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Having strong and believable characters in your novel is a must – it’s the best way to gain your readers’ sympathy and keep their interest. More than an exciting plot, clever twist or an exotic location, characters are the reason why we read romantic fiction.

So, to help you get started, here are Romance HQ’s top tips from New Voices 2010 on how to create characters your readers will fall in love with!

Take inspiration from the world around you. People you know or have known might provide some ideas for interesting personality traits (though only use for inspiration!!). Or you might like to base physical characteristics on someone who caught your eye on the bus, a cute guy who serves your morning coffee… dream a little!

Keep an eye on the news. You’ll often find intriguing characters to inspire you in newspapers, magazines or on the TV. This helps keep your ideas up-to-date.

Create character profiles or biographies. It’s also a good idea to find photos from magazines that you feel most resemble your characters. This might help bring them to life, especially if you’re a very visual person.

Ask questions like: “What do they want?”; “What are they afraid of?”; “What is the worst and best thing that could happen to them?” All this preparation will help make your characters three-dimensional.

Try to write one single defining sentence about your main characters. This is a difficult but useful task, which helps you to focus on your characters.

The most important things to know about your characters are the issues that will drive the story forward. You need to know your characters’ goals – and the conflicts that they must overcome to achieve those goals.

And remember to avoid character stereotypes – they might be humorous, but they’re dull and can feel like plot devices. The blonde “other-woman” might just have had her day!

The Heroine: She must be someone likeable, someone your readers can identify with. But that doesn’t mean she has to be perfect! We all have flaws and like reading about people who do too.

The Hero: He must be desirable, someone your readers can fall in love with, someone who is so real he almost steps off the page.

Have fun! You get to create new and exciting people to take on an interesting journey – and these characters will be with you for a long time - so enjoy the ride!

Now let’s look at your characters in some more detail, starting with the wonderful world of the Mills & Boon hero!

Firstly, advice on how to be seduced by the Alpha male, from New Voices 2010!

We editors like to consider ourselves highly trained experts on men – fictional men that is! We can (and do) spend hours debating the eternal Mills & Boon editorial dilemmas:

Mr Big or Aidan?

Is Colin Firth the tastiest Regency hero ever?

Does Simon Cowell qualify as an Alpha male? (Jury’s still out on this one – there’s a controversial 50/50 split in the department)

Is there a better job on earth…?!

Whilst we might not be able to agree on these all-important questions, one thing is sure – the Alpha male reigns supreme at Romance HQ!

And we know we’re not the only fans. Despite popular misconceptions about the Alpha male – as an old-fashioned two-dimensional bully with no depth of character - he has always been integral to successful romantic fiction: from Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) through Mr Rochester (Jane Eyre) to Rupert Campbell-Black (Riders), he has been a much-loved archetype!

Why do women love a fictional Alpha male? Here’s what we think…

He’s the ultimate fantasy - an irresistibly attractive embodiment of heroic qualities and a celebration of positive male strength!

Some of the most exciting conflicts in a romance stem from ‘taming the beast’. The hero is stopped in his tracks by the heroine, and it is through her that he changes and develops.

He takes control and drives the story; he has the power to make things happen!

He is the key driver of the romance – he is the aspiration of the story’s heroine and the reader.

How do you create a successful Alpha male hero?

Your aim should be to ensure that the reader instantly falls in love with your hero – his charisma should ooze off the page and sweep the reader off her feet! To achieve this, it is important that you are confident in his Alpha qualities – his passion, his attraction, his charm, his charisma, his ability to control his environment, his confidence – but also his honour and his integrity.

So, just for you we’ve put together our top tips to guarantee your Alpha hero is utterly irresistible…

Recognise that he is the ultimate nurturer and build his character around this trait. He acts for the welfare of others and he is the one who recognises the heroine’s true goodness and worth.

Build a list of his strengths and show them throughout your story.

Know his weaknesses and have the heroine, and the storyline, challenge them – force him to change. Giving him recognisable human flaws will ensure your hero is emotionally convincing, not a 2-D caricature of a wannabe Alpha male poser!

Be clear about the heroine’s emotional and sexual needs; it is through her journey of fulfilment via the hero that the reader gains insight into his character.

An Alpha male should still be vulnerable – even if he’s too proud to admit it! We need to see that underneath the arrogance, charm or guarded heart, he’s capable of great emotional depth.

