Read an article in the paper recently about why women have sex. Among other things, the researchers said that men find most women at least moderately sexually attractive, whereas women don’t find many men desirable at all.
I was really caught by that. SNAP! I thought. Because the sad truth is - I don’t find many men attractive. Of course - *cough, cough* - I am the perfect exemplar of feminine beauty, so I have every right to judge. Not!
Please don’t think that I don’t look, because I do - ALL THE TIME! (No sacrifice is too great for my readers.) In fact, we went to a football (Aussie Rules) preliminary final last weekend and my eyeballs were revolving, checking everyone out. I love people-watching anyway, because after all, I’m a writer, and there’s nothing as interesting as people, but… but…
I’m such a picky bitch. Even the merest hint of flab, forget it. Slightly pigeon-toed? Nu-uh. Short? Nope. Ordinary features? Nah, not good enough.
I’d always thought it was “just me”, you know? That I was pretty cold and mean. This is the reason I don’t give detailed descriptions of the faces of my heroes. I, um, can’t. The same reason I don’t go looking for photos of movie stars or models to base them on. I find it too much of a come-down to visualise them as men who actually exist. No real man could be as gorgeous as what’s in my head. *smile/sigh* It’s also why I like covers where you can’t see the faces.
How often do you look at a complete stranger and think, “Phrrrroar, he’s a bit of all right!” ? I mean, based on looks alone - not after talking to some guy and finding he’s funny and interesting and generally a terrific person. Even if he is a bit soft around the middle and has a few spots.
I definitely do notice bits and pieces. A boy with unbelievably blue eyes. A guy with beautiful hands. A jogger who’s tall and built. I once nearly drove 
up a telegraph pole because I was leering at cyclist with the most beautiful legs I’ve ever seen on a man. Probably just as well the helmet hid his face. He couldn’t possibly have lived up to those pins.
I mix ‘em up and put ‘em all together for my heroes. Oh, and sometimes I add accoutrement, like, uh, tails and wings. *grin* But one entire gorgeous package - nope, not even on a movie screen.
Mind you, to keep us all entertained and off the streets, I’m including pics of my most recently discovered lust object - Vampire Bill from True Blood, in the person of actor Stephen Moyer. He’s got that whole broody, dangerous thing going that really does it for me. And a particularly nice hairy chest. Yum. But if I met him? I’m sure he’s a lovely man, but bet I could find something to put me off. (Actually, now I come to look more closely at his chin…) While he, of course, would be completely swept off his feet by my mature charm and beauty. Right.
So, is it just me? Or are you incredibly picky about who shares your fantasy four-poster?
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My problem is all the ones I like are so young!
The last two times I’ve done that “Phrrrroar, he’s a bit of all right!” in real life were with a 22 year old boy my kids went to school with. (Hadn’t recognised him at first, the long black eyelashes distracted me) and the son of a friend of mine who I’ve known since birth. A 30 year old old bachelor who could grace the front of any Category Outback romance and they are both lovely guys as well personality wise!
I felt a bit kinky looking at them that way for a while and then finally justified it by saying I was doing it for research. As you were…..
Stephen does have a nice crop of chest hair………
LOL! Yes, Alison. I feel a bit like that when I’m perving on… um, I mean researching… those handsome young men on Supernatural.
Still. I’m not THAT old. Right?
This is a tuff one. Yes, I’m a picky bitch, but then again no I’m not. I find something good looking on most men (which is totally weird in some people’s books), but then again I’m not normal to some extent.
Yes, I do lust after… I mean look at those young hotties that are about 10 yrs or more younger than me (example: Taylor Launter of Twilight and New Moon… HOT to the extreme!), but I also appreciate older men like Sam Neill and Sean Connery (that accent alone makes me shiver… LOL). When I was a little kid some of my favorite men were Cesar Romaro, Burt Renyolds, Telly Sevalas and Jackie Gleason. Most of these men (if not all of them) are old enough to be my granfather, so does that tell you why I said I’m not normal to some extent? I guess you could say that I appreciate men in general whether it be looks, personalilty or accents. One of those attributes would be nice in a man, but all three together would be a dream.
Hmmmm This is a god topic Denise.
Is it knowledge, age or what that makes us look or see beyond
what we know “isn’t really out there??”
And those that are , are sparse.
I am a crowd watcher too! (maybe all writers are?) It may only be one small thing
to take the first fancy, then if the chance is there I look further.
Deeper. A guess it’s fair to say that we are searching for our ‘fantasy heroes” for our stories
I can be taken by the right smile. The fluid movement. The way trousers fit. (hey… you said we could look.)
