We had an ice-storm last night. Living in Minnesota, I’m pretty familiar with ice, even took a dive last week in our school parking lot (yes, right in front of my kids. I’m feeling old!). But last night, the storm, which actually started out as rain and morphed into sleet created a condition called “black ice” – it’s ice built up on pavement that causes cars to fly off the highway into ditches and other cars. It’s one of the most dangerous parts of winter in the northland. The thing is, having lived most of my life in cold (MN and then Siberia), I know how to drive on black ice. My 16 year old, rookie drive son, however, does not. Which is why I stood at the window, staring […]
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Flaws: Examples and other stuff
Raise your hand if you’ve seen 27 Dresses. Such a cute movie (and in this one we DO fall in love with James Marsden!). Love the premise, and there is so much inner conflict potential! But what does that have to do with flaws? You’ll have to see it to understand, but there is a BINGO moment, where the heroine nails the hero’s backstory, and reveals the why of his flaw, which is cynicism. I’m not going to wreck it for you all, but the thing is, when a woman does that in your story, everything changes for the hero. Suddenly he’s found a woman who can understand him. And that makes all the difference. So, let’s take a look at some of the excellent examples sent in: (As a […]
Read the RestFlawed….but we love them anyway!
I hope you’re having fun finding all the flaws in your hero. C’mon, really, it’s okay. You’re not saying you don’t love him! Just being….realistic! For example: We still love Braveheart, right? And Wesley (from the Princess Bride), and of course, Benjamin Franklin Gates (National Treasure!) And they’re all flawed. Really. Take Braveheart. Having witnessed his family being killed when he was a child, he has a little problem with authority. Of course, this makes him rebellious, and instead of obeying the rules, he pushes against the system, which means he has to hide out as an outlaw. Of course, this also means that he’s not around when his woman is killed. He’s got serious revenge complex, and while yes, that’s what the story is about, it surely doesn’t make […]
Read the RestHunting for Flaws – Step 2 in building your Heart-Throb Hero
Nope, he’s not perfect. Which is something every bride realizes about two weeks into her marriage, but hopefully something she’s figured out LONG before that (otherwise, well, it’s a rough first year!). We all know there are tell-tale signs to your hero’s imperfections… Today we’re going to figure out HOW to build in imperfections or FLAWS into your perfect hero. What are flaws in character? Well – we’d all be perfect if we could, and frankly, many fellas think they are (which is why we ladies come in handy). They don’t look at FLAWS like negative. They look at them as survival tools, or even power areas. Of course, they aren’t conducive to healthy relationships. But your hero will learn that as the story goes along. Meanwhile…how do we find […]
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