The Sweet Romantic Hero – A Myth in Contemporary Romance?
Guest Post by Sydney Logan, originally posted on the Author to Author blog.
Admittedly, I’m fairly new to the publishing game. My love stories are sweet romances with happy-ever-afters featuring male characters who adore their women. My men are patient, kind, sweet, and devoted.
According to some reviewers, my guys are also a little too perfect.
I had no idea this type of man was such a myth in contemporary romance, but according to some, these qualities in a man are unrealistic. As a new author, it makes it difficult to find a home in the writing world.
As a woman, it makes me sad.
In my second novel, Mountain Charm, Dylan Thomas is a Nashville reporter who has been sent to the Smoky Mountains to write a story about Appalachian witchcraft. He falls hard for Angelina Clark, an Appalachian witch who had cast a love spell when she was a young girl. Dylan is stubborn and bitter—thanks to his father leaving when he was a toddler. Dylan also has quite a temper, especially where Angelina is concerned. He tends to act before he thinks, and he ends up in jail twice during the course of the book because of his short fuse. To me, Dylan is incredibly flawed, despite the fact he is very much in love with Angelina and treats her well.
Are fictional guys only realistic when they treat their women like crap? Or, do they have to be tattooed “alpha males” with rock-hard abs (not that there’s anything wrong with that) to keep the attention of today’s reader?
Maybe nice guys really do finish last, which is a shame, because women deserve nothing less than to be adored—in fiction and in real life.
Sydney
Sydney Logan is an Amazon bestselling author who may or may not have an unhealthy obsession with music (seriously, she loves everything from Eminem to Johnny Cash). She also has an amazing husband and a ridiculously spoiled cat, both of whom join her in soaking up the stunning views from their East Tennessee front porch.Find her on Amazon, iTunes, B&N, and TWCS Publishing House.
Visit her online at www.sydneylogan.com.
Interesting post, Sydney, I really enjoyed it. I hope these heroes aren't myths, because they're the type I like to read and write about myself. I don't think all romance readers do want the hard alpha male types. Someone once said in a review of one of my stories: "If I ever find anyone half as decent and loving as that man then I will be a happy woman." Nuff said?
ReplyDeleteI've had similar comments, ManicScribbler, but more often than not, I've heard "he's too perfect." Maybe I just need to find a happy medium in order to appeal to all readers. Good luck with your writing!
DeleteI don't believe real heroes are a myth in books or reality--I'm married to a real-life hero, and I'll continue to write about them. I understand what you're saying, though, and I even allowed my publisher to roughen up my first 'too sweet' hero, so now I get reviews that he's either 'too good to be true' or he's 'too controlling'. You can't win everyone's heart, my friend, but if you keep writing what you love to write, you will have genuine avid-reading friends who will stand by you every step of the way. Happy Writing!
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