Writing the Ideal Man: How Fiction Creates the Partners Reality Never Delivered
By
Nikki Cummings
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
A personal, reflective piece about writing fictional male characters who are the opposite of the author's real-life dating experiences. The author creates heroes who are dangerous yet devoted, ruthless with enemies but vulnerable with their partners — men who "strategize" rather than brood. The article uses music (Heather Headley's "He Is") to set the tone and explores the fantasy of idealized romantic partners in fiction.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledI write men who are the complete opposite of every man I've ever dated.
These men I write? They're the 'if only he were like this, we would've been so much better together' men.
They fight like war, love like sacrament.
Carolina reaper heat meets emotional intelligence.
They're ruthless with enemies, vulnerable with her.
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