While editing my novel I started wondering about the likability of characters. I couldn't help but think ‘’should my characters say that or shouldn't they?’’. And what really got me thinking is what is it about male characters that female readers really like? Let’s face it, if you want to write any book for the romance market, you are mostly going to be writing for female readers.
So what I am getting at is what is it about the male love interest that makes the female readers croon? What is it about him that makes your readers come back for more?
The reason I am asking is because the male love interest in my book possesses qualities that I myself would never even consider in a male partner. He is arrogant, selfish and rude. Yet he seems to poses some strange sense of charm that makes him likable. I hate him but I love him too.
Here are a few qualities I look at when creating my male love interests:
• A Strong personality (To compete with the strong personality of my female character)
• Masculinity (So that the female character's Independence doesn't seem overpowering)
• Assertiveness (Basically the Alpha male)
• A sense of Charm (But not a Casanova)
• An Off-beat, but yet likable demeanor (It makes him unique)
I suppose the list can go on and on, but those are the basics for me. Like in Life, I can’t have my female character date a guy that is more feminine then she is. He can't hide behind her when danger is near. He has to be worth liking. She should feel that when she is with him that she is safe and that nothing can hurt her. She has to instantly know that this guy is a good future prospect. Even though I know looks are very important too, I just don't really spend pages upon pages explaining how gorgeous he is. There's nothing wrong with it if you do.
So what I am getting at is what is it about the male love interest that makes the female readers croon? What is it about him that makes your readers come back for more?
The reason I am asking is because the male love interest in my book possesses qualities that I myself would never even consider in a male partner. He is arrogant, selfish and rude. Yet he seems to poses some strange sense of charm that makes him likable. I hate him but I love him too.
Here are a few qualities I look at when creating my male love interests:
• A Strong personality (To compete with the strong personality of my female character)
• Masculinity (So that the female character's Independence doesn't seem overpowering)
• Assertiveness (Basically the Alpha male)
• A sense of Charm (But not a Casanova)
• An Off-beat, but yet likable demeanor (It makes him unique)
I suppose the list can go on and on, but those are the basics for me. Like in Life, I can’t have my female character date a guy that is more feminine then she is. He can't hide behind her when danger is near. He has to be worth liking. She should feel that when she is with him that she is safe and that nothing can hurt her. She has to instantly know that this guy is a good future prospect. Even though I know looks are very important too, I just don't really spend pages upon pages explaining how gorgeous he is. There's nothing wrong with it if you do.
I thought that I would be creating the perfect man for me and bring him to life in the pages of my novel but apparently not. At times I can't seem to stand the male character in my book.
