Congratulations to Vicky, winner of Kate's giveaway! Vicky--send me (elevine@romconinc.com) your contact information so that I can put you in touch with Kate. Thanks to everyone for visiting and come back often!
--Elaine
T
his is a transcript of my memory of a conversation I had with my non-romance reading friend, whom I’m going to call Erica (because that’s not her real name or anything. Not at all.) We had just gotten out of the movie (500) Days of Summer starring the beyond awesome Joseph Gordon-Levitt at his beta best.
It goes like this:
Erica: OMG! Why can’t Mike be like that?
(Mike, it should be noted, is Erica’s boyfriend. Or was at the time. Also, yes, Erica talks in textspeak.)
Me: Like what?
Erica: Like kind and smart and funny. Mike’s not funny. He doesn’t know how to take a joke. Joseph Gordon Levitt can take a joke.
Me: (under breath) That’s because Mike’s an assho—
Erica: What did you say?
Me: Uh… I said that, in the movie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s a beta.
Erica: A what?
Me: A beta. You know, a beta hero.
Erica: *looks at me blankly*
Me: There are the alpha heroes – the guy who kicks down doors and stomps around his feelings instead of dealing with them, all while leading battalions into war.
Erica: Oh! That’s definitely Mike. He was president of his frat in college.
Me: … Sure. And then, there are beta heroes. They tend to be a little kinder and gentler. More willing to crack a joke and do the dishes. Listen when you talk. He may not understand what you’re talking about, but he’ll try.
Erica: But I don’t usually go for those kind of guys. Aren’t they a little… wussy?
Me: I dunno. Do you consider Jim from The Office wussy?
Erica: Oh! I looooooovvvveeeeee him!
Me: How about Marcus Worth from my book Revealed?
Erica: But he wasn’t wussy! He was a spy!
Me: And yet a total beta. What about Mr. Knightley from Jane Austen’s Emma?
Erica: *pretends to faints dead away* Ok, ok, so Betas are good and Alphas are bad?
Me: Not necessarily. There are great alpha characters and great beta characters. But for my money, and especially when I have to write a hero, I tend to lean towards the beta.
Erica: Why?
Me: Because when I have to spend a year with a guy (which is about how long it takes me to write a book start to finish) I want it to be someone I can talk to, relate to. Who has a sense of humor about themselves, no matter how dire the circumstances. Because a guy who will listen to and respect another’s opinion, who will be a partner to my heroine instead of a conqueror… that’s the best fantasy.
I’m very pleased to be able to give away a copy of Revealed to one lucky commenter. (Erica, not you. You already have one. I know because I gave it to you.) I’m dying to know what you love about Betas, and Alphas. In fact, what kind of hero is your favorite?
***
Kate Noble loves books. Romances especially. But, being born into a family of doctors, scientists, and mathematicians, she didn’t discover she was adept at writing until, oh, about junior year of high school. Which came as something of a relief, as she was hopeless at memorizing the Latin names for all the bones in the human body. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle eludes her to this day.
She is the author of the national bestselling Compromised and Revealed. Her next novel, The Summer of You, will be released in Spring 2010.
Visit her website www.katenoble.com for all the latest info!
2009
