Romance - Says who?

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dlcharles

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The following post is meant ONLY as a self-denigrating humour attempt caused by my own ineptitude. Sheesh, Veinglory scared me so bad I have suddenly become politically correct conscious (humour here).



I had an urge to try my hand at writing romance novels so I talked my wife into borrowing a bunch of books from one of her girlfriends. I read every one of those books in order to catch a glimpse as to what constitutes "romance" - and I must admit I don't think I can write in this genre. I read at least twenty different author's books and they all read the same.

Are women out of their minds when they write this stuff? I studied phrases like: "His swollen manhood pressed against her" _ now just what is a man's hood and how did it get swollen. I am a sixty-two year old male and never have I discovered any semblance of a hood anywhere on my body, and if I did have a hood I sure wouldn't want to cause it to get swollen.

"His thumb pressed against the center of her universe, causing waves of ecstasy to course through her breast." - Now this is a good one! Center of her universe - what is that? And using his thumb? Either I am more naive than even I thought or the female body has things going on I never heard of.

"He held her in his strong masculine arms, his muscles rippling with the desire to kiss her." - This one is really a no-brainer, since it is obviously a male holding a female even I can figure out that "his" means male - so logically I would presume "masculine" would be a given. Now I have managed to kiss a few ladies in my time, but I can never recall a single instance when my masculine muscular strong arms rippled with desire to kiss someone. I can remember when my lips seemed to have a life of their own as they came into contact with her lips - but they certainly did not ripple.

I won't even attempt to list the various sentence structures used to describe the sexual act itelf, but almost every single one of them made me chuckle with amusement. What is it with the feminine mind which can turn a most enjoyable interlude into a cataclysmic sensual orgasm simply because some unshaved ruffian smiles at her and she thinks she can win his heart by holding back? I don't know, but I believe romance novels are way beyond my ability. Do women actually believe this stuff? If I attempted to "romance" my wife the way men do in these stories she would throw me out in a second.

Many, many years ago I was hitch hiking across the country and landed a job near Franklin, Kentucky at a truck stop. At this truck stop there were at least six "waitresses" at all times on duty. This puzzled me for a few days until I learned they were waitresses only when they were not busy in one of the bedrooms with customers. I was young back then and felt I had arrived in a young man's concept of true heaven. As I worked around the place cleaning, washing dishes, mopping, short order cooking, pumping gas into the big rigs, I was allowed to partake of the various pleasures the ladies offered - and at no charge. I even was allowed to give massages, do their hair, etc., learning all kinds of fantastic things during my tenure at that truck stop. Not once, I mean not even once, did any of those ladies ever act like women do in romance novels - never. I would have stayed there forever if some redneck bubba sheriff hadn't raided the place, at which time I moved on.
 
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DamaNegra

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veinglory

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Imagine picking a dozen books at random from any genre. What are the odds you would get the best, and the ones best for you as a reader? If, indeed, this is the genre for you at all.

What baffles me more than the fact some romance publisher put out the purple stuff (many do not) is why you felt any inclination to write romance at all or come to the romance forum to share your disdain for the genre. If you want frank explicit sex try Ellora's Cave ot Loose Id--if you want it without romance try pornography?

If you would like to read some good romance by all means tell us what you are looking for and get some recommendation but mocking quotes doesn't seem to me to meet the forums single rule: "respect your fellow writer."

Now if you define all or most women by truck stop sex workers and expect fictional genre characters to be realistic--well, actually, never mind... I'll leave it at that.
 

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You're not reading the "good" stuff.

Look for books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller--I'm fond of Pilots Choice in particular, or Plan B, but they're super. They're SF/Romance cross overs. Or look for Georgette Heyer, or Laura London/Sharn and Tom Curtis The Windflower.

There are thousands of "Romance" novels published in a year, with enormous variety of subject, style and approach. Go to your library and look there. Get people who aren't suffering from insomnia to suggest authors and titles; I'm close to aphasic today.
 

dlcharles

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Veinglory: Disdain? Never even gave it thought in that manner. The post was meant "tongue-in-cheek" at my own expense - and not as a derogatory. I do not have the ability to write in this genre - no matter the wish to do so. I would never "disrepect" another 'writer', but regardless of the author or the genre, when one can find humor in something it becomes worth writing about.
 

veinglory

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dlcharles said:
Veinglory: Disdain? Never even gave it thought in that manner. The post was meant "tongue-in-cheek" at my own expense - and not as a derogatory. I do not have the ability to write in this genre - no matter the wish to do so. I would never "disrepect" another 'writer', but regardless of the author or the genre, when one can find humor in something it becomes worth writing about.

"Are women out of their minds when they write this stuff?"

Keep in mind that on the internet irony and /or humor does not always come across.
 

dlcharles

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Very true - and point taken. I hereby give myself several bad rep points - but I still find humour in the numerous stories I read. I will immediately go back, edit, and clarify as I still do not know how to delete a thread. Which brings up an interesting question - why do most males NOT like romance novels. An answer would be most appreciated.
 
