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Beauty – what is it? An informal Warren family poll elicits very different responses: 16 year old boy: Someone who is smart. 13 year old boy: A girl who can run fast. (not sure why) 11 year old boy: Nice hair. 15 year old girl: Someone who is unique. Married old guy: Softness. Someone who is happy and cheerful. What makes beauty? I think we can all agree that the bible points out that beauty comes from inside, and I agree. A crabby person, regardless of how beautiful, gives off a sheen of ugly. But a lovely person who exudes kindness can be very pretty. When we’re creating a heroine, especially in a romance, but even in a suspense, she has to possess her own beauty. This is the other […]

Hey all! I was travelling a lot this past week, so great thanks go to Rachel, who picked up the ball and began the discussion about Strong Heroines! I wanted to add to Rachel’s thoughts to give you all some building blocks. A heroine should be a like a phoenix…enduring and beautiful, and able to rise from the ashes of her own crumbling world to start again. Such a heroine has two Unquenchable Qualities that make her heroic. This week, we’re talking about the First: Confidence! When you’re building confidence into a heroine (and a hero!), you must have something she does well, something she can rely on about herself, even in the darkest moment. In my plotting for the Heart/Soul/Mind class, I refer to this as their “competence.” Something […]

A heroine, no matter how flawed, weak or wounded, must be able to take care of herself in some way. Even if she merely recognizes her weaknesses and need for help. I talked some about my heroine, Caroline Sweeney. Abandoned by her mother as a teen, Caroline is leery about leaving home. She’d found purpose and solace in tending her father and brother, and anyone else in Beaufort, SC who needs her help. In a way, this gives her confidence. She knows where she belongs. But when she inherits a run down cafe, and is also invited to an exciting job opportunity in Barcelona. Caroline faces some tough decisions, but her confidence in herself to love others enables her to make those hard choices and be confident. Give some examples […]

This week and next we’re talking about the elements that make a great heroine! We all want to read stories about women we can relate to, maybe call up for coffee or perhaps see a bit of ourselves in. Often we focus on our heroine’s flaws, ’cause no one is perfect, but there are a couple of outstanding qualities that make a great heroine in the midst of her flaws and weaknesses. Confidence. Think about it. Confidence draws us to people. Confidence is a quality that helps us overcome difficult circumstances. In our stories, our heroines are going to encounter hard times, obstacles and disappointment. If not, we’ve got a pretty boring book going. But it’s the inner quality of confidence that helps her push through and find a way […]