When Does Alpha Become Asshole?

In my editing career, I've edited some books I found distasteful...namely...forced seduction.

Call me old-fashioned, but I believe no means no. I don't care if she's enjoying and in the throes of ecstasy two minutes later, no means no.

The BDSM craze has made forced seduction "okay" in many publishers' books.

"Oh, he's just an alpha male."

To me, an alpha male is a man who takes charge, argues,  probably feels the need to prove his masculinity every 5 sentences (You can tell I don't like the traditional alpha. LOL), and often needles and teases the heroine.

An asshole is that man who stalks a woman, terrorizes her, makes her live to please him, and doesn't respect the word no. When the heroine says, "I don't like doing it this way", he just does it anyway.

I spotted a review (No, I did not read the book) on Amazon that made me really think hard on this. It was a one-star review for some erotic book and the reviewer said "Honestly, ask yourself as a woman, would you really relish being raped by the next service guy (regardless of his "Alpha Male" persona), who visits your house? (Alpha Male, seems to be a term now used to excuse rapists.)"

I actually agree with her. Are authors taking the "alpha" to extremes and making their heroes assholes instead? *Not ALL authors are doing this, but let's take a good look at the erotica industry for a moment.*

When does alpha become asshole? Where's that fine line? Where do YOU draw the line?

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Published on June 08, 2013 00:00
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message 1: by Jim (new)

Jim There are certain alpha males that do have compassion - I look at chef Robert Irvine as an example. Now I don't know him personally but the public personna seems to have a compassionate side just as strong as the alpha side. Now for the strutting, preening alpha assholes (masses of insecurity) I think George Carlin's solution is the best....
"Hold SlugFest...take 20,000 off these jack-offs, put them in an arena and get them cranked up on Jack Daniels and PCP and let them beat the crap out of each other until there is only one left standing. Then put that guy on a pedestal and shoot him in the head..."

Rough sex may be popular, but no still means no.


message 2: by Tara (new)

Tara Chevrestt LOL!!!!! I loved George Carlin! Thanks for that. And it's a great idea.


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