Romantic Suspense A to Z - The Alpha Male

The leader of the pack, the man of the house, the head honcho. The Alpha Male is the strength and the order in chaos. He is the one you look to for guidance. It is a physical and mental strength that shows for only one in any given scenario. Alpha Male is, in a word, dominance, usually male but not always.

The alpha male is a term that is generally used to describe a male that seems dominant in his social circles, seems to possess an unending appeal towards women, and displays general leadership characteristics and traits. The term alpha male has been derived from the term 'alpha dog', a term that is used to pinpoint the leader of a pack of wolves or dogs.

Many conflicts are sourced in the code of the alpha male. It is true in the wild, and it is true in the modern world.  As writers, it is the heart of the driven plot, the classic struggle between the Protagonist and the Antagonist, and sometimes the Protagonist and the Contagonist.  The battle for power, whether for money, information, or love, is intense, heated, and sometimes violent. There are many alpha male traits that can help you distinguish between an alpha male and a beta male, both in life and in your characters.

Alpha Male Traits
Here is a list of alpha male characteristics that can help you identify alpha males in your story, and also help you develop some of these alpha male characters.
Alpha Male Traits - Personality Traits
Talking Deliberately: It is commonly observed that if one is speaking to someone in a position higher than themselves, they tend to speak fast in order to maintain their attention and interest. When an Alpha talks it is slow, thoughtful and deliberate. He knows that no matter what he says he will be listened to, and thus no need to rush through his words.
Acknowledging Others: The Alpha knows how to appreciate and acknowledge other people. H will always be open to ideas and suggestions from others and will not dismiss anyone or anything without sincerely considering them.
Aloof: Alpha’s seem like they are just not interested. Their body language seems to suggest that they are always immersed in their own thoughts, and this even makes them seem self centered. However, they are paying attention, very close attention, usually.
Attracts Women: An irresistible charm oozes out of them in the most charming manner, and sweeps all the ladies off their feet. It is no one singular characteristic, rather the combination of all the Alpha male traits which makes them so appealing.
Alpha Male Traits - Psychological Traits
Confidence: The biggest asset to possess, no matter where you are, is self

confidence. Believing in yourself, no matter what, is an Alpha trait that truly stands out. There is a fine line between self belief and arrogance, and the Alpha is well aware of these boundaries. He is supremely composed, maintaining a steady, constant level of confidence.

No Explanations: No approval needed, ever. As an Alpha he’ll follow his instincts, and does not feel he owes anybody any explanations. There is no urge within him to justify and validate his actions. The most obvious of all the Alpha characteristics is he is comfortable in his own skin, and does not seek or look to for anyone for approval.
Competing With Other Alpha Males: The most glaring thing that you will notice when you see two alpha males interacting with each other is the battle for supremacy. Each one will try and get one over on the other, and as a result they will both be constantly competing or arguing aptly called the ‘pissing contest’ which refers to how dogs mark their territory.
Feeling Threatened: Since there is a constant tussle between Alphas for supremacy, they tend to get insecure and threatened by the activities of other alpha males. The other alpha male is undermining their superiority and authority. This is one of the alpha male traits not seen in every alpha male, but only in the ones with insecurities about their position in the mix.

Everyone knows who these guys are. The traits of an Alpha Male are so unique and recognizable, almost everyone can instantly think of the Alphas around them. These guys seem to have it all. Money, women, success, leadership qualities, and ease of mind, so when building a believable alpha male you need to understand the most typically seen alpha male traits. Start with these as a skeleton and work from there.

Have fun! 

Come Find Me!

Veiled Deception Character Blog - Rebecca Gailen’s Journal

Amy Romine writing as Rebecca Gailen, Veiled Deception, Trust Me Book 2

Sweet Dreams

Betrayal Verb (used with object):

To deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: Benedict Arnold betrayed his country. To be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust. To disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends. To reveal or disclose in violation of confidence: to betray a secret. To reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal): Her nervousness betrays her insecurity. To show or exhibit; reveal; disclose: an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern. To deceive, misguide, or corrupt: a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

 To seduce and desert

I couldn’t be true, could it? You would never purposely injure me would you? How can someone calculate the torture and demise of someone they love? How do the mind, heart, and soul not prevent such blatant destruction? Self preservation is universal, but how do you defend against something you have only know as love? How do you strike back with a forceful blow when the pain is so crippling the heavens can hear your soul weeping for relief? 

His eyes are cold, lifeless. Abandoned by any remorse, affectation or regard for human frailty, he instead uses these as weapons. Sharpened blade’s with which he means to destroy, damage, and scar. You sent him here. You put my life within his wavy erotic objectification. 

You got what you wanted, didn’t you? Or did you? If you wanted me to know how much hatred skews your understanding of what love is supposed to be, you have succeeded. If you wanted to inflict a blow so imaginably painful that it will leave me scarred and aching for the rest of life. You have succeeded in that as well. 

But if you meant to destroy me, obliterate my sense of self, of security, trust and love you have failed.

I have pity for you now. I am sorry, not for what you think I may or may not have done, or that you have the illusion that I am the monster staring back at you. The mask has been removed. The mirror is clean and there is nowhere to hide when the sunlight of truth fills the room. 

