45 Master Characters (6 page)

She hates not being the center of attention but at the same time she fears that other women will hate her for this attention. Her best friendships seem to be with Amazons who are just as extroverted but also protective of her like a big sister, and with Maidens who look up to her — like Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) in
Gilligan's Island
looks up to Ginger (Tina Louise). Most women are dying to let loose and be more like her, but they don't know how and wind up becoming jealous of her. Her relationships with other Seductive Muses become competitive rather quickly.

What Motivates the Seductive Muse?

Her biggest motivator is self-actualization. Whether she's publicly recognized or not she has an urge to create. There is a need deep within her soul that drives her to produce things and experience life to the fullest. Without a creative outlet she expresses this drive sexually. She's like Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) in
Basic Instinct
; when she's not writing she sexually plays with men and women for fun.

She needs love, connection and creativity to be happy. She may have trouble seeing projects through to the end, loving the process itself more than anything. When the project ends so does the fun.

How Do Other Characters See the Seductive Muse?

Some women are jealous of the attention she receives. She can see it in their eyes. How many women would be comfortable with Marilyn Monroe in the room? They don't understand the charm and magnetism she has over men and women alike. She is sexual, colorful and full of a love for life, something most women have trouble cultivating. They watch her and feel their own shortcomings.

She wears alluring clothes and sometimes is ahead of the trends, possibly starting them herself. She always adds a touch of uniqueness and class to her outfits and seems to be totally perfect — hair, nails and skin all vibrant. She has an inner glow, a “star quality” about her.

In biblical tales, Salome's seductive dancing led the emperor to grant her any wish.

Developing the Character Arc

Look at your character's main goal in your story and then at the fears you've selected to use against her. What does she need to learn to help her overcome her fear? Does she need to learn how to be by herself in nature? Does she need to turn another woman into a sexual goddess and step out of the limelight herself?

Very often the Seductive Muse just wants to be recognized for her brain instead of just her looks. She may learn that looks are temporary and superficial. She wants a true soul mate who sees her for who she is. She needs to learn to sit still and to plan for the future instead of always living in the moment.

What happened to her at an early age to make this archetype dominate her personality? Was she treated like the favored child and spoiled for her innocent alluring behavior? Did she live in a culture where women were encouraged to be open and giving? Was she sexually abused and is now acting out her abuse unconsciously by sleeping around and degrading herself?

To grow, this archetype is best paired with one of the following:

The Woman's Man —
can teach her to value herself for her mind and spirit as well as her body.

The Messiah —
can teach her how to channel her sexual energy to advance spiritually.

The Recluse and Mystic —
can teach her how to be alone without fear of abandonment and also how to know herself deep down inside.

The Amazon —
can teach her to set limits and accept discipline as a positive thing in life.

Assets:

• Loves to be the center of attention.
  

• Has a need to express herself.
  

• Is smart and creative.
  

• Is emotional and deeply feeling.
  

• Loves herself and her body in a healthy way. No eating disorders here.
  

• Loves to dress up and wear alluring clothes.
  

• Enjoys sex.
  

• Enjoys female friendships but sometimes feels ostracized.
  

• Encourages other women to be creative and sexual; inspires men.
  

Flaws:

• Is unable to do things alone.
  

• Lives for the moment, never thinking of or planning for the future.
  

• Falls in and out of love easily — loves 'em and leaves 'em.
  

• Is manipulative and flirtatious.
  

• Is impulsive and promiscuous.
  

• Is very self-focused.