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



16 comments:

Mary Preston said...

A fabulous post thank you.

I need my heroines to be, on some level, on a par with the hero. Her strength is there. She needs to be intelligent too.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Rose Anderson said...

I love the post Eliza. I think kick-a** heroines make stories more believable. Women are strong resilient creatures.
:) Rose

B.J. Scott said...

Great post!
Wishing you continued success with your series and future projects!

bjscott@authorbjscott.com

A.W. McQueen said...

I can attest that ALL of Eliza's heroines pack a punch. It's a pleasure to read a woman who is strong of mind but still full of heart. And they never lose their femininity. You don't get the sense that they are trying to be a man they are just trying to be strong in the wake of tragedy.

Eliza Knight said...

Thank you all so much for visiting with me today :)

@Mary -- I so agree, strong AND intelligent is important :)

@Rose -- so true! I think our resilience is our super power :)

@BJ -- Thank you so much!!!!

@Lizzie -- lol, you're right!!! I'm laughing because my husband says that about me :) I like to wear the pants, but I'm still feminine about it, lol. Thanks so much for your lovely comments, I'm so pleased you love my books!

Victoria Roberts said...

I love your heroines, Eliza! They are definitely kick a$$.

Unknown said...

nice post. i look for different things in heroines, she has to fit in with the hero. i have to like or love the hero first, then the herione as to be the one just for him whether shes smart, mouthy, gusty or just plain ordinary jane if they dont connect, theres no point having blistering sex scenes

Warrior Woman Winmill said...

I like a heroine to be strong mentally. It doesn't matter when they can't fight so long as they are not a wimp. A woman's true power is always her mind.

p.winmill@hotmail.com

Alexa said...

I like heroines who are vulnerable, but willing to fight to protect themselves...or the hero.

Eliza Knight said...

@Victoria -- ;-) Thank you, my dear!!!

@Julie -- you're right! There has to be a connection and the hero has to be likable or the whole thing could fall apart. Thanks for commenting!

@Petula -- so true!!! Thanks for stopping by!

@Alexa -- Thank you! I so agree!!!

Vonda Sinclair said...

Thanks for being our guest today, Eliza! I enjoyed your post about strong, smart heroines! I always love your heroines... and hot heroes too of course!

Unknown said...

Great post, Eliza! Nothing ruins a book for me more than a bitchy/whiny heroine. I love kick-a** heroines who are smart, capable, and loving.

jenalang(at)live(dot)com

Marie-Anne Munger said...

I agree with all the other comments about heros and heroines. I Love it when the dialog makes me laugh out loud or truly have tears running down my face. Only good, strong characters can bring you along for the ride. That's what I look for in a book. ( also, a book that has me seeking out my husband isn't bad either!)

Linda said...

Love this, =) i love a heroine who´s capable and doesn´t scream all her lines. No teenage drama for me, please, =) that´s a sure way for me to not finish a book.

Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Thanksgiving!
//Linda

Unknown said...

Loves me a strong heroine! Just picked up Highlander's Conquest. Looking forward to reading this next installment.

I wish you lots of sales, Eliza!

Joanne said...

I love strong heroines who are partners with the hero and not afraid of their own shadows.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net