Wicked Wednesday - intelligent people do read romance

Myth: Smart people don't read or write romance.

Truth: Yes, they do. The misconceptions come from tropes that are decades old. There's still fluff out there, but nowadays, many romance novels have solid plots, great characterization, and amazing world building. Sometimes there's a shirtless man on the cover or a buxom woman, but beneath those cheesy covers, you can find truly wonderful stories.

Myth: The Alpha males in romance novels create unrealistic expectations for women in real life.

Truth: Ha! Most of the women I know, myself included, do not want an Alpha like the ones in those stories. Possessive, arrogant, and demanding? No thank you. We can do without the conflict. We know the difference between fantasy and reality. It's fun to read about Alphas, but we're smart enough to know we want a man who treats us with respect and sees us as an equal.

Myth: Romance novels are smut.

Truth: Smart folks know romance books focus on relationships. We love them because they take us on an emotional journey. Sometimes there is sex involved. Just like in real life relationships. Books are safe places to live out fantasies. There's nothing wrong with that.

Myth: The women in romance novels are stupid and weak.

Truth: Not at all. Many heroines in modern romances are smart, strong, and independent. The fact that they swoon over the hero doesn't make them any less so. The heroine knows what she wants and she won't settle for less. She's an admirable role model.

Myth: The happily-ever-after is unrealistic.

Truth: Yes, sometimes it is. Yet that's what makes romance books such a great escape. It helps to lift up the reader emotionally and gives them hope. Is it really so wrong to hope and strive for your own happily-ever-after?

Wicked Wednesday - the fine line of writing a strong heroine

One of the aspects of paranormal romance novels that I love is the strong female protagonists that kick butt. I like women who know their own minds and can take care of themselves. She doesn't necessarily have to be a supernatural creature or have powers. It's so much fun when a human gets thrown into a paranormal situation.

Yet one of the biggest problems to writing a good, strong heroine is sometimes authors fall on the other side of the line and make her an unlikable bitch. You need your readers to adore your protagonist, to root for her. I've set aside books because I didn't like the heroine. She had too much attitude, lack of heart, or was too detached.

Here are five tips to writing a kick butt woman that readers will love:

1. She may have a strong facade, but she needs to be vulnerable at times. Maybe her family makes her a softie or she's insecure about love. Give her vulnerabilities your readers can relate to.
2. She may be aggressive and ruthless, but don't let her be mean. Let her heart show through.
3. She might know who she is and what she wants, but there's always room to grow. For a story to be successful, the protagonist needs to have some personal growth. Maybe she was wrong about something she was so certain about, or what she wanted was suddenly taken out of the picture and she has to find her way again.
4. She should challenge the hero and possibly save him in the end, but not emasculate him. She should help make him a better person just as he should help her do the same. This will create a stronger bond and make for a better romance.
5. Being strong doesn't necessarily mean being physically strong. Her strength could come from her compassion and her drive never to give up. Let her strength shine through with how she deals with conflict.

What tips do you have for writing strong female characters?