I’ve even gotten a retrned smile that made all the difference in a guys face.
But you have to look for it.
I don’t think I’m that picky. For me, attractive transcends physical beauty. I work in an office where guys come in who work in construction. Now, they’re not the epitome of male beauty. But there are some that just have that “something” that rattles my cage. Big arms? That’ll do it. A low, sexy voice? Yep that too. I like men who look like they’ve been working too. Probably the reason I’m still hung up on my hubby.
Hi Denise,
I am just like you, I like to pick and take what I like from different men and piece me together my own specimen. And when I’m reading, I swear, EVERY single hero ALWAYS winds up with dark hair! I can’t help it. And when the author reminds me that he actually has blond hair, well, I just tell myself that it’s a misprint :).It doesn’t matter how detailed a writer gets with facial descriptions, I always come up with my own look, one that appeals to me!
Damn cat just erased my response
*sigh* Now. Where was I.
I’m very much like you AmyC. My hero is ALWAYS tall dark and handsome LOL! An author can describe dimples, chins, or hair … but it is mostly a mute point for me. My man’s in my head - not that I could describe him to save my life though.
I often wondered what Authors meant when they described men walking with the ‘grace of a panther’, etc. However one of the young guy’s I used to work with - whilst not an adonis, just had one of those athletic bodies that moved in syncronised perfection *sigh*. I never tired of watching him stroll down the corridor LOL!
I am a very visual person and I love perfection. I guess that’s why I’m a cover artist LOL!
Oh and I see what you mean about Stephen’s chin LOL!
Alison, I know exactly what you mean. *sigh* They get younger all the time. I’m convinced most policemen are really only twelve. Which makes me a DOW - ie, a Dirty Old Woman.
Of course, you’re not that old, Erica. Let’s say you’re a slightly younger DOW.
Dani, Jackie Gleason? REALLY?
Though I agree about Sean Connery. He’s amazing.
You’re right, in that there’s always something. I’ve come to the conclusion that every human being has something truly lovely about them if you look hard enough. No one’s 100% ugly.
But in a hero, I want the whole package. Everything. Hey, it’s a fantasy, so why not?
Mary, I’m sure you’re right about all writers being people-watchers. I’m so bad that I’ve had my walking buddy say crossly, “Don’t you ever do anything except look at people?” At the time, I’d just seen a boy with a pale pointed face and blond dreads and a wrist full of bangles. All I said was he’d be a great character for an anime. *sigh*
And yes, there’s something simply goregous about a smile that lights up the face. Ah…
Aw, Jennifer, it’s so nice to hear you’re still hung up on your honey.
I can think of any number of women who’d love to work in your office! Yeah, arms really get me too. Hands as well. I wonder if men are turned on by pretty hands? As for a deep voice, oh yeah mama! In fact, THIEF OF LIGHT is pretty well entirely about a man with a fabulous voice. I couldn’t resist.
You’ve put your finger on it, Amy. Every reader creates her own vision of the hero. Which is another reason I don’t like to be too prescriptive. Isn’t that interesting though, about how you turn all the blonds dark in your own mind? I’m going to be blogging with the Romance Bandits on 11th October and funnily enough, I’m thinking of talking about hair colour.
That’s because Erik from THIEF OF LIGHT has Viking ancestry waaay back and he’s blond. Scroll up to the newest post to see. If you read it, I’d be so interested to see if he turns brunette. (Or is it brunet?)
Gotta watch them felines, Lyn!
It seems my heroes are always graceful, even if my heroines are clumsy. I think it’s an evolutionary thing. We’re attracted to beautiful coordinated male bodies, not only because they’re aesthetically pleasing, but because Mother Nature is screaming to our ovaries - “He’s a great potential mate and father of your children. Grab him!”
Denise may I comment on AmyC’s Post?
AmyC That’s so funny. I thought I was the only one who did that.
I too have moments where I form a visual in my head when I read a described character. Can’t help to change the description to self satisfaction… Thanks for sharing.
Denise… as a published writer, Would that bother you??
Mary, my dear, feel free to comment on a comment! I think this is the “magic” in the written word. We all have to “filter” descriptions through our own life experiences. I just love that! So no, it wouldn’t bother me at all. I’m all about happy readers. As I said, I’m not that prescriptive with physical appearance. I might be a bit miffed if you changed key personality traits in a character though.
yeah, understand.
Don’t think I’ve ever had seen the need to change personalities though.
Certainly never with your hansome hunks!
After all the who of who they are has to be totally bound to the story ( if the author has done it right ) and you DO it RIGHT!
Thanks, Mary!
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