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dlcharles

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Medievalist said:
Spend some time at this site; it's fabulous, and huge:
All About Romance.

Notice the reviews, and the message forums, and especially the exquisite Purple Prose Parody.

Also, there's a wonderful and pointed blog on romances called Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.

Thank you! And just for the record - I am now determined to find out if I am able to write a true "romance" novel. I shall study everything and then take pen in hand - and we shall see. I'll keep you informed. My post has already resulted in rewards - thanks again to all.
 

Cathy C

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Jeez, guys! I go away for a couple of hours and all heck breaks loose! ;)


Glad to see that this was written tongue-in-cheek rather than seriously, dlcharles. Some people would take it the wrong way--in far worse ways than the comments already here. Good luck with your novel! :)
 

dlcharles

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Cathy C said:
Jeez, guys! I go away for a couple of hours and all heck breaks loose! ;)


Glad to see that this was written tongue-in-cheek rather than seriously, dlcharles. Some people would take it the wrong way--in far worse ways than the comments already here. Good luck with your novel! :)

Thanks, Cathy. I now have two whom I am afraid of - Quidscriblis and Veinglory. Not too bad considering the thousands of writers online in AW. I believe there is a gigantic difference in poking fun at a genre and disrespecting a writer - I have lots of writers whom I respect and enjoy, but sometimes the genre itself can be hilarious.. I once began a western series and the first story was a gut wrenching, harrowing tale of the early west pioneers. When I finished the story and it was almost ready for publishing I received a letter from a reviewer asking me whether I had intentionally written the western as a comedy or just a parody (pre-computer days). I was devastated that my writing could be so misread. I went back and rewrote the complete story before I would allow it to go out, all because of one review. To this day I regret doing the rewrite.

Also, at least I am no longer cursed with being the biggest thread killer - or am I still?.

Texas hill country - makes me think of Helotes, Texas. I grew up in Laredo and my stomping grounds were San Antonio, Austin, Helotes, and Round Rock - then down to Corpus.
 
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Cathy C

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OT-but only way to contact

Kasey, clear out your message box, sweetie. I can't reply to your PM otherwise... :)

vein, you ALWAYS strike fear into my heart. But I like fear, so does that count? ;)
 

dlcharles

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OK - in the past couple of weeks I have read the following romance works and will list them here in order to see whether they are "recognized".

Into the Darkness - GreyGallows - by Barbara Michaels
Outrun The Dark - Cecilia Bartholomew
Pearl - Cecilia Romero Cooper
Tender Savage - Phoebe Conn
Big Bad Wolf - Linda Jones
Noble and Ivy - Carole Howey
Noah's Women - Sylvie Sommerfield
Come Midnight - Suzanne Forste
Destiny - Barbara Benedict
Whispers of Passion - Sandra Dubay
Quicksilver - Pam McCutcheon
With Only One Kiss - Sonya T. Pelton
Abiding Hope - Melody Morgan
Desire In Disguise - Rebecca Brandewyne
Black Velvet - Patricia Wilson
Wild Card Bride - Joy Tucker
The Promise - Kersey Michaels
To Love A Man - Karen Robards
A Season Beyond A Kiss - Kathleene E. Woodwiss
Texas Fire - Caroline Bourne
Return To Opal Reach - Clarissa Garland
Playing With Fire - Victoria Thompson
Always Her Hero - Adrienne deWolfe
Scatter the Tempest - Joyce McLean
Sabrina Kane - Will Cook

It was mentioned that I should read a cross-section and gain a better understanding of "Romance". Does the above constitute such in your opinions?

Also, I stumbled across a very disturbing work copyrighted 1977 - Outrun The Dark - by Cecilia Bartholomew - Putnam -and by disturbing I mean that it drew me into the mind of a woman who spent thirteen years in a mental institution (from age eight to twenty-one) only to then be released back into society without being healed of her problems. Her struggles to accept she may have killed her little brother thirteen years ago, to accept she was hiding molestation by a family member, and to prevent it continuing when she is returned to her family home all brought me deeply into the complex storyline. This book I truly enjoyed and am amazed that I never heard of it.
 
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AnneMarble

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dlcharles said:
OK - in the past couple of weeks I have read the following romance works and will list them here in order to see whether they are "recognized".

Into the Darkness - GreyGallows - by Barbara Michaels
Are there actually bookstores that shelve Barbara Michaels in romance?! Shows what they know.:ROFL: Most of the bookstores I know classify her in fiction, mystery, or even horror. She also writes as Elizabeth Peters, and she's an Egyptologist as well I believe.

dlcharles said:
It was mentioned that I should read a cross-section and gain a better understanding of "Romance". Does the above constitute such in your opinions?
Have you read many examples published in this century? :ROFL: Good grief, I think some of those people may be dead. ;) I recognized a few of those authors as writers I gave up on in my youth because even when I was young and less picky, I thought their books were silly. Glad to know they still live up to their earlier reputation. :D Where do you buy your romances, yard sales or thrift shops? ;)

Was that enough smileys for everyone? :)
 
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dlcharles

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AnneMarble said:
Are there actually bookstores that shelve Barbara Michaels in romance?! Shows what they know. Most of the bookstores I know classify her in fiction, mystery, or even horror. She also writes as Elizabeth Peters, and she's an Egyptologist as well I believe.
Have you read many examples published in this century? Good grief, I think some of those people may be dead.....Where do you buy your romances, yard sales or thrift shops?

