Anti-Heroes 101: The Elusive Bad Boy

So far in my series on how to write bad boys, I've touched on, The Mysterious Bad Boy and the Bad Boy With Potential. Both posts were lots of fun to write and I encourage you to take a look.

The Dark Quality:

For a lot of men, its the chase...right? Well that is not always the case. For my third installment of this series we explore the draw of the one we just can't seem to catch; The Elusive Bad Boy.

Maybe he is outside our social strata, economic standing, or just plain not available because he doesn't realize we exist...for a lot of women, this bad boy is too hard to resist chasing.

The Appeal:

Ever hear from your friends that the guy she was dating was 'too nice' or maybe 'boring' and she just can't put her finger on why she liked him in the first place? She caught him...that's what the problem is.

You see, the Elusive Bad Boy is attractive because he is a challenge. A lot has been said about men and the hunt, but women in romance novels need a challenge too and the un-catchable man is a prize that ramps up the conflict.

The Set Up:

Famous Elusive Bad Boys are Romeo as in the star-crossed lover of Juliet. Also a man that is meant for another; this is often used in period romances where a second or third son of a noble is duty-bound to marry the woman whose family provides the best alliance despite who he 'truly loves' and desires.

So he appears unatainable, aloof, but there is something there and she knows it. And its those fleeting tastes of what could be that keep her hooked on this guy.

Take opportunities to show his inner turmoil over loyalty to his family/group and his desire for a future with the heroine.  Let her see this and understand where he's coming from and what is at stake. It must be abundantly clear why he is torn. She must have a reason to keep chasing...

The Reward

This Bad Boy is torn between all that he knows and the potential future with the heroine. She is both drawn to and frustrated by his loyalty and this drives the conflict and tension between them. 

A contemporary example would be Charlie Hunnam's character in Sons of Anarchy. Jax Teller, the heir apparent for SamCrow loves a woman that is both outside the club and a threat...this makes for awesome tension. Where do Jax's loyalties lie? How far is he willing to bend the rules to be with her? Will she be the destruction of everything he knows? Will she survive his world?

The Heart's Hope:

In the end, of course, it is through her perseverance, understanding, and equally noble behavior that finally wins him over. The reward here is that she knows what it cost to be with her and that to him, she is worth it. In the end, the chaser becomes the pursued and they finally revel in their hard-won love.

Remember that this type of romance is wrought with heartache, sacrifice, and uncertainty. This is not the type of character to go with if you're writing a romantic comedy or a sweet southern story.

The heroine must be strong-willed, self assured, and a worthy adversary for both the hero and the women within his group. Make sure that she has a special talent or ability that proves helpful because that is usually what wins him and those he loves over.

Is she a lawyer and gets them out of trouble? Is she psychic and helps them to find a lost loved one? Maybe she's a doctor and is able to attend to one of their members in secret.  She has to be valuable to both the group AND the hero in order to make choosing her a viable option.

***Crossover Potential***

The Elusive Bad Boy is often mashed up with The Mysterious Bad Boy because both have secrets that they must protect. Whether its the inner workings of the family organization, the political intrigue of the nobles, or the bloodlust of their elders...this bad boy is a rush to write!

Do you have a favorite elusive bad boy?  Any examples in media or books that really grabbed your attention?

Until next time...Go Write!

Anti-Heroes 101: Bad Boy with Potential

Last week we kicked off my series on writing anti-heroes with The Mysterious Bad Boy post. 


The Dark Quality:
Today we are touching on...the Bad Boy With Potential.  He's talented and insightful and if it wasn't for the aimless streak, a seriously successful dude. This is the amazing artist, the genius in the rough, or the untapped hero. 


For whatever reason. For instance; a guilty past  where he doesn't feel he deserves success. He is hiding or avoiding his true calling.


The Appeal:
So this is the reverse of the princess in the tower. This is a guy that needs to be rescued from himself. He must be written as a true talent  with an amazing personality that is both humble and noble or he'll just come off as a slacker. 


Whatever is holding him back should appear insurmountable at first. And there has to be a concrete reason why he is without direction. We see this a lot in romantic comedies where there are two potential suitors. One is highly successful, but flawed and the other is the nice guy that hasn't really hit his stride yet.


The Set Up:
Our Bad Boy with Potential is often set up as the hunky room mate or co-worker with the kick back attitude. He is often the confidant to the frazzled heroine as she pursues the wrong guy for her. One that this guy knows will break her heart. He can also be the childhood friend, think Sweet Home Alabama's Josh Lucas.


Overlooking this guy can lead to some great conflict for your heroine. Not understanding her attraction to someone so outside of what she thinks she needs.  He can also harbor an old flame for her and that can cause tension between them when its clear she wants another.  There are a lot a great opportunities for inner conflict with this couple.


Your heroine must have a maternal quality for this recipe to work. Whether its the fact that she's known him forever and therefore knows his heart is noble or her own experience with mothering siblings, she has to have the nurture quality to see the potential.

The Reward:
With every bad boy story line, you need to have that moment of redemption. That scene where all the things he's done or said finally make sense. Usually ten chapters in or so, the time you need to supply the first major disaster.


Show his hidden strength and nobility to the reader. Does he take the high road in a confrontation with his rival, and doesn't take credit for that? Does she see him treating someone who can do nothing for him with honor and respect?  Set up a scenario in which the successful man and he deal with a situation in opposing ways and make your Bad Boy with Potential come out the better man.


Make who he is and how he truly loves her the most pure and cherishing of the two suitors.  The reward is that he really knows her and loves her despite her flaws. That his is a better, more substantial man. Make his talent or potential somehow relate to her...


Remember in Sweet Home Alabama where she discovers the lightning glass is how he first became successful and that it was something they discovered together in their youth?  That has a deeper connection that will resonate with the heroine and, by extension, your reader.


The Heart's Hope:
There has to be a reason that a successful woman would see something in who at first appears to be a total loser. Sprinkle throughout the first chapters, hints of his success. Whether its seeing him in a mysterious meeting, having him hide something he's working on, or hearing of his success in passing from others...there needs to be evidence that she sees and the reader sees of his potential.


This is where her heart's hope comes into play... This type of woman wants to feel a part of something and her helping him provides a sense of being connected and needed.


Also, if he's an artist and she is his muse, then she is halfway to being hooked because inspiring greatness in someone is a huge ego boost and draw.


***Character Bonus***
Because the Bad Boy with Potential is often already in the heroine's life in the form of a room mate, co-worker, or other peripheral position, this character has the added bonus of knowing how much of a nutter the heroine is and loving her anyway. He's proved his staying power. He loves her despite her flaws. That is always a good thing.


What about you? Can you name your favorite Bad Boy with Potential from movies or books?  


Until next time...Go Write!Publish Post

Tournament of Champions - Week 1

It's Finally Here!

Today I am hosting a game for the Tournament of Champions over at Clash of the Titles!  From October 10th to November 4th, join us for games, prizes, and the ultimate literary showdown!


The game today is to answer the question posed on Clash of the Titles about my book, Purple Knot.


Question: What is the nickname that Summer and Jimmy use for Reyna?  The answer can be found at my author site here.


Don't forget to leave your answer over at C.O.T.T. for a chance to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card!