Monday, April 2, 2012

Have You Ever Fallen For A Character?

I am in the throes of planning my next book, Betwixt, at the moment. I had a scene dancing in my head yesterday and I was thinking about the MC's reaction, which then got me thinking about the kind of character she was falling for, which then got me thinking about the kinds of characters I fall for in books.

It is so tempting for me to write a similar love interest. There are certain things I look for in a guy and I can't help pulling it into my writing. I have to fight the urge to write the same personality type each time.

If you're a writer, do you fall into that trap?

I guess I like to fall in love, just like my MC's do. I like to get emotionally drawn into a story.

It's the same when I read a book. I LOVE reading books where I fall in love. So what kind of love do I look for in a book? I love it when the guy is a strong commanding character. He might come across as grumpy, but this does not frighten the female. She is feisty and can counter whatever he has to throw at her. He quietly loves this and finds it very attractive, which makes him care deeply for her. He is the kind of guy that wouldn't hesitate to risk life and limb to protect his love. He also displays moments of tenderness, which make you realize that in spite of his tough veneer he would be lost without her.

There are SO many examples of this type of love that I can think of, but I'll just go with the two that are dancing in my head right now...

First is Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (I know it's not YA, but how can I not mention Jamie and Claire!!!)

And the second is Alex Fuentes and Brittany Ellis from Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

Ooo! And I just thought of another one - again not technically YA, but I read this book as a teenager and LOVED it. Atretes and Rizpah from As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers.

Now - ironically - Harrison (male lead from Time Spirit Trilogy) is not actually like the male lead I just described. He is a sweetheart and has no problem bearing his soul. He is still commanding though and doesn't mind taking charge. I really like that about him. He also cares for Gemma more than anyone else and would do anything to protect her. I LOVE that about him :) They are a strong couple who fight the toughest odds to be together.

So - what do you look for in a romance?

Which characters have you fallen in love with over your reading years?

Do you think it's important to fall in love when you're reading?

6 comments:

  1. Great post! I tend to write my heroes too gentle and passive, yet I like tougher heroes when I read. I see the ones I write as masculine, but it doesn't come across well on the page. I'm doing better with this in my 3rd WIP.

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    1. I do think there is a place for gentle, passive love interests. I need to work on writing more of those :)

      Good luck with your WIP!

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  2. Oh, Claire and Jamie... -swoon- They are two of my all time favorite couples! I like the tough guys who are really sweeties at heart. Though interestingly enough, the love interest in two of my work in progresses (short story and novel) are much more vulnerable than I normally write. They're in need of saving. I think I love them more for it.

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    1. I do like characters with a little vulnerability. I think you're right - it makes them more loveable.

      Good luck with your WIPs :)

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  3. Valerie has a great point about the tough guys who are sweet underneath. Part of for me too is the tough guy who comes from a bad sitation but makes changes for the better.

    I just finished Perfect Chemistry and loved Alex too. Trying to decide if I should read the next two. Have you? Are they worth it, or are they a rehash of the same story premise from PC?

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    1. Hey Suzi :) I really enjoyed the second book in the series, but the third one didn't tickle my fancy. I'm not sure why, it just didn't have the same X-factor as the other two :)

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