Comments on: The Problem With Heroines

By: Leslie Kelly

Leslie Kelly — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:07:25 +0000

Sorry for the duplicate post…my very attractive index finger (NOT–I’m a nail biter–) obviously held the mouse key down too long.

By: Leslie Kelly

Leslie Kelly — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:06:14 +0000

Agreed!

I think just about every woman is able to see the good AND the bad in herself, despite what she might say out loud. In a romance novel, we’re in her head a lot of the time, and most women *know* when they look good.

That doesn’t, of course, prevent them from sweating the second handful of french fries that will land on their hips, but they can acknowledge when they have nice hair or a pretty face.

By: Leslie Kelly

Leslie Kelly — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:06:09 +0000

Agreed!

That doesn’t, of course, prevent them from sweating the second handful of french fries that will land on their hips, but they can acknowledge when they have nice hair or a pretty face.

By: Estella

Estella — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:36:05 +0000

I agree with you HelenKay!

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:48:28 +0000

I can see both sides to it. Even when a heroine doesn’t think she’s beautiful, the hero does, which I think changes the way she feels about herself regardless of if she is descirbed as beautiful or not. Does that make sense? There’s a lot more to a character to make them sympathetic than appearance.

By: Jill S.

Jill S. — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:56:41 +0000

I read Wainger’s book and I think she gives good advice, especially for beginners. I can always relate to a character who is self-conscious about her flaws. How sympathetic is a woman who knows how beautiful she is?

By: Lucie Simone

Lucie Simone — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:48:04 +0000

I think modern women have their ups and downs with their looks, so it seems only appropriate that in a book, the heroine will at times feel downright gorgeous and other times feel like a fat cow. I know I have my feeling fab days and feeling fat and gross days. It’s human. And having heroines the reader can relate to is of the upmost importance, in my opinion.

By: Fedora

Fedora — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:40:36 +0000

I do think it’s pretty ridiculous in this day and age to think that she’d be completely oblivious to her looks and their impact. On the other hand, I do think that some women aren’t confident, no matter what they look like, so it may be realistic to say that some women don’t quite believe how lovely they may be. And I completely agree that being vain is very unattractive!

By: Stacy ~

Stacy ~ — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:05:05 +0000

I also agree with your viewpoint. And there’s nothing wrong if a woman is aware of her attractiveness, as long as she’s not a total beeyotch about it. There’s a sexiness, a strength about knowing you look good, and people respond to that. Doesn’t mean the woman is or has to be stuck-up, it just means she knows she takes care of herself and is appealing to the opposite sex. I find it unrealistic to find that every heroine is unaware of their looks, seems almost silly. Being good-looking is not a bad thing.

By: Portia Da Costa

Portia Da Costa — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:48:25 +0000

I totally agree! I think every woman alive has a fair idea of how attractive she is, and how she can best play down her faults and play up her good features. I can see how it’s not a good idea to have a heroine come across as vain, but I think she’s more human if she can say ‘hey, looking good, girlfriend’ to herself occasionally.