Today's topic: When the Hero is really the Heroine.
Sounds a little confusing, no?
One of the core dictates of the romance genre in general is that there is a Hero, and he 'saves' the Heroine, but what happens when this dictate gets tossed on it's ear and the Heroine is the one saving the day? She's the one seducing the Hero, and the one telling the Hero what's good for him -- and no, I'm not talking about the Heroine who blithely goes her own way while the Hero looks congenially on because he knows she's going to come a cropper and he will swoop in to save her from ruin. I'm talking about the Heroine who has the power, the will and the way to show the hero just what she wants, and demand he give it to her.
Now, I quite like reading these stories, find them empowering even, but I'm told they just don't sell. Apparently romance readers in general want the man in power and the woman subdued by him, the opposite just doesn't work. Why the hell not, is my question? Women want to let go, they say, want all their daily responsibilities taken off their shoulders as the man 'gives' them release. On a personal note, I've never felt so not in control of my life as when I was forced to become a SAHM -- then to let a man come in and tell me how it's going to be after all that? Oh hell no!
A big strong man at my beck and call - oh yes, that could work in my ideal world!
How say you all?
Mar 31, 2008
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2 comments:
Okay--help, don't get the acronym SAHM?
As for the heroine saving the day, I have no problem with a strong heroine. I just don't want a steady diet of it.
Now, if you mean an equal partnership between the h/h, then okay. Most Alpha males need a good Alpha female to keep them in line anyway. But an Alpha female with a Beta male--nuh unh, not my cup of tea.
I've spent too many years being the one everyone depended upon to make sure things were running on an even keel.
But, like they say, variety is the spice of life and what one person doesn't like, another may prefer.
So, whatever trips your trigger!
Ciao!
I have read only one or two Alpha female romances. They were well-done, I liked them although my personal preference is for Alpha males. I think part of the problem is that there are men out there who would love to read erotica with a dominant female as the heroine- but they wouldn't dream of looking at 'romantic' sites. If you know anything about the S&M scene then you'll know that there are more submissive men around than Dominant women.
Go for it- there must be someone out there who'll enjoy such a read- you just need to find your market and pitch your story where they'll find it.
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