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Moonlit Romance is an e-publisher and print-on-demand publisher of romance novels.
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G'morning.
Well, this is a rather bittersweet post. This is the last post here on this particular blog, as we're moving to our new Unique Enterprises Authors Blog in the New Year. The new blog is still under construction, but will be ready to go 1-2-07. We're excited about our new blog and are looking forward to Launch Week, which starts Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Join us for contests, chatter and giveaways!
Today, our University Day is two-fold: We're writing scenes, adding a hero for the heroines we've created this month, and giving tips for writing heroes. Enjoy!
University Day: Holding Out for a Hero
LAURA HAMBY
Curt Wylie enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame in the Country music industry, but paid too high a price for his success. Tired physically, mentally and emotionally, he needs a break. Retiring home, where folks know him but leave him alone, he's ready for the holidays. He's not looking for a romance--- he's been burned too many times, but he can't help the attraction he feels for Melinda Calloway. He'll fight it, but ultimately, he won't be able to resist her.
ROBIN BAYNE
Jake Donovan saw her coming–straight at him from across the room. A blur of holiday red and gold, she was the best looking woman he’d seen in months. Too bad he knew why she wanted to speak with him–she wanted his knowledge, his experience; not him. They were all the same, he’d learned, but he’d listen to her request. His mother had raised him to be polite if nothing else.
Shifting to balance a plate of wings and a cup of coffee, Jake winced at the cramping in his calves. He’d overused the muscles training some new recruits for the department. Maybe he’d ask Santa for some pain relief, right after he’d asked for the key to this young woman’s heart. She smiled up at him, and he couldn’t help smiling back.
Well, he’d play along. After all, it was Christmas Eve. He’d remember what women were like tomorrow.
MEG ALLISON
David Jenkins is a handsome, hard-working man with a great sense of humor. He loves children, his family—including his slightly bossy, eccentric older sister—and has had a major crush on Sandra since they first met. While he’s a little intimidated by her sometimes icy exterior and her intelligence, Dave knows he just might have a chance with her if she could get to know him better. He’s seen past her tough attitude to the softer, gentler side, and he really likes the woman he’s uncovered. His major weaknesses include his own feelings of inadequacy and pride—for instance: he admits to no one that he’s color blind, although it just might explain his sometimes odd wardrobe choices. 
PATTY MASON and JOANN BAKER
Jason walked up behind Carol as she stood by the kitchen sink. He slipped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her silky head and looked at the falling snow. He could smell the scent of the gaily decorated pine in the living room and the much more heavenly scent of the woman in his arms. It felt good to have Carol home. He could easily imagine future Christmases with her and her son.
JOSH LOCKWOOD
Danny Brennan is a young captain of an Erie Canal line boat. He is good at his job, fiercely independent, and highly respected by everyone on the canal. He is a staunch ally to his friends and has a soft spot in his heart for those less fortunate than himself. He wants what every man wants ... a loving family around him ... and is trying to better his situation in order to provide for them. He has faults, like everyone else, but his steadfastness and personality overshadow them. He sees his equal in Molly Ryan.
SHEILA HOLLOWAY
Blake Morris is the dutiful son, visiting his mother for the holidays. His martial arts studio is closed for the seasonal trip to his old home town. As an ex-Marine, he puts a lot of stock in duty, loyalty and honesty. Blake lives his life doing what he feels is "the right thing," even when this includes living a chaste life for the sake of his devotion to the Lord. Though he is active in his church, he avoids the singles mixers with a passion. Why participate when he knows the woman he would marry isn't among the ladies of his church?
CINDY GREEN
Griffin Stevens in an FBI Special Agent who can be tough as nails when he has to, but typically maintains a sweet, playful demeanor. Abby Miller has always been the girl in the back of his mind ever since he went off to college nine years ago. It was his fault that things went so bad between them. Now that he’s back in her life, he’s determined to make amends. When mysterious things begin happening to Abby, his Bureau training kicks into gear. Even if it means jeopardizing his career, he will see to her safety and bring her back into his arms for good.
DONICA COVEY
Rand Dixon is a hulk of a man. He’s six feet ten inches tall with a broad, muscular chest. His dark blond hair falls to his waist and he wears it in a ponytail. He has molasses brown eyes and a deep rich voice that glides over your skin like silk.
Rand has a fun personality, what I mean is light hearted. He has this huge secret, (I’m being very vague I know but the book is in process. I want to keep the mystery for a bit 
) and it gnaws at him to find the right time to tell Jazzy. He wants to be completely honest. His sense of protectiveness makes him admirable. He’s gentle, convinced that despite the day and age of the modern woman, all women should be treated with respect and kindness. He opens doors, gives up his seat, and generally takes care of her.
MARY CLAYMORE
Rick Morse couldn't give a flip about the fashion world. He just owned a publishing group that happened to produce a couple of glossy fashion magazines. One was even devoted to the fuller figured woman. Now that he could give more than a flip about. One model in particular, Felicia Something caught his eye, and tickled his fancy. If only he could tickle hers.
DENISE PATRICK
Dane Mitchell is tall, dark, and handsome; the kind of handsome that would make your mother suspect him of being too good to be true. The product of a wealthy family, he's kind, generous, and emotionally sensitive. Unfortunately, people rarely see those characteristics because he's too busy being distant, cold, and cynical to the rest of the world. "Fool me once, shame on you. . ." is his motto. He's been fooled once already by a scheming hussy - it won't happen again. When he meets Judy he finds a woman who doesn't seem to want or need him, which of course makes him set out to prove her wrong.
MG BRADEN
Jake Morgan had always flown the straight and narrow path. He believed things were pretty much black or white. He worked his way through the ranks to become the vice-president of his division, he was a corporate man. When he met Carissa he believed she was like him. Her perfect looks and dedication to the company interested him. When he decided that there should be a merger between them he didn’t realize that things weren’t always what they seemed. He expected a nice tidy relationship – what he got was an explosion.
TIPS
LAURA HAMBY
1) Make them heroic-- ie: flawed, yes, but never undeserving of being called a "hero."
2) Make them deserve their heroine.
3) Make them human, believable and masculine.
ROBIN BAYNE
1) Make them good and flawed.
2) Make them strong of character, regardless of their upbringing.
3) Make them loyal.
MEG ALLISON
1. Heroes cannot be wimps—they don’t have to be Superman or James Bond, but they can’t give up when the going gets tough.
2. A hero must have integrity.
3. Even though the heroine isn’t the most beautiful woman in the world—she should become such in the hero’s eyes.
PATTY MASON and JOANN BAKER
1. Even though a hero will never be perfect, he must be the heroine’s knight in shining armor.
2. He must be strong, but not afraid to show weakness.
3. He must always treat women with respect.
JOSH LOCKWOOD
1. A hero doesn’t necessarily have to be heroic, but his inner character must be above reproach.
2. He must, also, have definite goals and be actively trying to attain them.
3. He must have the courage to admit when he’s wrong and be willing to change and grow.
SHEILA HOLLOWAY
Tip 1. Make him masculine, but not unfeeling.
Tip 2. Give him a shared view or goal with the heroine, but remember to leave some conflict of interest as well.
Tip 3. Do not make him "perfect" either. Real men have flaws, include one or two. Just don't over do it.
1.Alpha or Beta?? "Tis the question. I have to admit that Alphas just turn me off. And Betas, though they are more attractive to me, can sometimes just get on your nerves. I like to merge the two. The Gamma. Make him strong and driven while also exhibiting a sensitive and playful side. I like to follow this advice I received from a writing teacher of mine. Make him "strong enough to be gentle."
2. Make him a real, living boy. I love writing heroes. To me they are more fun than the heroines. But some authors make the mistake of creating a perfect man. This is a human man we are talking about. He must have flaws and foibles.
3. Create a hero you can fall in love with. But not only that but one your heroine can stay in love with. It can’t just be good looks and electrifying attraction that keeps them together. There must be something about him that will allow them to really live the happily ever after.
DONICA COVEY
1. Don’t make him perfect. He can and should be perfect for the heroine, a "soul mate" match. But who wants to read about a man with absolutely no flaws?
2. Write according to what you look for or what you admire in a man. For me the hero should be a gentleman. And I mean a man who opens doors, pulls out chairs, and gives up his seat. One that treats me with love and respect. And for physical traits, well I prefer the man with long hair, muscles, a voice that can wrap around me and caress me.
MARY CLAYMORE
#1. Avoid the alpha male. I know some women like that whole Me-Tarzan-You-Jane thing, but really I want a man that can be a partner, not a master.
#2. Match his faults to the heroine's strengths and vice versa. Create a man that compliments the heroine.
#3. Make sure his speech, thoughts and actions are "male." If you can't imagine a man saying it or doing it, he probably wouldn't. Just don't make him a pig.
DENISE PATRICK
1. I want my heroes to be strong and secure by the end of the book. If they don't start out that way - they have to grow into it and I'm likely to torture them to make it happen.
2. They don't always have to be "tall, dark, and handsome," but I often like to use guys that are so sexy they are automatically suspect. For my heroes, being "sinfully handsome" is an obstacle, not an advantage.
3. They also should have deeply held convictions and in-bred integrity, even if they don't feel like they do. Somewhere, there is a "no compromise" line and I let my heroines bump up against it as much as possible.
1. Make him sexy but fallible. If he’s too perfect and unattainable usually there’s a reason!
2. I think they should be strong and sensitive too. I don’t mean wimpy but sometimes the ones that are quietly strong are the ones that will save your bacon in the end.
3. While I think Alpha male is great, I think it can be over done. I’ve seen heroes that are so arrogant that you just want to tell the heroine to run for cover. If this isn’t the guy YOU want to introduce to your Mom, then don’t make him your hero.
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