This is tough, I have no idea
what men look for in a heroine, but they don't read romances so who cares. Well, we must care because she has to be
attractive to our hero. We need to know
what men look for in their ladies.
I told a lie in my very first
paragraph. Can you guess what it
is? Men don't read a romance is a
lie. On one of my loops, several readers
said they and their husbands often read a romantic adventure together. I bet you are just dying to know why. Well, guess what, they are learning new
techniques for making love. They want
the sex between them and their spouses to be more satisfying, more interesting
to their respective partners.
Okay, I've digressed a
bit. My personal opinion of the ideal
protagonist is that she may be us. Of
course, I'm not saying I'm perfect (just close to it--grin), but neither is our
character. We can make her the way we
would like to look or act, but she still has to have ordinary flaws like all
women have.
There are physical attributes
that most guys look for in a woman when they are on the prowl. Almost all males pant over boobs, the ass and
legs, but in the end those features won't hold their interest forever. No, your heroine better have a personality,
be intelligent and strong. No man wants
a stick character, a dummy or someone who can't take care of themselves when
he's not there.
A man wants to take care of his woman, (yeah, the caveman) but not to the extent she is reliant on him all the time. Gentlemen, you wish for a partner that you can lean on when the need arises. This means the perfect heroine needs to know when to be strong and when not to be.
Appearance is only important
as far as description of the female protagonist is necessary in my story, and
also, because everyone wants to read about a hot looking female. The old saying that beauty is in the eye of
the beholder is true between a man and a woman.
What one man or woman finds lovely or handsome may not be another
person's idea of either.
A heroine may be made up of a composite of many people or maybe just someone you might like to meet in your dreams. Take the best from all women and make her your idol. Just remember no one is perfect so give her a flaw.
Have a wonderful week.
Sandra K. Marshall
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http://www.skaymarshall.com
http://www.sandramarshallblog.blogspot.com
http://www.eirelander-publishing.com
9 comments:
Great post. I think men want in a lover what women want - a friend - someone they feel comfortable with, can laugh with, someone they can be themselves with.
I agree Tina. It makes the lovemaking all that much more fun.
You're right that some couples use erotic romance novels to spice up their sex lives. I've heard that said many times by Ellora's Cave readers.
It's great that there's a personality type for almost every taste. That keeps life, and fiction, interesting.
Best--Adele
Adele, I think our love scenes help spice up some marriages. Smile.
Great post, Sandy. And I believe more men read romances than admit to it:)
Interesting post. Certainly makes one think, which has gotta be good. Sex without somekind of other tie to the person is just mechanical and really turns me off. I like romance with my sex, and think most readers do too.
Thanks, Paris. You're right men read romances especially if it has other elements in the story. Espionage and mystery will attract them first. lol
Jean, there are women who don't care about the romance just the sex. lol It's not you or me though.
Beauty is an initial attractive element, but a heroine's strength, character, and intelligence capture the hero's heart. A whining, simpering, helpless heroine is a turn-off.
Thank you, Marianne. I agree.
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