On Writing the Hero's First Appearance

When you ask writers for writing advice, most of them will tell you to "read a lot". Back then, I thought it's only for research or wisdom, or for inspiration. But lately, I realized that reading is one of the best ways for you to gain insight into your own writing.

So after closing another romance book, I thought about this topic: the romantic hero. When do I insert him? How do I usually make him meet the heroine for the first time?

In the PHR romance workshop that I attended, they don't actually specify when the hero should appear in your novel. The workshops teach you "how to write" NOT "what to write" (Sorry to burst your bubble, but writing the novel totally depends upon the writers, hahaha). So they just advise you to make the hero appear at least within the first 3 chapters of the novel. (based on a 24,000-word novel)

Why? It's because much later would probably make the reader impatient (when the hell is the hero going to appear, dammit). I agree with this, `cause as a reader, I get impatient when the hero doesn't appear within chapter 2 or by the end of chapter 1. But it's not just about the right timing, I realized, after remembering the books I've read. 

It's also the WAY he appears.

 

is it "escape" or "escaped"? hmm

Pardon the lousy example, but really, come on. It's the man that your heroine will love and be with forever after, right? When he appears, you want him to make a big impact on the heroine (or you, as a reader). As if you can see "THE ONE" written on his forehead (or his naked abs). He has to stand out among the other male characters in the story, to the point that you get excited every time he appears. As if you can smell his pheromones oozing out of the pages.

For that one breathtaking meeting, you know that this is the man, regardless of whether he acts as an enemy or annoying monster in the story. Regardless of how many third parties appear, no matter how strong the contenders, the hero maintains that certain advantage over all of them. In this world where dark horses and villains get away with plain badass charisma (All Hail Loki!), your hero's constantly in danger of losing his place. So, save him. `Cause I believe that "straight romance" is the hero's territory.

However, putting a rival is also a good way to spark up the hero's drive. Just handle it carefully. Don't abandon your hero, give him everything you've got. It's not bad to make him live up to that romantic fantasy (tall, handsome, hot bod, rich (capable), educated, etc.). Go on, give him the power and influence and arrogance. 

After all, he should satisfy your "romantic fantasy".

Anyway, the heroine will bring him down to his knees in the end.*evil chuckle*

Along with the "pogi" descriptions, he has to mark his place from the start. No matter what happens, even if he disappears briefly, he'll still be the heroine's only one.

So I made a new (or just unnoticed?) writing rule for myself:

 
HERO APPEARS WITH AN IMPACT.

And I'm making this one NON-NEGOTIABLE.