He’s allowed to be funny! Mills & Boon books are there to entertain, and some dry wit and wise-cracks from the hero can go a long way to helping us adore him!

Above all, remember that he is the man whom every woman wants. If you are in love with your hero, then the reader will be too!

And, to prove that it’s possible for Alpha males to come in all shapes and sizes, here are the Mills & Boon editors’ guilty pleasure crushes:

John Nettles

Simon Cowell

John Thaw

David Seaman (circa Euro 1996)

Zack from Saved by the Bell Zac Efron (and his HSM dad…) Taylor Lautner – clearly we like them young! Andrew Marr Nigel Havers David Bowie & Mark Bolan – we’re still loving 70s & 80s musical talent Peter Kay Andy Parsons Lucius Malfoy Jonathan Ross Louis Theroux Jeremy Paxman

More on heroes from the archives of the weekly Behind the Scenes at Romance HQ blog by editor Flo Nicoll…

Is Beta the new Alpha? Posted July 21^st, 2011 http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/behind-scenes-romance-hq/beta-new-alpha

Hi all!

I have a confession to make. Up until two weeks ago, my love for all things romance was of the ‘PG to rated R only’ variety. But then I went to that hotbed of iniquity (aka the RNA) and courtesy of an absorbing talk by the founder of Xcite books, graduated onto my first x-rated erotic romance. Which I promptly read on the train home – all in the name of research, obviously! – and wow, was it an eye-opener. I kept stopping to read extracts aloud to Anna, which kept both us (and the other occupants of the carriage) fascinated and giggling all the way back to London.

What’s the point of this potentially quite embarrassing anecdote? Well, from a romance-reader’s perspective, the erotica’s most fascinating aspect was that it featured a hero who managed to be both strong and sexually submissive. It’s also not just erotica that explores this fantasy successfully - if anyone’s a fan of Suzanne Brockmann’s excellent Troubleshooters series and has made it to Decker’s story…well, be still my beating heart. Here’s a hero who is SO Alpha and tortured by his experiences as a top military operative that the only way he can get outside of his own head and unleash his sex drive is by having his heroine order him to. Trust me, it’s hot.

All this has got me opening the whole what-exactly-does-‘Alpha’-mean can of worms!

It’s an often-asked question: can a hero be Alpha if he also exhibits what some might think of as ‘beta’ qualities - caring/ socially awkward/ sexually inexperienced? And, the answer is, of course he can! The precise details of a perfect Alpha male fantasy are flexible and personal to the reader’s own tastes. The universal appeal lies in establishing that the hero can sweep the heroine off her feet and can give her the life and love she deserves - be he a tycoon or teacher, stud or virgin. Personally, give me a hero who can be made to blush (especially if they’re mortified by it) and I’m half-way in love with him already.

The Alpha male fantasy is timeless – but moving with the times has broadened the definition. For example, we’re seeing more and more heroes on the horizon working in what could potentially be described as ‘geeky’ industries, particularly techno-based ones. Now, from my obsession with the CSI franchise, I am very aware that techno-geekiness can equal hotness. Clearly, competence is key – as with all heroes, it’s important they’re good at what they do. No-one wants to read about an averagely talented hacker, but a hero who uses his techie skills to save the day…well, where do I sign up?

But as ever, what I really want to know about this week is your opinion. Basically, what do you want to read about? Are you a reader who loves a geeky or awkward hero? If so, what do you find sexy and appealing about this twist on the Alpha fantasy? Alternatively, perhaps this discussion topic fills you with complete horror – do you like your heroes so Alpha there’s no room for anything remotely resembling so-called ‘beta’ qualities?!

Would love love love to know your thoughts, so get in touch!

Flo x

That’s heroes for you – but what about the real gateway to your story, the heroine? Read on for more tips on how to ensure your heroine is every bit a match for your hero…

Heroine Addiction – or when an Alpha male just isn’t enough! Posted November 19^th, 2010 http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/behind-scenes-romance-hq/heroine-addiction-5

So, now that New Voices 2010 is well and truly over (sigh), have been thinking hard about what I’ve learnt from it, and do you know what I’ve discovered? When it comes to romance, I’m a man’s girl through and through – for me, the lure of a good romance is ALWAYS a drop-dead-gorgeous hero! He is the character that draws me through the story, and he’s the character that makes or breaks it. (Come on, let’s not even try and pretend that we watch Grey’s Anatomy to enjoy the byplay between BFFs Meredith and Christina - it’s the holy trinity of McDreamy, McSteamy and – my personal fave – dysfunctional delicious Alex Karev that reels us in!) So, if you asked me my favourite hero, I’d have to give you a top 5 – narrowing them down is just too hard. But ask me my favourite heroine, and suddenly it’s a whole different ball game…!

