The Modern Heat Hero by Bryony Green, Senior Editor of Modern Heat

Attention aspiring Harlequin Presents Writing Competition 2009 entrants! As requested, here is some advice on writing a great hero for Mills & Boon Modern Heat from editor Bryony Green!

One iheartpresents.com reader had noticed that the Modern Heat guidelines have changed: “The guidelines now say, ‘the Modern Heat hero MUST be very alpha.’ This seems to me to be a bit of a change from previous posts of the hero being ‘more approachable’ and (if I remember right) ‘doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Honestly, getting the light, flirty tone with a strong alpha male is a tightrope act that has me pulling my hair out right about now — so perhaps this is purely a selfish request!’

We are constantly evolving the guidelines to reflect changing market conditions, reader feedback, global editorial feedback and to inform our current and prospective authors of the series possibilities. Many of the unsolicited submissions we were receiving featured rather weak heroes — and as the alpha male hero is extremely important to all our readers around the world, we changed the emphasis in our author guidelines.

So what are the top ten mistakes that writers make when creating the Modern Heat hero?

1) Relying on the stereotype of an alpha male

2) Assuming that “alpha male” means the same in Modern Romance as it does in Modern Heat – in both series we are looking for commanding, demanding, take-charge heroes, but the Modern Heat hero is usually not as dark and tortured; he is not as cynical or bitter. This has a very profound effect on the overall mood and tone.

3) Creating such a strong, sassy, dynamic heroine that she outshines the hero and he just fades into the beige. The hero has to be just as strong as the heroine, though possibly in completely different ways.

4) Writing great, sexy, sparky first chapters where the hero leaps off the page — and then not developing a strong enough conflict that helps construct the depth and breadth to his character in the latter chapters.

5) Getting too hung-up on the guidelines. Instead start with two young, vibrant, realistic characters and let them tell their story. We are often publishing books which are exceptions to the guidelines because we are looking for real, well-drawn, three-dimensional characters and the guidelines are just there to capture the flavour, not every possibility.

6) Letting your hero (and heroine) take themselves too seriously! Part of the Modern Heat hero’s charm is that he can take a wry smile at himself; see the funny side, laugh with or at the heroine…

7) Getting hung up on the “realistic” part of the guidelines… Yes, we want a believable 21st century romance — but this is entertainment fiction; outrageous things can and do happen! Heroes are always a little more exciting if they do something a little bit beyond the norm, a little bit outrageous, audacious…shocking…dramatic.

8 ) Forgetting the sex! Good sex is very important to a Modern Heat hero — indulge him!

9) Not using the sex scenes to strong strategic effect:  the sex scenes should not be gratuitous — use the sex (or lack of it!) to increase romantic tension and raise the romantic stakes between the hero and heroine.

10) Not enjoying the writing process. It’s hard sometimes, we know, but don’t forget to have some fun creating that spark, sizzle and sensuality between hero and heroine. If you enjoy writing it, we will very often enjoy reading it!