Jennifer Shirk's Blog, page 38

A to Z Blog Challenge: H is for...

Hey, everyone! I've had a HECTIC weekend so far--bu that's no my H word today. I'm doing a semi-recycled post on another H word.

So H is for: Heroes!

A few years ago I had taken an online class entitled: "Can this Manuscript Be Saved?" There was a section called the characterization part. That was a section particularly helpful to go over if you've ever had a rejection saying they hated your main character or characters, or couldn't relate to them. Good stuff.

Anyhew, the discussion grew to "beta and alpha" heroes and their actions/reactions. Well, the author, Susan Meier, admitted she used distinctions between the two in workshops but that when she writes she doesn't write alpha or beta—usually a combo or maybe she starts out one way and the character evolves to another.

So I thought, "YES! Hey, me too!"

Which is funny, because I once had an old critique partner say she was "worried about my alpha hero because he waffled beta". Of course, my first thought when I'd received the critique was, "My hero's an alpha?"

I had no idea. I hadn't planned it. When I first started writing I didn't even know there were types of heroes!

So what are the differences in heroes?

The Alpha Hero: According to romance author Kate Walker, "The term Alpha comes from the animal kingdom – the Alpha wolf is the leader of the pack. The Boss. He has won his place by strength, courage, fortitude and sheer power. He rules the rest of the pack with the same qualities. He has to, or the pack will not survive – certainly, if the Alpha loses his grip on the rest, someone will rise up against him, defeat him and rule in his place. The other reward of being the Alpha wolf is that he gets the best females – mates with the very best – breeds wonderful cubs. But along with his success and his rewards as Alpha Wolf – he has a lot of responsibilities – he has to protect his own – defend the females and the cubs from invading marauders, make sure he takes them where the hunting is good. That's an ALPHA.

And the Alpha hero has to have those qualities. He has to be successful- a man of achievement. Independent. A ruler – a man of power. Strong, handsome, vigorous. A leader. In human societies, the signs of success are wealth and power – and so the Alpha hero has to have the outward trappings – those visible signs of success that the world values – money, houses, cars, businesses . . . "

The Beta hero: author Michele R. Bardsley says, "In line with his "best friend" qualities, a beta hero makes a great sudden daddy—he adjusts more easily to than an alpha male. He's also an excellent role model: Women think he's sweet, kids know he'll play catch or tea party, bosses know they can rely on him to get last-minute projects completed, and men know they can trust him with their girlfriends.

Beta heroes need to grow, change, learn. Nice doesn't equal perfect. An easygoing guy who's funny and sweet hides his feelings more effectively and feels pain more deeply than an alpha hero (who will, when angry or upset, stomp around, growl, and hit stuff). A beta hero hides his pain behind a smile, a joke, or a quiet reserve. A beta hero is more likely to walk away from a confrontation or do what he believes the heroine wants than to stand his ground and fight it out. This isn't wimp behavior because he's not afraid for himself, he's afraid for the person he cares about.

The beta hero: © Is kind, responsible, decent © Doesn't enjoy confrontation, but won't back down on an issue he wants resolved © Is always available to the heroine or to others who need his help © Is an extrovert or an introvert © Is practical, down to earth, assesses situations before making decisions © Has a great sense of humor © Tends to be Mr. Nice Guy/Everyday Joe © Is the kind neighbor, the best friend, the good Samaritan.

Then there's... The Gamma Hero: author Deb Stover defined the Gamma hero this way and said, "A Gamma is... One who doesn't fit the image of the macho Alpha male, or the easygoing Beta either. He's a combination--a mutation?--of both types of man, and makes a hero to die for. One reader suggested Mel Gibson and Sean Connery as actor examples of the "Gamma" hero. That definitely works for me. I'd also like to suggest Tom Selleck, who comes across as almost Beta at times, though still has enough Alpha to make him appeal to readers who prefer a tougher hero. Also Harrison Ford would fall into this description. He's definitely Gamma material in Star Wars!

In books? Susan Elizabeth Phillips takes true Alpha males and captures their tenderness, but doesn't quite change them to Gamma heroes. They're still Alpha males. Jill Barnett's heroes are often of the Gamma variety--tough but tender. Mike Faricy in my Some Like it Hotter is my first Gamma hero. My earlier ones have been Beta all the way. I think he's the one who made me coin a new term to describe him. He's gritty--Alpha--but not completely....

