Okay, seriously. I've read too many books and seen too many movies and heard too many songs that seem to subscribe to this twisted version of romance. You know, the one where the guy is positively drooling at the feet of the heroine.
I'm talking about the HERO acting this way. The guy I'm supposed to be rooting for and being thrilled to the point of happy tears when he and the heroine finally get together.
Because come on ladies-- sure, a guy acting like that is fun for awhile. But that kind of abandoned adoration just plain gets obnoxious after awhile.
"What do you want to do today, honey?" -Heroine
"Anything. Oh, anything you want. As long as I'm with you. I love you forever. I worship your feet! MWAH MWAH MWAH!!" -Hero
Okay, okay, I'm exaggerating. But to me, that kind of guy is a wimp. That heroine just flat out deserves a better guy. How about a little spine, please?
Have you ever heard that song by the Police?
"Every breath you take, every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watching you"
Okay, imagine your best friend getting an email like that. I'd be thinking O M G!! A STALKER!! I mean, I know it's a love song... but if someone said and meant those things, wouldn't that strike you as creepy? Am I the only one here?
Anyway.... the point here being that I think it's important for us to be aware that as writers we set the stage in a way for readers. I think we tend to absorb relationships and preferences portrayed in books, movies and music as normal or certainly as popular. That can be dangerous.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were really compelling, amazing stories that portrayed healthy relationships? Sure, we're all broken people, I'm not saying the hero and his lady have to be perfect. That's not realistic either. But let's glorify something healthy, can't we?
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