How you doin’?
So I was writing the other night and one little line I typed out made me pause. It was the heroine thinking about the hero. It made me think…hold up, Shelli. Is this the kind of hero people would read about? Well, before I get to far ahead of myself, let me just show you the line.
This was the man who thought celibate had the same meaning as celebrate.
Now I haven’t full out decided if the hero really was that dense about the meaning of celibate, or if he was just screwing with the heroine’s head when he said it. Probably the second one. When I considered the first, I thought…no guy could be that thick. And no reader would want to read a book about a hero like that. Someone who’s endearing, sexy as hell, but maybe a little slow on the big words. Might not have exactly gone to Harvard. No one would want a hero in that spotlight.
Or would they. As I stared at that line I’d written, the image of one guy popped into my head. A guy who made that persona famous, and maybe we all could and did fall for him a bit. It was Joey on Friends. Remember him? Maybe it wasn’t even believable there–when he and Rachel started to get a thing going.
And then transfer that over to a romance novel. Would you want to read a romance with a Joey hero? I mean, yeah he’s really cute and he makes us laugh–as the side guy. But as the main dish? (And let’s forget that brief stint at his own show). Could you/would you want to read a romance with that kind of hero? Or are we so dead set in our standards. Alpha, betas, I don’t even know the rest…. What do you think?
February 11th, 2008 at 7:44 am
First of all, when I read that line, I took it as tongue in cheek–that the hero didn’t really not know the difference between the two words, but preferred to transpose the letters to get the message he’d rather hear. It didn’t make him appear dense. it came across as a clever play on words.
Second, I’ll read about any off beat hero. I just can’t stand the same run of the mill thing. And incidentally in my current WIP, my hero is a bit dense too, but it’s a cultural background thing, a sort of narrow-mindedness that comes from his seeing the world in a different way than the heroine.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I guess I agree with Bonnie Dee - I have no problem with an unconventional hero in a story, especially since I don’t generally enjoy the bullies and Alpha types in real life, either.
So, yeah, I’d read him. I’m also interested in heroes who are a bit socially awkward, skinny and wear glasses (mmmm… Jarvis Cocker, anyone?).
Maybe that’s just me, though.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I tend to think readers want unconventional heroes a lot more than publishers are willing to admit they do. Maybe not a steady diet, but someone who breaks the mold is always welcome. That being said, ‘How YOU doin?’ was never one of my favorite pick-up lines, but I recall Joey had a great heart and when Rachel needed someone to stand by her, he was the first one in line. A hero like that certainly has a place in a romance novel.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I have to agree that I though it was tongue in cheek also.
I’d probably read it but I’m not the typical reader who has to have an alpha hero or nothing. The thing that sticks out about Joey is that though he may not have been the brightest bulb he had a great heart, was a loyal friend, funny and sexy as hell.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Okay, here I go with my two cents worth. First off, I didn’t like Joey. He irritated me. I was never interested in men whose IQ was lower than mine. In fact, I’ve never been good friends with anyone who wasn’t my intellectual equal. Acquaintances, yes, friends, no. Not that I’m always the brightest bulb in the room, but I do oaky. I read romances to fall in love. I go through the ride with the heroine, ergo I couldn’t fall in love with someone who was a dull bulb. Not that I’m saying he can’t be different than the “normal” hero - I once read and fell in love with a hero who was confined to a wheelchair - he just has to be someone that I could love too. That said, I’m not the only reader in the ocean.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Yaaay look at my writer friends who came out and commented! *Waving hi*
Bonnie, that’s a great point about transposing the letters.
MsMenozzi, I don’t mind that type of hero too! It’s fun to mix it up.
JAC, totally. A break every now and then, but not a complete switch.
Angeleque, yes the big heart is so sexy.
Bailey, and that’s what I do consider. I don’t want to write someone who comes across as slow or dim. It’s a line to balance, make him loveable and heroish enough.
Hmm. We shall see.
I love your comments everyone!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
If he is slow or dim, he will have to have an amazing flip side. Perhaps he isn’t book smart–but he is an amazing craftsman–not just a builder but something he excels at in epic proportions. He will also have to have qualities that the heroine does not have in herself but that she needs and can learn from being with him. Like, say she is Ms Independent on a career track and can’t slow down and doesn’t have patience. He is uneducated, but crafts amazing wooden furniture and has patience and a steady, calming influence on her.
February 11th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Gwen, I like that visual. I started to think of Aiden (sp?) on Sex and the City. LOOOVED that guy. God, Carrie should’ve chose him.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Okay I HATED Aidan. He drove me nuts. Sorry Shell but I was a Mr. Big fan. LOL
But I loved Joey. He made me laugh all the time. And think about it - Chandler was a big dope too. He wasn’t as dim as Joey per se but the dude had a LOT of flaws. And we loved him anyway.
So yes I like all varieties of heroes and I agree with Gwen, he’s gotta have an awesome flip side if you’re going to make him a bit of a dimwit. I think you could make it work.
I know you could make it work cos you rock.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Not a chance. He might make a fun secondary, or a good bit of comic relief, but I prefer my heros to be able to hold up their end of the conversation.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I’d have to say that I’d only like to read about this guy as a supporting character who falls inlove within the main chars storyline. He’d be the one I’d cheer for as the hero & heroine work out their crap. Then I’d be overjoyed at the end when everyone gets their soul mates.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Karen, how could you hate Aiden!? I just love the nature boy type. When he took her to the cabin…sigh. He had me.
Seeley, yeah that’s my worry. That’s why I’d never make him too extreme. If I went that route.
Jen, I totally get what you’re saying. Like a secondary plotline? Or not even that big. He just loves the heroine, but ends up with like someone else in the end and realizes he’s just as happy. Nice…
February 11th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I like innocent, can totally embrace goofy, and I think actual alphas are more prone to dumb stuff because they’re alphas… who the heck is going to tell them they’re stupid?
I’m struggling with this, too, with my current 3 part WIP. I love my flawed vampire. He’s perfectly capable of tearing a throat out, but he’s insecure about some things, too. If he had no vulnerability he’d be a criminal with no conscience and my lady would not want him in her bed.
Let’s hear it for the guy who washes off his last victim in your shower then re-folds the guest towel and wipes the hair off the soap!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I liked Joey. He was so sweet and cute. Definitely my favorite of the guys on friends.
I want to read this, Shell!
February 11th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I agree with the fact that you could make this work. If you look at Friends-there wasn’t an alpha among them. Chandler, Ross, Joey-none of them. But they were adorable and drew you in because of those flaws-and because you knew regardless of anyones issues, when it came down to the wire- They’d “be there for you” lol
That being said I’m personally more likely to be attracted to all brains and no brawn than the other way around. But I’m certainly open.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I like the idea. I’m a goofball so that’s who I’d go for. Like a few others have said before me, he didn’t seem slow he seemed like he was twisting it to make it sound like what he wanted to sound like. Even if he was a little slow there is nothing wrong with that…especially if he has a big heart that forces you to love him despite his faults. None of us are perfect so I don’t want read about a guy who’s perfect I wan’t to read about a guy that’s real!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
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.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
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.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
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.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
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!
February 11th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
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.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
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.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Great post Shelli!
February 11th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
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)
February 11th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
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!
February 12th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
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.