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#208209 - 10/01/09 02:43 PM
AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
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Discussion Divas
Dreadnaught
Registered: 09/14/06
Posts: 221
Loc: Lounging in the Spa
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AAR has a blog on "overweight" characters. I use quotation marks because everyone has different opinions on what qualifies as overweight. As we're all friends here, I thought I'd open the subject up versus judging the comments of people I do not know.
We understand that romance novels are an escape for most if not all. So, it's not to say we wouldn't fall for or love a hero who has a little extra to love. However, we usually have higher standards for our heroes. That said, do you have physical standards for your heroines? There are many examples of heroines who are discribed as overweight though, in reality, they are probably "normal" size. Does this turn you off or appeal to you or are you indifferent? Does a hero or heroine's appearance make a difference when you read a book?
Just food for thought.
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#208220 - 10/01/09 03:59 PM
Re: AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
[Re: Discussion Divas]
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Jennie Westmoreland
Dreadnaught
Registered: 09/06/06
Posts: 3428
Loc: Claymore with my beloved Royce
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#208224 - 10/01/09 05:00 PM
Re: AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
[Re: Marchioness Denise de Salle]
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Allison S
Stranger
Registered: 09/21/09
Posts: 32
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We all know that in real life, the majority of men aren't 6-plus ft tall with firm jaw lines, tanned muscular physiques and "piercing gray eyes."  So when I open a novel about falling in love, I like to escape from what's expected for a little while and enter the realm of idealism--and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Since I think most of us are viewing the hero through the heroine's eyes while we're reading (walking in her shoes, if you will), we like the hero to be described as a man who fulfills our idealistic romantic fantasies--in other words, nothing less than perfect! At the same time, I think the ideal sometimes becomes even more appealing when the heroine (the gal we're identifying with) is a little less than "perfect" herself. Who doesn't dream of a man being so desperately in love with a woman that he is willing to overlook every stretch mark, facial blemish, and extra curve (or lack thereof in my case, lol)? So personally, that's why I believe less-than-perfect looking heroines are often more accepted by romance readers than "average Joe" heroes.
The first romance novel I remember reading with this sort of scenario (perfect dream man falls hard for a less-than-idealistic-looking heroine) was Wishes by Jude Deveraux, and it's still a favorite of mine.
_________________________
~JMBB Dreadnaught since February 2002
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#208231 - 10/01/09 05:20 PM
Re: AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
[Re: Shivani]
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Allison S
Stranger
Registered: 09/21/09
Posts: 32
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Shivani, I love your quote! VM is one of my favorite shows of all time.
And yes, now I'm wanting to re-read Wishes too. Gotta love that Jace Montgomery.
_________________________
~JMBB Dreadnaught since February 2002
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#208233 - 10/01/09 05:47 PM
Re: AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
[Re: Allison S]
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Jennie Westmoreland
Dreadnaught
Registered: 09/06/06
Posts: 3428
Loc: Claymore with my beloved Royce
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#208251 - 10/01/09 08:44 PM
Re: AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
[Re: Karen Westmoreland]
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April Mathison
Dreadnaught
Registered: 09/14/06
Posts: 2247
Loc: Northern Virginia
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Karen, the guy on the blog isn't like chiseled. I actually think he's kind of cute. His character is kind of a jerk on The Office (and I don't watch Drop Dead Diva), but I always loved his eyes.
I'm the same as others. I'm ok with a heroine of any type of body, but I don't want it to be the focus of the story or be distracting. I'd like my hero to be at least something sexy. He doesn't have to be able to bench press a certain amount or have a 6-pack but he has to be described as sexy according to the heroine.
I took great offense to the women who said they were turned off if a heroine was considered boyish or with A cups. There are plenty of women who are sexy without cups that runeth over. Boyish is an odd choice of words. A real writer would have a way to describe her heroine better. Besides, all you need is a handful. Anything more is a bonus. Can't say that a heroine's look turns me off (or on for that matter). So, different strokes perhaps.
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#208275 - 10/02/09 02:49 AM
Re: AAR Discussion on "Overweight" Characters
[Re: April Mathison]
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Jennie Westmoreland
Dreadnaught
Registered: 09/06/06
Posts: 3428
Loc: Claymore with my beloved Royce
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