Favorite Heartthrob Stereotypes and the Key Ingredient

For those who don’t know how the mind of a fan girl reader works (and you should since they’re in the majority) this might come in handy. When I think back to just about any male character I’ve loved in a book, movie, or TV show, they typically fall into one of these three categories:

The Hooded, (Hot), and Extremely Lonely Outcast

Previously known as the “Emo” kid. These guys are so lonely and desperate for love that I just want to hug them and tell them it’s going to be okay. Because they’re awesome. And they are. We often get inside their head and see their side of the story. Why it sucks to be them and why we can’t wait until they get noticed and loved.

A few examples: Jack Frost from Rise of the Guardians, R from Warm Bodies

The Tall, Dark, and (Ridiculously) Handsome Semi-Villain

Previously known as the “Bad Boy.” And it’s a shame they’re bad because they have so much hotness–I mean potential. There’s probably been the most controversy as to why women seem to fall for these types. In reality, they’re probably the worst kind of men they could approach. But in fiction! Oh, fiction… Fiction is where we dwell, so we like to imagine that their love for us can turn them into the good guys, with a daredevil streak.

A few examples: Damon from The Vampire Diaries, Hook from Once Upon a Time

The (Adorable) Dork Next Door with a Crush

Previously known as just “the Dork.” These characters are probably the rarest and the most easily lovable, although not always instantly sexy. We love them because of their personalities first and foremost. They’re the best friends, the geeks, and goofballs. It’s hard not to love them but we also feel some pity for them because we know their chances of getting the girl are slim, yet not impossible.

A few examples: Bolin from Legend of Korra, Peeta from The Hunger Games

While most fall into one or more of these categories, I still love creating characters that fall just outside of them. But if you’re gonna create a male love interest, the least we must feel for them is one thing: sympathy, sympathy, sympathy.

Do you have a favorite stereotype (male or female)?

-The Story Addict