But at Romance HQ, we pride ourselves on writing books about women, for women, generally by women. So, why is so much attention focussed on the hero? (Well, beyond the obvious…!) The heroine is the reader’s main way into the story – for the fantasy to work, we have to place ourselves in her shoes, so it’s time to devote a little more thought to the woman who brings the hero to his knees!

So, who are the Mills & Boon heroines?

All sorts spring to mind – the innocent secretary, Cinderella, the pampered princess (figuratively and literally!), the secretary, the single mum… These archetypes can produce amazing results – from heart-wrenchingly vulnerable to endearingly feisty, you name it, we’ve read it and loved it! However, in the wrong hands, these heroines become the worst kind of cliché – spineless doormats or spoilt brats, and nothing else. So let’s have a look at what characteristics all these women need to share that makes them rise above the stereotype into 3D personalities that capture our hearts and engage our attentions right from page 1.

So, after some fierce Romance HQ debating, here are our top tips on what makes a great Mills & Boon heroine…

Pride comes before fall(ing) in love

These women might be victims of circumstance, but they aren’t victims in any other sense! Whatever their range of life experience, it’s this strength of character that gives them the power to tame their heroes. So, does she stick up for herself, proud of where she’s come from or what she’s made of herself? Or perhaps she’s more vulnerable and shy, and it’s up to the hero to teach her how to stand up for herself, whilst she teaches him to look below the surface? Perhaps she’s massively spoilt, and has to learn to reveal her vulnerabilities under the hero’s expert teaching! Either way, let’s see that the hero and heroine contribute equally to their relationship, challenging each other in some essential way that forces them both to undergo journeys of emotional development.

They’re human – that means flaws

Let’s be honest here – who likes a perfect woman?! Recognisably human flaws go a long way towards dissolving the sickeningly perfect stereotype, and making your heroine 100% real. So, is she spoilt/ stroppy/ too forgiving/ dangerously generous? If so, why?! Show us the true character hiding behind her external characterisation and you’ll be able to make any heroine empathetic!

Choices for 21st century girls

In the 21^st century, we all know women can have it all: work, love, and a family. So, if she wants to bag a job, a child and a husband, that’s great, but if she wants to be a stay-at-home mum, that’s fab too! Your heroine can make whatever life choices she wants – after all, it’s not just what choices she makes, it’s the woman behind those choices that grabs the reader’s attention!

So, what do you think? Is it time for Romance HQ to think more carefully about our heroines? What do YOU think is the most important characteristic in a female lead? Any particular faves? Let us know!

Love Flo x

So, that’s the hero and heroine covered. Of course, they’re the most important characters in a romance, but there can also be a place for secondary characters. Use these with caution – they should only be there to help move the romance forward. Here are some tips from the editors…

The Heroine’s Best Friend – For Ever or Never? Posted 14^th April 2011 http://community.millsandboon.co.uk/forums/behind-scenes-romance-hq/heroines-best-friend-ever-or-never

Really interesting to read about the memorable books that got you hooked onto category romance last week! I was running an eye over my books over the weekend and there were a pleasing amount of similarities – Flambards, Shadow of the Moon, Jilly Cooper…check check check. Don’t you love the idea of a global community of romance fans all growing up and discovering the same books?!

What Romance HQ latched onto with particular interest, however, were the reasons why some of you drifted from M&B for a while - disappointment over weak heroines seemed to top the list. So, to touch on that, and because I’ve just been on my first ever hen weekend so am full of love for all things friendship-related, the topic that’s being hotly debated in the office this week is…

The heroine’s best friend – to write or not to write?

Not always, but often a romantic heroine tends to be rather isolated – emotionally, socially, professionally etc. This works because it places the heroine in a space where the hero can truly possess her, and her emotions. She has either everything, or nothing, to lose by falling for him! This isolation also enhances the sense that the characters need each other, and only each other.

