Brooklyn Ann joins us today to chat about Alpha Heroines ... that's something different! Brooklyn herself is not your typical romance writer (if there is such a thing). From her bio (link),
1.) Brooklyn is my REAL name. I am not from Brooklyn, I am from northern Idaho. (Huckleberries, not potatoes. The guys in the south get the 'taters.) Neither I nor my mother have been to New York.
2.) I am a former grease-monkey turned paranormal romance author.
3.) I'm currently back in college and will be adding an Associate's in English to my Associate's in Automotive Technology.
2.) I am a former grease-monkey turned paranormal romance author.
3.) I'm currently back in college and will be adding an Associate's in English to my Associate's in Automotive Technology.
Welcome, Brooklyn!
The Challenges of Writing Alpha Heroines
For the first few drafts of WRENCHING FATE, there were issues with readers disliking the heroine. This was when I realized two things.
1.) Akasha is definitely the alpha character of the story.
She's a beer-swilling, foul mouthed mechanic with a temper and the strength to back it up. In short, she's mini-hulk, only with better motor skills. And although many readers admired her toughness, her coarse manners turned many off. So much of my many rewrites were dedicated to polishing her up a bit, but not too much.
2.) Alpha Heroines are tough to write.
And here is why:
Just as with alpha heroes, one must make sure the character doesn't come off as too aggressive or too much of a jerk.
This challenge is compounded by the fact that strength and assertiveness in females is seen as unusual in our culture. And there's a difference between strong and bitchy. When Silas first takes Akasha to his home, she is openly hostile because not only does she suspect his motives, but she also believes he destroyed what tentative stability she had in her life. However, I had to temper that hostility by showing her defensiveness and hints of vulnerability.
Thus it is important to show her weaknesses and her softer sides.
I made sure to reveal her biggest phobias: guns, religious zealots …and wearing dresses. I explored her insecurities about fitting in as she finally learns how to make friends. And I worked hard to show Akasha’s budding trust in Silas as she falls in love with him.
On the flip side, I had to be sure not to make her too weak.
Akasha is more than capable of kicking ass and taking names. Due to her super-human strength, she even can throw a vampire through a sliding glass door. And she will do anything to protect her friends and loved ones.
Another big concern was making sure the hero didn’t look like a wimp.
In the face of such badassery, Akasha almost overshadowed Silas in earlier drafts. I had to remember to show that Silas is a five-hundred year old Scottish warrior. Just because he’s now more into stocks and bonds and interest rates than battle doesn’t mean he still won’t snatch up his Claymore and lop off the heads of his enemies… or at least drain their blood.
I had to show that the reason Silas allows Akasha to take control of almost every situation is not only because he adores her with all of his heart, but he is also secure enough with his masculinity that he is unthreatened by her power, and in fact respects her for it.
However, I made sure to give him opportunities to make decisions and to rescue Akasha once in awhile. And there were times when he was right and she was wrong. There were even times when he had to wield his authority over her and others as a Lord Vampire.
Hopefully, I pulled it off and made engaging characters with a poignant love story.
Who was your favorite Alpha Heroine? Who was your least favorite?
One commenter will win an e-book copy of WRENCHING FATE.
She's a beer-swilling, foul mouthed mechanic with a temper and the strength to back it up. In short, she's mini-hulk, only with better motor skills. And although many readers admired her toughness, her coarse manners turned many off. So much of my many rewrites were dedicated to polishing her up a bit, but not too much.
2.) Alpha Heroines are tough to write.
And here is why:
Just as with alpha heroes, one must make sure the character doesn't come off as too aggressive or too much of a jerk.
This challenge is compounded by the fact that strength and assertiveness in females is seen as unusual in our culture. And there's a difference between strong and bitchy. When Silas first takes Akasha to his home, she is openly hostile because not only does she suspect his motives, but she also believes he destroyed what tentative stability she had in her life. However, I had to temper that hostility by showing her defensiveness and hints of vulnerability.
Thus it is important to show her weaknesses and her softer sides.
