yes, my November book, Private Party, will be excerpted in Cosmo! I’m very excited. But the heroine of that book, Julie Driscoll, is definitely on the nicer side. Hmmm. Wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something…
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Congrats on Cosmo ;-).
Personally- I like a bitch. I tend to be one myself (no really-honest) and it’s always fun to see that in a character. I couldn’t be a bright little ray of sunshine if my life depended on it.
so you know.
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:51 pm
I love a story about an uptight, stuck up bitch. Hehe. I used to be one. And I still have some tendencies so I love reading about people who have learned to be human. Not saying that uptight stuck up bitches aren’t human it’s just that it’s hard to smell the roses and admire your surroundings when your nose is so high in the air.
Congrats on the new release and Cosmo Jami!
That’s not me like trying to touch your boob or anything. I just really like that smiley. And unlike Karen, if I was stalking you I’d totally admit it.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Deanna - cheers from one bitch to another (hmm, can’t seem to find an emoticon with a big glass of wine…) Nice to know that Cosmo editor has such great taste, huh? And Karen, thanks for the love! I’m still pleasantly amazed when someone tells me they like my books!
August 5th, 2007 at 9:10 am
I know a couple of “bitches” with absolutly no redeeming quailites whatsoever (well one is moving out of the country if that counts–she’s related, long story. . . )
I myself have been accused of bitchery (usually by above bitches)
I think sometimes the “bitch’s” story may be more entertaining. She has more to prove and to lose so it keeps the reader in suspense to the very end.