Readers,
I’m tickled to have Sherri Goodman here today, sharing her thoughts on romance novels and characters.
Romance novels have a knack for coming up with characters who seem to ooze confidence. Usually, it’s the specific trait that helps the other character break out of his or her shell, allowing the relationship to blossom. But if you assume that it’s always the male character’s confidence helping to liberate the woman, you’re in for a surprise.
The genre has seen positive changes by way of an increasing number of authors putting a spin on or even eliminating the “damsel in distress” character. There’s 
Instead, they’re opting for more powerful female figures, even some with a tendency to keep their clothes on—think Catherine Crawfield in Halfway to the Grave, P.J. Rogers in Harvard’s Education, and Payton Kendall in Practice Makes Perfect. Better still, the new wave of strong literary women are encouraging readers to follow suit, assuring them that dressing provocatively and sleeping around won’t necessary work when you’re trying to find “the one.”
Some people may still hold the opinion that if an erotic romance novel isn’t making you want to jump out of your jeans, well, it must not be a very good book. However, that’s hardly the case. Instead of seeing a woman who is somehow saved by a man—be it financially, emotionally, or physically—showing female characters that don’t need a man can help those reading feel the same. It can make them feel worthwhile, like they have more to offer than physical characteristics, therefore working to increase their confidence.
An article from the University of Ohio detailed research that was conducted that showed how ‘losing yourself’ in a fictional character can actually impact your personality. Their studies found that while reading a fictional story, people were more likely to express “the emotions, thoughts, beliefs and internal responses of one of the characters as if they were their own.” It’s a phenomenon they call “experience-taking.”
Doubting how stories about couples in love and romantic trysts can raise the morale of a woman instead of bumming her out? Newsflash dearies: Women don’t need to have sex in order to feel sexy. In fact, sex doesn’t even have to be a goal or an end game.
It’s the same satisfaction you can get from putting on makeup, wearing a new outfit, or getting a really great haircut. Most of the time, your motivation for doing so isn’t to appeal to someone else in particular, it’s so that you feel good about yourself.
Again, the same line of thinking happens when reading about sexy fictional scenarios. You don’t have to act out what the characters are doing in order to have their feelings rub off on you. It’s the same as how your lingerie doesn’t have to be meant for sex in order to boost your confidence. And with more authors choosing to show how strong the female characters are on their own, without a man, reading romance novels can make readers feel the same way—not needing a man, but just wanting one, and not feeling like the only way to find him is by taking off their clothes.
If the character feels sexy, you can feel sexy. If they feel confident, you can feel confident—even when choosing to keep your clothes on!
Interesting- I like powerful female characters 🙂
What a lovely article. One of my favorite characters from childhood reads was a girl who had plenty of confidence–and in romances, I much prefer a hero who isn’t overly alpha. He can be strong and confident in some ways, but if he’s too alpha, I find him less appealing. Also, I often prefer sexual tension over sex itself in a romance. Thanks for such a thoughtful post.
What a brilliant post!! Just fascinating! As a reader and writer of romance, I always am drawn to the stories that suck me in emotionally…and it was never the sex that was important to me but rather, the emotional connection!
What a wonderful article! And thanks for mentioning my name / article at the beginning. I had to blink twice because I couldn’t believe it. hahahaha But I love this way of looking at the characters. Brava! Well done! Oh, and I love the pics you used, too. 🙂
I thought you’d like that Marie!
What a great post. I think sexy is a state of mind. Sometimes more is less.
Absolutely, Ella.
Loved this article! Naturally, that means I agree with every bit. With the release of the 50 shades movie I’ve seen a lot of talk about what makes a strong heroine, and hero, and your post nailed it for me.
Wonderful article! And I agree whole-heartedly. Young women today can learn a lot from some of these tough historical romance heroines.
Great article ! Today’s young women can learn a lot from those tough historical romance heroines!
Loved the post. I think that sometimes a positive trait that is identified in fictional characters (strength, independence, etc.) can be an influence on readers–for the good. Such modeling of behavior is undoubtedly complicated, complex, and multi-layered. The academic in me wants to explore that concept further LOL.
Fascinating. Makes me wonder, though, what all the hundreds of thousands (not quite millions?) of women flocking to see 50 Shades of Grey are learning from the experience. Our world is sometimes very strange.
So true, Beppie!
What a wonderful post. I love reading about strong independent women. Thank you for sharing this, Marie!
What a great post, and so pertinent to our time. I love strong, capable heroes who are willing to defend and protect their heroines, who love being with them in all aspects of life (not just the bedroom). But women have their own special kind of strength and I like seeing this developed in romance. I don’t think a romance novel is complete without it. — Màiri Norris
I love this post!! Women nowadays are independent and have strong will.