Comments on: That girl http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/ USA Today Best-Selling Author Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:17:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Nina http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35462 Nina Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:01:10 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35462 Hmm heroines... Where to start? Well, like most everyone that has commented before me I like a heroine that is intelligent and not afraid to show it. She knows what she wants, but isn't too stupid to ask for help when she needs it. Another important thing is also that the heroine has to have the ability to break down and cry once in a while. I mean, we're only humans. I recently read a novel (no I will not tell you which one, it wasn't one of yours Jill) where the author piled all sorts of dilemmas on the heroine at the same time and she just went on without really reacting to them as a normal person would. Nobody can take too much without at least have a good cry, a bag of cookies or a new pair of shoes before kicking some bad guy a** and/or getting her man. Of course, it's also nice when the heroine doesn't look like a super model. I mean, how many look like that? It is nice to read about the average woman getting a decent man. Even more cool to read about the average woman getting chosen over the super model. :smile: Nina Hmm heroines… Where to start? Well, like most everyone that has commented before me I like a heroine that is intelligent and not afraid to show it. She knows what she wants, but isn’t too stupid to ask for help when she needs it. Another important thing is also that the heroine has to have the ability to break down and cry once in a while. I mean, we’re only humans. I recently read a novel (no I will not tell you which one, it wasn’t one of yours Jill) where the author piled all sorts of dilemmas on the heroine at the same time and she just went on without really reacting to them as a normal person would. Nobody can take too much without at least have a good cry, a bag of cookies or a new pair of shoes before kicking some bad guy a** and/or getting her man.

Of course, it’s also nice when the heroine doesn’t look like a super model. I mean, how many look like that? It is nice to read about the average woman getting a decent man. Even more cool to read about the average woman getting chosen over the super model. :smile:

Nina

]]> By: Cryna http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35402 Cryna Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:21:33 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35402 I like heroines who are smart, sassy and independent. I hate the clinging ones. Someone who can give back as much as she gets to the hero, and is not afraid to stand up for herself or go head to toe with him. But at the same time has a softer side, and a mystery about her that keeps the hero off balance. :smile: I like heroines who are smart, sassy and independent. I hate the clinging ones. Someone who can give back as much as she gets to the hero, and is not afraid to stand up for herself or go head to toe with him. But at the same time has a softer side, and a mystery about her that keeps the hero off balance. :smile:

]]> By: limecello http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35388 limecello Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:25:36 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35388 I think I'm equally demanding of the heroines I read as the heroes, if not more. I relate to them better. I like a smart heroine, and someone who has a spine. However, she shouldn't be TSTL. I've been infuriated with the books I've been picking up recently, because the heroines are "strong" and "walk to the beat of their own drum" and are "take charge" - but all they're doing is creating unnecessary drama, and putting all the characters in danger. I actually hoped the hero would punch the heroine in the face at one point during one of the books... and that he would break her finger while disarming her. [Because yes, she pulled out a gun on him. And to make it better, she had no idea how to use it. But she carried it around with her. Excellent.] Jumping to conclusions, making assumptions, not clarifying or resolving what should have been minor issues with a very simple conversation... I've had enough. My suspended belief and tolerance is long gone. I know authors need to create drama and suspense, but I'm reading the wrong books or the wrong authors or something. Ok. Done ranting [I hope]. I also like the heroine to have a sense of humor, and... be real. It's nice if she has friends - some sort of safety net. She makes mistakes, but knows how to apologize for them, and knows when she's crossed the line or done something wrong. She also feels bad. [I'm so sick of "bad girl heroines" who mess everything up but won't apologize because "people should just deal" - what kind of message does that send?!!?] (Oh and I loved Diane W's post. I'm in the camp that Scarlet, while not someone you'd want to deal with daily, was a misunderstood character and under appreciated.) I guess the underlying thing is, I can take a lot if the heroine has heart. Scarlet seems incredibly selfish, but she sacrifices her name, reputation, and relationships in order to help out and care for those that she's alienated. [Of course, there is only one Margaret Mitchell, so writing about a bitchy heroine people are inclined to hate probably isn't the way to go.] I think I’m equally demanding of the heroines I read as the heroes, if not more. I relate to them better. I like a smart heroine, and someone who has a spine. However, she shouldn’t be TSTL. I’ve been infuriated with the books I’ve been picking up recently, because the heroines are “strong” and “walk to the beat of their own drum” and are “take charge” - but all they’re doing is creating unnecessary drama, and putting all the characters in danger. I actually hoped the hero would punch the heroine in the face at one point during one of the books… and that he would break her finger while disarming her. [Because yes, she pulled out a gun on him. And to make it better, she had no idea how to use it. But she carried it around with her. Excellent.]
Jumping to conclusions, making assumptions, not clarifying or resolving what should have been minor issues with a very simple conversation… I’ve had enough. My suspended belief and tolerance is long gone. I know authors need to create drama and suspense, but I’m reading the wrong books or the wrong authors or something. Ok. Done ranting [I hope].
I also like the heroine to have a sense of humor, and… be real. It’s nice if she has friends - some sort of safety net. She makes mistakes, but knows how to apologize for them, and knows when she’s crossed the line or done something wrong. She also feels bad. [I'm so sick of "bad girl heroines" who mess everything up but won't apologize because "people should just deal" - what kind of message does that send?!!?] (Oh and I loved Diane W’s post. I’m in the camp that Scarlet, while not someone you’d want to deal with daily, was a misunderstood character and under appreciated.) I guess the underlying thing is, I can take a lot if the heroine has heart. Scarlet seems incredibly selfish, but she sacrifices her name, reputation, and relationships in order to help out and care for those that she’s alienated. [Of course, there is only one Margaret Mitchell, so writing about a bitchy heroine people are inclined to hate probably isn't the way to go.]

