Comments on: Headache or Plot Device? https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/ Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:18:05 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Jackie Ashenden https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2200 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:18:05 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2200 Kate – Wow, that’s such great advice. Thanks so much. Yes, since posting this, I have realised I need to integrate the migraines into his character a lot more. The beauty of a first draft! Anyway, yes, a trigger is a key. Not food, but definitely stress. I did think stress related to his conflict – which is going on in the background – might be a good trigger too. Will definitely do some editing on this. I must read your migraine hero!

Yes, definitely have to get rid of number two migraine. Number three has a definite trigger.

As to Dorothy Dunnett… funny you should say that because those were the books that made me start writing romance when I was 15. Way too young to read them then but Francis Crawford and his headaches…sigh…Now THAT’S a romance hero for you. 🙂

Thanks again for dropping by.

]]> By: Kate Walker https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2199 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:09:43 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2199 Years ago, I wrote a book – Hired Husband – in which the hero had a migraine and – As Joanne suggested – the heroine was an aromatherapist who was able to help him with a massage. So rather like your hero turning to heroine for help scenes it can be an important turning point scene. Nothing wrong with a hero having a vulnerability like that.

But – if he has 3 such migraines in a very short book it could be heading for migraine over-load. You want to make sure that you show a strong, capable, coping man who has this vulnerabilty – not someone who is poleaxed rather too often. Too many starts to seem like a plot device.

I think you could get a lot from looking at the triggers to these things – I suffer from them myself but they are hormone related whihc is perhaps not a good idea here! If there is something that sparks them off then if your hero has to be in that situation/whatever the reader will see that the migraine can’t be avoided – but if it’s red wine or chocolate or some such then they’d want to know why and intelligent alpha male doesn;t just avoid that trigger.

Stress, however . . . that’s part of an alpha’s life!

Incidentally have you ever read Dorothy Dunnett’s Game of Kings series? There’s one totally alpha hero who is frequently (there are a lot of books and they’re long ones) totally blinded by migraines and a less girly hero I have yet to see!

As always – it’s all in the execution – and that’s what makes it a plot device or not too!

Kate

]]> By: Jackie Ashenden https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2198 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:05:33 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2198 Angie – I know! I’m a meanie eh? He loves it really though. 😉

]]> By: Angie Peters https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2197 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:41:42 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2197 Ooh nice, Jackie. I like. You’re so evil 🙂 How much more helpless can he get than being blind? LOL

]]> By: Jackie Ashenden https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2196 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:54:11 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2196 Angie – yup, read Heidi’s, it was a great beginning! I thought about manflu but what I like with a migraine is that it can affect your vision – so he’s blind when he has them. Hehe.

]]> By: Angie Peters https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2195 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:42:56 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2195 Hi Jackie,

I recall that one of Heidi Rice’s books had a hero who had the manflu and heroine was looking after him at the beginning of the novel. Being an alpha, he really fought this at the start. Can’t remember the name of the book at the moment, as I’ve got a headcold and my brain’s not exactly working right now. That seemed to work well, but she’s a published author so maybe there’s more leeway there.

Sorry, not much help today…

]]> By: Jackie Ashenden https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2194 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:39:00 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2194 Lacey – yeah, I’ve heard red wine is a trigger point. Don’t know as yet, will have to see when I start editing. Yep, the Dr is not happy with a migraine. Can’t do nuthing.

Maisey – yes, good point. He doesn’t have much power over them at the moment which isn’t at all in his character. Edits will be happening!

]]> By: Maisey https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2193 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:28:19 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2193 Jackie, I see what you’re saying, and your concerns. If he has migraines he has them. But what if he can do as he does, and shut himself up in the dark, or he can go to her for help, then he’s in a weak moment, but he still has a choice. Anything you can do to give the moment the most power you can.

]]> By: Lacey Devlin https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2192 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:20:28 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2192 Poor Dr Jax I wouldn’t blame him if he never took a holiday! I love the light idea. I think the alpha’s migraines in that book was triggered by red wine if that helps at all.

]]> By: Jackie Ashenden https://www.jackieashenden.com/headache-or-plot-device/#comment-2191 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:49:21 +0000 http://jackieashenden.com/?p=450#comment-2191 Leah – it’s a bit of a mystery eh? I think it I make it part of his history then it would be okay. If one came from out of the blue and he never had another then that would definitely be a plot device. Clear as mud? Lol!

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