What kinda “MAN” are you?
Do you love to read a hard core, pig-headed alpha who knows exactly what he wants and goes after it? Or do you prefer a quiet, considerate beta who still goes after he wants but is sensible about it?
When I think about these two types of men, I can’t help but think about Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. Popular and controversial as it is, she did an excellent job defining the two extremes. And for once a beta ends up with the girl.
Far too often, I read alphas. I even write alphas. But Edward Cullen? He’s a beta all the way. Jacob Black? A total alpha who winds up without the girl.
Let’s look at the differences between the two characters:
Edward (beta): Vampire, cold skin, pale, rich, temperate, considerate of Bella. All aspects of his life are quietly lived.
Jacob (alpha): Werewolf, hot skin, russet skin (oh my, did no one edit the books for that word?!?!), poor, hot temper, thought of himself first. Puffed up about his abilities and his lifestyle.
I’ll be the first to admit, I loved Jacob. I wanted Jacob to win Bella over, because at several points in the series, I thought Edward was being a total passive idiot. Did he not want to be happy? Did he not recognize his own ability to protect her and make HER happy? BETAS! So self-sacrificing, but we love them anyway.
So, I guess when all is said and done, I love my alphas. It was nice to read the Twilight series and see how black and white Stephenie made the differences, not just in personality types, but lifestyles. It was nice to see the beta win, but I couldn’t help feeling like I need to read Jacob’s story now. But, of course, like any good author, I think that was probably Stephenie’s plan.
So, what kind of “man” are you? Alpha? Beta? Both?
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I’m afraid I’m beta all the way. Beta with backbone, though.
I do enjoy to read a good alpha guy every once in a while, though. *wink* Jennifer Shirk(Quote) (Reply)
I’m an alpha man-lover. I did read Vision in White, Nora’s new book, and it had a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful beta hero. My own hero is beta sided as well… I think this will be my next goal–to really go to the extreme with my characters. I think the extremes sell better. Who wants wishy-washy? You know? Gah. I read stuff like this and wonder if I’m going to have to start all over again, because this ms is not The One. *sigh*
Great post, Steph. Bethanne(Quote) (Reply)
Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest. Bunker(Quote) (Reply)
Good article . Will definitely copy it to my blog.Thanks. babafisa(Quote) (Reply)
Sorry, alpha for me.
and I hated it. Absolutely positively hated it. (She made me sit through the damned thing to the end, and all I said was “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
I don’t like Edward.
In fact, I watched Twilight (because a friend thought I would like it — shows what she knows…
Mainly because of Edward.
Sorry.
Silke(Quote) (Reply)
I looooove both. There are times a story needs an alpha and times it needs a beta. On one hand the gruff, direct, arrogant sex hound is nice. On the other the quiet, calm, protective, sweetheart is great.
I write both, enjoy both and am married to someone that is both.
Rachel(Quote) (Reply)
Good question. I think my favorite heroes have an Alpha shell with a Beta inside. (Um…I think that’s also called a cream puff…
Cyn(Quote) (Reply)
I don’t know, there’s always something about the strong silent type that calls to me, but yet it’s the alpha that I’d prefer. I tend to write a balance of strong alpha with a little bit of that quiet, something.
Great thoughts and post!
Debora(Quote) (Reply)
I haven’t read Twilight (sorry, vampires and werewolfs just don’t do it for me) but reading Stephanie’s blogpost two words jump out to me: Edward – rich , Jacob – poor. Tatiana(Quote) (Reply)