The Smart Bitches have posted a new entry that takes a gander at the differences between Alpha and Beta heroes in romance novels. Personally, all these labels confuse me, though I’ve read enough in the genre to finally figure out the accepted difference (whereas before, every time someone mentioned ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’ I’d pull a Scooby-Doo and be like, “Wuh? Wassat?”). I think labeling your hero—or writing a hero that can be labeled—is a dangerous thing, but since I’m guilty of it, and will probably continue to be guilty of it, I won’t go any further with that train of thought. At least not until I’m more awake and capable of formulating some fantastic argument. Actually, go and read Meljean’s post about chemistry and opposites and the essentials of a good relationship. That’s probably a better argument against outdated stereotypes like Alpha and Beta than I could ever write.