“Why Romance?” It was a simple question from my father-in-law, when discussing my drive into the world of Romance writing.
There is a certain level of eyebrow raising that occurs
when you mention you read or write Romance. Friends whisper, “It’s a Romance,”
as they make suggestions to read the latest Tessa Bailey, Jasmine Guillory, or Amy
Lea. As if speaking it aloud somehow brands them “pervy”. I had a friend who
had a Kindle dedicated only to Romance novels that she kept hidden under her
bed as if it were a copy of her high school yearbook (nobody needs to see those
pictures…NOBODY).
There are so many stereotypes about Romance novels. Book
covers adorned with a buxom beauty, breasts overflowing out of their dress, wrapped
in the arms of a shirtless board chested Adonis. Pages full of heaving bosoms, throbbing
members, and crashing mouth kisses.
First, what’s wrong with a heaving bosom or two? Some of
our greatest/most beloved authors were Romance writers. Take the Grande Dame of
Romance, Jane Austen. Lizzie Bennet’s breath never hitched as Mr. Darcy’s smoldering
gaze dragged down her curves, but I bet if Ms. Austen was writing today those
perky breasts would heave!
Romance allows readers and authors to explore the different
facets of relationships. The relationship between the couple, the people around
them, and most importantly with themselves. This is why, I love
reading and writing Romance.
It’s all about relationship. The good, the bad, the in-between,
and the steamy!
Six months ago, when I sat down to write a short story it
naturally evolved into a Romance, because it was the format that gave me the best
lens to explore relationships. To dive into characters and tell a story the
dealt with the everyday complexities and issues that shape our lives.
That short story is now a Contemporary Romance novel entitled
Finding Home. No, this is not a shameless plug for my first novel.
Mainly because it’s not published, yet. I’m still working with an editor to
doll it up before I send her and her heaving bosoms out into the world.
I’m sharing this, because I’m sharing my journey with the
world of Romance. Both as a writer and a reader. This blog will explore all aspects
of my relationship (sense theme??) with Romance. The good, the bad, the
in-between, and, especially, the steamy.
I hope you’ll join me on my journey and together we can
explore our relationship as writer and reader.
I raise my teacup to you!
Pinkies up!
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