Friday, November 15, 2019

You Don't "JUST" Write Romance

I was watching Jeopardy last night and one of the questions was..."One of the most prolific authors of all time, Barbara Cartland wrote more than 600 books in this genre." James Holzhauer answered correctly with romance. But here is the thing. When he answered, he snickered saying romance.I don't know if he snickered because HE knew Cartland read romance, or he snickered because who would ever think someone such as he would ever know anything about the romance genre, or because the answer was simply romance. Regardless, it sort of upset me.

I have been a proponent of the romance and women's fiction genre since I opened the agency in 2003. This is a great genre, one that has and will stand the test of time. It is also a genre that takes a lot more skill to write than general fiction because the human emotions, relationships and connections have to be real and authentic. Unfortunately, too many people have always turned their noses up at people who write "just" romance. Even romance authors, when asked what they write, will often find ways around it by claiming "women's fiction" or calling it by just the genre such as "I write historical fiction." Many of these authors come across as almost being ashamed of writing romance. Some even go so far as saying, "Oh, I just write romance."

No!

Romance is a genre! Romance is not just some "bodice ripper" but a true reflection of the human condition. Romance is also one of the top selling genres out there.

Look authors! Romance is not something to be snickered at like our wonderful James Holzhauer did, whether intentionally or unintentionally. If you are an author of romance, declare it loud and proud today (and every day)!

1 comment: