"HERO"

                                               

                                           How to Choose Great Male Leads?

            When I hear the word hero it immediately makes me think of someone who is invincible, strong, intelligent and fearless. All great character strengths, right? Well, this is exactly what you need when it comes to creating great leading males in your story.

            This is the topic for today, Leading Men, and I want to share with you how to choose the perfect one for your story.  I believe developing strong characters, whether male or female is a lot like your best recipes.

            You take a little of this and some of that and before you know it have a one of a kind creation. All the right elements necessary to produce leading males who are believable.

            So, in order to make them believable they must be human. No one is willing to accept any character who doesn’t have flaws. The first rule to story book creation is dimension.  

            As living, breathing creatures, we come with enough baggage to take along with us on a vacation. Readers are more willing to accept characters who meet this description. Their brains can’t understand how real-life situations relate to flawless characters if they don’t have any.

            It’s impossible, because we all know in life some rain will fall. If it’s always sunny with the perfect temperature either we’re in a tropical location or can only assume, somehow, we’ve all tumbled into an alternate reality.

            Archetypes are the cloth all heroes and heroines are cut from. We want them to project superhuman abilities, but at the same time, stumble and fall just like the rest of us. The alpha male of his pride, dominant and outspoken. But who doesn’t always get things right on the first try.

            Now understand, this doesn’t make them stereotypical.  Not in the least, but unique. Every character should take on their own personal identity traits. Most leading men are tall, handsome with megawatt smiles, and body’s built like brick crap houses.

            Why you might ask? Because it’s the first thing readers look for in any leading male character. Their personalities should match their archetype. We know that we’re not all the same, although might have some of the same character traits. Therefore, they shouldn’t be either.

            This is where you close the recipe book and include some elements not listed in the book. Trust me, if you like to mix things up a bit, then adding some of your own secret spices is how you make ordinary, supreme.

            I like characters, who are not always the good guys. This is the equivalent of a bland diet with nothing on the side. Who doesn’t like combo platters? A badass with a side of choir boy always works for me. Sometimes, if they come equipped with a dark past, I’m ordering seconds. Dark and brooding, even better.

            I also like them to be intelligent. Gangsters are some of the brainiest beings on the planet. They know their stuff, focused with a well thought out plan. But I also like leading men who are fierce protectors.  They would die saving the woman they love. Totally swoon worthy. 

            But what is a good leading male without some secrecy in their lives?  If you know everything about them, there is no mystery to behold and for me is just plain boring. They don’t have to be talkative, quiet yet alert is good too.

            I want my leading men to be totally kickass, but at the same time gentle and caring when necessary. I like them suave, business attire, or outfitted in brand everything. Okay, I’m not into bikers, but ripped jeans, Henley’s and combat books works for me too.  

            So now that, I’ve explained and given examples of leading men, you have a broad spectrum of things to choose from. All right, so creating leading men isn’t the same as Build-A-Bear, but you understand there are specific elements required that makes your characters stand out, and without a doubt leading men.