I love the idea of the gamma male. Many readers, while loving a beta male in real life, find them a bit too wimpy in a romance. And, often alpha heroes are too bitter and mean for readers to fall in love with. Some of the listers tried to describe actors who fall into each category, including Alan Alda and Tom Hanks as beta, Bruce Willis and Steven Segal as alpha, and Mel Gibson and Adrian Paul as gamma."

Interesting! I really don't start off pigeon-holing my heroes when I write, but just based on the kind of stories I write, there is just an natural evolution of personality. But I always think it's funny when a tough guy finds his soft spot because of that special woman and does things "out of character". But I don't think that makes my heroes Gamma. So far, I've written Beta Heroes all the way. Some may find that kind of hero boring, but I really love them. But, hey, that's just me. :-)

If you're a writer, what kind of heroes do you usually write? If you're a reader, what kind of heroes do like to read about?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: G is for...

Oh, my gosh. Is this blogging week over yet? Kidding!

Okay. Half kidding.

Anyhew...the fact that I'm scrambling to finish my WIP this month has made me focus on a very important G word.

Therefore, G is for: Goals!!

If you were with me in the beginning of the year, I blogged about my goals (NOT resolutions) but GOALS for the new year.
So let's take a stroll down memory lane all those... three and a half months ago and recap:

My PERSONAL GOAL: This year I took my exercise regime to a whole new level. The hubby and I started doing the P90X workout program at the start of the new year.

Where am I now with that goal? Well, I'm exactly TWO days from finishing the program. Then I'll be a P90 grad. And I'll arm wrestle anyone to prove it! LOL

My PROFESSIONAL GOAL: More D for discipline to get more writing done. Thus, I started the Book In 3 Months writing challenge in Feb. for a new story I'm plotting. My other goal was finish my manuscript Kissing Kendall. Both books I plan to have done and submitted by the end of the year.

Where am I with that? Well, I'm still in the Book in Three Month challenge, hoping to finish Kissing Kendall by the end of this month. Eeep. The other story I was working on I had to stop because of plot problems. But as soon as KK is done, I'll set it aside before editing, and try to work out what I did wrong with the other story. I still plan to finish both and have them submitted before the end of the year. Woot!

I LOVE goals. Have you noticed? :)
I love writing them down and seeing them before me to keep me focused. (I especially love when I reach those goals, but sometimes it doesn't happen) That's okay. Either way, I'm happy to just have the desire to dream.

How about you? Have you achieved any of your goals you've set so far?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: F is for...

Hey, all!

Most of us are readers and/or writers so DUH, this word for F was a no brainer.

So F is for: Fiction!

I LOVE to read fiction. (I know. Shocker.)

I'll read all kinds of fiction (YA, Women's fiction, Thrillers, Inspirational, Mystery, etc..) but I especially love reading romances. In fact, lately, I've been on a bit of a category romance kick. They're cheap (even cheaper on ebook!!), they're short (perfect for my recent short attention span), there's a guaranteed HEA (yay) and most of them are really really good (double yay).

Right now, I'm reading An Unexpected Father by Lisa Ruff, which was just nominated for the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America. I can see why it was nominated. :-)

My hubby however is becoming more of a... non fiction reader.

Ack!! Boo-hiss!

(Ha! Just kidding. I'm just so happy he's reading anything)

Here's what he's reading right now: Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides. He's really enjoying it!!

How about you? Do you read fiction or non fiction more? What genre of fiction are you reading more of now?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: E is for...

Hey, all!

You may already know this if you happened to catch my twittering or facebooking announcements, but there's a fun and easy scavenger hunt going on right now.

So E is for: Easter Scavenger Hunt!

Where is it? I'm glad you asked! It's at my writing group blog: The Passionate Critters.

You will find a question (or two!) on that blog every day until the 24th April 2011. Find the answer(s) and email it (them) to us (Don't worry, there are clues), and there are prizes to be had.

We will do random drawings throughout, and you never know – you might get something you like. It could be a book, or a goody bag, or chocolate, or…something…else. All the entries will go into a daily/weekly pot, and the winner(s) drawn from that. Your name will also go into a Final Draw — to win an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift voucher. The Final Draw winner will be announced after the 24th, to get the last day answers into the pot as well.

