The Writers Alley: Alleycat chat

Monday, February 24, 2020

The Making of A Heroine: A Purrfect Romance Week

Last week, we spoke about My Kinda Heroes according to my own Rom Com DVD collection. I listed several heroes, but one hero that many of YOU mentioned as a favorite was Jack Callahan from While You Were Sleeping.

As I thought about the topic of heroines this Purrfect Romance week, I considered why Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) made a good heroine. If you recall, she truly saved Jack's brother from a train--becoming a bonafide heroine by that very act, but so much more goes into a heroine than that, right?

No matter if you are watching a movie, reading a book, or considering the women in your life who seem to fit the bill of a "heroine", there are a number of qualities that make a gal a heroine--in her own right--with the hero opposite her, not defining her, but worthy of completing the journey alongside her in the end: a rich back story, authenticity, and redemption are a few fleshed out so purrfectly in While You Were Sleeping...read on, then share your own!

Back Story-Lucy lived alone, ate alone (well, she had a cat), worked on holidays that most people spent with family, and had a dad-shaped hole in her heart. She managed, but we know as the viewer that it wasn't an ideal situation for her. She was enduring, not necessarily thriving in, the loneliness of an orphaned girl in a bustling world. We root for heroines who stumble upon their chance to change the trajectory of their journey from glum day-to-day to life-giving adventure. A girl stuck in a tower has a chance to get out? A servant escapes her step-mother's clutches and visits the palace? Heroines who take the chance on something different win our hearts and the hearts of those they meet along the way.

Authenticity-Lucy Moderatz wore her dad's old coat, held no airs about her as she pretended to be the girlfriend of Jack's snobbish brother (who was in a coma for most of the movie). Lucy tried to hold a mask up, but she just couldn't manage to hide her true, down-to-earth self. When a hero falls for the authentic heroine, we know that her worth is valued above her status, above her actions, above her flaws. We see a heroine being loved for her whole self, and that makes a purrfect romance.

via GIPHY

Redemption- When I was first writing, I would write heroines with a hardened heart, thick skin, sour responses--manifestations of wounds-for sure-but not very likeable, and certainly not heroine material for the beginning of a story. These manifestations are redeemable, but the audience needs to realize the wound quickly if they must invest in the heroine. Heroines may behave badly, but only if we understand why, and find hope that ill behavior hints to forthcoming redemption. Lucy lies to Jack's family very close to the beginning of the story. But, we see her reasoning, her need, her chance to redeem the lie and the wounds of her past. We are sold on the fact that Lucy is the heroine, not just of the love story, but of her own story.

YOUR TURN: What do you love about a good heroine? Who are your favorites? Be sure to stop by our Facebook Page on Thursday and chat with me and Pepper about Heroines! Last chance to win our giveaway...and a copy of the brand new The Heart's Stronghold novella collection!

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Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in England. Now living in the U.S. heartland, she's a member of ACFW, sharing about author life with her fellow Alley Cats on The Writer's Alley blog and Facebook page. Besides writing, she is a busy mom of four and works in Adult Ministry. Angie writes historical romance and historical fiction. She enjoys eclectic new restaurants, authentic conversation with friends, and date nights with her Texas Aggie husband.

Find her on:

Website: angiedicken.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/dicken.angie
Instagram: instagram.com/angiedicken/

Twitter: twitter.com/angiedicken
Goodreads: goodreads.com/angiedicken
BookBub: bookbub.com/angiedicken
Amazon: amazon.com/angiedicken

Monday, February 17, 2020

My Kinda Hero: A Purrfect Romance Week

I have always loved curling up on the couch with a good book. But I'll admit, curling up on the couch with my DVD collection and choosing an oldie-but-goodie love story is a purrfect pastime too.
For Hero week on The Writer's Alley, let's chat about the men in my DVD collection! In the comments, would love for you to share yours...and any CBA/Clean read heroes you can think of that might fall under each of the following categories:

(And don't forget to check out the info below for a fun opportunity to celebrate Heroes later this week and an ADDITIONAL giveaway to the Purrfect Romance Alleycat bundle)!

BOY NEXT DOOR TURNED MAN: They are the guys who’ve always been there. They see their heroine through awkward stages, not-so-great stages, and the woman they’ve become. These men have grown up, just like their heroine, but their soft side for the heroine offers hope in all she’s lost and has come home to find again. From my collection:

Matty from Thirteen going on Thirty
Jake from Sweet Home Alabama
Justin from Hope Floats

ENEMIES...OR NOT: It’s always fun to see the trope of a hate-love relationship where the love wins in the end. Whether there is a secret being covered up, or a conflict of interest, the hero finds redemption when his vulnerable side comes out—his family life woos the heroine—or the heroine brings out his own soft side beyond their conflict. It’s always fun to see how the writers will bank on the moments that crack the tough exterior. From my collection:

Andrew from The Proposal
Ben from How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days
Joe from You’ve Got Mail

SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE: They’ve loved before. And they aren’t quite sure they can love again. As an audience member, it’s easy to fall in love with a hero who gave his heart away only to return with a wound. We want to help them in their pain, we want to drag them along and stand them right in front of the heroine and say, "hey, look at him"! These heroes have backstories wrapped up in a different woman, but all they’ve gone through brings them to a new heroine and the love story of a lifetime. From my collection:

Bob from Return To Me
Sam from Sleepless In Seattle
Graham and Miles from The Holiday

MORE HERO TALK! You can nominate your favorite heroes in CBA or Clean Reads by checking out the pinned post at the Heroes on The Red Carpet Event . Be sure to join in the fun on Thursday night!

YOUR TURN: Comment for a chance to win the Purrfect Romance giveaway. Any good romantic heroes to add to the list? How about your favorite in CBA or clean reads?

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