So MSNBC ran a poll yesterday to see how many respondents enjoyed reading romance. Great, right? An opportunity for those of us who love uplifting stories with a happy ending to show the world our support of romance novels, right?
Well, yes and no...
Romance readers and writers turned out to vote their support of romance novels, and at last check, those who voted yes, they read romance, outpaced those who did not.
My beef? (And I do have one!) The tone of the poll, the wording of the question and response choices made my skin crawl. Clearly the poll was created by some yahoo who'd never read a romance and could clearly need a little light and love in their otherwise jadded and cynical life.
Romance novels - yet again- were called bodice rippers. To vote yes in the poll, you had to click the choice that said "Yes, yes, yes! Bodice-rippers are my ultimate escape.
To vote no you were to click 2. No way. I don't touch those books.
You could almost hear the distain behind the word THOSE.
And the third choice was "Sometimes while on vacation at the beach." As if reading romances while on vacation at the beach was the only time any sane person would lower themselves. Give me a break! How condescending!
Not only does the term bodice ripper sets my teeth on edge, it shows the author of the poll relied on stereotypes and out-dated cliches rather than giving the poll any effort or research. The tone of the poll was offensive to me and many other romance readers. (If the activity on other romance blogs is any indication)
So romance continues to get no respect in the mainstream media and MSNBC lost a bit of my respect.
Beth Cornelison- www.bethcornelison.com
DUTY TO PROTECT- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- July 2008
RANCHER'S REDEMPTION- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- Oct 2008
voted
even though I didn't agree with the term "bodice ripper". I figured it was better than "yes I read those books"
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
July's MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Oh, Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
HQN (or a whole lotta SIL / HQN authors!!) should let MSNBC know just how far off base they are! You're so right, Beth! It just doesn't do justice to the top notch, high quality novels produced by the romance authors of today!
JodieG
Prepublished and workin' to change that!
A winner of the Big Finish 2 Contest, March 2008!
Participating author in Pass the Plot, Summer 2008
From another Beth C...
I saw. I voted. I was also clenching my teeth.
For God's sakes, you're a journalist, MSNBC gal/guy. Instead of relying on cliches, research the subject. Step into the present. *Grrrr*
Regardless, I voted "Yes, yes, yes! Bodice-rippers are my ultimate escape."
Neanderthals.
*le sigh*
www.bethciotta.com
"...enchanting, madcap romance..." Publisher Weekly
"...wry humor; sexy, multifaceted characters..." Booklist
Oh wow! I thought you were
Oh wow! I thought you were both the same Beth C.
"Perhaps what the average member of a group is capable of doesn't limit what a given individual can accomplish." -- Boston Globe, letter to the editor
March's Member of the Month!
also voted...
I also voted and was annoyed. I went to a knitting group last night and I was talking to them. I mentioned that I read and attempt to write romance novels....You could see the people go "oh...." Its like it is something to be ashamed of....I just don't understand.
Laughter is an instant vacation- Milton Berle
Thanks for voting...
For those of you who voted, thanks! Maybe when MSNBC sees how many people DO read romance they won't be so quick to insult a major portion of their readership/viewers. Sigh. And maybe the moon is made of cheese....
Hi, Beth C! Yep, there are two of us... plus a Beth B on Cathy Mann's Bunker Bash where I hang out. I was Beth B before I married...hmmm.
Off to rip some bodices...er, I mean work on my WIP!
TGIF!
Beth Cornelison- www.bethcornelison.com
DUTY TO PROTECT- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- July 2008
RANCHER'S REDEMPTION- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- Oct 2008
I took the poll and it made
I took the poll and it made me annoyed too. I think journalism is for the most part rally out of touch with books and their readership. Our local paper did a book review that slammed a book for coming out in paperback first when the rest of his books were hardcover. Well, it turned out that the author did that on purpose in conjunction with a mystery publisher to encourage oher mystery writers to go paperback first inst4ad of getting caught up in the hardcover thing. Ifr a book doesn't seel enough in hardcover before getting remqindered, it doesn't go into paperback so the mystery genre and the public was losing some great authors and books. Pseudo-intellectuals drive me nuts. That poll was annoying. I wonder how many of us wil ltake the time to write and tell them how stuoid the poll terms were--- THAT would get their attention even more than numbers.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Fight Fire With Fire I Say
Here you go ladies...
Message board for the poll:
http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?boardid=479&threadid=70215...
Already some great comments...
Trish
RT REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARD WINNER 2008 for RESCUED: MOTHER-TO-BE
HER BEDROOM SURRENDER - Harlequin Presents - May - BOOKSELLERS BEST FINALIST as BREATHLESS!
http://www.trishwylie.com
thanks Trish
Thanks Trish! I posted my comment .
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Personally, I think calling
Personally, I think calling a romance novel a "bodice ripper" is about as accurate as, say, calling the Today show a "news program".
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST, Harlequin Blaze, April 2008
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