I'm not a bad girl; I'm just drawn that way

[rolanni]

Over on Dear Author a couple weeks ago, Heather Massey took up the subject of the Extraordinary Heroine, and asks the musical question Is The World Ready? She notes, among other things, that some Urban Fantasy and Romance heroines are introduced as "strong" -- which is to say, The Author Says So -- but then goes on to act in ways that are. . .somewhat less than strong. It's an interesting read, and you should read it; the comment thread meanders somewhat, but, eh -- that's what comment threads do.

Now, I've been thinking about Heather's article, and about some of the comments, and I wonder if it is true that readers would prefer their heroine to be "nice" rather than competent. I'm not a subscriber to the whole Girl Nice Game*, and on the whole I find I prefer people, whether they live in so-called Real Life, or inside a book, to be interesting. If a character is hard-nosed, well, then -- there you have it. She'll act in a hard-nosed fashion, which may not be, particularly, nice or pleasant, but ought, at least if the author is doing her job, interesting and provocative to the reader.

Full disclosure, one of the commentors in the thread brought up the. . .fascinating reader review of Carousel Tides in which Kate is described as "repulsive." Obviously, if I had thought Kate was repulsive, I couldn't have managed having her in my head for a little over a year, but I will agree that she's not nice.

So, discussion question! How do you prefer your heroines? Strong or nice? Is strong vs. nice a false dichotomy? Can a nice girl be strong? Can a strong girl be nice? For more than one date?
__________________
*Girl Nice Game is the game played by militantly sweet females; it has at its core a balance sheet toothier than any Liadens: I'm nice to you, so you HAVE to be nice to me. See "When You're Good to Mama" for clarification of this concept and its workings.

Comments

[mme-hardy.livejournal.com]

I don't read romances about women who are wimps. (I'm not calling them "nice"; you can be a kind and lovable and loving person and still be strong.) I have no interest in reading about women who are pushed around by Fate, especially women who are pushed around by the men in their lives. One of the joys of Jane Eyre is how thoroughly Jane stands up to everybody in her life, including her would-be lover. She knows what is right, and she demands respect in one of the greatest speeches of all time.

" Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!"

I love romances with conflict, and with male/female conflict, but I don't like it when the "alpha male" simply rolls over the woman throughout the book. One of the things I loved about your Mouse and Dragon was watching the heroine grow into her strength and demand the respect she was due.

There's a reason I read Jennifer Crusie; her heroines kick ass, for the most part. I'm not crazy about her current collaborations, but middle Crusie is funny and sexy and powerful.