SPIKE - new heroine guidelines
A few years ago I instituted a new reading rule. I refused to put up with Alpha-hole heroes anymore. They could skirt the boundary but once that toe went over the line, I was out of there.
But what about the heroine?
More and more lately I have been sighing in exasperation and throwing a book on my DNF pile because the heroine has me grinding my teeth down to the nubs.
You know the heroines I mean - the excessively klutzy ones, that fall down constantly for no good reason. Or the ones who keep telling the reader they are plain but every male in the book is head over heels in love with them for some obscure reason.
Or the grim, sullen tantrum throwing heroines who do nothing but complain constantly. The idiots. The cliches. Those that giggle. Any female who takes any kind of abusive spanking and then sleeps with and falls for the hero. And don't even get me started on the doormats who are betrayed by the H, never receive an apology or in some cases even an explanation but roll over and forgive the H.
I could go on... and on.
So I came up with a heroine test - more specifically the SPIKE test. If any heroine fails it, DNF pile here this book comes.
S - She can be sassy, snarky and strong willed. But NEVER sulky, sullen or stupid.
P - No pathetic, petty or woe-is-me pity party gals allowed.
I - Bring on the independent ladies, who have purpose and a plan. They don't 'need' a man to complete them, instead they recognise and grab a man when he complements them.
K - kick-ass. Enough said.
E - No matter the story, situation or journey, the heroine needs to engage and entertain me. She can be opening a bakery or taking on a dragon army - a fluffy story or an epic tale - no matter, she just has to be real, be inspirational, be my champion. Is that too much to ask?
Anyone else have lines in the sand for their heroines and heroes? Any big no-nos I might have left out?
But what about the heroine?
More and more lately I have been sighing in exasperation and throwing a book on my DNF pile because the heroine has me grinding my teeth down to the nubs.
You know the heroines I mean - the excessively klutzy ones, that fall down constantly for no good reason. Or the ones who keep telling the reader they are plain but every male in the book is head over heels in love with them for some obscure reason.
Or the grim, sullen tantrum throwing heroines who do nothing but complain constantly. The idiots. The cliches. Those that giggle. Any female who takes any kind of abusive spanking and then sleeps with and falls for the hero. And don't even get me started on the doormats who are betrayed by the H, never receive an apology or in some cases even an explanation but roll over and forgive the H.
I could go on... and on.
So I came up with a heroine test - more specifically the SPIKE test. If any heroine fails it, DNF pile here this book comes.
S - She can be sassy, snarky and strong willed. But NEVER sulky, sullen or stupid.
P - No pathetic, petty or woe-is-me pity party gals allowed.
I - Bring on the independent ladies, who have purpose and a plan. They don't 'need' a man to complete them, instead they recognise and grab a man when he complements them.
K - kick-ass. Enough said.
E - No matter the story, situation or journey, the heroine needs to engage and entertain me. She can be opening a bakery or taking on a dragon army - a fluffy story or an epic tale - no matter, she just has to be real, be inspirational, be my champion. Is that too much to ask?
Anyone else have lines in the sand for their heroines and heroes? Any big no-nos I might have left out?
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Dahrose
(new)
Dec 28, 2020 09:44PM
Any gal that crys constantly - or should that be Kry, to fit in with the Spike test - good one.
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I loathe it when authors think they are writing heroines that are independant but are actually just stubborn to the point of stupidity. Side note: How are you?
Cate wrote: "I loathe it when authors think they are writing heroines that are independant but are actually just stubborn to the point of stupidity. Side note: How are you?"
Thanks so much for asking. Recently completed my final lot of chemo (boy, does it wallop you about) and have surgery scheduled for late January. Things are all progressing well, according to my specialists.
Absolutely agree, I have the bald spots on my head as proof from pulling my hair out. The only cure? You need to write faster! 😂
I'm going to add the TSTL heroines who throw themselves into dangerous situations for no good reason except to advance the storyline or have the hero rush in to rescue her. Motivations are important and need to make sense.
I certainly have read a few books where the hero deserved more than the crappy heroine the author stuck him with! And TSTL applies to way too many heroines! Glad to read that your specialists think things are progressing well! Hopefully you will be feeling well again soon!
Jane wrote: "Cate wrote: "I loathe it when authors think they are writing heroines that are independant but are actually just stubborn to the point of stupidity. Side note: How are you?"
Thanks so much for a..."Took my mother years to recover from her chemo (for lymphoma). I don't think she ever really has. Not what you really want to hear, but that stuff truly is toxic! Look after yourself and best of luck with your surgery.
