I suppose, when it really comes down to it, I’m a pretty independent girl. Life has thrown me more than my fair share of curve balls, which has taught me to make my own decisions, stand on my own two (often very weary) feet, change my own light bulbs, fix my own loo and anything else in my bubble than needs TLC… except the car, I still need to master that one. Not that I regret learning all these “useful skills” (mostly by necessity and with any number of ooops moments along the way) but it would be nice, now and then, to have some super-able hunk step up to the plate and do the dratted chore in half the time it usually takes me (mainly because I lack the physical strength, that’s definitely a guy-thing).
Which probably pushes “willing and able to do stuff” rapidly upwards on my list of hero-criteria. A hero so romantically minded that he’s no earthly good definitely doesn’t qualify. Then again, having one who is so earthly minded that’s he’s no romantic good doesn’t quite cut it either. At the end of the day it would depend on the how and why of it… does he do stuff as the “macho” man, or because it keeps him in control? Or as the sensitive type and simply because he’s there, he can, and would like to lend a helping hand?
I’ve seen both types, sadly more of the former than the latter, and have to say (IMHO) that there’s nothing quite as, well, interesting as a gorgeous man helping out because he wants to. And while I’m all for the swashbuckling, riding out of the sunset, larger than life heroes, I tend to write “real” men. Heroes who have both feet on the ground, their hearts in the right place and their heads held high. My heroes tend to “own” the space they’re in, have the courage to let their sensitivity through and a strong code of ethics that makes their foundation.Not perfect, not by any means. True courage in a hero is being able to say “I’m sorry” because they truly are and not because it’s expedient, or it’s expected of them. And they all have that streak of the romantic, that eternal, all-consuming something that keeps them hanging in no matter what, that has them fighting for what they believe in, that enables them to see beyond the here and now to the deeper things of the heart.
It may take time for them to “find” that. Heroes have to have a “growth journey” too. But they have a core of resilience that has them going the distance, and when they love… oh yes, they do it with heart, mind and soul. And a gorgeous hunky physical presence that’s willing and able to do what needs doing because they can, and because they want to.Thanks for having me along! If you’d like to get to know my heroes a little better, you’ll find them here:
Still Running – a hero who has the courage and determination to fight for love…
The Look – a hero sensitive enough to be able to speak into her soul with a single look…
A Thick Black Line – willing, able, and there because he wants to be…
Have fun!
Jude
http://www.judahraine.com
Real Romance for Incurable Romantics
Welcome to Lindsay's Romantics, where we post on all kinds of romance topics.
10 comments:
Excellent blog, Judah! I agree with all you say re heroes. I enjoy your heroes and find their hero journeys interesting. The 'willing and able' also gets my vote, too!
Judah I love your hereos.. I like the "get in done" kind of guy. Heroes that can wear a suit to the office but can home and build a house.. yep my kind of guy... Agree with Lindsay.. the " willing and able" alright!!!!
Jude, you always write the best, at-the-heart deepest blogs.
I've been in the same boat, learning those kind of skills. While I don't regret it and actually enjoy a lot of it, it would be so nice to have a real man around, who takes care of it because he can and wants to, then wants romance and passion... yep, that's my a realistic ideal... okay, I can dream.
"that enables them to see beyond the here and now to the deeper things of the heart." ~ That's how I like my heroes, too, even when they are swashbuckling type.
Jude, I've done a lot of that stuff on my own, also, and yes, guys who can DO things are at the top of my hero list! There's not a lot that's sexier than a nice looking guy doing something manly. Or dancing well. One of the two, or both. ;-)
I love posts that dig inside the writer to find where their characters and stories come from, and this is a good one.
Great post Jude, yes, that's my kind of hero too. Capable but sensitive, definitely sensitive - and if he can ride a horse as well, that 's a bonus ... no for me he has to be able to ride a horse! I think you've hit the nail on the head! Romantic but useless is no good, but capable AND sensitive that's another matter.
Hi Judah,
Great article. Your heroes are wonderful, the kind I and most sane women would like to marry. But what about the tortured, guilt racked heroes,the black sheep, who are finally redeemed by the love of a brave resourceful heroine. Now come on ladies, be honest, don't you just love reading about their hard fought and perilous journey to love and redemption? I know I do.
Cheers
Margaret
Oh, yes, please, not perfect by any means! I do like heroes who can 'do stuff,' but I especially like heroes, fictional or real, who recognise that a woman can very often 'do' lots of the 'stuff' too, and is man enough to do it with her. :) Great blog!
Jane x
Margaret, one thing I'm learning at a deeper level, is how different we all are in the heroes that appeal to each one of us the most.
To be utterly honest the kind of hero that you like best is not the kind of hero that appeals to me the most as a reader and as a woman.
In fact, I choose reads based on my hero preferences.
Hi Jude,
I love it when heroes have to experience some growth, just like the heroine. We sometimes think of our heroes as being the all-wise perfect man, but he has to do some changing, too, to make the story realistic. Love your post. I agree wholeheartedly.
Cheryl
LOL, I just refuse to tell my hubby that even with a fair amount of huffing and puffing, I CAN actually change the flat tire ;>
It is nice to be taken care of now and then.
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