So I've been reading a lot about character motivations lately and I've come to realize that initially I am a shallow, shallow, gal. Well, not really because I intend to layer more noble motivations for my heroine to be attracted to the hero, but really...he looks at you like this...
Are your first thoughts about anything other than those eyes? Yeah, mine either. But the great part about writing a hero, especially a dark hero like the one in my next WIP, House on Raven Hill, is that you can infuse all types of noble, dangerous, and compelling reasons for your heroine to fall in love with him.
I tend to list towards a hero that is witty and can duel both physically and figuratively with the heroine. He must be more than nice to look at. If I'm going to spend months of writing and editing with this guy...I have to like him.
My question to my fellow authors out there is this: Do you start with a list of qualities for your hero to possess or do you start out with qualities you hope he gains by the end of your novel? How do you balance the need to move him along an arc of change with needing to make him initially attractive and a believable hero?
And for readers of romance...what are you favorite qualities in a hero?
Photograph by Lucy BurrLuck. Photograph of Henry Cavil.