From the price stickers I believe mostly WalMart. In my wife's bookstore she also takes books in trade and the most popular genres in these Ozark hills appear to be the romance stories for women (known locally as "Harleys") or westerns for the males.
 

Cathy C

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I think the "taking in trade" may be the problem here. You need to read more recent contemporary books. See if she has any of these authors:

Nora Roberts (writes contemporary - mega-selling author who also writes as J.D. Robb)
Linda Howard (writes both contemporary and paranormal)
Debbie Macomber (writes women's fiction - also just won the first ever Quill Award from Publisher's Weekly)
Sabrina Jeffries (writes historical)
Claire Delacroix (writes historical)
Lisa Gardner (writes contemporary)
Tori Carrington (writes series contemporary)
Barbara McMahon (writes series humorous romance)
Heather Graham (writes contemporary)
Jo Beverly (writes contemporary and suspense)
Madeline Hunter (writes historical)
Lisa Jackson (writes suspense)
JoAnn Ross (writes contemporary and suspense)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (writes paranormal)


All of the above are best selling, award-winning authors from the past year. There are hundreds more, but these should get you started on what readers are picking up on the shelves today, depending on what subgenre you're interested in writing.

Good luck!
 

Sakamonda

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More recommendations

I also recommend the following, especially if you want to laugh:

Katie Macalister: writers adorable romantic comedies in odd settings (like Renaissance fairs, Scottish sheep farms, British reality shows)

Mary Janice Davidson: also writes adorable romantic comedies in odd settings (which are often paranormal)

Carly Phillips: writes hilarious contemporary romantic comedies

Jennifer Weiner: More women's fiction with romantic subplots, but very intelligent, poignant, and relevant to real women's lives while still being funny. Lots of men I know read and enjoy her work as well as women.
 

preyer

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it's takes more than that to offend me, dl, lol. really, the only time i get mad at a poster is when they attack me personally. poke fun at me or my stories with the intent of playfullness and it's cool with me. :)

i agree, though, those kind of books you read are, to me, on the silly side. i think they're more escapist fantasy than meant to be taken seriously as a work of art. there's a place for that, and i think that's what a lot of people think of as what constitutes the typical romance novel (probably mostly guys think this). it's my perception that right now, 2006, 'romance' is such a wide-ranging genre that the 'romance' really has practically less meaning than it ever did. i mean, chick-lit doesn't always involve the girl getting her knight-in-shining-armour, no? yet that falls under the 'romance' umbrella.

for the story i've got in mind, i wouldn't call it 'romance' in the strictest sense like those books you ploughed through, i see it more as a drama with romantic elements. it's something i like to think i can get away with, at least, lol.

i think a lot of guys would like certain romance books if they gave them a chance. i honestly don't see a lot of guys liking 'her rippling bosum heaved like the seas by the tender beating of his throbbing manhood' (trust me, that's a brilliant sentence... for a parody). so, yeah, i think you can get away with a lot more under 'romance' than just about any other genre (maybe not, but for practical purposes, i'd say that statement is pretty close to being true, no?). it's got so many sub-genres that if you can't find a story you want to write within some fairly broad parametres, i don't know what to tell ya, lol.

if you look at fantasy from a certain time, you'd think they were written all by the same author. my guess is that's probably true of any genre at some point or another. you can write literature or pulp trash, that's what i like about the genre. and for me it's a project i can work on with my wife, it be a challenge and while there are probably some story guidelines i need to know, i think i can still write the story i want to write for the most part.

(sorry if more's been added to this since i started this thread yesterday evening and it's been sitting on my computer ever since. :))
 

preyer

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p.s., it sounds like you was living the dream there for a while. hopefully you picked up some insights, though, and this is pretty obvious but i say it anyway, the perspective of some whores probably isn't norm, lol. but, man, what a great set of character bases you could use, though i'd be careful which ones i used when applied to the main character, making sure her motivations are justified for the situation. i'd guess one of those women did it out of desperation and cried herself to sleep every night, while another was just a slut to begin with and her attitude was like, 'i'm going to spread my legs anyway, might as well get paid for it.' there was certainly some drugs filtering through the setting, too.

my question is, do they constitute lot lizards?

and has there ever been a romance set squarely in the middle of a whore house? that'd be a helluva book if you ask me, but it sounds pretty damn hard to write. basically, dl, if you don't write it, i will. :)
 
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