tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169196645906962674.post7011892431086906633..comments2023-03-25T04:17:08.440-04:00Comments on The Sanibel Divas: Muse Monday: It's in their jeans--er--genes.Liane Gentry Skyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13393035282032592271noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169196645906962674.post-29118903458043645582009-09-29T08:28:56.983-04:002009-09-29T08:28:56.983-04:00Liane,
Excellent thoughts!
Yes, as Gail mention...Liane,<br /><br />Excellent thoughts! <br /><br />Yes, as Gail mentioned, publishers want "the same, only different." Reputations, names and careers are built on meeting certain expectations (even if it comes down to what sort of stories or characters you write--a VERY dangerous game that can result in pigeonholing).<br /><br />I think there's room for all types of characters in the marketplace--even the ones we love to hate. <br /><br />The key is always knowing what our characters' biggest wants and deepest fears are. Set their goal and then make them confront their fears or do the thing they'd NEVER, NEVER do because suddenly, there's no other option (my boy Pietr does the last thing he wants to do in book 3--because he MUST).<br /><br />Those conflicts and obstacles they have to deal with truly show the measure of the man. ;-) They are often enough to break the biggest, baddest alpha into someone we WANT to love because we've seen him shatter. And THAT we can all relate to.<br /><br />~ShannonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169196645906962674.post-36199222813969675142009-09-28T19:17:01.972-04:002009-09-28T19:17:01.972-04:00"The same only different" is exactly wha..."The same only different" is exactly what publishers seem to be looking for. How do we make our stories different enough to stand out without being too weird? It's a tightrope. <br /><br />P.S. - The baby boy video is just too funny!Gail Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00248412842872176518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169196645906962674.post-18107352523770361082009-09-28T15:54:24.037-04:002009-09-28T15:54:24.037-04:00The visuals are a nice touch.
The stereotypes are...The visuals are a nice touch. <br />The stereotypes are there for a reason. It may sound all "conspiracy theory", but we learn our behaviors from others, and when those behaviors are unsatisfactory to us, we use media to fill in the blanks. It does bother me when a heroine is so strong, she is a bitch, and she has no soft side to befriend. The hero has two choices then: to either become the weaker of the two, or to conquer her. Who wants a sap or a Conan? Not us, not anymore. The words we write today will most likely influence someone's future view of what romantic relationships are. Think about it. How old were you when you picked up your first romance? We have the responsibilty to create characters who's lives have led them on a path that could be destruction, but make them strong enough to veer to the side of happiness and allow them to not only love, but feel love.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01075969391963250926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169196645906962674.post-64143197810043338362009-09-28T13:48:58.094-04:002009-09-28T13:48:58.094-04:00Yep, you have to put everything they want right in...Yep, you have to put everything they want right in front of them and then build a moat, barbed wire on top of the electric fence and land mines, which they each must step on twice, not to mention the doggie rockets. You put them through the paces and they will grow. Good advice!<br /><br />Great blog, I think that we all struggle with original heroines who are still strong and women that we'd either like to be or be best friends with.<br /><br />I know if a character is too anything and I don't like her, I don't want good things to happen for her so I won't read. <br /><br />I've seen a trend lately in romance where they make the heroines out to be what they think is strong, but they're just bitches, they might as well be the alpha male and the hero gives up everything to be with her and she doesn't sacrifice anything or learn or grow.I always want to kick them in the taco and steal their man, because I CAN. <br /><br />I love Dana and Steph both. I would be friends with them, hang out with them and ache for them with what they are going through. Well, except for the whole evil genius plot... :)<br /><br />Dana has gone through it, but she's still strong. She's still growing, still learning. She's an awesome character. I totally don't mind giving Ryder up for their happily ever after.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17774647553760700746noreply@blogger.com