by Amy Wilkins, Harlequin Digital
Do you love the Greek, Sheikhs, and other international heroes of Harlequin Presents and Mills & Boon? Then you’ll likely be interested in this article from BBC News about the appeal of foreign heroes in romance novels. Plus, there’s a video interview with author (and RITA nominee) Heidi Rice and editor Maddie Rowe with some handy tips for any aspiring writers out there. Click the link below to read the full article and watch the vids (and it’s nice to see that most of the comments are positive as well!):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7516672.stm
There’s some interesting stuff about the history of foreign heroes here — and a little speculation that Indian princes might be the next big thing. Are there any nationalities you’d like to see represented in future Mills & Boon and Harlequin books?
Well, Well, what a surprise! – The piece was quite a change to the usual way that reading M&B’s is portrayed by the British media.
Wasn’t Heidi really lovely? I loved everything and agreed with all she said. BRAVO!
There were a few strange comments on the answer page – Why is reading M&B’s racist to the Muslim world? WHAT?? He really lost me there. Very odd.
And who was the billionaire Walter? If he really is, I quote ‘Foreign, tall, dark and handsome, why don’t I know about him?’ But, with a name like Walter, oh my gosh! Do we really reduce his whole existence down to a piece of meat, manipulated to provide women with animal titillation?
WOW, We don’t mean it Walter, honest. We’re all quite nice, if you got to know us.
xx Karen
Haha Karen, if only “Walter” actually existed as he described himself… sigh.
Amy
Can you imagine, a tall, dark and handsome billionaire, with a name like Walter? PLEASE. Its not right!
Poor thing, perhaps he should change his name by deed poll. If he wanted a different name, I’m sure between the two of us, we could give him some suggestions, no problem.
I think its hysterical. My vote for a new name is, let me see, how about Amir?
xx Karen
Karen and Amy, this whole discussion has made me grin. My own personal feeling is that if the man in question is dark, handsome and powerful enough, he can make his name seem sexy no matter what it is.
For instance, George isn’t at all sexy…until you think of the Clooney version!
Great reviews on Mills & Boon and why not? They are simply the best books in the world when you need uplifting material.
And I loved the young man’s comment on how he picked up a few tips while reading his sister’s copies.
As for Walter? I’m guessing his millionaire status is not enough to get past his name in the first place. NO offence intended when I say this but when I here that name I think of the late wonderful Walter Matthau.
Without a doubt one of the funniest and most loved actors to grace the screen but…and there’s a but, his face always reminded me of cabbage.
Yes, I know that’s most likely to go down as the most ridiculous thing ever posted on these blogs but honestly, he really did remind me of a head of cabbage.
And Jennie I kind of agree with you but it takes a very, VERY special man to make an unattractive name seem irrelevant.
Anyone ever met a ‘Sexy Cyril’? Cos I know I haven’t!!!
Aideen.
Aideen–you made me laugh out loud with the observation about the cabbage. You’re right, Walter Matthau was talented and hilarious but not terribly handsome, bless his heart. Although I’ve heard that the name Walter is making a resurgence in the U.S., with the baby-naming trend of other quaint, wholesome names last popular circa 1900.
Nope, you’re right, I definitely haven’t met a sexy Cyril. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met *anyone* named Cyril. But in my experience, all it takes is one really strong personality to forever change what you think of a name, for good or for ill.
Hmmm….pondering the name Cyril for my next hero…*ponder*
This part of the interview was maybe a little misleading
“Anyone can send in their first 3 chapters and synopsis. We’ll read it. Work with them. And try to get them publishable.”
Most people who send in three chapters and a synopsis get a form rejection and no help whatsoever on how to make their writing publishable.
I’d really love to see an Asiatic romance hero, Chinese, Japanese, Korean~ … or a Canadian, since I’m Canadian. Haha.
Great article! My hubby was in an episode of LOST and took a picture with Naveen Andrews. Though hubby had to stoop down not to tower over him, I still think Naveen could inspire an Indian prince or two. Sure, I’d make him tall, but that’s just what I like.
And as for Asian romance — hello, Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun Fat! Seriously sexy men in my opinion.
Oh, and I love the comment at the site about how these aren’t real literature. Yawn. Been there, done that, got the master’s degree. I love the lady who said that her hubby pointed out the P&P movie was sort of a Presents set in Regency times.
Walter the sexy billionaire. Hmm.
Perhaps Walter has a dashing romance-worthy middle name — like Devlin… or Hawk (the last two romances I read had heroes named Hawk, strangely enough). That’s what I’m going to tell myself, anyway.
Aideen, I laughed out loud about the cabbage! Vegetation =/= hunk.
Lynn, I love your suggestion of Ken Watanabe for hero inspiration. Or Yul, the winner the winner of Survivor from a couple years ago (I’m revealing my reality TV love with that reference but he was dreamy — intelligent, successful, gorgeous…)
I’d also love to see more Vikings — I mean, Northern European heroes. Or Eastern Europeans as well. I’ve seen a couple pop up in historical romances lately, it was a nice addition to the usual nationalities. I hope more and more different backgrounds are used in other genres.
I agree with all the above, Indian, Asian and Nordic hero’s would definitely add some variety and we all know that variety is the spice of life.
I’m particularly sold on your idea of the Vikings Amy and perhaps one will make an appearance outside of the historical before too long.
