  Romance/Love
This week: Edited by: StephBee  
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I'm back for another guest editing spot on the Romance/Love newsletter. You guys all deserve a  for putting up with my romantic musings. Thanks for having me.
This month I wanted to take a look at the "romantic" man. After all, what makes him appealing? Romantic? What makes him the hero of the story? I thought I'd share some thoughts on what qualities embody the romantic men in our writing. |
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Traditionally, there are two types of romantic men – the “alpha” and “beta.” The alpha has always been thought of the traditional romantic hero, but more recently, the beta is gaining in ground. Also, gaining in popularity is a merge of alpha and beta characteristics in the hero. So what is an alpha guy? A beta male? Let’s take a look.
The Picture of a Romantic Man
When we think of what a romantic man looks like, both alpha and beta heroes share traits. They’re strong, broad shouldered, well toned, with long legs and thin hips. The alpha usually takes on a few more “darker” characteristics, such as a feral gleam or a mercurial stare, as they tend to be more dominant. Imagery can include that of a majestic lion, or the king of his pride. Alpha heroes may tend to take on a more saturnine appearance as well. For alphas, mercurial eyes, feral smiles, and saturnine cheeks all tend to show dominance.
The Qualities a Romantic Hero Embodies
There are several core qualities our alpha and beta heroes share. They possess physical strength, beauty, have a keen mind, and are capable of emotional depth. The difference lies in their approach.
Beta heroes are usually found in more contemporary stories. They are nurturers and protectors. They don’t have to be rich, but they are hard workers. They’re problem solvers, but they tackle different, more "every day" problems than alpha heroes. They tend to be the every day guy – a firefighter or in law enforcement, for example. They go to work and go home to tuck their children into bed. Betas are verbal, tender, and vulnerable, but not to the point they look like a wimp. A classic beta male is “Ashley Wilkes” from “Gone With the Wind.” A more modern beta hero is Robert Langdon from “The DaVinci Code.” He’s a problem solver, has a keen intellect, isn’t rich, but works hard. He’s every bit as handsome as the alpha hero, but not as intense. In the movies, Tom Hanks does a great job showing Langdon’s verbal and vulnerable sides.
Alpha heroes have come down through the ages. They exhibit a deep range of emotion, but aren’t likely to tuck their child into bed. An alpha man is more likely to be rich – he dominates through acquisition. He usually has a more prominent social position than the beta. Our alpha hero also finds that he has to temper his capacity for destruction with a strong force for construction.
What sets both our alpha and beta man apart from others in the romantic department is how they treat others around them – with dignity, respect, and honor. Let’s face it, if our “romantic” man is good looking, but shallow, if he yells and throws things, what woman would be attracted to those traits? Our romantic man doesn’t yell, nor does he throw objects. That’s not charming. He’s more tempered in anger, making his point in other, more subtle, yet effective ways.
The Rules For Our Men
Our romantic men have dignity. They’re honest, and respectful. They’re gentle with their women. They don’t gossip. They don’t lie, but they can be deliberately misleading if they’re trying to protect the heroine.
Modern Trends
In more modern, contemporary romances, you’ll see more alpha and beta traits blended to make our romantic man. He dominates at work, but doesn’t hesitate to tuck his child into bed. He’s got a wicked sense of humor, but he’s also self-assured in what he does all the way down to his bones.
When constructing a romantic hero, paint him with a brushstroke of Adonis, a touch of nobility (even if he’s not noble born), a splash of integrity, and let his romantic heart shine through in his actions.
FEATURED PRODUCT REVIEW
This product review focuses on a contemporary chick lit romance. Enjoy.
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Here are a couple of pics from around the site:
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She finds him in a dream. Is he real or is he truly a dream?
#1016718 by Kris  |
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#1141765 by Not Available. |
This item was submitted to the Romance/Love newsletter. I had a chance to read it, and I loved it. It's a great opening chapter for a romance novel.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Here's some feedback from my guest spot on 15 JUL.
kakowong
What about supernatural love? I enjoy mixing these two together, but I all ways come back to what kind of mix. If you take a vampire for example, you have to pick if he/she will be effect by sunlight. As to the story I'm writing now is about dragons I have to decide if they can breath fire in their human form. What I'm asking is, if there are any ways to help me pick.
Supernatural love is known as "paranormal romance" in the writing/publishing industry. Yes, you can blend genres, there's nothing wrong that. If you have a dragon, I would suggest leaving the fire breathing in the dragon form. You want your paranormal/fantasy being to be human in their human form, especially if you are going to pursue a romance with them.
fx777222999
These past few weeks, I am really trying my very best to write fiction short stories, but It boiled down to a ChicLit story. I'll try some other kind of romance/love stories. I knew I can do a fiction novel. I am new with this trade, but I am trying hard to learn in a short and possible ways. Thank you for your subject; romance and love in different style.
There's nothing wrong experimenting with different styles to see what you like to write. Good luck to you!
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her paranormal romance, "The Wolf's Kiss" was an Honorable Mention Winner in the 2007 Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Contest. She is a regular editor of the Drama Newsletter.
Your Full Time Regular/Love Newsletter Editors:
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Romance/Love: August 12, 2009 Issue [#3171]
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