By Jeanmarie Hamilton
In romance, the tortured hero, or probably more accurately, the tormented hero, provides a main character with a dark, and possibly mysterious past. He may also have a physical problem, or in the case of werewolves and other shape shifters, an other-worldly characteristic, as in MOONLIGHT DESPERADO.
We want to know how in the world he deals with his challenges, how the heroine responds to him and his actions, and how the story problem is resolved at the end with a happily ever after ending.
At the start of the story, he has shown us at least one good quality, and his dark moods and sometimes harsh words for the heroine don’t fool us. Deep down, he’s a good guy with big problems to overcome.
What drives him? His problems usually stem from something that happened to him in the past. Most of the torment for the hero is mental and emotional. His past keeps him from enjoying the life and love others around him seem to have.
What happened to him? We readers, and writers, want to know. How will he overcome his past that’s still tormenting him? How will the heroine save him, or prove to him that he’s worthy of love and can love her?
What conflict keeps the hero and heroine apart? Usually a tortured/tormented hero doesn’t feel anywhere near worthy of the heroine. The hero’s torment will influence his life on many levels including decisions he makes regarding his behavior toward the heroine, and what he mistakenly believes is “best” for her.
He wants to protect her. He pushes her away for that very reason, to protect her. She deserves the best, which he isn’t in his eyes. He doesn’t believe he deserves her.
The hero fights his demons but doesn‘t believe he can conquer them. The reader hopes he will be successful and the heroine will win her man. Why? When the characters reach success, it makes us feel good and maybe even gives us a sense of everything is possible if we try.
The tortured hero provides the writer and reader escape from daily routines of life, like washing the laundry. (Mine is in the dryer now.) Characters sparring with each other may have you gripping your book, asking the question, “Will they find happiness together?”
The escape for many readers takes the emotional form of angst which is eventually eased with that sense of success and emotional relief.
When the tortured hero makes the decision to leave the heroine in order to protect her, the heroine will fight against all odds, no matter what they face, to bring the hero back to her side where he belongs.
The tortured hero drives the journey toward success, for both the hero and heroine, and makes for an edge of your seat emotional experience with an awesome conclusion.
What is your take on tortured heroes? Or heroines? Have you written one recently? Are they your favorite read?
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I enjoyed reading about your tortured and tormented heros. My debut novel, The Brat, revolves round these issues, mostly with the heroine, but the hero’s past is closely connected to the heroine’s, even thought they’ve never met, and they have huge issues to deal with.
It was a delight to write (They virtually wrote it themselves) and I’m so excited as the release date approaches.
Thanks for sharing this, it focusses on stuff you ‘know’ but it’s so far back you stop thinking about it.
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Jeanmarie! Jeanmarie, I enjoyed reading about your tortured heroes. I tend to torture my heroines more than my heroes, so it’s nice to get a different perspective. A great characterization piece!
Jeanmarie–great blog! I love all kinds of heros, but I think a tortured hero in a romance novel appeals to female readers because most women are nurturers by nature and want to “heal” the hero.
Marin
RT Top Pick July 2010
Dexter: Honorable Cowboy
Harlequin American Romance
Good morning Cindy!
Thanks for having me on Muse Interrupted today! I’m so glad you like my chosen topic of tortured/tormented heroes. I’m writing a novella right now about one and the heroine will have her hands full winning this guy over.
Hi Sherry!
Congratulations on your debut novel! I’m happy that you enjoyed my blog today. Yes, at some point, after we’ve written for enough years, the tools we need to write with are waiting for us to use them. Good luck with your book!
Jeanmarie
Hey, Marin!
Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to read and comment on tortured heroes. I agree, women want to take care of everyone. 🙂 For readers, tortured heroes sort of supply that “Oh no, what’s going to happen next” emotion as well. I also like a story that moves fast and tortured heroes usually supply enough action to do that too. But I also like all kinds of heroes too. 🙂
Great to see you here. Looking forward to your next book!
Jeanmarie
Hi Jeanmarie,
I enjoyed your blog on tortured heroes. Loved your post, “He wants to protect her. He pushes her away for that very reason, to protect her. She deserves the best, which he isn’t in his eyes.” I think this aspect of the tortured hero appeals to the nurturer in us, which draws up to cheer for them and want their dream of love and happiness to come true. Always wonderful to see you, and I wish you continued success! *Hugs*
I like your post a lot. I loved the line about pushing her away to protect her. Thanks for the post I’ll be studying your points as I move through my current WIP maybe that is why I’nm struggling with it lol.
Hi Diana,
Great to see you here too. 🙂 Yes, the heroine must deal with proving to the hero, or helping him to see, that he is a worthy hero. I think that’s an appealing emotion to readers who want the hero and heroine to find love together as a couple. Always fascinating to read and to write how that will ultimately work out.
