Q&A with Becky Wade discussion

In my opinion, the three most important elements of a romance novel are:
*A hero to love
*A heroine to like
*Conflicts that keeps them apart

For writers, there are challenges inherent in achieving all three of the above. I have my own ideas about what the challenges are, but am interested in hearing your opinions and perceptions before I weigh in. :)

My biggest romance novel hero pet peeve? Heroes who think and speak like women. Well, I'm a woman. So my biggest challenge in trying to create a 'hero to love' is to make him believable and authentic. When my readers are reading in my hero's POV I want them to feel as if they truly are in the head of a man.

Readers... what's your romance novel hero pet peeve?
Authors... what do you ladies find tricky about writing heroes?

I think my pet peeve is a character that is just too perfect. It's not realistic, and it can be hard to connect with perfection. :)

Danie wrote:I guess it would have to be one that is thankful for has country and is grate full to the Lord."

Gratitude draws us toward a person, doesn't it? I agree. If you could only hear me preaching about gratitude to my kids!!!

And yes, patriotism is also something I love to see in a hero. My next three heroes are all former Marines.

Brooke (i blog 4 books) wrote: "I think my pet peeve is a character that is just too perfect. It's not realistic, and it can be hard to connect with perfection. :)"

I couldn't agree more, Brooke. Perfection in a character completely distances me from the character and thus, the novel.

With heroes, I think that the most devastating combination is a guy that the reader is both attracted to and compassionate towards. For me, that's the aim. If he has flaws, if he struggles with self-doubt, or worry, or jealousy, or lack of confidence -- that vulnerability hopefully draws the reader to his side and causes her to root for him, to want happiness for him. We females are tenderhearted!

Of course, too much imperfection can be a problem, too. I can imagine little more tiresome than a hero that's constantly overwhelmed with lack of confidence (for example).

Becky wrote: "Brooke (i blog 4 books) wrote: "I think my pet peeve is a character that is just too perfect. It's not realistic, and it can be hard to connect with perfection. :)"

I couldn't agree more, Brooke. ..."

Becky, I totally agree with you about too much imperfection. I can't STAND whiny characters. I've even thought before, "Can't we just write him/her off now?"

Let's talk about heroines! What's your heroine pet peeve? Mine is when a heroine makes foolhardy choices that end up plopping her into danger.

I once heard that a heroine should make the exact same decision that the reader herself would make in the identical situation and STILL get herself into worse trouble. When that happens, you know you have a good character and a good plot.

It's hard for me to stick with a heroine who makes illogical/ill-advised choices that I myself wouldn't make. When she does that and then lands in trouble I feel like saying to her, "Well, see?! What did you expect?"

Hey Becky,
I think getting the chemistry right between the hero and heroine. Finding that balance can be tricky. You need the right hero for the right heroine.

Let's chat about romantic conflict. When I say "romantic conflict" I'm talking author talk. In author talk romantic conflict doesn't mean fighting, it means the issues that keep the couple apart. If you have no conflict in place, then the couple can simply date, fall in love, and marry. The entire tale would take a chapter to tell, and even that chapter wouldn't be very interesting. :)

I once heard conflict described as the "lynchpin" of the romance novel, which is SO apt.

My conflict pet peeves:
1. When the conflict doesn't change during the entire course of the book. For example, a heroine who is thinking on page 1, "I can't fall for him, I'm from the MacDougal clan and he's from the MacKenzie clan" and is STILL thinking this same thought at page 400. In my opinion, conflict is best when there are layers of it... the couple deals with one issue, only to confronted with another, and another.
2. When one frank conversation would solve all the couple's problems, but the two of them avoid saying anything.
3. When the conflict is based on a misunderstanding.

What do you all think? Have you ever considered how the authors you read handle romantic conflict?

Becky wrote: "In my opinion, the three most important elements of a romance novel are:
*A hero to love
*A heroine to like
*Conflicts that keeps them apart

For writers, there are challenges inherent in achieving..."
For me, I dislike a book that has SO much conflict that I'm a nervious wreck by the time it gets resolved. I also REALLY dislike it when a third person is involved - old/current girlfriend or boyfriend. Conflict is fine, but I prefer chemestry and the build up of the relationship. That can all occur as they resolve whatever conflict is in their way. I'm also not a fan of the first kiss occurring on page 298 of a 300 page book.

Teresa wrote: "I also REALLY dislike it when a third person is involved - old/current girlfriend or boyfriend."

I've read a few CBA books that seemed to have two heroes and the heroine was trying to decide between them. I was confused myself, wondering, "Who's the hero? Who should I fall for? Who should I root for?" Interestingly, I never see this in an ABA romance. It's more accepted in the CBA, I guess. ? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Teresa Wrote: "Conflict is fine, but I prefer chemestry and the build up of the relationship. That can all occur as they resolve whatever conflict is in their way."

I agree, Teresa.

Teresa Wrote: "I'm also not a fan of the first kiss occurring on page 298 of a 300 page book."

Yes! I'm with you! All the things that happen after the first kiss can be fascinating. As the reader, I don't want to be left out of what happens between the hero and heroine next.