Hey everyone. I don’t usually post on the weekend, but I came across something interesting on my friend Staci Troilo’s site. She linked to a post by Charles Yallowitz where he asked three questions about fictional bad boys. The topic intrigued me. Here are the three questions and my answers.
1. Who is your favorite “Bad Boy” from fiction? That’s a tough one as there are a lot to choose from. I think I’d have to go with Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry movies. Yes, he’s a cop and a good guy, but there is a toughness and a bad boy persona about him. And no one can say, “Go ahead, make my day” like Clint.
2. If you had to design a ‘Bad Boy’, what would be a necessity? I did design one as the male lead in my book Unknown Reasons. Brian was known as a bad boy in school who reformed his ways. He is now a responsible business owner, but also plays part-time in a rock band and still has a little bit of the “devil may care” attitude. For me, the bad boy would need to be smart enough to know how to succeed in the world. He doesn’t necessarily need a college education, but I would never have ne’er do well high school drop out.
3. Why do you think the ‘Bad Boy’ is so appealing to audiences? I think deep down many of us have a rebellious streak even though we strive to do good. For those who had a strict upbringing, the idea of a rebel is often appealing, and many aren’t brave enough to allow their rebellious side show through.
So, there you have it. If you’d like to play along, write a post and link back to Charles’s blog. Or visit him and leave a comment.
And if you’d like to see Staci’s answers, click here.
16 Responses
You’re right about Clint Eastwood. And I loved Brian! Excellent answers. (And thanks for linking to me.)
Well, you had already chosen Rick Blaine… 🙂 Seriously, I loved the way Clint played a “good guy, bad guy.” And thanks for the comment about Brian. So far, he’s been my favorite character to write.
You touched on something that not a lot of people have mentioned. Bad boy doesn’t always mean villain. They can be heroic, but rough like Dirty Harry, Wolverine, and Punisher.
That’s true, Charles. Thanks for your post and the thought-provoking questions. I had fun with this one.
Clint is a great pick, Joan. I do believe the rebellious factor plays a strong part in it:)
There are lots to choose from, but Clint came to mind first. Thanks, Denise!
Clint Eastwood is a good choice. I loved his “bad boy” characters in the old spaghetti westerns he did, too.
And Brian was a great bad boy. I love the idea of redemption!
I loved Clint’s spaghetti westerns! He was so cool. And I loved creating/writing about Brian. And I guess you can say I created another “bad boy” in my latest novel. 😉
Teehee. That one has me besotted 🙂
Love your answers. I left mine at Charles’s place.
Thanks, Craig! Headed over to Charles’s place to read your answers.
[…] 1. https://joanhall.blog/2019/07/06/fictional-bad-boys/ […]
Fun post, Joan. I hope you’re having a good week. Hugs.
Thanks, Teagan. Hope you’re enjoying the week as well.
That was fun. My mind goes blank with these types of questions, but I like your answers, Joan. I actually think our attraction to bad boys goes back to our cavewoman days. The men who were slightly aggressive were probably also good protectors and providers. (I go back to our caveman days for all our nonsensical behaviors. Lol). A fun post.
That’s a good thought. Sort of a Neanderthal type. Thanks for visiting today!