So, I settled down, with a tin of pilchards, to watch the last episode of this series of Poldark and considered why I like writing the heroes I do.
I’m lying. I was staring at Aidan Turner’s rippling muscles and going ‘Phwooooaaar’.
Seriously though, Ross reminds me of some of the heroes I write.
My heroes don’t conform to alpha-male type, to be honest. Yes, they’re always stunningly good-looking but they often have many other attributes.
The utterly gorgeous but troubled actor Nick only trusts love when he meets Perdita, who is playing Elizabeth to his Darcy in a new TV version of Pride and Prejudice.
Lovely Simon, in Love’s as Easy as ABC, struggles with knowing his brother is in love with the woman he wants. He’s far too honourable for his own good. Oh – and he’s built like a panther too. Always helps to write a hot man!
Daniel in, Say it with Sequins, always seems to end up playing Cupid to other couples. And he’s far too nice a man to stay single. He also fills his white jeans as only a dancer can.
And Gabriel Llewellyn, in While I was Waiting (out in July) is simply, deeply, gorgeously wonderful. My favourite book boyfriend so far.
Before Poldark arrived to cheer up my Sunday evenings, I was deep into a work in progress set in rainy, autumnal Oxford. It has a very gorgeous and charming hero (albeit a haunted one) and I was enjoying writing it; had the plot sorted and everything. Just had to apply bum to office chair and write.
Then along the cliff top galloped Ross, luscious locks flowing in the Cornish sea breeze and suddenly I didn’t want to write about ghosts in Oxfordshire. I wanted to set something on a beach, with the salt air filling my lungs and the sand abrading my skin.
So I picked up an idea I’d had a while ago and put on the back burner. It has sea, beaches, boats and fishermen. It has fossils (it’s set on the Jurassic Coast, somewhere I know well) and a spooky ghost. It also has a hunky hero. Matt is a boat builder so has the requisite muscles. Unusually for me, he hasn’t really got any problems or angst. The only thing concerning him is an ex-girlfriend who hangs around like a nasty smell. And the fact his father is re-marrying. And that his mother died tragically. Who am I kidding? He’s exactly like all my other heroes. Good-looking, practical, skilled at his chosen profession, kind and decent. And troubled!
Let’s get back to Poldark. Why is Ross so appealing? Apart from the muscles and the hair and the smouldering eyes and the fact he loves his wife and baby and the grimy miners and …
Apart from all that.
For me, it’s because he’s flawed. He still loves Elizabeth in a way; he gets impatient with Demelza, he tries (and fails sometimes) to help his workers and friends. Sometimes he does the wrong thing.
I think he becomes a better man because he marries Demelza. And Demelza loves Ross unconditionally, despite his many faults. They are stronger as a couple and better people together than would be alone.
Sigh. No wonder we fell in love with the books and the television series.
In fact, Ross Poldark reminds me a little of Matt, my current hero. I love him too.
So, if you’ll excuse me, I’d quite like to get back to writing him.
Love,
Georgia x
Wow, this was a really well-written post. Taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article is very rare these days.