What Makes a Hero?

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Lisa here...I’m a happily ever after gal who needs that heart-sighing conclusion that romance novels promise. In order to reach that satisfying conclusion, the romance novel needs a solid hero.

Heroes come in three forms: alpha, beta, or a combination of the two. Alpha males are the dominant, larger than life men who live and love dangerously. Beta males are the best friend kind of heroes. Their qualities allow them to be solid sidekicks for the alpha male. And, of course, the combo hero demonstrates qualities of the alpha and beta male. 

Think about your favorite novels, TV shows and movies. Was the hero someone you could root for? Maybe he started out jerky at the beginning of the book or show, but by the time you finished the novel or the credits rolled, you were in his corner.

What qualities does a heartthrob hero possess?

·       Physical appeal

·       Charisma

·       Loyalty

·       Sensitivity

·       Self-sacrificing

·       Willingness to help the underdog

·       Ability to overcome incredible obstacles

·       Risks his heart for the woman he loves

Give your hero flaws. When I wrote the initial version of Lakeside Reunion, Stephen was too perfect. I needed to give him a flaw, so readers could relate and root for him, a reason for change. When we create perfect characters, they have no reason to change. And let’s face it—none of us is perfect, so who wants to read about perfect characters. Giving your hero a flaw allows him to grow and change during the course of the story.

Make your hero brave. I don’t want to read about a wuss who isn’t willing to step in and protect the girl. Courage gives your hero backbone to stand up for his noble cause. 

Give your hero something to fight for—a drive that pushes him through the story.

In my second novel, Lakeside Family, that comes out in August, my hero Nick doesn’t feel like anyone’s hero. Due to a tragedy in his past, he feels undeserving. After all, surely God can’t use someone like him. What Nick learns is heroes are not extraordinary people, but ordinary people whom God uses to do extraordinary things.

One of my favorite quotes about heroes comes from Christopher Reeve—a man who knows a little something about being a hero:

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” 

Your Turn: What qualities do you look for in a hero? What's your biggest challenge about creating believable heroes? What kind of heroes do you like to read about in novels?

Lisa Jordan

www.lisajordanbooks.com