Good luck with your new book out soon! *Hugs*
Jeanmarie
Hi, Jeanmarie! I do enjoy stories about tortured or tormented characters, but I do think I want their torment to be believable–if s/he persists too long in “protecting” the other from him/herself inspite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I get impatient and just want to smack him/her! So while I admire and enjoy those who are strong enough to deny themselves for the other person’s good, I also want them to be smart enough to grab with both hands the opportunity for joy if it’s clear that it’s there for the taking 🙂 And I do agree with Marin–I think we readers want to be the one to heal that tormented soul 🙂
Great topic, Jeanmarie! I love tormented heroes and find them easier to write than my heroines. 😉 I especially like heroes who can overcome their emotional quagmire for the lady’s sake–without it being in the reader’s face.
Best wishes and success in your writing!
Mary
I love your title. I don’t like my heroes to be too deeply tortured. Maybe tortured ‘lite’. But I think it’s a very popular theme. Actually, I like them to have big problems in the here and now, and less of the looking into the past. I have no idea why I feel that way. lol I think I want them to be solving today’s problems and letting the past go. But it takes all kinds of books to make everyone happy, right?
Hi Kathy! It’s hard for a writer when we have a story that makes us struggle with the telling. I don’t envy you. I’ve had those before. There are many different ways to write a tormented hero who is bent on pushing the heroine away for her own good. One way is that the heoine refuses to let him do that, and she stands her ground. Another way would be if the hero begins to see a future for them. So many paths to follow. Good luck with your story and finding the right direction for your characters. 🙂
Jeanmarie
Hi Fedora, great points to think about in writing.
One of my favorite stories in which the tormented hero pushed the heroine away because he loved her so much, and couldn’t abide the thought of bringing her down to his level, was to me poignant and selfless. The heroine chose him over all others, possibly losing her standing in her society as a result, and at that point he couldn’t chase her off or refuse her again, and he humbly accepted the future she offered him. But I guess I’m a push over for poignant romances. 😉
And yes, we readers tend to want to help and heal the bad boy with big problems, obstacles to overcome, and a big heart.
Thanks so much for coming by and for your comments. 🙂
Jeanmarie
Hi Mary, great to see you here and thanks so much for commenting!
I think stories in which the hero overcomes his problems for the heroine’s sake, without it being in the reader’s face, requires great finesse and subtlety. A wonderful accomplishment for a writer.
Wishing you continued success with your writing. 🙂
Jeanmarie
Hi Carly, thanks so much for commenting.
Yes it does take all kinds of stories. I also enjoy stories in which the hero and heroine must face problems to solve in the here and now. I think that makes for a fast moving story, and the reader is along for the ride.
Thank goodness we have so many different types of romance stories to read. It’s sort of like having a great spread of dishes set out for us to enjoy. 🙂
Good to see you here!
Jeanmarie
Good morning, everyone. Jeanmarie, thanks again for a great blogging day. The winner of the download of MOONLIGHT DESPERADO, chosen by random draw, is Carly Carson. Congratulations, Carly! Please look for an email from me in your in-box.
My next guest blogger is Young Adult author, Maureen McGowan, visiting on September 14th. Hope to see you all again then.
“The hero’s torment will influence his life on many levels including decisions he makes regarding his behavior toward the heroine, and what he mistakenly believes is “best” for her.”
Great Post –many authors including myself need to bookmark this.
I love your statement “believes is best for her.” I think this is great in books, but also a human trait easily understood by all readers since we always believe WE know what’s best for those we’re closest to.
~~Angi
Cindy,
Thank you so much for having me on “Muse Interrupted.” I thoroughly enjoyed all the comments. I had a great time. And congratulations to Carly!
*Hugs*
Jeanmarie
My favorite books all feature tortured heros. There’s just something about a man with a deep past and a wound that still bleeds. It’s what I read and what I write.
Hi Angi! Great to see you. Thanks so much for your comments. I’m honored that you want to bookmark my post.
Yes, that trait we all have of believing we know what is best for others applies to our story characters and makes for all kinds of interesting conflicts between the characters. The conflicts arising can range from a simple misunderstanding to an “Oh no, what have I done,” event.
Thanks for coming by! 🙂
Jeanmarie
Hi, B. A.,
Thanks so much for commenting. Yes, I agree, and if you like angst, there’s plenty of it in books about tortured/tormented heroes or heroines. One reason I love to write shape shifter stories.
🙂
Jeanmarie
Hi Jeanmarie,
I enjoyed your take on tormented heroes and heroines. I think it’s important to show the ‘two-steps-forward, one-step-back’ progression of the tormented character’s healing and of the relationship, rather than try to make the torment static until some big event triggers an epiphany. I think the epiphany needs to grow organically out of the character’s progress along their arc.
Jeanmarei, sorry to come late, but loved your post. I love tortured and reluctant heroes. I think every reader does.
Sarah, those are excellent points!
Hi Caroline!
Hi Sarah, great points you’ve mentioned.
I agree. And if the characters haven’t made some forward progress in their relationship and healing, they probably wouldn’t reach a point where they could have an epiphany. It can be sort of an “Ahhh,” or “Why didn’t I see that before?” moment too.
Thanks so much for commenting and adding to this discussion. 🙂
Jeanmarie
Hey, Caroline, great to see you. 🙂 Thanks so much for your good words. I think we’re of a kindred heart here.
*Hugs*
Jeanmarie