The Place For My Writers Notes

Original posting 15 January 2009

Goddesses for Romance

Writer's Digest, March 2005, pages 52 and 53 have an article by Michele R. Bardsley with the title "Women Rule" and the suggestion that if you "want to create modern-day romance heroines? Let the goddesses be your guide."

"Thousands of years before the first romance novel graced the bookshelf, Greek bards spun stories of strong women -- goddesses, no less -- fighting for a place in the world. They created love stories that would ensure their immortality. In these archetypes of ancient females, we find the seeds for modern-day heroines."

However, Michele points out that romance novels reflect their times. A 2002 survey said that readers' top three favorite traits for heroines were intelligence, strength of character, and attractiveness. Modern romance heroines tend to be independent, opinionated, tough and sexy. As a guideline, Michele suggests using the three archetypes of Hera, Hestia, and Athena.

The Alpha heroine is Hera, queen of the gods and patron goddess of marriage. Strongly protective, acting on principle, and tends to be seen as overbearing or arrogant.

The Beta heroine is Hestia, goddess of hearth and home. Gentle, forgiving, willing to sacrifice for the happiness of others. Here's the complement to Hera, depending on feelings, empathetic.

The Gamma heroine is Athena, goddess of wisdom, military victory, and crafts. Independent, creative, a thinker. Athena bridges or combines characteristics of the alpha and beta.

Incidentally, Michele points out that in 2003, romance novels made up 48.8% of the paperback fiction sold in America. That's a big market!

"The love story, in all its forms, will always evolve and proliferate. Using the goddess blueprints given to us by the ancient Greeks, the romance heroine will continue to epitomize intelligence, strength, beauty -- and kick-ass attitude."

It's kind of interesting. Michele describes each heroine in terms of strengths (Eros' arrows), weaknesses (Achilles' heel), and sexual tactics (Aphrodite's bedroom rating). She also suggests several possible careers, and examples from fiction. Strengths and faults I'm used to thinking about, but the bedroom rating is a new one for me.

An obvious exercise is to go through your work in progress looking at the female characters. Which of the three archetypes is each one closest to? Does it help to strengthen their differences? Can you build a conflict between an alpha and beta? Is there a gamma who can come in and help with the process?

Another thought is to take a look at those old myths and pick out a group of goddesses that you like. How do these help you in shaping your female characters? Can you see echoes of the conflicts of the gods?

Deus ex machina -- but what if there is no machine in the wings? Just keep cranking!