You are the betrayer

You are the monster

You are your own worst nightmare. I will not be there to wake you up when the claws of obsession, unrest, anger and self loathing take hold and tear you apart. You destroyed that solace from pain, and now there is only empty cold in the dark.

Sweet dreams.

Trust Me Book 2 - Veiled Deception Blurb :

 
She had become his prey. His plaything. The one he desired the most, but someone wanted her more.

Her resilience fading, Rebecca fights to remain strong against the man trying to destroy her mind and her life. Without the solace of Eric's arms, Rebecca's will to recover from the relentless blows wanes as she begins to break. 

Eric, forced to face his own choices, races to end the nightmare before the woman he loves is completely torn apart. 

Just when they think the worst is over, the game and the stakes change.

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Serenity Lost Character Blog - Cyber Solace

* Author Amy Romine writing as Rebecca Gailen from Trust Me Book 1 - Serenity Lost

So I am needing an outlet, and you are it oh vast cyberspace. Why, do I need such an outlet? Well let's just say I find myself in a hell of a mess and those people I usually talk to. I can't. I have a secret. Something only one other person knows, and that is because he was there. 

I would assume you are now shaking your head wondering "what the hell am I reading?" Well I can tell you if you have come to witness a horror story in the making you have come to the right place!

Am I being overly dramatic? Definitely! 

Do I care? Not really. Well, yes and no.  

The truth is...I've silently begged the heavens to grant me this one little wish. I just wanted to see him again. I wanted to know for sure that it wasn't a beautiful dream. That his eyes are a deep blue and his embrace is warm and encompassing. Then...there he was.  

I couldn't believe it and it couldn't have been more awful. I was exhausted and reeling from a horrid day filled with decomposing teddy bears and drowned rats (don't ask). 

Okay fine, i you MUST know, someone has taken an interest in me. Don't panic! I have spoken to the police and they, specifically Detective Lugow (if you saw him, you would know his name describes his looks perfectly!)stated he is all over it. I didn't want to go see him at all but Charlie insisted, and I did promise him I would talk to the police if things got 'weird'. I will admit we have reached that point.

I finished with Detective Lugow, and I just wanted to go home and sleep. I had to review and sign my statement. Once that was done, I grabbed my jacket and headed out to the waiting area. I took a few steps, and saw him. He looked as shocked as I felt, and I wanted to crumble. It took everything in me to not just completely let go...

I think my brain froze. I could not move from the place I had stopped. My feet were glued to the floor. Just as I am about to lose it, Charlie walks up beside me and says...this is my brother, Eric.

His brother, Eric.

Charlie's brother.

Eric.

I still can't say it aloud, it is too much to comprehend. How could this have happened? Oh my God this man...the image that has gotten me through the past few awful weeks... he is Charlie's brother...and I don't know what to do!

Neither of us has spoken a word of it to anyone. I am trying to forget. To push it out of my mind. It was one night. It shouldn't mean anything. The problem is, it does, and I don't know how to undo that...

So Mr. or Mrs. Cyberspace, which ever you are, you are my new best friend. As long and this secret remains a secret, you are the only one I can talk to. If you have any pull with the powers that be, tell them to cut me a break, okay? A girl can only take so much.

Until next time,   

Beccs 

 ~

Serenity Lost Blurb:  Their brief heated meeting one fateful night had singed itself into their minds. Not knowing of the other's identity, but unable to forget, had sealed their fate. The fire smoldered quietly in each of them as they tried to move on with their lives.
Eric Stiles was in the middle of chaos, searching for a killer.
Hunted by an obsessed psychopath, Rebecca Gailen was trying to be strong.
The world stopped for a moment as they looked up and saw the other standing just feet away.
His heart lurched, her armor shattered and the world started again as Eric's brother, Charlie, appeared to take her hand.
Family loyalty isn't a choice. When Rebecca's stalker rages out of control, Eric's decision haunts him and he struggles to stay away. Can he remain loyal to his brother, even if it means abandoning Rebecca when she may need him the most?

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Question Box : Creating Characters

When creating a main character, is it better to start with a good girl/guy with a drop of "bad", or a bad girl/guy with a drop of "good"?

I have been pondering this question for three days now. First, that is way too much energy for my little brain to expend. Second, I have been so stuck I actually asked my husband for his opinion.

Seriously?

I am going to tackle this to the best of my ability. If the answer is convoluted I apologize :0)

I am guessing my struggle with this question comes from none of my characters being all good or all bad. Each individual has the potential for both extremes. Therein come the fun in playing with them. Pushing their limits and watching what happens. Personally, it is more fun to push a good character over the edge than making an evil character good.

My logic-- simple human nature leans toward good. No one is pure good, or angelic, there is always a sliver of bad in the foreground, that keeps them human.

Pure evil, all bad is much more accepted. Think about it, if someone is too good we automatically assume a screw is loose. No one is without darkness.

However, there are characters that are truly embraced because they are the essence of evil. Is this because in the bad we want to find the good or the other way around?

Some of the most romantic tales are those portraying true love conquering pure evil. A strength of emotion between two people blurring all lines and erasing all fear and doubt.

Now, so I can say I honestly answered the question. Is it better to start with one or the other? I say neither is preferred. It is all gray to me.