For some reason, I'm having a difficult time clicking with the characters. My hero and heroine aren't jelling and I need help. The first thing I do in this situation is look for photos of the characters.I hit on my heroine with only a couple clicks. Although she's an actress, I'm not familiar with her roles. Still, this woman appears to epitomize my heroine through and through. Could be she's got sweet and cuddly down pat, but to me she fits tough, independent and mouthy to a tee. Here's Kate, aka, Sophia Bush.
The big problem is that I can't decide what my hero, James Riley, looks like. Help, please.
This man is ex-military. He's uncomplicated has, what shall we call it, a simplistic look on life. Women have a place. And so do men. To James Riley--everyone calls him Riley--life is about balance. There's a down for every up and a dark side to every silver lining. His take on relationships is equally straightforward. Men protect and serve. Women are compassionate and understanding.
So tell me, in your opinion, which of the following men says sexist, but-oh-I-forgive-you-because-you-are-so-damned-hot the best? (Okay, so he's really not sexist. I just need a hot alpha male to complement my hot alpha female!)
Tom Brady? Oh, la, la.
Josh Duhamel? (of Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen fame) Guess what I watched this past weekend.
Or Wentworth Miller? (Prison Break)I've wavered for weeks back and forth between these three guys. Though I'm not entirely sure why these pics are so important to me, I guess I need to visualize my man in order to write about him.
Today, I'm deciding with you're help. So who is it? Tom, Josh, or Wentworth? Are you an Alpha or Beta hero reader?
Helen
33 comments:
Hey Helen. Big congrats on #10!! What a milestone. You should be so proud of you!!
As for 'the guy'. From what you've described of him, that photo of Wentworth nails it for me - although i don't think you could go wrong with any one of the 3 of them. Love Josh :o)
Congratulations on #10! As for my vote, Tom Brady hands down. He has the look that says attitude, but his allure makes it worthwhile.
It's a wonderful exercise, finding a visual for your characters. I know it helps me. (Hugs)Indigo
Congrats from me too on #10. That's nothing to sneeze at.
I'm with Cindy -- Wentworth seems to fit your description. He was in an episode of Law and Order SVU early this season. Maybe you can find that episode online and it would help nail the character for you.
Helen, thanks for asking our opinion !! That's very cool (I think that's what I love best about writers' blogs, this exchange with the readers ;-).
Anyway, for me it's Tom Brady all the way. 100 % ALfa hero. As you said sexist but so hot you can't but forgive him !
Josh Duhamel and Wentworth Miller are definitly on the beta side for me (especially wentworth. But of course I used to watch PB and the guy was so sweet and cute in it I really can't picture him anyway else).
Congrats for number 10 !!
Thanks everyone!
Wow, this is so interesting. I don't know anything about these guys. Never watched TB in action. Josh's part in Transformers wasn't all that big. And I've never watched PB! NEVER would've guessed from Wentworth's intense look that he played "sweet and cute" !
Like Marilyn said, maybe THAT's my problem. I need to see these guys in action.
Take bits and pieces of all three! I've done that before when I can't decide on one picture. Some days the hero looks like one guy, other days, he looks like another. It oddly works.
But I'd vote for Wentworth just because it looks like he's got a sensitive side (haven't seen him on TV).
Speaking of PB, that first kiss scene between wentworth and his partner... 100% sweet. Really a betta hero imo of course.
brady. thanx 4 the eye candy. needed that.
Alpha, Aplha!! Josh...he's SUCH a hottie in and out of combat!!
Hmm. Brady, I think. You get a little extra baggage with that chin. Our younger son got teased about his when he was a kid.
I love the way you're playing the characters off each other from the get-go. Another winner in the works, Helen!
This is fun! Love the pic of Kate. None of the guys does it for me. They look so *young*!
Or make me feel so old, LOL!
If your heroine is mouthy, tough and independent then Sophia Bush is perfect because Sophia plays a character by the name of Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill and Brooke is all of the things you described Kate to be so it's a perfect match!
As for the hero, from what you described my gut is to go with Josh but he seems too pretty to me. I'll have to think about this but I'll be back if I change my mind. Josh is my choice for the moment. =)
Michele, I think I have been taking bits and pieces, but it's not working for me.
I started with Wentworth, switched to Brady, and then went all gaga for Josh when I saw him in Transformers last weekend.
Dang, but they're all hot. No wonder I'm having a problem.
