“It is the month of June, The month of leaves and roses, When pleasant sights salute the eyes and pleasant scents the noses.”
–Nathaniel Parker Willis
Along with the lovely weather comes another IWSG blog hop. Thanks to this month’s co-hosts: Diane Burton, Kim Lajevardi,Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster, Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!
The ISWG is a wonderful hub for writers of all stripes, including the scarlet stripes of romance writers like me.
This month’s question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?
I have written horror stories, cozy mysteries, and women’s fiction, but these days I’m all about romance: contemporary, steamy (but not kinky), realistic, down-to-earth stories in which characters beyond the first flush of youth forge new connections and open new chapters.
Some romance writers/readers shy away from the spicy bits, but I enjoy writing graphic love scenes. However, my stories aren’t what most people would consider erotica. IMHO the same rule applies in both fiction and in real life: sex is most delicious when it’s part of a loving relationship. No shade on the kinksters, though–I enjoy reading those tales too.
I’ll bet that at least one blog post on today’s list will sneer at romance fiction. (I’d be delighted to be wrong.) Many readers/writers belittle escapist literature favored by women: romance and cozy mysteries, but not escapist literature favored by men: sci-fi and thrillers. (Of course, I know that many women enjoy sci-fi, etc.–and 16% of dedicated romance readers are male.)
Why is one type of reading frivolous and contemptible while another is harmless or even admirable? Why is literature is only serious and praiseworthy when the ending is depressing? Don’t we face enough defeat in daily life without having to fill our bookshelves with tales of ennui and gloom?
Falling in love and being loved in return, despite our flaws and our beloved’s, that’s redemption, a peak experience available to all. On the other hand, rounding up a motley band of resistance fighters to defeat a sinister force, or infiltrating a criminal organization and lopping off its head—that’s a thrill few will ever experience in real life. Is only the unattainable worth reading about? Romance readers say no.
Romance fiction’s joyful celebration of women’s sexuality is also a way of flipping the bird at the patriarchy. “Oh, romance novels are really just porn,” critics say. Nope. The good stuff revolves around determined, smart, problem-solving women, and the men who love them, treasure them, and give them earthquake orgasms. And yes, there are romance stories for everyone on the gender spectrum. Sex is part of finding one’s mate, but it’s not the whole story, just like armed combat is not the whole story in, say, Star Wars.
Maybe there’s a bit of sour grapes flavoring this disdain for romance fiction. According to the Romance Writers of America, “the romance fiction industry is worth $1.08 billion dollars a year, which makes it about a third larger than the inspirational book industry, and about the size of the mystery novel genree and science fiction/fantasy genre markets combined. Romance novels regularly top the major bestseller lists (New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today), and have a large, dedicated audience of readers.” Source:https://www.thebalancecareers.com/romance-novels-about-the-romance-fiction-genre-2799896
“But romance novels are so predictable,” critics whine. Yes, it’s true that a romance story must end with a Happily Ever After. That’s what we love in Romancelandia–the guarantee that, no matter how dire, the characters will end up together. And let’s be real: Don’t the good guys always defeat the bad guys in other popular escapist literature like sci-fi, thrillers, and superhero stories? Some secondary characters may be slaughtered, but the hero/ine survives.
Life hands us enough sucky endings. I’ll stick to my HEA, thanks.
By the way, Through the Red Door, a steamy contemporary romance set in a bookshop, is on sale for just 99 cents through June 13.
http://steamybookbargains.com/index.php/steamy-super-sale-giveaway/
Enjoyed your post. I have never figured out why it is accepted to graphically describe murder with all the gore possible, but yet add a love scene to your book about a loving relationship and it’s frowned upon. Doesn’t stop me or thousands of others, but a question just the same.
Good point, Tena!
I have loved romance since the 70’s. Sorry to date myself. I read many genres particularly fantasy. Love is central to who we are as people. I live in a real world full of sadness, illness, hate, and war. If i want to escape to a land of enchantment where good people get their happily ever after, snobs get over it and lighten up. It’s like theater is true acting. Nope. It’s not.
Maybe they need a little romance in their lives.
Thanks to all the romance writers who bring us happiness.
In this day and age, it seems it’s impossible to love something without hating something else. You have to be “for” or “against” something with no middle ground, even if the topic in question has absolutely nothing to do with you.
I don’t read romance, but I do read westerns, which I’ve always described as “romance with more punching and shooting, but an equal number of horses.”
I write mostly romantic suspense. I love romance, but my muse just won’t behave. I type away, minding my own business, then suddenly someone gets shot or something blows up. I can’t explain it. What I do know is – no one forces another person to read a book at gunpoint. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But, don’t tell others what they should like. I’m so tired of shaming.
On a lighter note. I’m proud to say my husband is among the 16%. His first choice is westerns, but he’ll pick up a romance now and then too.
Enjoyable post. You make many good points–especially that we all can like a variety of genres. I have to say, when I was in middle school, I used to invade my uncle’s stash of old Westerns and mysteries. They were fun–that was back when the most romantic a Western got was if the h/h shared one kiss.
I remember reading, and appreciating, romance as a young woman. I was full of hope. My whole life ahead of me. Times changed. I’m more of a sci-fi, fantasy, mystery read now. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
It is so great to have found a genre you really love! [I know, baaaad pun].
You are quite right about the sneering. Because some people just can’t be happy when others are successful. I loved romance novels in my younger days – snapped up those historical bodice rippers as soon as they hit the shelf. And I loved the movie Romancing the Stone because it featured an author of those books in the middle of one of her stories.
Also, there have been more than a few instances when a writer thought to cash in on the romance market because it’s “easy,” only to find out that you still have to have interesting characters doing interesting things.
I’m a sucker for a good romance! And while I know that there’ll be a HEA, it’s all about taking the journey with the characters before finally getting there. Great post, Sadira! I really enjoyed it!
I always have a little romance in my story even if that is the focus of the story. I like the emotional elements it adds. I also read a lot of it although I don’t write it exactly but have thought about it.
One of the best things my parents did for me when I was a child was to allow me to read whatever I wanted. Being uncensored meant I had the freedom to explore all kinds of genres, and even now, as long as it’s well-written, I can enjoy just about any book. A variety of romances are always in my mix, because it’s comforting to have the assurance of a happy ending.
Great tribute to romance! I totally agree. I love romance too, even though I don’t write it. But I read and enjoy it.
Sex is most delicious when it’s part of a loving relationship – now that is a very true statement!
For me, it’s about the story not the genre. If the story speaks to me, I’m there. 🙂
All of my books contain a romance (or a hint of one in my MG book). Without strong relationships, humanity has no future. Romance gives me hope that we, as a species, will survive. One of the great things about this group is that we all respect each other’s choices as far as what we write. I don’t write poems or horror yet have great admiration for those who do. Have a great month.
I’ve always loved reading romance and am finally getting a chance to write it! It’s definitely not easy.