He’s a jerk

Camy here, asking the question, “What do you look for in a hero?”

Tall, dark and handsome?

Suave and charming?

A little geeky, a little endearing?

Or how about, a nice guy?

I thought nice guy was rather boring, so I wrote my hero as flawed, tormented, wounded.

But my critique partners said, “He’s a jerk.”

Camy: “What do you mean, he’s a jerk? He’s not a jerk.”

“He’s a jerk.”

“He’s imperfect. He’s flawed.”

“He’s a jerk.”

“He improves by chapter twenty.”

“He’s a jerk. Fix him!”

So that’s what I’m doing now.

I guess, when you think about it, you wouldn’t want to marry a guy who’s a jerk. So why would you pair your heroine with a jerk?

I guess nice guys do win.

Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research, and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her latest Asian chick lit novel, Single Sashimi, is out now. Join her newsletter YahooGroup for monthly Christian fiction giveaways!

Comments

[Becky Tidberg]

I had the same issue. Most of my crit partners liked him but one friend just couldn't get him in her head. She still hates him. Poor guys.

[Camy Tang]

Poor guys indeed! I guess it just goes to show that even if I like him, doesn't mean he's a good hero.
Camy

[Laura]

But flawed characters are so much better. Think House--who doesn't love him!! You love to hate him. I think most women have at some point cared about the dark, brooding, has issues guy. :)

[Veronica]

It may just be the way he choices to react to certain situations.