But in a 21^st century world, is it really believable that someone would be so alone in the world, and what does it say about them that they are? If you’re asking readers to step into the shoes of, let’s be brutally honest here, a lonely virgin, is a best friend hovering in the wings the most useful weapon in your empathy arsenal?!

First of all, what’s the function of the BFF?

Simple! On a positive note, they can offer much needed advice in times of need (I love a friend who encourages the heroine to take a risk with the hero, or better yet, the best friend who tells the hero to go get his girl – think Miranda at the end of Sex and the City!); they also provide a contrast to the heroine, showcasing why she’s like no other woman and is worth the hero’s attention. Alternatively, sometimes a BFF plays false, forcing the heroine to accept she needs to let go of her past life and throw her lot in with the hero. But regardless of their functions – as a catalyst or contrast – well-written best friends can add texture and depth as they orbit the central relationship.

So, advice time – here are Romance HQ’s top three tips of making your heroine’s best friend the best ever…

1. Make sure the support network is series-appropriate! For example, in Medicals, chances are the best friend will also be a colleague, someone who shares the same vocation as well as being compatible personality-wise. (My recent hen-do was for a work friend. You’ll be pleased to hear the not-entirely-sober M&B contingent tried to commission our jaw-droppingly built, nude waiter to write a ‘Confessions of a Naked Butler’ exposé for RIVA, but he wasn’t biting…now that’s what I call dedication to the job!) In Cherish, the heroine is often more embedded in her local community and/or family, whereas RIVA is where the more outrageous BFFs hang out – the girls who encourage the heroine to have that one-night-stand etc.

2. The reasons behind the friendship need to be believable. Friends with opposite personalities – the quiet heroine and the ballsy BFF – are great as a vehicle to encourage the heroine to leave her comfort zone, but extra thought needs to go into explaining their connection.

3. Finally, think about how the dynamic of the friendship will reflect on the heroine. For example, if you love the idea of using a heroine plus friends scene to open your book, remember that girly and giggly can be fun and believable (my friends are definitely pretty squealy when we get together) but it can also fall into the trap of cliché. A more adult friendship can work nicely too, and allow your heroine to bask in reflected emotional depth and maturity!

But if you decide a best friend isn’t for you, that’s ok too!

The challenge with writing a more isolated heroine is making that aloneness exceptionally convincing, so that the readers truly get on board with it and can still identify with her. Always ask yourself, why would this woman be like this? And think outside the box here – what other ways can your heroine be emotionally vulnerable or isolated that doesn’t preclude having no friends/ family?! Ultimately, it’s going to come down to uber-sympathetic characterisation – if she’s alone, we have to want to step into the book and befriend her ourselves, not be secretly thinking no wonder she doesn’t have any mates…

Now, it goes without saying that the emphasis always needs to be on the central romance, but to ensure our stories remain as contemporary and believable as possible, hope you’ve enjoyed this Romance HQ take on the heroine’s best friend debate – let us know your thoughts! (And don’t even get me started on how much I also love a good bromance…maybe I’ll save that for another blog!)

Love Flo x

And another popular example – editor Anna Boatman discusses the role of children in romance – watch out for this blog on the 2011 New Voices website!

After spending a recent train journey listening to the hysterical screams of a vocally powerful and worryingly eloquent toddler, I stumbled off the train with my ear-drums still shuddering, vowing fervently to remain child-free for the rest of my life. Yet only the next day, I came across an adorable child who totally changed my mind. The catch? This one was fictional! It got me thinking about the children who populate our books - they can change the whole feeling of a story, for better or worse, and something that can present a challenge to a wannabe writer is dealing with a child in their romance story – as we all know, children don’t always do what they’re told!

Babies are a classic theme to help bring couples together and they are a reader favourite – there’s something about a tall, powerful hero protecting a tiny baby that tends to resonate for almost everyone. However, once that baby starts talking the writer’s suddenly dealing with a whole other little personality that can be determined to steal all the attention…

So here are our top tips for making your fictional children adorable rather than annoying:

Focus on the romance: First and most importantly, the romance should still be driving the story, not the children – no matter how demanding they are. Having too much page time spent dealing with babies or children around can distract from the intensity of the relationship (which alas can feel all too realistic!). As an example, although children can sometimes act as a barrier to romance (for example if your heroine wants to focus on being a single mum and isn’t looking to fall in love), they mustn’t be the only thing holding your couple apart – no matter how adorable the kids are, they are only secondary characters.