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Hard Assed Heroines
Oct
2
2006

Recently, there’s been some talk about the idea that “women aren’t women” anymore in romances due to the popularity of the kickass heroine. And well, as it’s women who buy romance and women who write it overwhelming – I beg to differ. Women ARE strong. I’m not saying they have to carry surface to air missles or anything, strength comes in a wide variety of flavors. So yeah, I don’t like whiny heroines, in fact I won’t read them or the authors who write them. They’re not my cup of tea at all.

On a related note, the heroine in Enclave is hard assed. By that I mean, she’s a vampire. And vampires are predators. So she kills and doesn’t feel remorse, it’s her job. She’s not kicking kittens or killing innocents or anything, but she’s not fluffy or sweet. This is sort of risky I know because a) she’s a vampire and I know people think vampires are over and b) there’s this hesitance about reading heroines who aren’t nice. And Maya isn’t nice. She’s strong and courageous and loyal and vicious.

I just can’t find myself in a place yet where I write my characters down. It’s who she’s meant to be, you know? There are obviously limits based on what romance is and what the market is seeking, there are things even if she wanted to do, I won’t write them into my books.

At the same time, I just want her to be this way. She IS dark and complicated. Why do heroes get all the fun in that department?

4 comments to “Hard Assed Heroines”

  1. Pamk
    October 2nd, 2006 at 5:42 pm · Link

    All I can say is oh hell yeah bring it on. Love heroines like this.
    Have you read Shelly Laurenstons books. Here heroines are rocking and mean lol



  2. Lauren
    October 3rd, 2006 at 10:47 am · Link

    thanks, Pam! I’m doing it, that’s just who Maya is. And yes, I’ve read Shelly’s books and I love them.



  3. Candice Gilmer
    October 3rd, 2006 at 6:50 pm · Link

    I love a good kick butt heroine as much as anyone, but I also do like to see them well rounded. They gotta have some kind of issues. I mean, who doesn’t, yanno? But now we’re talking more about conflict than the general kick butt heroine…



  4. laurendane
    October 4th, 2006 at 10:21 am · Link

    Well sure, perfect heroines of any stripe are boring! Generally, I think kickass heroines are fertile for issues.





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