I have been thinking a lot in the last little while about what's makes the heroine that I hate. And I'll be honest. I hate a lot of heroines. As long as I can relate to and appreciate the Hero I usually can deal with an annoying heroine. So here are the things I hate in a heroine. Chime in and tell me yours.
-An absurd level of physical attractiveness. This is just so annoying. When paragraph upon paragraph and page upon page are dedicated to rhapsodizing about the heroines lips and eyes and hair and perfect size four body. And how they are all so gaggingly perfect that strangers on the street stop and fall immediately in love based on her amazing boobs and innate goodness. Gag.
-A total inability to function outside of her role as the ultimate sacrificer for the good of everyone she's ever met. Because without her constantly hovering on the edge of giving up all that is good and holy so that those she loves can hang on to all that they consider good and holy the whole book, nay the whole world, would collapse.
-Being perpetually too stupid to live. And I don't just mean sneaking off from the DEA hero hoping to use only your sorrily lacking wits and your perfectly manicured nails to save the day but also continually misinterpreting every single thing the hero does as an offense against all that you believe. Both are nails on a chalkboard level of grating. No one that stupid deserves to live. I think they should be allowed to try and save themselves and see what happens. I think that would make a better book. And anyone who goes along merrily being insulted by every breath the hero takes when all could be resolved in five minutes of non-hysteria-induced conversation doesn't deserve to be in a relationship.
Tell me yours. What ruins a heroine for you? I look forward to hearing about it.
Song of the day--I'd Do Anything For Love, Meatloaf. Speaking of things that are annoying, this could be the theme song of idiot heroines. I'll do anything for love except for that one thing. See this list for details.
Quote of the day-- There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness. -Friedrich Nietzsche. (Again speaking of things that are annoying...)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Heroine hates
Posted by AJ Chase at 8:47 AM
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5 comments:
I hate heroines who are too good. They love everyone and are ultimately understanding of other people's flaws without having any of their own. Not a bad bone in their goody little two shoes bodies. I mean, come one! Everyone has mean thoughts about someone or something sometimes. We don't always act on them, but we do think them.
Love the slide show BTW!
Oh, thanks. Thanks for dropping by. I totally agree with you, btw. I hate it when they have no problem with all these cartoonish villains dumping on them constantly but in the end all is forgiven. Because they're just that sweet.
I abhor perpetually misunderstanding heroines! I know there is supposed to be conflict but when the author continually makes the conflict this petty, preconceived female notion of the hero...argh. Drives me crazy.
*oh! he does love me...no, he doesn't...he couldn't...I'm just not good enough...he's too much the cad...how could he possibly give up all those other women!*
LOL, okay, yes heroines have a tendency to be annoying at times. Susan Elizabeth Phillips creates WONDERFUL heroines. Jane ann krentz (sp, anyone?) not as appealing. I'm thinking of one in particular but cant' remember the name of it. I like lots of her books...but, I think the h/h didn't end up "together" in the end of this one. too open ended for me.
oh, and I've added you to my blog list, AJ. thanks for the note.
Oh thanks. I agree. If you have to work that hard to perpetuate the conflict then it isn't a good enough conflict.
Thanks for adding me to your list.
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