I made sure to reveal her biggest phobias: guns, religious zealots …and wearing dresses. I explored her insecurities about fitting in as she finally learns how to make friends. And I worked hard to show Akasha’s budding trust in Silas as she falls in love with him.
On the flip side, I had to be sure not to make her too weak.
Akasha is more than capable of kicking ass and taking names. Due to her super-human strength, she even can throw a vampire through a sliding glass door. And she will do anything to protect her friends and loved ones.
Another big concern was making sure the hero didn’t look like a wimp.
In the face of such badassery, Akasha almost overshadowed Silas in earlier drafts. I had to remember to show that Silas is a five-hundred year old Scottish warrior. Just because he’s now more into stocks and bonds and interest rates than battle doesn’t mean he still won’t snatch up his Claymore and lop off the heads of his enemies… or at least drain their blood.
I had to show that the reason Silas allows Akasha to take control of almost every situation is not only because he adores her with all of his heart, but he is also secure enough with his masculinity that he is unthreatened by her power, and in fact respects her for it.
However, I made sure to give him opportunities to make decisions and to rescue Akasha once in awhile. And there were times when he was right and she was wrong. There were even times when he had to wield his authority over her and others as a Lord Vampire.
Hopefully, I pulled it off and made engaging characters with a poignant love story.
Who was your favorite Alpha Heroine? Who was your least favorite?
One commenter will win an e-book copy of WRENCHING FATE.
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| Lake Coeur d'Alene Image by Rothmeier91 Released to Public Domain (link) |
Mahalo, Brooklyn, for teaching a thing or two about Alpha Heroines!
To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment to answer Brooklyn's answer - do you have a favorite Alpha Heroine? The first to pop into mind is Scarlett O'Hara. Oh, she was Alpha!
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, February 15, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 16.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
To learn more about Brooklyn and her books, check out her website at brooklynann.blogspot.com.
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| Available now from Sourcebooks |
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| Coming August 5 |
Honestly, it's usually the one I'm reading currently.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Sam from Marie Force's Fatal series.
ReplyDeleteI do agree about Scarlet and there are some contemporaries where the heroines was a spy.
ReplyDeleteI like eve from jd robb... cat is another favorite. .. so is Kate from ilona Andrews. ..
ReplyDeleteI love Cat from the Nighthuntress series by Jeanienne Frost, she can take care of herself. I loved Bite Me Your Grace and can't wait to read another of Brooklyn's books.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't
ReplyDeleteI love Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock. I think she's definitely Alpha.
ReplyDeleteIlona Andrews' Kate Daniels is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteArgh! For some reason my replies keep not going through! Hopefully this one works. Thanks so much for having me, Kim! And thanks to all of you for popping by! I see a lot of good book suggestions here!
ReplyDeleteAs Brooklyn's friend and photographer I can attest to the fact that she is as kickass and dynamic in real life as her characters. She has no fear!
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn has always been a fantastic writer (I went to high school with her) I have both her books and CANNOT wait for the next. As for heroine I'd say Nynaeve al'Meara :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Alf, and Rachelle!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteFirst, mahalo for bringing Aloha to the mainland! We need all we can get. Can't wait to get back to Hawaii this spring for my yearly dose. I need it so...
Brooklynn,
'her biggest phobias: guns, religious zealots …and wearing dresses' LOL!
Cannot wait to meet this chick. And I'm excited to see how you temper an alpha heroine against a somewhat more suave hero, one who knows his own strengths and isn't afraid of a strong woman.
Her time has come. Awesome how you used your own unique background to create this heroine. And, my car is making a funny sound ... can you come and look at it? ;D
best,
Cathryn
Oh my... Scarlett O'Hara was truly an alpha. You're quite an alpha too, Brooklyn! You amaze me working on your car and writing the most awesome stories! Congrats on your new release!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the poswt. Brooklyn I've had your books on y TRL. I'll be reading them very soon. I have to choose Eve Dallas from the IN Death series by JD Robb.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks so much!
ReplyDelete