]]> By: Bayou Woman http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35387 Bayou Woman Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:41:47 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35387 She is the strong woman, who has a great head on her shoulders, who also exudes sexual appeal without even trying. She is confident, but not boastful. And below the surface there is always, always, always, a mystery about her. You're welcome!!! BW She is the strong woman, who has a great head on her shoulders, who also exudes sexual appeal without even trying. She is confident, but not boastful. And below the surface there is always, always, always, a mystery about her.
You’re welcome!!!
BW

]]> By: Annette http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35386 Annette Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:47:02 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35386 Laura Ingalls Wilder for her determination and spirit. I also liked Darcy Rhone in Something Borrowed and Something Blue. Like Scarlett O'Hara she is flawed and self-centred, but goes through tremendous growth. Laura Ingalls Wilder for her determination and spirit.

I also liked Darcy Rhone in Something Borrowed and Something Blue. Like Scarlett O’Hara she is flawed and self-centred, but goes through tremendous growth.

]]> By: Diane W http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35385 Diane W Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:02:17 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35385 My all time favorite heroine has to be Margaret Mitchell's Scarlett O'Hara. She was not beautiful but people were drawn to her by her charm and the sheer power of her personality. Flawed? Yes! Stubborn? Yes! But you somehow forgave her for that and more because she was Scarlett. The amount of growth she goes through over the 15+ years of the novel is amazing. She goes from a self-centered 16 year old child to a 32 year old woman who has come to see herself clearly and realize the love of those around her. I for one am of the FIRM belief that Scarlett and Rhett found their way back to each other. I also believe that "tomorrow is another day!". My all time favorite heroine has to be Margaret Mitchell’s Scarlett O’Hara. She was not beautiful but people were drawn to her by her charm and the sheer power of her personality. Flawed? Yes! Stubborn? Yes! But you somehow forgave her for that and more because she was Scarlett. The amount of growth she goes through over the 15+ years of the novel is amazing. She goes from a self-centered 16 year old child to a 32 year old woman who has come to see herself clearly and realize the love of those around her. I for one am of the FIRM belief that Scarlett and Rhett found their way back to each other. I also believe that “tomorrow is another day!”.

]]> By: Susan http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35384 Susan Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:34:24 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35384 Schyler Crandall from Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown is one of my favorite heroines. She is strong and gets to boss around the men that work for her family. :lol: Schyler Crandall from Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown is one of my favorite heroines. She is strong and gets to boss around the men that work for her family. :lol:

]]> By: Carol http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35383 Carol Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:19:08 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35383 I love any heroine that's far from perfect. I can identify with a flawed character alot more then someone who is near perfect. Like when Dorie,from Trouble with Paradise, fell going aboard the ship revealing all her worldly goods I said "Yep. Coulda been me!" :oops: I love any heroine that’s far from perfect. I can identify with a flawed character alot more then someone who is near perfect. Like when Dorie,from Trouble with Paradise, fell going aboard the ship revealing all her worldly goods I said “Yep. Coulda been me!” :oops:

]]> By: Brandy http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35382 Brandy Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:02:50 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35382 All of my favorites have been listed! I prefer a heroine who will not cower from a man, one who is intelligent and has a sense of humor, not just about the situations around her, but about herself. Good luck with the stubborn heroine! All of my favorites have been listed! I prefer a heroine who will not cower from a man, one who is intelligent and has a sense of humor, not just about the situations around her, but about herself. Good luck with the stubborn heroine!

]]> By: Karin http://jillshalvis.com/blog/2008/07/10/that-girl/#comment-35381 Karin Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:42:58 +0000 http://jillshalvis.com/?p=1141#comment-35381 Anne in L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables is definitely my all-time favorite heroine. She's just such a great overall character who suffers tons of insecurities stemming from being an orphan and having red hair. Luckily, those insecurities help make her the strong woman she grows into because she overcomes them. She turns them to her advantage, really, and doesn't take any crap from anyone. She's also very relatable because the mistakes she makes could happen to anyone. And, she's pretty courageous as well, in everyday, normal situations. Anne in L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables is definitely my all-time favorite heroine. She’s just such a great overall character who suffers tons of insecurities stemming from being an orphan and having red hair. Luckily, those insecurities help make her the strong woman she grows into because she overcomes them. She turns them to her advantage, really, and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. She’s also very relatable because the mistakes she makes could happen to anyone. And, she’s pretty courageous as well, in everyday, normal situations.

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