Header PromotionIn my rwa enotes that came today, there was a link to a news story in the Rapid City journal about the popularity of the romance genre. Romance has experienced some great press this year so I forgot to go in with my "realistic" hat on.
The whole thing set my teeth on edge.
We start out quite promising: "She knew she shouldn’t be so drawn, but she couldn’t help herself. It was just so easy to do; the attraction was undeniable. She didn’t think she could bring herself to let go of the addiction. It always made her feel so good.
Even if it was just a trashy romance novel.Whether you favor a racy bodice-ripper with cover art of a half-naked woman in the arms of a shirtless lover, or a dive into the paranormal world of vampires and demons who interfere in the world of mortals, romance novels are seeing an increase in readership during these tough economic times."
I've seen this before - the cheeky, sensational opening followed by a strong article of numbers and support. But not this time. No, this wasn't done tongue in cheek at all. I couldn't believe a bookstore manager would call it "mindless reading" - shame on you Ms Barrows, for you've just insulted the millions of readers who support your business.
Not to mention Clare Hafferman, who used to work in a bookstore and was even more insulting by saying “I think a lot of the romance novels are drivel,...I was amazed at the number of romances that we sold.”Hafferman is a fan of mysteries herself, because “I like a plot.”“I wouldn’t waste my time,” Hafferman said.
Not only are millions of my readers wasting their time reading plotless stories, but I am clearly wasting my time by writing drivel. And horror of horrors, I'm making a living at it! Shame on me for selling out.
Newsflash, Ms. Hafferman. Mysteries are genre fiction, just like Romance. Just because you don't like the romance genre doesn't mean they aren't well written, at times thought provoking, inspiring, and entertaining.
I don't often get on my soapbox about this kind of thing and maybe it's a reaction to enjoying the GOOD press the genre has had recently. But the whole thing smacks of literary snobbism and totally made me grit my teeth (and just ask my dentist, I'm not supposed to do that).
Now, I'm going to go enjoy my company and vacation while plotting out my next book. And I'll thank my most lovely readers for keeping me employed in a job I adore.
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
I couldn't survive without my "drivel"
I must escape into my romance novels and I must escape often. If not for you Donna and all the other romance writers out there, I would propably explode from stress! I now even pass on my total escapism books to another appraiser friend, who is finding the same stress relief that I have found. Thank you for your "drivel" and keep it up! I even held back on Hired: The Italian's Bride so I could have you in at #200. Keep up the good work!!
Bonsal
May's Member of the Month
with cover art of a
with cover art of a half-naked woman in the arms of a shirtless lover
They do have that right. I think the Presents titles give the impression of drivel, though I know the writing is good. So someone who doesn't read romances is going to think "drivel" because of the cover art and the titles of the most best selling series. I think you just need to remind yourself that you do not write drivel and let it go. At least that's what I would do.
"Saving the future, one presidential edict at a time."
March's Member of the Month--2008
Losing the Plot
Hafferman is a fan of mysteries herself, because “I like a plot."
Hafferman has clearly 'lost the plot'!!!!
Pretty obvious too that said lady has never read a good romance novel, because let's face it, if she had, she wouldn't be making half baked comments like that!
Okay....you can have you're soap box back now.....I'm done.
Mavis
Participant in Date with Destiny 2009
Participant in Writers' Challenge 2009
"Nunc scio quit sit amor." Lat., -Virgil
hmmm
Reading is supposed to be entertainment right? So who are they to criticize the form of entertainment we chose? Do these same ladies look for tv shows with a plot? Look at the scads of mindless sitcoms that are out there and last year after year. I think Seinfeld and the Simpsons and similar are mindless drivel that don't deserve the airspace they are given; but you very rarely hear tv shows being criticized the way romance is!
Sheesh!
There's your soapbox back Donna - all shined up. Hope you're enjoying your company despite the depressing weather.
Lynne
Donna:
I followed your link and read the drivel quoted from the mystery lover. "I like plot." LOL--sorry there is a lot of excellent plotting happening in the romance genre. There are also some awesome character driven romances.
Now I happen to be someone that considers mysteries a waste of money--mine. I just do not enjoy mysteries, but what I consider drivel and a waste of money and time is well loved by others. So why make others feel bad because I don't like something?
Nothing is drivel if it is finding an audience and it is well loved. Donna, your books in particular, are superb--keep writing and don't let the poorly informed get you down.
Nancy
January 2009 Member of the Month
Participant in Date with Destiny 2009
Participant in Pass the Plot Spring 2009
LOL FF
Normally this would roll off me like water off a duck's back, but for some reason this one got me. And maybe it's because I'm on holidays and I actually have a brain that is functioning beyond deadlines and school schedules, lol!
Bonsal...ooh I'm honoured at number 200!
And Nancy, Lynne and others - big hugs. You guys keep me going.
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
You have
to wonder if these are the same ladies that go to church for the wrong reasons. Do they think people think them smarter for their choices. I think less of them because obviously they haven't read before they speak. Don't get me wrong I love mysteries but there's usually some kind of mystery in all books. I really get ticked at narrow minded attitudes.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
Can't believe this!
I can never understand why some people are so disrespectful of others' love of romance stories. Why do they demean 'love' & 'romance' stories? What makes them better that they can demean others? How can a supposedly educated person make such a sweeping comment, to insult many writers & readers? So egocentric!
I pity those who criticize 'love/romance stories', they miss out so much from life. What's left in life if there were no love?
Orchid
"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Love is Blind, Greed is Insatiable" ~ Chinese Proverbs
Literary snobs!
I agree...that *does* set my teeth on edge, too! I read the whole article -- that one former bookstore employee seemed to take particular pride in not reading romance. WHY?
What's "wrong" with romance? A happily-ever-after? If we shouldn't read romances, well, then let's get rid of all those Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, because OMG, there's a HEA! I don't know about you (well, I *do* since we're all here because we love romance!) but I want a happy ending! Life has enough nastiness in it for real.
Maybe the world would be a better place if MORE people read romance.
I never hide the fact that I both read and write romance. Why should I? What's the harm in reading and writing about life, and love, and family???????
Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Prepublished and workin' to change that!
Winner of the BIG FINISH 2 2008
Participant in PASS THE PLOT Aug 2008
Participant in DATE WITH DESTINY 2009
Participant in PASS THE PLOT Aug 2009
I think this is the time for
I think this is the time for you to grab a copy of Beyond Heaving Bosoms, the snarktastic tome on the romance genre that Smart Bitches Trashy Books recently released. It takes a look at the good and bad of the genre, snarks on the horrible covers, applauds the best and acknowledges the worst, and takes a look at why some take such a poor view on the most popular genre out there.
I went and read it yesterday
I went and read it yesterday after I saw this blog from you Donna. And I actually posted a comment over there in reply to it. Mine is the only comment so pretty easy to figure out which one is mine. LOL I was so mad at the attitude of some of those people quoted in the article.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies
~eHQ April 2008 Member of the Month~