tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post2929624366911264094..comments2023-10-28T05:33:15.060-05:00Comments on The Writing Playground: In defense of romanceMarilyn Puetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073134550080890157noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-36498150879454506832010-05-19T19:19:06.546-05:002010-05-19T19:19:06.546-05:00The difference between literary fiction and commer...The difference between literary fiction and commercial fiction is that one deals with theory and the other with practical application. So IMO, if I had to classify romance as a whole, I'd put it in the commercial fiction slot. I don't mean that as a slight at all, just that literary fiction is largely tell and romance is all about action. I'd rather read and experience a romance than critically analyze one, wouldn't you?<br /><br />I have a friend who's a real merde d'tete about this sort of thing. She has an MFA, knows a couple dead languages, and thinks I'm a total yuppy sellout for having gotten bored writing about the "real issues" and moving on to "superficial" ones. She believes that since she spent 12 years in school learning to write well, she should get a golden ticket to the front of the line. Why should you, a lowly romance author, be published while she is still languishing away in obscurity? There's no way you worked harder than she did. It isn't fair. That's how she sees it.<br /><br />Personally, I think romance gets a bad rap because the world is full of cynics whose insecurities don't leave any wiggle room for those with opposing views. The old "I'm not OK, You're not OK" phenomena, if you will. And while the romance community is definitely more tolerant than some of the others, it has its share of toxic people who openly expressed their disdain toward a certain sub-genre, publisher, or method of publication (hardcover trumps paperback, paperback trumps ebook, ebook trumps self-published ebook, etc). Some people need to feel better than others in order to feel like they're worth anything at all. It's sad, but true. <br /><br />I know it's frustrating, but you're better off ignoring these people. Believe it or not, you're better off than they are because when you write what you love, you love what you write. I doubt these people can say the same. If they could, they'd have better things to do than to try and relieve themselves in someone else's sandbox, wouldn't they?Jinkyhttp://www.quietlycrazy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-62568487173129460642010-05-19T18:26:15.468-05:002010-05-19T18:26:15.468-05:00Oh, I think you should write her. I love a good l...Oh, I think you should write her. I love a good letter.<br /><br />I'm with Jean -- don't defend. No one looks good in a defensive posture. Either educate or snark back, depending on your mood. :-)<br /><br />(And by educate, feel free to use very small words and a tone that clearly shows you feel you're dealing with a complete idiot.)Problem Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456049865200737618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-15953652345430455782010-05-19T15:44:10.085-05:002010-05-19T15:44:10.085-05:00I'd rather write 'trash' and have a be...I'd rather write 'trash' and have a bestseller than write some obscure literary work that if I'm lucky, will bore some teenager to death 20 years after I'm dead.Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13518751514879244662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-78997434183226854412010-05-19T15:38:15.273-05:002010-05-19T15:38:15.273-05:00I'm starting an epublishing business (ReadersC...I'm starting an epublishing business (ReadersChoicePublishing.com) where readers will choose the books we publish. I went to an event called Startup Weekend at the end of which everyone had to present their business in front of all the attendees and three startup experts with potential to be funders.<br /><br />One of those experts actually interrupted my presentation to say (he thought he was being so funny), "You mean bodice rippers?" Since I didn't understand him the first time he repeated himself.<br /><br />I looked right at him and said, "That's the derogatory term for them, yes." Then I went on with my presentation.<br /><br />Afterwards he came over to me and offered a couple of not-very-helpful tips. I took it to mean he was trying to make amends without actually apologizing.<br /><br />I was so proud of how I handled that.DebraHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04825718409333450906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-24134626255602579392010-05-19T08:53:01.662-05:002010-05-19T08:53:01.662-05:00I agree, Kathy. :-)
Yep, I've defended readi...I agree, Kathy. :-) <br /><br />Yep, I've defended reading and writing romance. Many times. But you know what, in most cases I've decided I could have saved my breath. People who are determined to not like something are just not going to like it. Their loss not mine. I have more important things to do with the limited hours in my day than try to educate someone who isn't willing to learn and broaden their horizons. <br /><br />InstigatorKira Sinclair - AKA Instigatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14274056066229852126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-28930560629625329932010-05-19T08:24:47.550-05:002010-05-19T08:24:47.550-05:00Great blog, PM. You should at least send that edit...Great blog, PM. You should at least send that editor a link to the page. :-) <br /><br />LJLinda Winstead Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09870355400804918712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-69785521827240830412010-05-19T07:27:59.809-05:002010-05-19T07:27:59.809-05:00Ooooo! That picture is so wrong. ;POoooo! That picture is so wrong. ;PKatherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-63247820035606306872010-05-19T06:53:35.737-05:002010-05-19T06:53:35.737-05:00I used to be more of a defender of my passion for ...I used to be more of a defender of my passion for romance, but now I'm proud. Heck, Oprah had a doctor say that our books actually EMPOWER women (much to Oprah's shock). <br /><br />Romance gives me hope. :-)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-71750477663177330882010-05-19T06:39:22.818-05:002010-05-19T06:39:22.818-05:00No, I don't defend what I write and what I rea...No, I don't defend what I write and what I read. The way I see things, it doesn't need defending and I don't have the time. <br /><br />I define trash as something that is poorly written. There is trash among romance. The same is true for every other genre, including literary fiction. <br /><br />I did have a friend who asked me why I didn't write a real book. I told her this was as real as it gets. <br /><br />I read all kinds of things and, from time to time, I enjoy a story where all doesn't end well. But I am not going to write it. I don't want it in my head 24-7.Jeannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-11211014595657659862010-05-19T06:18:15.572-05:002010-05-19T06:18:15.572-05:00Yes, I have had to defend romance writers to my fe...Yes, I have had to defend romance writers to my fellow attorney-friends. The females snicker and do call them bodice rippers but I would guess that if you checked their night stands at home, you would find a few racy novels hidden among the legal tomes. My pat answer is usually for them to check the bank account of the more notable writers - money speaks to lawyers. They shut up.<br /><br />I agree - writing a romance is not so easy. You do have to delve into the emotions and thoughts of your characters making them real persons with real problems. Everything in a romance speaks to the political and social mores of your time period so it is literary. Romance writers get a bum rap but hey, look at the bestseller lists - who tops them all the time? We must be doing something right!Cherylnoreply@blogger.com