October 1st, 2004
Yesterday and today I worked on two different stories that have unusual heroines. Well that’s not exactly true. The heroines aren’t unusual, but their professions are different. One was a prostitute and the other was a dominatrix. What do you think about heroines who have a tainted past? Can they rise above their circumstances? Or will you never be able to get past their professions? Just curious, since I have no plans to change either one of these stories to be more politically correct. LOL! 
I’m all for tainted heroines. My darling Sapphire is a concubine. I can easily love a character despite or inspite of their external circumstances.
by Sylvia Day October 1st, 2004 at 8:08 pmSylvia,
I’m glad to hear that. My heroines are definitely likable people, but I wasn’t sure how, as a reader, they’d be looked upon. I forgot that your one heroine was a concubine. You know exactly what I’m talking about then.:-)
by Jordan October 1st, 2004 at 8:20 pmI LIKE heroes and heroines with tainted pasts! The more tainted and tortured, the better! *g* I wish more writers would go beyond PC heroines and give us some women who aren’t so squeaky clean. So yeah, I’d love to read about an ex-prostitute heroine!
by Larissa October 2nd, 2004 at 6:39 amThanks Larissa! In my historical vampire book Gothic Passions I had a prostitute that people thought was going to be the heroine. She ended up being an extremely strong character. I always wanted to write her story, but never got around to it. I decided to start her story from where Gothic Passions ends. She’s began her new life in Scotland with a new manor and lots of money, thanks to her vampire benefactor and friend, Richard. It’s fun so far. I can’t wait to bring in the Highlander hero, who also happens to be a close friend with Richard…and a vampire.
by Jordan October 2nd, 2004 at 10:52 amOoh, that story sounds fascinating!!!!
by Larissa October 3rd, 2004 at 6:11 amLarissa, So far I’m having a blast writing it. My little Highlander vamp is a bit of a recluse, so it’s going to be fun seeing how these two get together. I’m trying to figure out how long this story is going to be now. I’m terrible at guessing length.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2004 at 11:17 amI’m also a fan of “soiled” heroes and heroines–noones perfect, or has led a perfect, unsullied life–so why not write about “real” people in romances? Writing about heroine’s of mixed ancestry is my main writing trait. *g*
by Sidonie October 5th, 2004 at 3:33 amJordan the book sounds wonderful!! Characters with colorful pasts don’t bother me in the least!
by cece October 5th, 2004 at 9:51 amThanks Cece and Sidonie! I’m hoping people accept these women as they are. They aren’t proud of what they’ve done, but they had their reasons. They’re not about to apologize for their behavior to anyone. As for mixed ancestry, I only have one hero like that so far. I do like that tool used in a story because I’m of mixed ancestry.
I figured out I have three distinctive uncurrents running in all of my stories. The first is ‘be careful what you wish for’. The second is ‘there is no such thing as an ordinary life’ and the third is ‘finding love where you least expect it’. It’s funny what we put in our stories without conscious thought.
by Jordan October 5th, 2004 at 10:34 am