Who can play? Another good question! Anyone.

Where do I find the answers to the questions? There's a link right in the question. It's actually too simple when you think about it. :)

Where do I email the answers? contest@passionatecritters.org

My question was this past Monday (day 4), but it's not too late to answer. All emailed answers (right or wrong) will go into a drawing for my Ebook, The Role of a Lifetime.

Hope you stop by!

What's your favorite Easter candy? (I'm a complete sucker for those Cadbury Eggs. Calories for ONE are listed HERE :(

A to Z Blog Challenge: D is for...

Holy smokes, it's April already!!

You know what that means?! It means I have until the end of this month to finish my manuscript--or otherwise translated to mean is that I have until the end of this month to write 20K.

So D is for: Discipline and Determination!

I'll need it. Lots of it, actually, if I plan on reaching this goal.

You see back in February, I thought it would be an oh so awesome idea to create a writing challenge between me and a few of my critique partners to motivate us all. (CORRECTION: To help motivate ME) Anyhew, I have been making progress up until my kiddo's birthday took all precedence. So now I'm under the gun to finish.

To some, 20k in a month isn't that much. But for me--a complete turtle of a writer-- it's like doing my own root canal. Well, okay, it's not THAT hard, but you get the idea.

So I'm off now to the writing cave where I won't be coming out of until this afternoon...

How about you? Are you a fast or slow writer? What was the most you ever wrote in a month?

Blogging Challenge: Day 3!

Hey, all!

I had a really great--but EXHAUSTING weekend for my daughter's birthday.
Too bad the letter today isn't E today or I'd tell you all about it. :) I guess it'll have to wait.

Instead, the letter is C:

C is for cupcakes!
I asked for (and received) a great cupcake cookbook for Christmas, called Hello, Cupcake . I saw it around this time last year on TV and mentioned to my hubby that I would love to get that book. I LOVE cupcakes. They're like little perfect portions of cake. LOL

Anyhew, this cookbook gives you lots of fun ideas for creative cupcakes and well as some great recipes for the icings and cake. My kiddo likes to look through it a lot too. So when I asked her what kind of birthday cake she wanted, she immediately pointed to a page in this book.

Being the good mommy that I am, I happily obliged. And these were the results:

Yes, I made Beagles and Dalmatians for her (the easier of all the dog recipes, but still a pain to make). She loved them. :-)

Not too shabby of an attempt, I must say. And now that my first try with creative cupcakes is over, I offered to make cupcakes for the family for Easter too. Oh, my gosh, you should see the cute recipes for that! Will definitely post pictures-- if they come out.

I'd also like to mention that the character in the book I'm working on now has just opened up her own bakery and made the cutest cupcakes for her friend's baby shower. (A little reality mixed with fiction there since I was inspired) LOL

Are you a cupcake person? Have you ever made any fancy/creative cakes or cupcakes?

Blogging Challenge Day 2!

Hey, all! It's day two of my blogging challenge, and ... so far so good! :-) B: B is for Birthday! Today is my kiddo's birthday! Woo-hoo!

She's a big third grader, but not too big to go to take her doll to the American Girl Store in NYC today! (Which I mentioned last post) It's going to be a LONG day for me, but she deserves a nice trip like this.

So... in honor of her big girl birthday, I would like to share some random things about her:

1) Once, when she was three and saw a port-o-potty at the playground, she referred to it as a litter box. (We don't have a cat) :)

2) She recently asked me what the term was for an orphanage for old people. I was like, "You mean a retirement home?" She was, "Oh, yeah, that's it!" Orphanage for old people. That still cracks me up. LOL!

3)She loves soccer, basketball, and surfing.

4) Her favorite foods are sushi, fish tacos, and cupcakes. (like her mama) :-)

5) She used to call Wonton soup: One time soup. LOL

6) She LOVES to read. Her favorite books are the Dear Dumb Diary series.

and (as I always tell her)

7) She is the best gift I ever received.

** will be away all day, so I'll catch up on blogs later this weekend.

Any April birthdays in your family?

Blogging Challenge: A to Z!

