Romance Writers Weekly

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all… About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box. This week’s questions come from the amazing Kim Handysides. If you’re arriving here from Elizabeth Janette, thank you for stopping by. So here we go!

What’s your ideal: alpha or beta and why?

I am an alpha girl all the way! There is nothing I love more than a big, strong, sexy man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to take it. After all, the romance genre is about fulfilling fantasies and what is dreamier than a muscular man who can protect his woman, outsmart his enemy, and look good while doing it? Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind epitomizes the alpha male for me. When I was a teenager, I used to dream of the scene where he carries Scarlett up the stairs. Now that was a real man! What about you? Who is your ideal alpha?

Do you have a male buddy or mate you use for confirmation or inspiration when crafting your heroes?

I have several male friends who give feedback on the scenes I write, and I have to confess that much of the dialogue I use came straight from their mouths at one time or another. They are an endless source of entertainment for me. They say something amusing every day. Whenever I question the realism of a scene, they are quick to point out any flaws or give advice.

What does any hero have to do to win your heart?

First, he has to make me laugh – especially when the situation looks grim. A great sense of humor is the best defense against almost everything in life. Second, he needs to have compassion for the heroine, even if he is less than sympathetic to others. I want to know that he has a soft spot in his heart for her and that he will protect her above all else. Third, he must be willing to make compromises in the name of love, be willing to sacrifice his own needs to make his woman happy, and know when those compromises are necessary. And last, he should have strong principles that he upholds in the face of adversity. I love a good story about a man forced to question his ideals while pursuing the woman of his dreams.

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you enjoy the tour. Be sure to hop on over to Ronnie Allen. I hear that she’s doing handsprings on roller skates at her blog site.