Heroines with Fire

Hello, everyone, please welcome our special guest today, Eliza Knight, as she talks about creating worthy heroines for those hot, strong heroes. She is generously giving away an ebook copy of one of her books to one commenter! To be entered, please leave a comment and your email address so we can contact you. Thanks!
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Heroines with Fire
By Eliza Knight

I tend to spend a lot of time talking about how I love hawt heroes :-) And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that is there?

But today I wanted to talk about my heroines. The truth is, we have to love the heroines too, right? She has to be worthy of our hero in order for us to not hate her when they fall in love. Considering that at least half the book will be in her head, we’ll have to want to be there.

I like my heroines to be clever, fiery and kick-a**. I want them to be able to make decisions, take care of themselves if they have too—but still be able to lean on the hero. They have to have issues which they learn to overcome.  They aren’t perfect, because none of us are, and I hate a perfect heroine!

What goes into creating a heroine? I’ll give ya the breakdown of how I start…

~Physical: Hair, eyes, height, body-shape, distinguishing marks

~Personality: Strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, fears

~GMC: Goals, Motivation, Internal Conflict and External Conflict (this includes backstory)

~Skills: What are her skills? All of my heroines are good at something.

 

Once I have all that figured out, I start writing so I can see her come alive on the page and in my mind. Seeing her in action is the best way to make sure I’ve developed her well, that she is a strong character, not lackluster.

What makes a heroine strong? A “real” personality, one we can relate to and root for. “Real” fears and weaknesses. When I say real, I mean that they make sense to the story, that the reader isn’t wondering why the heck that’s in there. For example, if my heroine had a fear of being taken, but nothing substantiated that, then why would she be fearful of it? I want her to have realistic goals for the story, and I want her skills to prove useful.

Skills you say? Aye, indeed, she must be able to do something.

Skills rap-sheet…

Arbella from THE HIGHLANDER’S REWARD: Arbella can knock a man out with her knife-hand strike. She’s also a good cook.

knife-hand strike

Aliah from THE HIGHLANDER’S CONQUEST: Aliah can understand Gaelic, is skilled with a bow and arrow—and she soon learns she’s also skilled with sewing a man up.

Sorcha from HIGHLANDER BRAWN: Sorcha is skilled at knife-throwing, which she didn’t realize would actually land her a husband she doesn’t want…

Myra from THE HIGHLANDER’S LADY (releasing 12/15): Myra is skilled at being invisible, which stems from her fear of capture. She can also fashion a spear if needed.

What do you look for in a heroine? Leave a comment for your chance to win an ecopy of either Book One or Two of Eliza’s Stolen Bride Series (THE HIGHLANDER’S REWARD, THE HIGHLANDER’S CONQUEST) & a copy of Eliza’s short novella HIGHLANDER BRAWN.

THE HIGHLANDER’S CONQUEST (Book Two: The Stolen Bride Series)

What is a Highlander to do when he falls for the daughter of his enemy?

Highland warrior, Blane Sutherland, has one mission: disguise himself as an Englishman, cross the border and retrieve Lady Aliah de Mowbray. Always up for a challenge, he agrees, pursuing his conquest with vigor—and trying to deny the powerful desire that eclipses him each time he touches his charge. A rogue of the highest order and a younger son, he has nothing to offer a lady but a broken heart.

And what is a lady to do when she cannot trust her heart?

Aliah is skeptical of the English noble who has come to take her to her father and sister in Scotland, but she pushes her doubts aside. Without word in months, she must make certain her family is safe, then she can return to England to join the convent to which she has sworn to pledge her life. But then her escort reveals his true self—he’s a Highlander and his kisses are more seductive than the sweetest of wines.

Surrender never tasted so sweet…

Read it! Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Eliza Knight is the multi-published, award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain, and enjoys cold winter nights when she can curl up in front of a roaring fire with her own knight in shining armor. To learn more about Eliza’s books visit her at www.elizaknight.com or her historical blog History Undressed: www.historyundressed.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizaknightauthor 
Twitter: @ElizaKnight