QUEEN Countdown - Day 14
"You sure you don't want me to kill the little diSebourne rultshart?"
It's October 14th, Day 14 of our QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS release countdown!
Days until the release of QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS: 13
-723523.jpg)
We are counting down the days until the release of QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS, book #4 of the Tairen Soul quintet. Each week, I'll be choosing winners to receive an autographed copy of QUEEN, so don't miss out!
There are two ways you can win!
(1) Join the CL Wilson Announcement List. A winner will be drawn from the announcement list each week.
(2) Read the daily countdown blog here on Blogging the Fading Lands, and post a response to the "Question of the Day". Each Tuesday, I will choose a winner from the posters for that week. For each daily blog that you respond to, you earn one chance to win. (Multiple comments to the same blog still only count as one "chance to win".)
Once you post a comment, email feyreisa@live.com with your
(1) name,
(2) mailing address,
(3) email address, and
(4) the name you posted under (please sign your post if you post as "anonymous")
If I do not receive your information, your response to today's blog will *not* be entered in the weekly drawing.
Only one entry per person per day will be counted. Personal information will remain private, will only be used to contact the weekly winner(s), and will be discarded thereafter.
Which quality(ies) do you find most appealing in the hero of a novel? Least appealing/most off-putting?
It's October 14th, Day 14 of our QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS release countdown!
Days until the release of QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS: 13
-723542.jpg)
We are counting down the days until the release of QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS, book #4 of the Tairen Soul quintet. Each week, I'll be choosing winners to receive an autographed copy of QUEEN, so don't miss out!
How to Enter!
There are two ways you can win!
(1) Join the CL Wilson Announcement List. A winner will be drawn from the announcement list each week.
(2) Read the daily countdown blog here on Blogging the Fading Lands, and post a response to the "Question of the Day". Each Tuesday, I will choose a winner from the posters for that week. For each daily blog that you respond to, you earn one chance to win. (Multiple comments to the same blog still only count as one "chance to win".)
Once you post a comment, email feyreisa@live.com with your
(1) name,
(2) mailing address,
(3) email address, and
(4) the name you posted under (please sign your post if you post as "anonymous")
If I do not receive your information, your response to today's blog will *not* be entered in the weekly drawing.
Only one entry per person per day will be counted. Personal information will remain private, will only be used to contact the weekly winner(s), and will be discarded thereafter.
Question of the Day:
Which quality(ies) do you find most appealing in the hero of a novel? Least appealing/most off-putting?
posted by C.L. Wilson at
9:14 AM
44 Comments:
I would have to say a sense of humor is definitely the most attractive to me. Arrogance/Ego are probably the most off-putting.
I like a hero who is posessive, or at least likes to make it known that the heronie belongs to him. It's archaic but it appeals to me. Something that turns me off is when the man doesn't let the girl be herself. Yes, that sounds like a mild contradiction but it's possible for a girl to be herself and still have the guy be posessive.
Most appealing: Witty (I especially love dry humor), Intelligent, Kind/Considerate, and Loyal.
Least appealing: Egotistical, Dishonest, and Controlling.
-Jilly
I like heros who are possessive, dominant, strong with humor, gentle and tender mixed in. Heros I donlt like are arrogant, egotistical, violent or major control freaks. Possessive, yes; violent control freak, no.
I swear you have ESP. I am having issues in my current relationship and my "hero" has turned into the evildoer.
Attractions - Consideration, supporting partner's passions, humor
Put offs - Controlling, inability to attempt to understand, arrogance
On a side note I won't be having a current relationship much longer and will need all my books. LOL
I would like my hero to understand the heronie. I would love him to be kind understanding and forgiving.
Turn offs would be arroganet and always right
pros:
clever
funny
compasionate
understanding
cons:
arrogant
controlling
demanding
Most appealing in hero or heroine: humor/wit, intelligence, open-mindedness, confidence, shrewdness, sensitivity, good loser, good winner, generosity, self discipline. Any of these can be latent and reveal themselves over the course of the story.
I don't mind a little arrogance in anyone as long as it's earned. Also, a good hero can be in a poor story if the heroine is not worthy of him. He shouldn't be right all the time.
