Comments on: T.S.T.L.

By: Sela

Sela — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 13:33:25 +0000

The cop heroine who chokes at the sight of a gun.

The librarian heroine who stands up in the middle of a gun battle, determined that if the two just got together for a chat, everything would be fine.

The schoolmarm who is suddenly capable of firing 8 different weapons with pinpoint accuracy — though that’s a case of the author being TSTL, not the character.

By: Bailey Stewart

Bailey Stewart — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:25:19 +0000

A little late to the party, but …

The Reese Witherspoon character in Legally Blond wouldn’t work in the TV series Supernatural, nor would Lucy Ricardo in CSI. I think it really depends upon the tone of the book. This doesn’t bother me if everything else fits. Like Jordan – the TSTL heroines in slasher movies who walk off by themselves after 15 bodies have shown up does deserve to get slashed to death. As far as not noting the change in relationship – I love the friends to lovers books. I don’t know how obvious the signals he’s sending are, but I would assume it’s like living with someone who is losing weight gradually – so you don’t really notice the pound or two until someone points it out – AND if she’s not looking for it, she might not notice it. There endeth my .05 (inflation, you know).

By: raine

raine — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 01:49:30 +0000

Thanks for the input ladies!
All interesting points of view.

I didn’t mean to make my example so case-specific. I was more interested in how people generally felt about the subject, and what would lead them to classify a heroine as TSTL.

Again, thanks!
Valuable info. :waving:

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 02:26:34 +0000

I can suspend disbelief if the heroine has an underlying inelligence, and just acts silly occasionally. I think if she knows that Russ wants to change their relationship, and just isn’t emotionally ready to deal with it, and gradually comes around. I think a story like that would be worth my time and money. If on the other hand I get halfway through and she refuses to get a clue, I would definately classify her as T.S.T.L.

By: Jordan Summers

Jordan Summers — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 18:42:57 +0000

My definition of TSTL only kicks in when there is danger and the heroine deliberately puts herself or the hero in danger due to not thinking or purposeful careless behavior. That is the only time I’ll toss a book across the room.

By: Cece

Cece — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 18:27:25 +0000

I’m with May…you can’t miss the obvious.

>>and we know this happens in real lifeâ€¦

ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Just ask me about my ex. He’s definitely not the brightest lighbulb in the box but he’s managed to snag four wives.

Sadly it seems as if most men prefer helpless females–goes back to ancient hunter/gatherer times

And from what I’ve read of Russ and your heroine (whose name I can’t remember *blush*) I don’t think she comes off TSTL. I love over the top as long as it’s fun and tongue in cheek IE Stephanie Rowe’s book or the movie Legally Blonde. :thumbsup:

By: May

May — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 16:08:20 +0000

Mik has it right in my case. :yesyesyes:

What gets to me is that I want to invest in this character, but I can’t if she’s stupid!

By: Mik

Mik — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 15:33:13 +0000

Interesting post, Raine. I have a character that is beyond naive and she annoys the reader to the point they don’t want to read the story anymore. I think, as readers, we don’t want to read about a stupid heroine who accidentally gets the hot guy. Because that’s just dammed annoying (and we know this happens in real life…the point of fiction is to suspend disbelief and lose ourselves in someone else’s more interesting life). We want to read about the gal who is strong, quick-witted, and gives the hot hero HELL before she gets him. I mean, after all, he should work for it, shouldn’t he? ;)

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 14:33:01 +0000

Well, over-the-top gets on people’s nerves.

Frankly, I have a TSTL friend, so I know these people aren’t just in stories and a book with a character like that IS realistic, but that kind of character just pushes too many buttons on people, I think.

Kinda like in real life, actually. :-)

I suppose all I can say is that it’s a very fine line between just a blonde character and a TSTL one. And I’m not quite sure where that line is.

By: May

May — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 14:08:47 +0000

Over-the-top gets a thumbs down from me. Most of the time, such heroines just annoy me.

Basically, if there’s something obvious to me that the heroine doesn’t notice (and is critical to the plot), it’s over.