Hey, all!
Yes, I've joined the bandwagon for the A to Z Blogging Challenge for the month of April! Don't know about it?
For more info on it go HERE.
April is usually a busy time for me so I never got to participate last year. Unfortunately, nothing has changed this year--aside from my sanity--and I'm doing it anyway. Sometimes you just need a change. :-)

I have no rhyme or reason or plan for my posts. I joined late so I'm just winging it. Yep. Because that's the way I roll...

(Actually, that's not true.) I very close to a Type A personality so this is REALLY different for me.

Anyhew, and away I roll...

A: A is for American Girl.

Guess what? I'm going to the American Girl Doll Store in New York City on Saturday! I'm very excited because I've never been! (Actually, my mom and the kiddo are going too) We ALL have never been.

My mom got this brochure from a travel agency and they happened to be having a bus trip there that includes lunch. So considering it's the kiddo's birthday Saturday, we thought it would be the perfect gift. My kiddo already picked out the outfit for her doll:

Snazzy, huh? I want a leopard coat like that.

I never had an American Girl doll growing up. I don't even know if they were around back then! But as expensive as the dolls are, they really are nice and the books they put out are even nicer.

I can't wait to go!

How about you? Have you ever been to an American Girl Doll store? Any tips? Did you have an American Girl Doll growing up?

Beyond Blonde and Brunette: The Redheaded Hero

RECENT IPOD DOWNLOAD: "Firework" by Katie Perry
WEEK OF P90X: Week 11!
RECENT iPAD DOWNLOAD: Pirates vs. Ninjas vs. Zombies vs. Pandas

Hey, all!
As you all know I was in Florida last week where I was able to relax and do a lot of reading. It's kind of funny the things that you start to notice when you're zipping through books--and one of them is the hair color of MEN.

Believe me, there are plenty of tall, dark, and handsome heroes going on. A few blonds I've seen. And then, of course, the sandy-brown colored hair, which naturally dips down (just so) where the heroine has that desire to brush it off his forehead. :-)
All very nice hair colors for men.

But where I ask you is the REDHEADED HERO?! (--interrobang)

Is there some kind of red prejudice going on? Are there certain images that get conjured up in our minds when we think of redheaded men?

Hmm....Well, maybe.

I'd like to think that there will be a resurgence in ginger-headed heroes, but maybe there is a certain stereotype that's automatically in our brain when we think of men with red hair. I know. It's terrible. But we women can't help it!! After all, look what we've been subjected to all these years:
Cute. (Sort of.) But not a romance readers typical "fantasy"type of guy. Nothing personal to those redheaded gentlemen, but romance readers are kind of... PICKY--opting for larger than life heroes over the guy-next-door type of hero.
Most authors tend to keep this in mind when naming their heroes. Romance readers LOVE masculine names for their heroes as well as masculine looks. It's just the way it is, because a hair coloring or a name conjure up images when we're reading.
But now that this phenomenon has come to my attention, I feel the need to write a hero with red hair. Yep. Those men deserve their props. And who knows?
There might be some hero hope for them yet. :-)

How about you? Have you read (and liked) any romances that had a redheaded hero? If you're a writer, have you written a book with a redheaded hero?

I'm Baaaaaack!

Hey, all!

I'm back from my little bloggie break and feeling recharged, relaxed, and re--ok, tan.
I was in lovely sunny Florida since Sunday!! Here to be exact: Bonita Springs.

We were visiting the in-laws at their vacation club condo and had a FANTASTIC time!
So fantastic that it was hard to leave 86 degree weather and come back to cloudy and cold New Jersey at a whopping 39 degrees.

What a slap of reality that was!

This post is brief since I'm still so tired and have done nothing with pictures in my camera yet. Why does traveling wipe me out all the time? It was a two hour plane ride (where I slept for half of it), I was mainly pool or beach side the entire vacation, yet I'm beat.
How does that happen?

Well, anyhew, I need to food shop today, go through the 500 (at least) emails I had while I was away, and visit all of you and see what I missed this week.

Anything exciting happen while I was away?

PS: For those of you concerned and/or curious, my P90x routine was hardly disrupted on my vacation. I was at the gym every day and ate extremely healthy.

PS2: A hardy congrats to all the entrants of the GH and RITA! The RWA will be announcing the finalists this morning! I hope my favorites and/or friends made the list. :)