All of my heroes tend to be alphas, but please don’t get me wrong. My definition of an alpha male is one who is confident but not arrogant, protective but not overbearing, successful but not necessarily hugely wealthy. He knows his own mind and he goes after what he wants. He’ll do anything for my heroine. He can be a cowboy, a werewolf, a vampire, a businessman (or a combination of all the above).
He’s also well-equipped, sometimes abnormally so, but that’s just part of the fun ;).
Anyway, I usually have a certain man in mind when I’m writing a book. A face or a piece of clothing that takes my fancy and urges me to write. Below is a picture of a cowboy that inspired me to write a western. You can probably guess why I found him so inspiring.
And last night, I saw Duplicity in the cinema. It stars Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, the man below. As soon as his gorgeous face appeared onscreen, I was desperate to write about a secret agent. The cut of his suit drove me wild through the whole movie. And I wanted him to be one of my heroes.
So tell me, what makes an alpha hero for you? If you write, do you use images of models or actors to inspire you or is it purely imagination? And readers, what’s your favorite type of hero? Are you a werewolf gal? Or do you prefer a man in a cowboy hat and breeches?
And by the way, I really enjoyed Duplicity. It’s a lot of fun and not just because Clive looks so devilishly handsome in it.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!Ava
Coming Soon from Ellora's Cave - Cyr's Revenge
Available Now from Liquid Silver- His Lying Eyes
Available Now from Loose Id - Beauty and the Beasts
10 comments:
Hi, Ava,
You're right about that pic being inspiring...makes me want to write another western!
I do use photos when writing, but mainly to help me keep track of specific features--and to bring the characters a little more to life in my mind.
Thanks for this great (first) post!
Teri
Yummy inspiration, Ava! Hmmm, maybe I should try to write a western.
An actor or model will sometimes trigger an idea for me. I find a lot of my alpha males come from the guys in hair bands I drooled over in the 80's. What can I say I had some good times back then...
Great post, Ava, and I love the visual ummm stimulation! lol. Clive Clive Clive...what a MAN!!! He's my very favorite! Not at all a pretty boy and I think that's how I want my heroes to be percieved. Not pretty boys but MEN who are tough, strong, opinionated but no how to be gentle when it's called for. I write cowboys and shifters and sometimes they are cowboy shifters! I seldom draw from current movie actors. They are all in my head!
Teri, that's it exactly. Having a picture or image helps bring a character to life for me.
LOL Amber, can't say I've ever used those guys for inspiration, though Jon Bon Jovi was a hot thing with all that hair :)
I'm with you Regina, no pretty boys for me. I like the real men and Clive is definitely in that category!
The picture is truly inspiring...Oooooh. I enjoyed your first Goddess entry. Thanks! Great job!
I use photos, too, when writing. A lot of times when I'm cruising the photosites for trailer material I'll find a guy that just jumps right out at me (if only!) Like all my alphas (which is all I write about), he is self-confident but like yours, not arrogant; caring but determined, always in charge and the most incredible lover in the world. I've actually used the same picture to create five different heroes, so he's a very busy man!
Great description of alpha heroes. I enjoyed reading how you are inspired by a picture or a man in a film.
As for me, I'm not attracted to alpha males, especially when they swagger! Maybe a real one doesn't. I'm always looking for intelligence and a wicked sense of humour in my heroic characters. But that's me. Best of luck with your writing, Ava.
I adore the pictures but I'm too damn tired to say anything else, except love me some alpha males as long as they have a sensitive, protective side.
Great first blog, Ava. All my heroes are alpha, military men, titled aristocrats or doctors. They may be arrogant at the beginning of the books but they are tamed by the spunky heroines they love and protect.
Love those alpha males...and your cowboy is VERY inspiring! I can think of lots for him to do in a story!
I create a picture in my head for all my heroes and heroines. And sometimes, the covers even look like the images in my head!
Nice blog!
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