I’m glad when something postive is said with regard to women enjoying the mills boon read (called presents here) . Because men go wild over football & so on but no one criticizes them like they are nutty. I defend my right to romantic fantasy anytime. I am late reading presents (as I have written here already) but the reason was that most books written dont interest me ..like the murder mystery things everyone is so obesssed with doing. So when I read my 1st presents I was SO RELIEVED finally someone “got it”; well my heros have to be outside where I live or I simply refuse to read it. My background was multiracial & I wasnt accepted in school & felt like a refuge. Well then I met an incredible man from Japan.. who was terribly romantic & treated me like a princess. we would have married but his family (very traditonal ) wanted another wife for him there. After my devastation I eventually married someone who had a background from some where else. so I cant read about anyone here ever as they did some major things about my race & so on when I was young. So I naturally gravitate towards the man who is international. I love so much the shielkh , Greek, & Italian heros. I would certainly identify with an Asian hero & daydreamed about writing something someday when I can. (rt now my husband is in the hospital & am taking my 1st break). I plan to read another presents tonight , fininshing miranda lee’s latest & the starting on the “extras” to take me away from my reality. makes me stronger & I thank mills boon/presents staff & authors for that.
keep it going,
I read this article a couple of days back and was surprised that the writer hadn’t read jay Dixon’s book about Mills & Boon as she concentrates much more on the books themselves. McAleer’s book is more about the company as a whole and it’s now ten years out of date, whereas I think HMB has changed hugely during that time. Why did they have to bring up Violet Winspear’s comment as well? She wrote in the 1960s, hardly relevant to today’s authors or readership. There are some great authors writing today who would have been able to give good quotes.
By the way, on a completely different note, can I just say how fab the new Mills & Boon website is. Reading the first chapters of the Presents/Moderns online is fantastic if you see it as a master class on how to hook your readers. Not so great for my wallet though, as I ended up ordering five books that aren’t due out till next month. I just can’t wait till then to read more.
Hope you’re all enjoying the summer holidays.
Mary
just read this articale and i must say im shocked at some of the comments that were left . i absaloutly adore m&b books and i really only started to read them about a year ago , iv always loved to read but these were the books i was searching for all my life and i even have my friends hooked on them now. For me they are the best form of escapism ever.No matter how bad a dat iv had i know i can come home put my feet up and be transported to another world. i love it. the enchanting heros and heroines i can aspire to. I dont belive anyone has the right to look down on what another person choses to read and refer to it as “not real literature” i beleve these people are very insecure and snobby after all if everyone loved to read the same books wouldnt life be very boring xxx here to another 100 years of pure reading pleasure
I probably should have suggested this in one of my earlier comments but I guess being surrounded by them (Irish men that is), I tend to forget that they can be quite the catch in many romance novels.
So, bring on the deep, broody Irish hero I say. Would anyone like to second that? Anyone out there fancy a bit of the poetic rogue’s we’re so apparently abundant in here on the Emerald Isle???
Aideen.
yep i aggree im also here in ireland bring it on i say
One thing I love is that foreign heroes will always be homegrown heroes to someone, (unless they’re from a fictional country). Whilst I might choose to write one of Aideen’s poetic rogues, she might write a gorgeous Aussie hunk, and someone in Greece or Italy will think it’s cool that they get to read about foreign heroes.
I think I care more about character than nationality, or perhaps it’s just that I don’t have a particular favourite.
Good point Aideen — there’s lot of British heroes, so I say bring on the Irish!
It’s definitely far more important to care about characters than nationality Emerald and I’ll admit to loving them all once they can make me laugh. Do you mind if I ask which part of the world you call home?
And kiks, where in Ireland? I’ve only come across one other Irish gal here and it’s the Presents author Abby Green.
Strangely enough I don’t think I could personally write an Irish hero Amy and that must make little or no sense giving that I come from Ireland. I like other writer’s take on them though but I’m definitely drawn to the American hero.
But when it all comes down to it I think Emerald’s point on character sums it up – nationality shouldnt’ make any difference once we can identify and fall in love with the man from…wherever!
Aideen.
Hi Aideen,
my “Emerald” might give the impression of being from the Emerald Isle, but it’s actually just my little piece of paradise downunder. Clearly I wasn’t feeling too creative when I chose a username… unlike you, LOL. And I agree, any hero who can make you laugh is a keeper.
Robyn
Not sure I was being creative when I chose that username, I think it was nerves as I’d never joined up on any board before and got a little confused. I wasn’t aware that usernames were literally for display, I had the mad notion they were solely for the purpose of logging on…
Oh well, not to worry. I’m pretty sure there were worse things I could have called myself!
Am I right in remembering it was you who received an ed’s compliment slip following the Instant Seducation comp? That’s fabulous and very encouraging. This new competition could be the gate that opens your publishing career. Mod Heat’s are the cream of the crop I reckon.
Aideen.
Yep, that was me. I’m writing a Sweet/Tender to submit with the comps slip and second guessing every word I write because it’s not the line I usually target. So I’m going to be brave and submit that via post and then have fun polishing up a MH chapter for the Feel The Heat comp.
im here down south in co tipperary , what part of ireland are you living in? i have to agree i dont think it matters where your hero is from as long as reader i can fall completely in love with him, i dont mind but i have to admit iv taken a huge fancy to the italian hero and of course my favourite SHEIKH. Does anyone else here have a favourite?
Im in the heart of the Rebel county. Was cheering ye on last Sunday but alas no joy. I just hope Waterford hammer Kilkenny. They stole our three in a row and I’m still not quite over that!
I can admit to having a thing for a man with an accent, Italian, Spanish, French, British… And I’m becoming very fond of the Australian hero as of late. Read a fab couple of books that had Aussie tycoons lately. So I guess what I’m really saying is im not at all fussy…
I do love a good Sheikh story but sometimes I get completely overwhelmed by their ‘presence’. Still, a man has to be who he is.
Aideen.