Least appealing: conventionality or rigidness of thought, pomposity, domineering, controlling, insensitivity, oversensitivity, petulance, vengefulness.
I would have to say that the qualities I like to see in a hero are selflessness, they will always consider others in their actions. A warm heart is also a bonus. Despite their own shortcomings a hero should always endeavor to better themselves so they can be better to those who rely on them.
I like a hero who starts off kinda arrogant, with a bad (wounded) attitude. Who changes through the story as you learn his back story. I really don't care for the sappy one though.
Haha, I like scruffy mechanics. (A la Luke from Gilmore Girls, and John Danziger from the short-lived (but much loved) TV show Earth 2.)
I like a couple different kinds of guys, but I think sincerity is a common thread among them all. Whether it’s a geeky young kid on his first crush, or the boy next door, or the scruffy (gruff) grease-ball . I like honest feelings (whether accepted or denied), and I like to know that they have a genuine affection/attachment to the heroine, however it manifests itself.
I’m not much fond of weaklings, although I don’t mind if they are shy (and secretly pining away). I like when the hero is a down-to-earth kind of guy who has a sense of humor, a sense of loyalty, someone to be relied upon. A little humility, a little arrogance (but not too much of either). Someone who has a life and purpose away from the heroine.
What I really can’t stand is when the hero is patronizing. OMG, makes me so mad. The hero is so Patient with the poor heroine, Teaching her how to be a Woman, Wife, What-have-you. And she, poor tempestuous child bumbles all over the book and has to be Disciplined (tie her up with the wolfhounds!). Since he’s such a strong wise man, even when she makes a choice she thinks is best it ends up being wrong because the man is always right. Makes me gag.
I hate when the whole book is about the woman’s confusion and frustration, and the whole time the “hero” is just quietly holding all the cards and giving her the time to realize he’s already made the best choice for her, and he never so much as shows an ounce of affection or real love until the very end when he goes, “Oh, silly woman, how could you not know how much I love you?” Uh, maybe because you’re a pompous idiot.
A lot of historicals go that route. It irritates me to no end because I’m mad almost the whole way through the book. And even though the hero comes clean at the end, I can’t forgive him for the way he treated the heroine for the FIRST three hundred pages.
Also, I’m not much fond of playboys, although if they give it all up for the sake of the heroine, I’m usually okay with that.
Another quality I really appreciate is persistence. Quiet I’m-gonna-wear-you-down persistence, or flashy here-I-come persistence. I prefer a hero who is going to make plans to woo his heroine, not one who just picks her because she’s the only one there at the moment.
Most appealing heroes: I'm traditional about heroes. Tall, dark, handsome. Muscles are a plus. I also like the ugly duckling scenario when they are slightly sensitive about being dorky when they were younger. It gives a little edge to their current hunk status.
Least appealing heroes: Ever read a Nascar romance? Nascar drivers as portrayed in numerous books tend to be obnoxious, arrogant, illiterate (I can cite this source), and hot-tempered. I suppose any novel with a professional athlete hero is a major turnoff for me. Unless the hero is Tom Brady.
Hmm I like heroes who are strong and loyal. The type that doesn't give up on a cause or oath, and never gives in even when it means a great deal of self sacrifice. I think honor goes hand and hand with loyalty (usually) so let's throw that in too.
Hmmm, I know what I like yet thinking of the words to describe it... *sigh*
Most Appealing: When the guy is actually looking for true love - not just playing the field and happens to stumble across it. And also, if the girl is reluctant yet the guy is persistent because he KNOWS she's the one!
Least Appealing: Egotistical... real life or in books, I get so sick of a guy who can't see past his ego. Tied into this, guys who are insanely jealous and essentially "leash" the woman? Grr!
Patterson1219
My hero is confident, considerate, romantic, and makes the woman feel she is the only one on the face of the earth worth having.
I guess the opposite would be a self absorbed, demanding, selfish man who makes you feel you could be any BODY and it would be OK.
I like witty, strong, clever, honorable heroes who also possess a sense of humour. They can be a bit arrogant (only if deserved), but not egotistically so. They may also seem offputting or butt heads with the heroine initially, but as the hero gets to know her, he should mellow a bit.
I like my heroes to be possessive of their mate/heroine but not too overbearing. While they may be intimidating to others and seem harsh, they must also be conmpassionate, gentle and solicitious of their mate/heroine.
