One of the problems of writing hero point of view is
keeping your guy a guy. He’s looking out into the world, and any introspection
is a brief lifting of the lid rather than the full rummage into the bottom of
the psychic suitcase that women (okay, this woman) enjoys.
There’s no, ‘Hey, there’s where I left that old guilt…if
I let out the seams I think it’ll still fit me.”
I’m a very hero-centric writer. Most of my story ideas
start with an idea around a hero and as a reader he’s the most important
element in a romance for me.
So I’m always interested in the ongoing discussion
about alpha versus beta heroes on reader/writer blogs and boards. Is he a tough
warrior alphahole or an affable, easygoing friend?
I read an interesting comment by Ruthie Knox here where
she described alphas as having the tendency to lead and betas the tendency to
nurture.
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My hero preference as a reader is alpha with a sense of humour |
Recently I came across a blog that talked about delta’s
(‘normal’ guys) and gamma’s (introspective, socially unskilled) and omega’s
(social losers).
But the category that intrigued me as a romance reader
and writer was sigmas.
“The outsider who doesn't play the social
game and manages to win at it anyhow. The sigma is hated by alphas because
sigmas are the only men who don't accept or at least acknowledge, however
grudgingly, their social dominance.
In a social situation, the sigma is the
man who stops in briefly to say hello to a few friends accompanied by a Tier 1
girl that no one has ever seen before. Sigmas like women, but tend to be
contemptuous of them. They are usually considered to be strange. They are at
the top of the social hierarchy despite their refusal to play by its rules.
Sigmas usually acquired their outsider status the hard way; one seldom becomes
immune to the social hierarchy by virtue of mass popularity in one's childhood.”
Sounds like our archetypical bad boy doesn’t
it? James Dean, Dirty Harry, Wolverine. Except the description applies
equally well to Sherlock Holmes as played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC series.
So who’s your favorite fictional hero,
movie or books? Is he alpha, beta, sigma or in a class of his own?
6 comments:
I'll take Benedict Cumberbatch thank you. He brings so much to the role of Sherlock. Certainly at odds with the rest of the world & no tolerance for anyone who is not is intellectual equal - that would be everyone else I guess.
I like a hero who is strong, caring and treats women, children and animals with respect. They can be alpha, beta, gamma, sigma, delta, whatever, as long as they meet that criteria. I definitely don't like alphaholes. They give alphas a bad rep.
Great post, Karina! I love all kinds of heroes (and heroines - don't get me started talking about archetypes or I'll never stop *g*) as long as they're well-rounded and real.
The hero in my current WIP is very much a Best Friend archetype which is different for me as I tend to lean toward Bad Boys or Lost Souls. But it's fun writing one of the Nice Guys :-)
My favorite fictional hero of all times is Jamie Frasier from Diana Galbadon's Outlander series. Jamie is a man's man and a leader, which one would think would make him an alpha. But I see him as a beta because he ne nas a fabulous nurturing side with everyone that is just part of his nature--and I think that trait (his desire to take care of those he cares about) gives him alpha tendencies. Obviously, he's very complex.
And did I mention YUMMY??? :-)
Hmm...there are so many heroes to love :)
Mary, isn't Benedict great! I'm interested to see how Marin Freeman as Dr Watson metamorphosises in The Hobbit.
Snookie, I think you're right. Alphas need their own sub-grouping. They're wonderful when they're written well.
Beth, I remember you being a keen hero watcher. I look forward to reading about your nice guy. Was it hard to come up with conflict?
Pamela...Jamie Fraser works so well because he's such a mass of fascinating contradictions that add up to a memorable character. He seems to be on most reader's top ten hero list.
Rogenna, thank you for fixing my posting problem!
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