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How Do You Like Your Men: Alpha, Beta or Gamma?
On a blog I recently visited there was talk of the meaning of the term “alpha male” used in fiction. This particular blogger went off on a tangent decrying the term as offensive to both men and women. How wouldn’t it be nice if the term “alpha” was applied to those kind, thoughtful men who work quietly behind the scenes, offer support and aren’t bloodthirsty or out for glory?
Excuse me? Isn’t the very definition of the word alpha – dominant?
I’ll admit it; I love alpha men. Maybe it is a throwback to humanity at its most basic instinct, people – men and women – wanting to follow and be cared for by the strongest leader. In fiction I tend to make my male characters alpha, because for me, those type of men are fascinating to write. An alpha hero with a tortured past? Be still my heart. Are these guys brutal? On occasion. Are they honorable? Absolutely. Do I write them because my heroine needs a big, bad, strong male to swoop in and rescue her?
Not on your life.
Because I also write alpha females. Women who are in charge of themselves, their lives and their decisions. Do their opinions and actions often clash with those of the alpha hero? Yes, without doubt and without apology. Heh heh. That’s where things get mighty interesting. And isn’t that what fiction is about? Friction?
For me, beta and gamma males and females make good secondary characters, not leads. The best writing advice I ever received for genre fiction was: whichever point of view character you’re writing, they should always be the most compelling character in that scene. Period.
Besides, when those types of characters start to assert themselves on the page, demanding more details of their lives, that a good indication I’ve got an alpha in gamma clothing. That also tells me they probably need their own tale. And if I’m lucky, I’ll get to write a their story.
Agree? Disagree? What attributes do your favorite characters have and what does or doesn’t make them alpha?
Lorelei James
www.loreleijames.com
I think if a guy is the hero of that story, he has to be the alpha male of that story – you don’t want another character to overshadow him. Which is not to mean he needs to be an alpha in the full sense of the word. I like a guy who can get in touch with his feelings and can nurture the heroine when she needs it, who is smart enough to step back from a conflict when it’s the right thing to do, who isn’t necessarily so ambitious he wants to rule all those around him. There’s something really attractive about a guy who can say, ‘to hell with all that pissing around the park, I live my own life’. A man doesn’t need to dominate others to be strong within himself. He stands on his own two feet.
I guess what I’m saying is I like beta guys who have those steely alpha qualities and can pull them out when they’re really needed i.e. in a life and death situation or when someone threatens those he loves. And the only place he should try and dominate the heroine is in bed :). As long as he know he might get the same treatment right back!
Interesting post Lorelei
HI,
The over the top ALPHA guy does nothing for me, the last book I read (no names please) the hero was so ALPHA I wanted to slap him.
I like a hero who is in between a BETA and ALPHA...sorta like my husband.
Hi Lorelei!
I personally love Alpha men…and women. I will not read a book that has an alpha male and a wimpy female…no way, no how! I enjoy a man who is strong, honorable, knows what he wants and goes for it…the same goes for the woman. Basically, what I am saying is that both the male and female characters have to be strong, self-reliant, sexy…and ready to take on the world! Wimps are not welcome in this head of mine. L
Hugs,
Maithe
I like Apha males. Not so much because they’re dominant, but becasue they are LEADERS. They’re strong, and they make me feel female. bats eyelashes
Does that mean I’m weak? Hell no. I just want a man stronger than me. LOL
That said, Beta men, and chacrters can be awesome too when done right. :)
I love my men very alpha. In reading anyway though I have to say my guy is alpha which I completely love. :-)
I like alpha and beta male characters. I think of the over the top alphas as bullies more than alphas (if that makes sense). A real alpha character doesn’t have to go overboard.
Sami and Danielle – I agree, I think there is a fine line between showing cruelty and showing strength. No one likes a bully, even if it’s supposed to be for the heroine’s own good. And I’ll admit as much as I like alpha men there are a few that are even over the top for me…
Maithe – sounds like you’ve got your head on straight :)
Now why did I know you’d love alpha men, Sasha darlin’? You find an awesome balance in your characters between tough and tender – in both males and females.
Larena, I didn’t mention it in the post, but part of the reason I’m attracted to alpha men is because my hubby is one — which makes for some umm…interesting situations because I’m pretty alpha too — can’t ya’ll tell I don’t have an opinion and I’m so incredibly shy?
Erin and Danielle- can you give us an example on who you consider a beta male? Either on TV or in print?