LOL, what a tall order! But you did ask about heroes in a novel, not your average man :p.
What I find offputting are wimpy or pompous or controlling or dishonest heroes - but then, by definition, that would not make them "heroes", in my opinion.
Pros for a hero (not for everyday men):
nice
stong
posessive
compasionate
understanding
thoughtful
good looking (nice body)
Cons:
arrogant
mean
Josie
The quality I most like in a hero is strength of character and when that quality allows him to truly accept and appreciate the good, the bad and the ugly in himself and his mate. It’s the quality that made me fall head over heels in love with my husband. After a lifetime together, I come down the stairs in the morning with hair just out of the egg beaters, an old ripped and paint spattered t-shirt and wool socks on my feet and he still pulls out my chair, passes me my coffee and kisses my nose with a “Good Morning my honey” on his lips and love in his eyes. He only sees what’s inside and never the 45 year old spread around my middle that’s a true hero!
For me the most off-putting quality is male superiority. If a lead character in a novel cannot see all the benefits and strengths of women, then he’s not the hero, he’s the villain.
Pros for a hero (not for everyday men):
nice
stong
posessive
compasionate
understanding
thoughtful
good looking (nice body)
Cons:
arrogant
mean
Josie
As Sunset said, condescending is right out. So is manipulative. It rubs me the wrong way even when done for pure motives.
Heros with a sense of humour appeal to me, especially if it's an offbeat sense of humour, I also like my heros strong.
The most off-putting thing for me is when I read about a hero that's perfect in every way - I like my heros to have flaws. Flawless, completely perfect in every way etc. heros are boring.
Appealing: Sense of humor, power, protective, intelligence
Unappealing: Dumb/ignorant, possessing, whiny, dirty/messy
-Katie
I like a hero who is gentle and loving yet also strong. I also want him to be loyal and honorable. I don't like heroes who are egotistical or controlling.
Definitely sense of humor and someone who isn't afraid to say how they feel.
Egotistical or know-it-all is a little bit of a put off.
I like the hero to be a strong alpha male, but still respect the heroine and her input. I don't like a hero who is controlling and arrogant. Oh, and a sense of humor is nice too!
Heather B
Physically, I like my heroes manly - tall, well-muscled, bigger than the heroine, and where the only thing soft about them are their hair and lips (and heart, of course ;) ). Pretty boys are good to look at (i.e. Orlando Bloom) but the manly ones (Gerard Butler) make me feel all soft and feminine.
Personality-wise, I like them smart, a bit arrogant (as long as its deserved), with a sense of humor, but a bit flawed.
I hate it when they're too perfect, or when the don't work on their flaws before the book ends. When it's always the girl bumbling around and he's just waiting in the wings to make things better for her. Or he's too arrogant or obsessed with vengeance and doesn't get smacked down for it by the end.
April C
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I like those alpha males! Good sense of humor, selfless (someone mentioned that earlier and I like that), down to earth, financially and emotionally stable (I think the Yahoo group had a long discussion about that). Looks matter a great deal, no doubt about that, but loyalty and intelligence and kindness go a long way for me. I like a little possessiveness, but not the kind that makes them stalk you. :)
Hmm...
What makes a hero? I think that one of the first thing that would draw me to someone would be their treatment of others - meaning opening doors, pulling out chairs, walking on the street-side of the sidewalk, etc. - manners and chivalry I think would be some of the qualities of a hero. Also - noticing the little people who get overlooked and thanking them and not stepping all over them. Putting others first and thinking of the risks to himself and others before doing something a little risky.
As for least appealing qualities...hmm... I think that someone who is very wild/attention seeking without any care about how it affects others. Someone who takes unnecessary risks and puts others in danger just so they get the glory really puts me off.
"I'm holding out for a hero..." :P
Like a hero who is smart and witty, protective but doesn't stifle her, willing to let her do her own thing even if he's watching and ready to jump in if necessary, willing to let her be a partner.
Witty, smart, slightly tortured and/or slightly flawed, athletic describe some of my favorite heroes. I have to agree with another poster that if there is a con than he doesn't qualify as the hero.
I chat with the chatelaines.
