Single, No Chaser.

Wanted: heroes January 20, 2009

So, as part of my ordeal to figure out exactly how to get where I want to be (and thought I’d be by now), I’ve started following several blogs about reading and writing.

I wouldn’t necessarily qualify myself as a romance writer, but a lot of blogs I’ve been following have been about that genre.  I think one of the reasons is that romance readers seem to be pretty adaptable, as several blogs also cover fantasy and science fiction.  Readers are looking for a good story, and I can totally respect that.  (They are, if some ebook reading is accurate, also looking for smut, and I can get down with that too…)

Anyhow, one topic that has come up lately is the prevelance of the Alpha Male as the hero: why, it is wondered, is he so popular?

I have an answer for that.

Now, I haven’t read that many romances of late (actually, since high school, although I am obviously starting to again) but I don’t think the answer lies in the books.  It lies in our lives.

Or, at least, in my life.  My romantic life (or lack thereof).

Alphas are determined.  They know what they want.  Do I even need to go further?

Now, I can’t say that I’d want to date an Alpha – but dammit, it sure is tempting after some of the wimps I’ve dated.  Maybe wimps is too harsh a descriptoin, but they’ve sure been wishy-washy.  I’m not talking about physical strength, but about mental fortitude.

So many males my age – our age – seem to be drifting through life without a plan or a clue.  Without passion.  I’m not talking sex, either (or only sex) – but without an overwhelm desire to learn or do more.  They seem like chalkboards who get erased every night (and no, I don’t count obsessive playing of World of Warcraft as having a passion).

Yes, I know there are guys out there who qualify as actual people, not as pod-people.  There are just too few guys… or maybe just guys who are too afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Alpha males seem to get it wrong just as often as they get it right and, truth be told, some of the actions taken grate on my nerves – but at least they’re doing something.  They pick a course of action (right or wrong – and usually if it’s wrong, it’s only because they’re misinformed, not e-vul) and they stick to it.  They stick like glue to their friends even as they make the heroine front and center of their worlds.  It may be a misguided priority that makes the heroine assume such importance – but there’s no doubt that she is important to them (again, an experience that’s been lacking in my relationships).

I also ought to point out that guys feel that they can’t compete with these heroes (welcome to our world, boys – most of us can’t compete with Bunnies).  I don’t think they have to, at least  in the super-muscular, super-sex-stud way they’re worried about.   They should be more worried about the one characteristic that all Alpha males have, when boiled down: intensity.