Writing The Goldilocks Heroine
I’m aware there’s a breakdown in the analogy, since it wasn’t Goldilocks herself who was too hot, or too cold, but just right. (although the bears, if they had ever gotten a hold of her, might have thought so.) Anyway, bear with me. *groan*
The Goldilocks heroine is not too hard, not too soft, but just right. 🙂 Of course, for the purposes of this post, I’ll be speaking Presentsese, but you can pick and choose what you like, or don’t like. 🙂
I was inspired to write this post because two people on subcare, over on eharlequin, mentions a rejection from Presents/Modern/Mod Heat due to a heroine that was a little bit too strong for the lines.
I ran into a similar issue in the first partial for His Virgin Acquisition. My heroine is the instigator, she comes to the hero to make a deal with the hero. Initially in the first draft of the partial, she pushed the fact that she had what he wanted and he needed her to get it. And while the editors liked that angle a lot, they stressed that it was important that I didn’t diminish the hero as an alpha, and not only as an alpha male, but as a man who was brilliant enough to have pulled himself up to the top by his own bootstraps without family connections or help from anyone!
So, it wasn’t about making my heroine weaker, or stupid, it was about a power balance. She had something he wanted, and he had something she wanted, but, with a slight change of emphasis, I was able to make the stakes slightly higher for her. Ultimately, while he could benefit from their association, she needed it more. So while she came in with guns blazing, and a plan all constructed, he was able, in the end, to turn the tables and take some control from her. Nothing in her was compromised, but to add the balance, he was made a bit stronger in that instance. It wasn’t a matter of him being smarter, just in a more powerful, fully realized place in life than she was.
It’s about balance. Just like we don’t want to see a doormat heroine, we don’t want to see one who pig-headedly charges through situations with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. We don’t want to listen to her on her soapbox for an entire book. Like a real person, there needs to be vulnerability there, some sort of weakness, like we all have. The weaknesses will highlight her strengths and make her more of a real person. Otherwise, she’s just a one dimensional, she’s Strong Heroine, she’s not Elaine. And she’s not very sympathetic!
It’s the same with the hero, he’s an alpha male, but it’s important he’s not Alpha Male, the counterpart of Strong Heroine. He does things only because he’s Alpha Male and that’s what they do. No, he can be an alpha, but he needs his own strengths, his own vulnerabilities (emotional, typically, as he’s successful in his professional life.) and his own conflicts.
But back to the heroine…
Strength in a heroine is a good thing, a great thing. But, like all characters, it’s important that the strength comes from an organic place inside of her. Not just, well, she’s strong. So she’s strong. Why? And to balance that strength, what are her weak points? Where does is all come from?
In the end, some kick-butt heroines won’t be a good fit for a Modern/MH. (Gun toting leather wearing heroine might want to pick up a badge and check out the precinct over at Intrigue) But, I know there’s a place for that strong woman at the Presents line. With balance. And always, respect to the alpha. 😀
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Maisey,
I loved your cartoon caption. Imagine! The following is an excerpt from Daydreams & Night Scenes, which I wrote for the Presents contest, earning an R for my efforts. However, it ties in here and I thought it might give you a laugh. You’re doing great! Keep up the excellent work. Lorraine
“Pity. I would’ve enjoyed getting to know you much, much better.” Kissing her hand he reluctantly released it saying, “Run away as your namesake did, but I’m not a bear. I don’t bite…although I do like to nibble on occasion.”
“Namesake?” she questioned, instantly thrilled at the thought of a little nibble here and there.
“Golden Hair, ergo, Goldie Locks.”
“Not very original, Alex,” she chuckled, “but I’ll keep you in mind if I develop a hankering for porridge as a midnight snack.”
LOL! Thanks for sharing, Lorraine. I really did enjoy it!
I have to say, I find heroines that are too strong downright annoying. I like to see vulnerability. Then again, I don’t like doormats, so yeah, getting her just right is tricky.
Heroines are my bugbear so I have no useful insights into them except – bl**dy women! 🙂
Hey Maisey! Just wanted to say a big old HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! Hope you’ve had / are having fun ( working out the time on the flip side of the world is beyond me!)
Loving you work on the blog, your posts are always a good read.
Bottoms up! xx
Thanks!! It’s getting to be the afternoon, and my mom came by and watched the kiddos so I could get my revised partial sewn up and ready to send, which I think I’ve done!! Then we’re going to coffee. Went out with the handsome hubby last night, so it’s me and mommy tonight. 🙂
Jackie, I don’t like a gratingly strong heroine either. That’s when you get into that one dimensional stuff. She’s strong, and she’s only strong, so she’s going to do nothing but lock horns with the hero and she won’t listen to him and she just…grrr.
Yeah – there has to be some softness to her – not to say, as you pointed out Maisey, that she’s stupid or insipid, but there needs to be some vulnerability otherwise there is no need/room for her to grow. And of course, its the hero that identifies and draws out her vulnerability but in the end its the heroine that learns from her journey, and without a journey – there is no story.
Oh – and forgot to add the most important thing – Happy Birthday!
Great post, Maisey. As always. I think its important that the heroine challenges whatever insecurities she has, that she tries to move forward. That she be brave. My problem is that I keep showing her being brave in situations that don’t include the hero. Its a balancing act. A finely tuned one!
Anyway, happy birthday! you old thing you!
Janette, yeah, it’s not so PC I’m afraid, but there has to be that strength without her overriding the alpha hero, but also, as we’ve both said, she’d can’t be a little daisy about it all either! But she can’t be grating…it’s a tightrope I tells you!
Sally, glad you enjoyed the post! I love what you said about her moving forward and as Janette said, if there isn’t that journey, that character development, it all just kind of falls flat!
strong heroines with vulnerabilities…very hard to pin down! but a must to bet right to match our alpha males 🙂
I’ve nominated you for an award on my blog Maisey. i really enjoy your blog. Happy Birthday this week. 🙂
That’s the truth! They have to match up with those alphas! That’s one thing I’ve realized in writing alphas, that if the heroine doesn’t have that core grit is really when they either come off as bullies, or, for me especially, I can’t make them strong enough because the strength seems mean when it’s running someone over!