
As a reader, I want to read about characters similar to myself...or at least the way I see myself. I want to be able to imagine myself as the star of the story. I want the action to draw me in, and the hero to be irresistible to me. I want to fall in love with him and imagine that all of the naughty things he does with the heroine are happening to me. Or is it just me that reads this way?
So what kind of heroine do I like? I want her to be strong and independent. I want her to be busy earning her own living, having a career in a field she enjoys working in. I want her to be good at what she does and respected by her co-workers and her bosses. I want her to be self-sufficient and surrounded by friends and family who love her. Or at least she has to know where to find them.
She's not moping around because she's not involved with a man when the story begins...she's too busy leading her life. But I want her to be open to the invitation implicit in the sexy smile that hot stranger gave her, or the look that passed between them when his eyes were filled with admiration for her sexy self. I want her to be confident enough to be able to respond with interest to any man who catches her eye. I want her to be comfortable enough with herself and her needs to articulate what makes her happy with any man, and to be able to please him in return.
And yes, I want that HEA for the heroine and her man. I want them both to fall totally in love with each other. Monogamy rules!
I want to read those stories, and I write them. The only thing that has changed over time is that I want to read and write about heroines who are older...no inexperienced ingenues for me. I like women of a certain age. I'm now writing a book about a heroine and hero who are both in their 50s. Well-seasoned.
Note: if you want to read stories with these kinds of heroines, you've come to the right place! Look at the woman on this cover: beautiful, confident, and looking like if she wants that sexy man playing the guitar, she'll go after what she wants and get him. This is book one in a 2-for-1 that has 2 complete novels starring female spies. Because while I like reading spy adventures, I don't enjoy having to identify with the damsel-in-distress. If there's ass-kicking to be done, I want to be the one doing it!
Who is the next author in this Round Robin? Get her opinion on the best traits for a heroine here:
Rhobin Courtright at http://rhobinleecourtright.com