 Action/Adventure: June 19, 2013 Issue [#5740] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Do They Have To Kiss? Edited by: NaNoKit  
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They face danger together. An attraction forms. It's inevitable and therefore predictable. Do they really have to kiss?
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter is all about romance.
Your guest editor:
kittiara |
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I have read quite a few action/adventure novels over the years, and watched many more movies in the genre. There are two things I've noticed – the majority of heroes are male, and they often get involved in some romantic action along the way.
So, what is the role of the women? First of all, there is the damsel in distress. She's been around since a brave knight had to rescue her from a dragon. These days, she may have uncovered a secret that places her in danger. She may be a witness to a crime. Whatever the reason, she needs a strong man to protect her from the baddies and, vulnerable as she is, she is bound to fall for the tough, yet sensitive, hero.
Then there is the good-looking lady who unknowingly, and unwillingly, enters the action. She is similar to the damsel in distress, but the difference is that she wasn't the original target. She simply got caught up in the mess when going about her usual business, and now there is no way out and she doesn't have much of a choice but to join our hero. An attraction will undoubtedly form along the way.
Another popular role for a woman is that of the tough, secondary heroine, or the cheeky sidekick. She's not a victim. She can handle herself, and may even rescue the hero at some point during the story. She may give him a hard time, and tease him. Sooner or later, though, she will realize that she isn't as immune to his charms as she thought he was.
And last but not least, there is the female enemy. Perhaps she is a spy, using her charms to get what she wants. Or she appears to be helping him, but all along she's been pursuing her own interests. Except, at some point, she falls into her own trap, because he is rather attractive, so she'll either end up hurt, or see the light and turn her back on her original allies.
There are other scenarios, of course. She may be the wife of the hero who is either fed up of being left behind, or in danger along with him, or blissfully unaware of what he gets up to until that one fateful day. Whoever she is, and whatever her role, male/female attraction is so common in this genre that it's come to be expected.
I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. Many women like to see a bit of romance in their action movies, and many men won't mind a kiss or two along with the car chases and explosions, so long as the woman is attractive. Yes, I am stereotyping here, and I have male friends who enjoy a chick flick as much as I do. The point is, it obviously works, otherwise writers wouldn't keep on writing about it, and Hollywood wouldn't keep on adding the romance dimension to their blockbusters.
I can't help but feel, though, that it's become too predictable. I'd like to see something different. Why can't the man and the woman be a really great team yet not have a kiss at the end? Why can't the female enemy deceive him without remorse?
It may happen on occasion, but it's rare. Even in long-running series where nothing ever happens between the hero and heroine, there's always the “what if”. There is always the hope that, one day, they'll realize they are in love, however much they argue, and however great the story is without any romance.
It may sound like I have something against romance. I really don't. I like the hearts and rainbows and butterflies as much as the next person. I just love it when I can't predict what will happen from the very start of a novel or movie. Variety is a good thing.
So, all you action/adventure writers out there... do you go for the predictable, or do you, like me, like the unpredictable? Is romance a must, or can two people face danger together without developing feelings beyond friendship?
kittiara
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Here are some of the latest additions to the Action/Adventure genre  .
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Some contests to inspire you:
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A prompt-based contest for you to get creative with.
A fantasy/mythology prompt, but the creative action/adventure writer can make it work.
I wrote about romance in action/adventure stories. Can you insert action/adventure into romance?
For something very different!
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The Action/Adventure team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
As I am a guest editor, I don't have any questions or thoughts to respond to, but if you send in any comments on this edition, please rest assured that they will be read, and are appreciated.
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team
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