My favourite heroes are feminists/feminist allies - oh, they might not call themselves that in so many words, but they show in their actions that they believe that women are their equals.
Of course, this pretty much means that the least appealing characteristic of a hero to me is chauvinism or misogyny. Blech. A book with a hero like that is just asking for a broken spine!
My likes are strong, protective, sense of humor, and not scared for their woman to be her own person
I don't like violence or someone who is sporadic....like once i read a book and the main male character called his love interest a "B" like a thousand times and then he was all " i love her" at the end. ugh
Ahhhh....patterns emerge! :)
"Arrogance" and "controlling" top the "don't like list"
It's interesting to me that "faithful" wasn't a requirement - or was that a given?
My favorite hero is devoted, passionate, brave, faithful to the one he loves, protective of friends and family, loyal, honest, honorable. My favorite hero may be growly/snarly to others, but a big marshmallow inside when it comes to his family. There's nothing more appealing than a a man who's face lights up when he watches his wife and children -- because they are the center of his universe.
My favorite heroes may make mistakes, but they own up to those mistakes and make ammends.
My favorite heroes are honest, good men at their core (regardless of whay they may think of themselves), the kind of man who will have your back in times of trouble.
Sense of humour and loyalty are the two main things I like. Controlling and dominating to the point that the heroine has no say are things I absolutely hate.
It's interesting to me that "faithful" wasn't a requirement - or was that a given?
My favorite hero is devoted, passionate, brave, faithful to the one he loves, protective of friends and family, loyal, honest, honorable. My favorite hero may be growly/snarly to others, but a big marshmallow inside when it comes to his family. There's nothing more appealing than a a man who's face lights up when he watches his wife and children -- because they are the center of his universe.
My favorite heroes may make mistakes, but they own up to those mistakes and make ammends.
My favorite heroes are honest, good men at their core (regardless of whay they may think of themselves), the kind of man who will have your back in times of trouble.
^^^ this outstanding! god looks like i'm the only male posting..so i will agree with most, seeing as how its just fantasy, because you all know real men aren't like this. lol.
i like the heros to be witty, clever, giving, kind, protective, and considerate. i like for them to be confident in who they are but not to the point of arrogance. and the things i don't like are...the opposite of what i do like;) lol!
~amanda
Cheryl, for me, being faithful is definitely a given! Nothing turns me off more in a novel than a hero (or heroine) who is not faithful.
One of the most important qualities in my mind, aside from traits...is the hero should be a well rounded character, fleshed out past, not all googie-goodie and perfection. That being said, of course everyone has their flaws, even the hero. I personally like a dangerous sort, with surprising kindness beneath. Humour, definitely!
Biggest turn-offs? Gary-Sues. And ill-mannered heros. Arrogance and bitterness is alright, depending on how much. But if the hero's gonna be an arse all the time...I'd set the book down.
I like a hero who has quirks and minor faults, and a sense of humor showing though. I like tenacity. I hate arrogance, suavity or when the hero is constantly cracking superficial jokes regardless of the reason. Inner pain/as a barrier doesn't cut it for me. Lookswise, I don't like the blond bodybuilder type, or the "rugged, good looks" type. Some scars are okay. Scars have stories behind them.
When it comes down to it though, it's not the hero's looks that form my strongest impression of him(unless the author keeps shoving it in my face), it's his personality. That makes or breaks a hero for me.
~Rach
broncos said ^^^ this outstanding! god looks like i'm the only male posting..so i will agree with most, seeing as how its just fantasy, because you all know real men aren't like this. lol.
LOL...real men aren't like James Bond either, but his books still sell and movies still top weekend box office charts ;)
IMO, when it comes to heroes, Jack Ryan in the Tom Clancy novels is pretty darn near the perfect hero (even better when played by Harrison Ford in his still-hunky days. :p)
Most appealing: strength of character, kind (ruthless when needed), dominant
Least appealing: whining, sense of entitlement
-PW
I pretty much agree with all of the above, but I have to add that I love it when the hero is a little (or a lot) dense when it comes to the heroine. There's just something endearingly adorable about a grown hunk of a man being confounded by this odd female creature who doesn't fit nicely in a box. And I have to admit that I also love it when the hero is possessive. :X
Day 14 blog is now closed for "enter to win" posts. Day 15 blog is up for comment.
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