May 25, 2015

Unlikely Heroines

The romance hero is a very big part of what appeals to readers of romance and I think a lot of us have very specific qualities in mind by which we judge all heroes. An author really has to get that right, IMHO, if she (or he) wants readers to keep coming back for more.

But ultimately, it's the heroine that readers (female readers anyway) identify with and I find most critical reviews I read - of anyones books - tend to be so because the reader didn't like the heroine or couldn't relate to her. Victoria Dahl gave a great speech at ARRC this year about how she writes flawed often "unlikeable" heroines and isn't going to apologise for it. Given I've written some unlikeable heroines, I loved the hell out of that speech!

But today I want to talk about unlikely (as opposed to unlikeable!) heroines because two out of my last four releases have had unlikely heroines.

Billie in It Happened One Night Shift is an emergency doctor who can't stand the sight of blood.


http://www.amazon.com/Mills-Boon-Happened-Night-Shift-ebook/dp/B00R5DI9JY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1432514737&sr=1-1&keywords=it+happened+one+night+shift

I did that deliberately because I read (and write) so many capable heroines kicking butt in what is often still a very patriarchial world that I wanted to write a heroine who was a bit of a mess, who was doing something she didn't really want to do out of misplaced loyatly and obligation. I also liked the dichotomy of a squeamish doctor. It made her very unlikely as a heroine granted but it gave her such room to grow and arc and become fierce and mighty and take charge over the course of the book.

I freaking loved Billie :-)


My second unlikely heroine is Joy from Limbo. 

http://www.amazon.com/Limbo-The-Valentine-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B00TQISJEQ/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1

 Joy is an ex hillbilly punk rocker turned cadaver make-up artist. She's short and petite with a pixie cut, a pink fringe and black fingernails. She eats like a horse and prefers comfortable boots to kitten heels. She grew up in a funeral home and might just possibly be psychic but doesn't think that seeing the odd ghost from time to time warrants such a label. Joy is not your typical heroine....In fact, she's probably the character least likely to be a heroine. Sure, she's more proactive in her life than Billie but she still prefers to live her day-to-day life completely unnoticed and, well, she packs putty into holes in dead people's heads...not very glamorous, right? 

But Joy was a joy to write :-)

Have you read any good books or seen TV/movies with unlikely heroines? Do you prefer heroines who you an identify with as opposed to those who dont fit any pre-conceived mould?




17 comments:

  1. Hi Amy

    Firstly congrats on the new release with Limbo this one is calling to me from my kindle as is your other one her I really need more time :)

    I love an unlikely heroin one that is different from the norm I love to see them grow and become unique and of course the hero falling for them :) but of course at the moment the mind is blank although I know I have read lots of heroines that are different in such good ways :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure you have, Helen given how many books you read :-)
      Hope you enjoy, Limbo!

      Delete
  2. I've been trying to think of some unlikely heroines, Amy. Phrynne Fisher comes to mind, but I know there must be a whole host more out there that are slipping my mind at the moment. I love an unlikely heroine, and I love the sound of your Joy. :-)

    I find, though, that if I can't identify with a character then it doesn't matter whether she's an unlikely heroine or a girl next door heroine. I think we relate to characters through their goals and their hopes and fears (so it doesn't matter what the packaging is because we're all really pretty much the same underneath it all)...but it can be fun to travel that path with a heroine who isn't the norm. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't watched any Phrynne yet but yes, she does seem unlikely. Any woman in a man's world back then definitely falls into the unlikely category I reckon!

      Fun to travel with a heroine who isn't the norm? Amen to that sister :-)

      Delete
    2. Oh, yes, Phrynne is a very different heroine - and I keep wincing for poor Jack as she trips the light fantastic with another man! the romance lover in me keeps wanting them to have a "happily ever after" but I feel they might be doomed to steamy chemistry and thwarted passion.

      Delete
    3. Ooh I love that, Sharon - steamy chemistry and thwarted passion!

      Delete
    4. Dear Lord in heaven, I LOVE Jack! *wanders off breathing dreamy sighs*

      Delete
  3. Amy, Joy from Limbo sounds like an amazing quirky character! I'm looking forward to meeting her!

    ReplyDelete
  4. They sound like great heroines, I love the idea of a squeamish doctor! I like reading about characters with quirks, flaws and unexpected characteristics. Makes the reading experience so much more interesting to have variety in our heroines, rather than the same old perfect Polly-Anna types!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, flawed charcaters are so much more interesting, aren't they, Stefanie?

      Delete
  5. Wow, Amy. Both these heroines sound intriguing!! Yes, I like a flawed heroine and an unlikely one sounds even better. I can't think of one right now. Although...who expected Scarlett O'Hara to be so brave and tough after seeing her in all her finery at the BBQ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think Scarlett is a good example, Jennifer. She stepped up to the plate when the chips were down and became a very unlikely (also at times unlikeable :-) heroine.

      Delete
  6. I can't think of any unlikely heroines from movies/TV that I enjoy... heck I can't even think of many unlikely heroines from titles I've read in the past.

    Your squeamish doc sounds intriguing, I think that title was already on my list but it's probably going to slide upwards. Limbo is already on my ereader waiting for me to read - it came out at almost the same time as several titles in series that I've been reading from authors I enjoy. Additionally I still need to read Nalini Singh's Rock Hard title - have had the book for a few weeks after winning a copy but seem to be having an issue with too many stories/books and not enough time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You certainly sound like you're spoiled for choice, Lyn :-)

      Delete
  7. Hi Amy,
    What marvellous characters these women sound. A blood-averse doctor sounds intriguing.
    For me it's not so much about whether the heroines are unusual but whether I can relate to what they're doing. Love it when they stand up for themselves or others or refuse to conform to expectations!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Annie!
    Yes, I think as authors we have to make something about our characters relatable and I think that goes double for those unlikely ones :-)

    ReplyDelete