First Impressions - The Art of Introducing Your Heroes

You know that phrase “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Well, in part it’s true – but that rule has been broken quite a few times, especially in fiction.


The famous Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice, is a prime example. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy have a lot of thought-changing to do – but BOY does Austen do a great job of introducing Darcy in a way that’s memorable.

Ever seen the movie versions? Whether it’s Collin Firth or Matthew MacFadgen playing the role, Mr. Darcy’s entrance is eye-catching.

Movies do this so well. When they introduce a new character, specifically a love interest, they introduce them in a way that draws your attention.

Books need to be the same way.

I figured since we’re introducing some new folks as ShopKeepers on The Writers Alley, I could chat about introducing characters in your books. Best way? By example.

Let’s look at a few:

Siri Mitchell does a great job of introducing her hero in her contemp novel, Kissing Adrien. Here’s a little clip:

That’s when I knew it was Adrien. He was always humming. And when he wasn’t humming, he was prone to break out into song. As long as he was humming, things were looking up.


I slit my eyes open and watched as he made his way through the crowd


Little boys were gazing at him, puzzled, as if they were certain he was an actor, or maybe a soccer star. He had the casual confidence which could only be gained by countless victories. He paused beside a woman and placed a hand at the small of her back to move her so he could pass by. Except that he stopped a minute to chat. Another minute to smile and flirt.

Oooo, isn’t that lovely. Can’t you just ‘feel’ it happening? Don’t you want to get to know Adrien a whole lot better? GREAT book, btw. I read and reread the last chapter.

How about we try Laura Frantz’s newest release, Courting Morrow Little. Enter – the hero

She wasn’t alone- she could sense it now. Terror rose up and snatched all good sense, and she gave a sharp cry, holding the bucket in front of her like a piece of armor.

Not three feet away stood a man. He drew himself to his full height, and their eyes locked in mutual surprise. Above his loincloth and leggings was a loose linen shirt that fell a little below his hips. Even in the dim light she could tell it was some of the finest fabric she’d ever seen. Her seamstress’s eye discerned it was English-made, without buttons at the neck or wrists and it seemed to stretch taunt as it ran the width of his shoulders. Every creamy fold was a striking contrast to his inky, shoulder-length hair. A trio of eagle feathers angled over one ear, affixed by a small silver medallion….

There was something remarkable about him – an aura of barely restrained strength, like a panther about to pounce. She took a small step backward, but his dark eyes seemed to prevent her from taking a second.

Whew, can’t Laura Frantz write?!? Wow! How beautifully done! And what a way to introduce Red Shirt. You HAVE to read this book.

Ooo, let’s do another one. What do you say? How about Mary Connealy’s newest one? Wrangler in Petticoats. A sneak peek:

Sally is in the process of falling off of a cliff when we meet the hero. Here ya go.

Her hands scrambled for a solid hold on the three or the granite. Fingernails ripped at unforgiving rocks. Her flesh shredded on prickly pine. As she dangled her eyes blinked open and looked straight into the startled face of a man. A man perched in a nearby tree like a two-hundred-pound squirrel.


The horror on his face told her, even in an instant, that he’d seen her fall. He knew he was watching someone die. He shouted and reached for her. But he might as well have been a mile away. There was too much distance between them.


Sally had one heartbeat to know he wasn’t part of the shooting from overhead….In those fleeting seconds she let herself be completely alive. Looking into the man’s eyes, probably the last human being she’d ever see, was as powerful as any moment of her life.

Okay – do you need to go buy this book now? Any book by Mary is WELL-WORTH the cost. I just bought my copy yesterday :-)

One more – and this is a Pepper-original from my novel, Here To Stay, so if you’re tired of reading about Eisley and Wes, then skip to the end right now. I’ll make it quick. Introduce…the hero.

Eisley followed Mr. Harrison’s gaze across the expanse of the meeting area, past the red bucket chairs and rows of people, and right into the eyes of a Greek god. Her vision zoomed in like a camera, blocking out everything else.


A taller, younger version of Mr. Harrison, complete with black hair and captivating gray-blue eyes, walked toward them.


His gaze blazed through her. Immediate attraction. She held in a whimper. Lord, really? Are you joking?


She tried to adjust her expression. The last thing she needed was to look like a three-year-old in a candy store. Too much eye-candy is bad for a healing heart. Very bad. It might lead to thoughts of hope or worse, possibilities. Step away from the candy and no one will get hurt.

So, how do you introduce your heroes? Heroines? Is it memorable? Does it grab the reader’s attention just as much as it does your characters?

If you’re brave enough, give us a glimpse. Just a few sentences to introduce us to your hero or heroine.