For as long as I can remember I’ve been a reader. The trend I’ve seen over the years and I won’t be saying how many, has been that the hero or heroine was perfect. They were always beautiful, handsome, flawless and a perfect body. That’s what people wanted to read.
Well, I’ve noticed a new trend. I’ve read a couple of novels lately that had not so perfect main characters. I think it’s refreshing because we’re not perfect. We have flaws, it’s just a fact. One of the books even stated that the leading man was not overly handsome, actually the writer went on to explain that his beauty came from his heart. I think that’s what we all need to hear.
Take Jane Eyre for instance. She’s not perceived as a beautiful woman. She’s more let’s just say severe. But you still come to love her for her heart that eventually warms. It’s one of my favorites because I love the stories of a plain, poor girl getting the rich flawed man.
So, how does your main character look? Is he ruggedly handsome or does his beauty come to you from his heart? Is she gorgeous and built like a model or does she need to exercise to stay at a maintained weight?
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
Stephanie Hurt - Romance Author 
Once a again a great topic! Mine turn from let’s say human to the best versions of themselves – by the nature of the books, it’s grounded fantasy and human potential is a main point. Still, even as “super humans” they have their flaws, mainly coming from what we now refer to “oh, if I could only…” Well, when you can, it turns out it’s a curse. Like “If I could only read thoughts” – when you can, there’s chaos and chatter in your brain that you want to die just to get rid of, for example. How do you prefer your leads?
I’m guilty of having my male love interest in my book be extremely handsome. Then again, he’s also deeply flawed in the morality department, and his good looks are the product of centuries of genetic manipulation, so hopefully it all evens out in the end 🙂
I agree — there’s definitely a tendency towards perfect characters — take Twilight! I think that sort of thing works best in romance novels. For other genres, I definitely prefer a flawed hero/heroine. If you start off perfect, there’s nowhere to go but down! Although that, too, can make an interesting story 🙂
Michelle,
Very good answer. I’m guilty of making my characters too handsome or beautiful. Sometimes a morality flaw does dampened the beauty.
Have a great Sunday,
Stephanie