In their book “Heroes
and Heroines: 16 Master Archetypes," by Caro LeFever, Tami Cowden and Sue
Viders, the ladies identify Eight Male Archetypes in literature
Here
are the eight with a brief description:
The Chief -- This hero is the quintessential alpha. He might have been born
to lead, or perhaps he conquered his way to the top, but either way, he’s
tough, decisive, goal-oriented. That means he is also a bit overbearing and
inflexible.
The Bad Boy -- This
is the rebel, or the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. He’s bitter and
volatile, a crushed idealist, but he's also charismatic and street smart. He
hates authority and doesn't buckle under to anyone, which is why he often
chooses jobs where he's his own boss. He's the perfect outlaw.
The Best Friend -- This is the beta hero. He's kind,
responsible, decent, a regular Mr. Nice Guy. This man doesn't enjoy
confrontation and can sometimes be unassertive because he doesn't want to hurt
anyone's feelings. But he'll always be there. He's a people person and he'll always put the
needs of others first.
The Charmer -- Fun, irresistible, a smooth operator, yet
not too responsible or dependable. He might be a playboy or a rogue, but he's doesn't
commit to a woman easily. He's not crazy about hard work, and he might be in
sales, or a gambler.
The Lost Soul -- Tortured, secretive, brooding, and
unforgiving. That’s this man. But he's also vulnerable. He might be a wanderer
or an outcast. In work he's creative, but probably also a loner, so he might be
an undercover cop, or do something artistic.
The Professor -- The first time you meet him, this logical,
introverted, and inflexible guy might not be your idea of a hero, but take
another look. He is genuine about his feelings. At work, he likes cold, hard
facts, but he's also honest and faithful, and won’t let you down.
The Swashbuckler -- This guy is action, action, and more action.
He's physical and adventurous. Fearless, he’s a daredevil, or an explorer. He
needs thrills and chills to keep him happy.
The Warrior -- This man is the reluctant rescuer or the
knight in shining armor. He's noble, tenacious, relentless, and he always
sticks up for the underdog. If you need a protector, he’s your guy. He doesn’t
buckle under to rules, or and he doesn’t go along just to get along.
I tend to lean toward
the Charmer
when I'm watching tv, movies or reading a book. But I tend to write Warriors
and Chiefs
more often.
In my 1Night Stand story
Night
with a Dom, Dominic is The Chief. He is a 'get-outta-my-way-so-I
can-lead kind of hero. Alpha to the core.
At first glance a few of
these struck me as similar with very subtle differences, but when I started
applying the definition I found more variance then I first thought and it's not
always easy to pin down one type for a complex character.
So you tell me – which archetypes are you more drawn to? And why?
At his suggestion, she signs up with the 1Night Stand
service, listing her deepest sexual desires on the application. A speedy response from Madame Eve has Melody
on her way to Sonoma Valley wine country and a one-night stand with a
mysterious Dom.
The sexy, masked Master promises to get to the bottom of her
guilt and provide ultimate satisfaction under the safety of his stern hand.
After an emotional night of submission and uninhibited passion, will her
lover’s unmasking lead to the end of their encounter or give Mel another chance
at love?
Major
Love ~~~ Major Romance
Prior to becoming a writer of romantic fiction, Casea Major
worked in the legal field for a non-profit dispute resolution company for ten
years. She is now a full-time mom to
three preschool children with whom she and her husband live happily...most of
the time. When she isn't chained to her
laptop, she enjoys Cary Grant movies and crocheting.
