Vincenzo
Amori - Friend, Protector, Guide and the Dynamic Male Lead.
I
wanted take this opportunity to talk about a different type of
character. I had initially thought I would spend this particular
entry to the character discussion, which I had intended to be about
the men, talking about the love interests, or potential love
interests. But I decided that talking about Vincenzo first would be
the better idea.
Because
I strongly believe that not every male character needs to be a love
interest. I needed someone who could verbally spar with Grisela and
who was interesting enough that not only do I want to learn more
about him, but I hope that the readers do as well. There are so many
things that go into making up a dynamic male lead, and I thought I
would take this chance to talk about what I think those elements are.
First,
he needs to have characteristics that would make him dynamic, and of
course they would be in line with the story. For Vincenzo, he needed
to be worldly and experienced, and have an err of sophistication
about him that made him attractive, and would leave an imprint in
your mind, as he does with Katrine on their first meeting. Who
wouldn't be interested in tall, dark and well dressed with an accent?
Second,
he doesn't necessarily need to be the most handsome man in the story.
Handsome does not always relate to dynamic. His personality is part
of what makes him alluring. He needs to have a background that is
suggestive of something mysterious, which would make him more
attractive.
Third,
he needs to be intelligent and have something to offer the narrator
and reader that no one else could. Vincenzo offers guidance to
Katrine in a way that no one else can, and friendship in a situation
where he could have easily taken advantage of her. He wants the best,
but expects nothing in return. He needs to be interesting as a
person, have things going on that make him fun to read about. This
falls in line with interesting characteristics, which is the largest
part of a dynamic male lead.
And
last, but not least, he needs to be likable. I like him, I hope the
reader does. His likeability would make you want him around, and you
hope that he comes back when he's gone. He becomes Katrine's best
friend and close companion, she relies on him as one would rely on a
father. He balances the rest of the world out, especially Grisela.
He's the level.
Vincenzo
was a necessity for me in the story because of the sense of security
he gave. I really feel that there needs to be someone there that
Katrine can fall back on when things get nuts, and he's it. Katrine
would not have gone with him if he didn't make her feel safe and
secure. (you'll find out what I mean when you read Rebirth).
But
dynamic male leads are a necessity beyond love interests. Because, in
my opinion, sometimes the love interest isn't so interesting. And not only that, but sometimes they are horribly irritating! Vincenzo is great fun for me on a variety of levels, and in many ways I miss him when he's gone.
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