The hero who is nothing but a hunk of meat
That’s it. I’m about ready to throw my hero off a cliff, chained to a block of concrete.
Oh sure, he’s a gorgeous guy with rippling muscles and the face of a warrior. He’s hot, he’s sexy.
And he has NO personality. Like the other mindless heroes strutting around bare-chested, he thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips. 
News flash: he’s not.
What was I thinking? He imprisons the heroine in a shack on an island where they duke it out verbally, and sure, he brings her wildflowers and gifts, but my God! Where did I get this jerk? Do you think there’s a place where I can buy him a real personality?
I feel like there’s a missing part. I know his goal, his motivations, his conflicts, but what I don’t know are the things that make him unique. What makes him different from all the other shirtless wonders?
Maybe I need to add an irrational fear, like a healthy dislike of medieval cockroaches….:rambo:
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:54 pm | Viewed 811 times
kacey Says:
:loser: hm, I don’t like a mean jerkface hero
(must get around to stealing that smilie…)
Well, I guess a jerk is better than too clueless to live?? Maybe?? Thought the whole cockroach thing could be interesting ..
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Amy K. Says:
I like the cockroach idea.
Caro Says:
I still say we should offer up all such heroes on eBay — there’s got to be someone who’s willing to take these shirtless wonders off our hands.
Michelle Says:
Caro, I LOVE that idea! Hey, we could let them compete to be Mr. Romance! :blahblah:
Oops. Did I say that?
katie Says:
Hmmm. Empathetic heros are my downfall. I find them quite challending to write. Not sure why….:evil:
Margery Scott Says:
Love the idea of an irrational fear. Hey, it worked for Indiana Jones.:grin:
Suzanne Says:
You have to motivate him! He can do (almost) anything if you motivate it!
Tori Says:
I think having a dislike of medieval cockroaches :confused2: is very sensible.
Jill Says:
Definitely give manly man a fear. A good one. And like Suzanne said, motivate it. Make us go “awwwww”.
Steph T. Says:
Ah - Michelle’s wrestling the Great Alpha Male. They’re a pain in the ass, but they’re worth it in the end.:hello2:
Rene Says:
Susan Squires spoke about characters at one of my chapter meetings. To help give them depth, give them a talent or something that makes them different. She mentioned the hero of “Master and Commander.” Besides being a naval hero, he was an accomplished violinist, something unexpected. Maybe your muscled macho man is a singer/musician. What chick can resist a rock star?