The majority of romance novels involve an alpha male.
They are the heartthrob of the story. Their kisses stir passion, desire, and
fantasy. They take what they want without question or apology. Sigh!
I love them.
And then I read an article. It was based on these alphas and
why, as writers, we should no longer allow them to dominate. That they should
ask for kisses instead of stealing them. That, as women, we should stand
against such behavior.
Hmm.
Yes, I understand the point. In the real world, a man can’t
go around backing women into walls and kissing them stupid without their
consent. But in novels, we are setting the scene, the heroine and her hero have
an undeniable attraction. Her actions and words all give signals that the man
reads. Sometimes he might go in slow, predatorily if he’s not one hundred
percent sure and is trying to get a reaction. And I guarantee he will get a
reaction. Isn’t that seeking her consent?
Not all of these men are alphas either. When my beta side-character becomes the main hero in his own story, he switches. He’s now the
leading alpha in his own domain. That doesn’t mean he changes characteristics
and mannerisms. It just means that it’s his turn to step up to the plate. He now
has a chance to get the girl. He will look for similar signals as his alpha
friends.
It’s a natural instinct. As writers we didn’t create these
instincts, but we do use them.
What are your thoughts?