Okay, Emmanuelle, now I'm not sure I want to see Wentworth on PB. My character's alpha all the way, so it might ruin it.
Lois, dear, you're welcome.
Melissa, LOL, tell us how you really feel!
I hear ya, honey. I have to admit, I don't remember thinking he was all that great in Tad Hamilton (don't think I watched the whole movie), but that young man has grown up!
Good point, Kathy. Facial features can impact a character and give them quite a bit of depth. I think my guy's going to have a dimple whether or not he ends up being Brady.
Kate is a cutie, Kylie. The hero calls her "a pistol." hehehe I think it fits. And now that you mention it, these guys probably are too young for my character. Maybe that's another reason I'm having a tough time with this!
Cool, Rowena! I had no idea that was the type of character she plays, but I like the fit!
Josh. Pretty. Hmm. And probably too young, too. He sure looks good with dirt and sweat on his face, though!
congrats on #10. (sorry, this got long)
I'm voting for Josh. In Transformers he has this leadership about him that he earned through respect. His men follow his lead even though he's not an in your face yellin' screamin' kind of character. When they’re in battle, he keeps his cool while issuing direction and knows his men know what to do. He’s the first to put himself on the line if it means protecting his men. In preparing for combat (such as studying a piece of the robot) he’s caution. He works off his gut, trusting his senses, even if that means bucking the uppers and finding some wiggle room to do what he believes needs to be done to get the job done. When out of combat, he's anxious to get home to see his new baby girl that he's never gotten to hold.
Second vote would go to Brady. On the field, he's the go-to-guy to get the job done, come back like underdogs and win the game in the last drive kind of player. He functions best when he's under fire. He has a boyishness about him after winning a game—like that same joyful enthusiasm that you find on a jr. high kid who just scored the winning touchdown and will be forever known. When he speaks before the press, he’s a bit uncomfortable in that arena. It’s not HIS zone, but he toughs through it and does a better job than most. His personal life is a bit flashy. He does advertisements and of course, his supermodel wife keeps him in that ‘in front of the camera’ ring. My personal suspicion—he sometimes likes the appeal of being famous, but when the going gets tough with the paparazzi, he’s out of there and just wants to get back on the field. He doesn’t mind himself being put on display, but he doesn’t want his family there. He for the most part avoids questions of starting a family and if I remember right, they had their wedding in secret.
And I haven’t watched Prison Break to know anything about the other guy.
It’s amazing what you’ve picked up about people when you sit down and think about. *g*
Tom. :)
I like a Beta who can go Alpha if you push him. He doesn't have to be aggressive but he has all those tendancies right near the surface.
A wolf-in-sheep's clothing if you will.
And if the writer knows how to deliver the interior landscape of the Alpha's emotions and create great internal GMC, I can forgive an Alpha for a lot of their irritating behavior. (g)
Ouch, blogger at my comment.
Tom Brady gets my vote here. I like Josh, too. The other guy I don't know.
I'm having trouble wrapping my head around my latest hero. Must turn to my glossy magazines!
Bring on the alpha male. I like Josh or how about Gerard Butler?
I think Wentworth does it for moi
Wow, Keri. You need to write a book with Josh playing the lead. Go girl! Seriously, your analysis is right on. I'd forgotten all those details from the Transformers movie, but no wonder I wanted him for my new hero!
Deb, that's a great description for a good Beta. I enjoy Beta's but they don't get my heart rate up unless they're as you described. Then I'm all over them!
Christie - I find most pics on the internet and they're not always celebrities. I've found a few characters who look perfect by googling hair cuts. Go figure.
Linda, on most days, Gerard is my all-purpose man. For some reason he doesn't feel right for Riley. Will have to think on that, though!
Pamela - Wentworth's got that amazingly intense look about him. Does he ever smile? lol
Congrats on your 10th book...
I vote for Josh.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Congrats on your tenth book, Helen. I'm voting for Wentworth.
it's Tenth already ? And i'm still new with your works ? where the heck i have been ? :)
from the Three pictures, I choose Wentworth Miller. I had seen him in PB. and i think it'll match your Hero description.
Thanks Karen and Jane!
Mariska - I think it takes readers some time to find new authors unless they bust out in the NYT immediately, which doesn't happen very often. So, hey, get readin'!
I'm late but it's Wentworth for me! :)
I'm late, too, but Josh has it all. I haven't seen any of these men in anything, but just looking at the picture? It's Josh!
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