Don't Keep It Too Real
I think we all know what we qualities we like to see in our story hero, but do you ever think about what you don't like? I'll bet you do, but it's probably moral values or character traits, right?
Recently I was actually able to go on a date with my husband. Yay! Anyways, dear Hubby was so sweet and solicitous. I had a great time. I also had a lightbulb moment.
There are certain things, no matter how realistic, that I never want to read about a hero doing/feeling in a romance. Please, keep me cocooned in my unrealistic bubble.
Book Heroes shouldn't:
1. Fart
2. Burp
3. Scratch himself in public (y'all know what I mean)
4. Spit
5. Pick his nose
Alright ladies! No doubt you've encountered at least one of these things with your real life hero, but tell me, what do you never want to see a story hero doing? (no matter how "real" it may be)
Recently I was actually able to go on a date with my husband. Yay! Anyways, dear Hubby was so sweet and solicitous. I had a great time. I also had a lightbulb moment.
There are certain things, no matter how realistic, that I never want to read about a hero doing/feeling in a romance. Please, keep me cocooned in my unrealistic bubble.
Book Heroes shouldn't:
1. Fart
2. Burp
3. Scratch himself in public (y'all know what I mean)
4. Spit
5. Pick his nose
Alright ladies! No doubt you've encountered at least one of these things with your real life hero, but tell me, what do you never want to see a story hero doing? (no matter how "real" it may be)
Comments
LOL
btw, love the "gag me".
And no swearing. I know it's real and not necessarily gross, but it's also a HUGE turn-off.
LOL
Oh, I just sneezed and wiped my hand down my housecoat (guess it's due for a wash now) but till then I couldn't come up with anything to add to your list. Now I'll add: wiping sneeze material (can't bring myself to use the real word in print) down his shirt and especially not on the heroine's sleeve.
You do come up with the greatest topics for this blog!
Although I do tolerate a few of the ones mentioned, depending on the situation: spitting--the hero in my vampire book spits out a drink when he first realizes there might be blood in it; long hair--I rather like long hair on some of my heroes (shoulder length), but it's because I write in the Victorian era when men often had longish hair and wore it pulled back; mild swearing--if it's part of the hero's personality, but I can see how in an Inspirational, that would be unacceptable for a hero.
One thing that I don't think was mentioned is personal hygiene. PLEASE heroes, when at all possible, wash under those arm pits, shampoo that greasy hair, chew some mint leaves, and USE SOAP. Heehee
Oh, and one weird thought did come to me, out of the pages of Dracula by Bram Stoker. He had a crazy character that had no qualms with eating live bugs (flies, spiders, etc...). And it made me realize how hard it would be to have a hero that had "weird" appetites. Imagine writing a kissing scene after he had a hearty helping of grubs. The heroine wouldn't be too impressed. Neither would I. Nuff said. Urp.
Huh? MG? I'm so trying to think of what genre that is. But yeah, I just mean in romances. Little boy books, maybe even harder fiction, this would all probably be okay in a protag.
If you stop by I'd love to find out what genre you meant. Or maybe I'll just track you down at your place. :-)
You're totally right on the hygiene. I didn't think of that 'cause hubby is a great about staying clean. Most guys aren't though. ;-)
Your spitting scene was totally fine. I was thinking more of how some men (who shall remain nameless) spit into the garbage can for no reason. Ewww.
*snicker*
Don't feel bad. I just learned that term about two weeks ago. Teehee
I just got the kiddos in bed and am fixing to read your chapter!
:-) *rubbing hands in delight*
That's why I read romance. Hehee.