Comments on: How you doin’?

By: Maia Strong

Maia Strong — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:20:02 +0000

I’m not a fan of the romance industry standard Alpha Male. A male lead who’s a bit quirky is more intriguing to me. That said, my first thought reading that sentence wasn’t that it was tongue-in-cheek or that he was a bit dim. My first thought was that he had some sort uber-spiritual belief and that celibacy really was a form of celebration to him. … Yeah, I don’t know where my brain goes sometimes. lol All that said, I wouldn’t put down a book just because the lead male was described as you said.

By: Shelli

Shelli — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:57:14 +0000

Wow, lots of comments since I’ve been out for the day! This was a fun topic.

I don’t think I could write a hero that was too dense or slow. I mean, as the write I have to deal with him for like 100 pages too (it’s a novella).

I’ll keep writing and see where this goes. But I promise, you won’t hate him!

By: Rachel C

Rachel C — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:26:39 +0000

I took it as tongue in cheek. She gave me the impression she was exasperated with him.
The other option I don’t think anyone metioned is he could have something that courses him to mix up words for example dyslexia (did I spell that right?)
But I like the idea of him being a complete stirrer that likes to poke fun at her. Maybe she takes herself too seriously. It really didn’t strike me as him being dense but then maybe I’m the dense one. (that is all too possible)

By: Bailey Stewart

Bailey Stewart — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:33:24 +0000

Great post Shelli!

By: Tina Bendoni

Tina Bendoni — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:06:13 +0000

I cannot abide a stupid,cruel or mean hero. I am also not a big fan of what I call the “uber asshole alpha”. If he is pretending to be that dense for a reason, that would be okay, but even if he is slightly likely to really believe it, that would just kill any attraction for him.

By: Kaykobina

Kaykobina — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:45:33 +0000

Nope, don’t think it would work for me. At all.
But, everyone has different tastes, and what I see as funny, someone else would see as stupid or vice-versa. Maybe you should follow your character (I’m curious now too:)). Stick with it and see where it takes you, he might turn out pretty smart, and/or you might end up with a really unique, lovable character.

By: Amie Stuart

Amie Stuart — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:27:22 +0000

I HART CHANDLER!

I’m with Gwen(?) though….he can be cute and kinda dumb or whatever but he’s GOT to bring something to the table. Right now I’m dealing with a hero who’s a hired killer and can’t relate to women, but he has to be empathetic. It’s definitely a fine line!

By: Bailey Stewart

Bailey Stewart — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:00:58 +0000

What gingerwoman said - not that ignorant. Yes, have a big heart, but don’t be so stupid that you would expect to see him sitting on the front porch of a cabin in the Ozarks, sipping his moonshine.

Chandler and Ross are more “realistic” in their “dumbness” if you get my drift. I like them better - I could stand to be stuck in an elevator with them. And we’re not talking sex, we’re talking about “talking”. If it’s just for sex, then make him as dumb as you want.

By: gingerwoman

gingerwoman — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:53:33 +0000

It’s a nice line but I would not want to read a hero who is that ignorant. However if he’s pulling her leg but she thinks it’s real and that he is a moron that could be fun.

By: Kate Johnson

Kate Johnson — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:29:04 +0000

Even before I got to your mention of Joey, he sprung into my mind, too ;)

I’m not totally sure, but it does occur to me that I’d rather have a guy with a big heart and a little brain than the other way around.