01.05
As an Australian romance author writing for US-based publishing house, Red Sage, I’m curious to find out from romance readers whether there are noticeable differences between the heroes I create and the ones that populate novels written by local US authors.
(This goes for the heroine too, but today I’m focusing on the hero).
How different – if at all – is an Aussie hero when compared to a US one? The question also stands for other countries too, of course. Is there such a thing as the perfect Australian hero, or the perfect US hero, and if so, do I subconsciously draw on those ‘local’ traits when I’m writing?
Are there cultural subtleties that I don’t even notice when I’m deep in the creative process? After all, I’ve never lived anywhere outside Australia, so when I’m developing my perfect romance hero – such as Seducing Serena’s Nick Wade in the recently released Secrets Volume 28 anthology, or Flint McCallum in my upcoming Red Sage e-book, Pandora’s Gift – is he clearly from a certain place or culture?
I understand that everyone has different ideas about what makes an enticing or intriguing hero, and in my view those broader brush personal needs and desires have little to do with location. And of course, if we all wrote only about what we’d directly experienced, there’d be no such thing as science fiction or fantasy! That’s what imagination is for!
I guess my query is on a more microcosmic level. Are there nuances in tone, in the words that my hero uses, in gestures or actions, even in the way he looks or what he chooses to wear, that states – yeah, I’m from Australia?
Personally, I believe cultural heritage and geographical location have a lot to do with the subconscious creative process. How can they not? But I also think my need for a hero with Nick’s qualities and characteristics came from somewhere much deeper than place. And I suspect he’d have been the same even if I’d grown up elsewhere.
With four erotic romance novellas written by Australian, Canadian and US authors, Secrets Volume 28 is a perfect place to explore this query. I’d love to hear your comments!
Enjoyed reading the comments. I think place and culture add to the excitement of a story. I like to read about different places and socities and what challenges they faced.
I always pick up a book set in Australia because that is one place I have alawys wanted to visit and have not.
Hi Jen
Interesting question. I read books by a lot of different authors – English, American, Canadian and Australian. I have never really noticed any major cultural differences in the heroes – but then I haven’t been looking. Now when I read a book I will consider this point.
Since I read a lot of paranormal, the heroes I read about almost always have a different cultural background than I grew up with. I don’t think cultural background is as important and their internal background. Either they are emotional or not, brave or not, loving or not, etc. To me that is more important about the hero than what country he came from.
Thanks Joye. That is interesting, because I’ll often choose a book to read based on where it is set, as well. And as I haven’t done a huge amount of travelling, almost everywhere except Australia seems exotic to me! Jen