Comments on: Difficult Heroines

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:52:22 +0000

Ju – it’s interesting eh? Yes, if you change them they DO become a whole new character. And it’s vital that the readers connect with her because if they don’t, then they don’t connect with the whole story. Good luck with your new heroine…

Sally – That’s true. She is starting to become quite insistent on certain things so she’s getting there. A character from the next book huh? I’ve never really done connecting stories but that has set off some interesting ideas! 🙂

By: Sally Clements

Sally Clements — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:57:22 +0000

On the plus side Jackie, she’s a well formed enough character that she’s dictating the pace, and telling you how she reacts to things. Perhaps the person you initially thought she was is actually another character, the one from the next book?

By: Ju Dimello

Ju Dimello — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:21:46 +0000

Same problem here.. My heroes are always tall, dark, dashing (they ought to be for paranormal ones) and I have about three of them firm in their "bites"..It's the heroines who trouble me.. by either being too wimpy or being too accepting, but never aggressive enough to challenge my hero!

I get a statement from my CP - if she is unable to connect with the heroine, then I know, I got to tweak it up..

And of course, when I start imagining a new way to up her quotient, I end up with a new heroine ;)

Now, am writing one who is brave enough to turn her back on a 'Queen' in the paranormal ! Let me see if she breaks the spell ;)

On my spice brief attempt front, my heroines are shy "flowers" who bloom into confident, sensual ones by the end :) So far so good ;)

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:37:09 +0000

What’s wrong with her, Janette? What’s she doing?

By: Janette Radevski

Janette Radevski — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:06:47 +0000

Yes! My Blair is driving me nuts and she’s stopping me from sending my full in – damn her to damnation!

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:05:54 +0000

Margie, yes, I’m having that very same realisation. Doing it BEFORE you start the mss does make it much easier to write. And makes for a much stronger story in the long run!

By: Margie S

Margie S — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:08:33 +0000

Hi Jackie, thanks so much for sharing your insights-we can all relate! (BIG sigh!)
I'm fairly new at this-serving my apprentiship on only my fourth mss(past three hidden under the bed!!), but---
I find digging deep to come up with really STRONG motivations for my heroine's book goal, makes her a lot more vivid/real. It's taken me forever to realise this is where I need to focus when I start a new mss. Before I agonised over the first three chapters!
Really enjoying all the posts everyone.
PS-Maisey-just caught up with your fabulous news. Well 'blooming' done!!
margie s

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:27:16 +0000

Sally, I think you just made my morning! Yes, that’s exactly how I’m beginning to see Kate. She’s matured from her early hippy beginnings but at the core, she still feels deeply about things. She’s learned a lot about the value of putting beliefs into action from her mother, who died when Kate was 20 or so. Hmmm…she’s coming together I think! Yay.

Gosh all you ladies have given me such great help! I loves me some blog buddies…

By: Sally Clements

Sally Clements — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:24:06 +0000

Hi Jackie. Wow. I didn't know Maisey waited 20 months for her Call, that's made my night. I can now continue waiting hopefully, rather than waiting in dread.
If she's an architect then she's obviously spent a lot of time studying and applying herself, and if she's eco-friendly too and applying that into the mix, I can understand that she would be quieter, she obviously thinks deeply and long about things.
She can be quietly strong against Alex, because she's informed. She's moved from hippy, which is all about feelings, into a do-er, making an informed difference about the world. I admire her. She sounds great. I'd want to know what set her onto this path, why does she care? Does this help?
After doing nano I came back to an older book that I thought I'd finished and realised why it wasn't working. (I think, fingers crossed). Blog up about it tonight. Think sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees, and doing something else can clear the head.
I have a never to be published regency short that I write when all else fails, getting into a different time period and letting it rip is great!
All the best, hope she sees sense soon.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:42:53 +0000

Lacey - so far she hasn't done anything ddogy plot-wise. Famous last words!

Lorraine - yes, I have thought about her a lot. She's slowly coming through now - she's just quieter than I expected which is maybe why I was having problems.

Michelle - Lol re Kate Walker! Sometimes I have those revelations too! You think the architect angle may work? Better than what I had originally eh? Can't think why it didn't occur to me before - it's a much more natural career move for her.

Joanne - I did do a bit of 'but why?' to her. Her background is all there, it's just her personality that I was having a bit of trouble with.

Caroline - walking is defintely good. I don't have pooches though. I wonder if a kid would work...

Eve - I'm hearing you! Sooner is way better! Your character sounds really interesting. I kind of picture Kate as a non-conformist but professional about her work. Definitely a case of the Chanel suit and the hippy choker. Great image btw.

Cat - thanks for the tip. I might give that a go.

Suzanne - no worries. I suggest a break might help with the problems with everyone! Mind you, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.