Thanks for stopping by, guys!
I love my men alpha as well. Who wants to fall in love with a wimp? Does a wimp step it up when needed? I sincerely doubt it. I don’t mind if my alpha cries at points- makes me love him even more. Right now I’m finishing the second book (only 10 pages to go!)Lauren Dane’s “Chase” brothers series. I would consider all those men alphas.
I like strong Betas. Those who can step up and lead and will do so in a heartbeat if necessary, but they don’t have to in order to be secure. I’ll get my geek on and use Commander Riker of Star Trek: The Next Generation as a good example of a strong Beta who could go Alpha when needed.
Along with strong Betas I like mellow Alphas, somone who knows he’s charge and so doesn’t have to wear it on his sleeve or shove it down someone else’s throat. He’ll put his foot down when necessary but otherwise he’ll let it ride. Further getting my geek on I’ll use the example of Captain Mal from Firefly/Serenity.
Other television examples: Angel was a mellow Alpha, Spike was a strong Beta.
In Criminal Minds, Gideon was a mellow Alpha, Agent Morgan is a Strong Beta or uber-mellow Alpha which is nearly the same thing.
On Lost, Jack is a mellow Alpha, Sahil is a strong Beta. Sawyer is an insecure Alpha which I think makes him a Beta in Alpha clothing.
As a female Alpha/Dominant/Top/Whathaveyou, the distinction between secure, mellow, Alpha males and Alpha bullies is very important as I don’t get along with bullies or those who need to prove themselves constantly. With that reality in mind, I know my Alpha female characters wouldn’t get along with uber-Alpha males and don’t find it realistic to read stories where the heroine is kick-ass and assertive, only to roll over when the Alpha male gets on the scene.
Give me secure competence in either form and everything is great.
(And yes, I know I kept capitalizing Alpha and Beta. I’ve been writing in my Therian world all week where those words are culturally capitalized among Shifters and so I’m staying consistant for sake of my sanity. * grin *)
I like independent people, but they need to be able to listen and step up when needed. Some years ago we had Alpha, he was called Chavaunisk Pig and I had plenty of that to never want to see it again. What he says is not the end all.
We need a guy who is there for us, supporting, suggestive and independent. Sharing, working together and honest. I have that type now and I know he will do this. I am also assertive and supportive with a mind of my own but I can listen and support. When I have to lead I can and when I can share in decisions I can do this well. We need strong people not bullies.
I work with the house and such and he does the work and we decide most of it together. I think age mellows one so they can be Alpha and Beta. I had a life and job and money before I married him and I can do it again but I took on raising children and managing the household money. I even held a job for a while and worked his job office and raised the kids and did the “taxi”. We are young and strong and don’t always learn the art of caring and sharing and leading when necessary. We just DO the JOB. This is why we learn as in the books how to adjust when we add a person into our life. Great jobs you guys. I could never write a book but I can bead and teach you to do so too.
Beta males for me. Complex, quirky, not necessarily a leader, maybe a complete anti-hero. At other times, the quiet, self-effacing guy whom the heroine only sees as a friend at first, but later realizes he has qualities she’s overlooked. I love the unusual, the damaged, the sad and lonely, the background man, whose fire burns every bit as hot as an aggressive, forceful alpha.
I prefer Beta’s. I think an Alpha would be very wearing to live with if he didn’t have some beta qualities so I like to write and read about those kinds of characters.
Great post and great comments.
First, I have to say I’m in the same camp as Xakara with liking both types of leads. I’ll even swoon over an over-the-top Alpha…if his motivations and background make that behavior believable (and if the story has him “soften” a bit by the end).
But I have a question, too…
What IS a Gamma male? Examples?? Yeah, I should know this stuff, shouldn’t I :)
Thanks, Margo
Hey Margo,
The references of a Gamma male that I’ve seen is defined as the combination of the Alpah and Beta male. Primarily, what I described as the strong-beta or mellow-alpha, blended traits that allow you to get emotional close in a way Alphas often disdain, with the steely spine that Betas too often lack in romance.
Hope that helps. Here’s an artical at All About Romance
~X
Thanks X!!! I got busy this week and forgot no one answered that question :)
And because of that we really didn’t talk much about the Gamma male –
Anyone up for a discussion on who they imagine to be Gamma?
Lorelei
Xakara & Lorelei –
I’m checking out that link right now. :)
~Margo