Who the hell buys romance?
June 28, 2006 by Melissa · 2 Comments
I talked to a woman yesterday who, after realizing I write romance, said, I used to read it but I don’t anymore. And this is not the first time I have heard that comment. It seems that the best selling fiction genre doesn’t have that many readers. It’s like after the last Reagan election where he won by a landslide but hardly anyone wanted to admit they voted for him.
In today’s society, it is a taboo to admit you like romance. I had one woman tell me, in her very serious voice, that romance always featured a woman whose whole life centered around capturing a man AND that she was completely dependent on men. No, she had not read any of my books. The misconception is that romance still features bodice rippers, actually heard an idependant book store owner refer to them that way a few days ago. Romances have changed in the last twenty to thirty years to reflect the modern woman. They are no longer the damsel waiting to be rescued, many times she does the rescuing. You have the addition of vampires, sci fi, ghosts, chick lit, and many other influences that shape the modern romance.
The other aspect that bothers a lot of people, especially forward thinking women, is the sex. Okay, first of all, my books aren’t all about sex because
e then they wouldn’t be romance. But, even so, why would modern women shy away from a heroine who enjoys sex? If we are supposed to be modern, in-charge-of- our-own lives women, WTF is so wrong with saying, “Yes, I am a sexual creature, and I intend to enjoy it.” Not that every romance even has it. Where sweet romances are having some problem finding their audience in some cases these days, inspirational stories have thrived, creating a whole new genre and readership. More power to them. I say, the more the merrier.
But you want to know what really bothers some people who look down on the genre???? THE HAPPY ENDING. Yep, you read that right. That apparently is too much for some people. People don’t find someone and marry, living HEA in real life do they?? It’s probably hard for me to handle that argument because I have inlaws who have been married over 50 years and my own parents have been married over 40. Not that we haven’t had divorce in our families. It is there, and there is a heartbreak, but that doesn’t mean that happy endings don’t happen. And thankfully, publishers are getting used to the happy for right now endings, where they don’t all have to end in marriage.
When I mentioned a book I had read by a modern female fiction writer and I thought the lead protagonist, a woman, was weak, whiney and deceitful, she said, that was the basis of the book. That woman had to grow through her experiences. So, in that book, a woman could cheat on her lover then dump him, get involved with an abusive asshole, and then completely and absolutely surrender her independence to the man, that was okay. But a woman who finds a man, who definitely isn’t perfect, falls in love and wants some kind of future with him and is willing to fight for it, is wrong. Granted, I know what the author was going for, seriously, but why is that more accepted in our society than romances? Why does the woman have to lose all to gain back her life? But romance is all about sex and weak women. I mean, none of them would have a gun fetish like Mila, or work as a futuristic bounty hunter like Del or work as an assassin like Kally’s Mac. No way. They need to cheat on a good man, then when they find themselves involved with a murderous bastard, completely submit to him. Yes, I understand the physiological aspects of that book, but my beef isn’t so much that the heroine was irritating(and she was. Definitely a TSTL chick) but that THAT is more acceptable than one of my books in the modern American society. To me that shows a woman who doesn’t know her own worth and yes she learns it through the course of the novel, and finds herself alone at that end, the good man having found a better woman, and I am okay with that. Again, it isn’t that I don’t think it was good(although, I HATE charac
ters who just whine and cry and say “Oh poor me, I made the wrong choices.”) but that those of who write romance are somehow lesser writers because we strive for happy endings.
And that is one one of the reasons that I love my readers, and those who attend RT. They completely LOVE romance and aren’t ashamed to admit it. They love when the guy gets the girl, or when she kicks some ass and goes after him herself. They have no problem with enjoying a happy ending, because Lord knows with our present situation, we need some escapism. It is because of many of them that when I feel like chunking it in because of rejection or my real life starts to sort of intrude, that I plod on. The joy, the simple happiness of creating characters and worlds that people enjoy is such a high that I wouldn’t trade it for any job in the world.(unless George Clooney, Will Smith or Antonio Banderas needed a back scrubber.)
Packing up and moving out
June 27, 2006 by Melissa · 3 Comments
Well, we are in the middle of a move to a new house on base, that I am sooooo totally too excited over since it is an older home, with a lock on my office and a built in griddle on the GA
S stove. Yes, see I get too excited about it. Luckily we farmed our children and dog out and so they are not here, and I can write while the movers pack us up. It will only be for a year, unless something amazing happens. I am sad that I will only get to live there for a year, but it will be nice to live on base again. There is a community there that can sometimes be annoying, as in, knocking on my door when the delicate genius is in full swing, but that same community is always dependable. You can always count on help from neighbors when you are moving or without a spouse, and you never have to worry about strangers or leaving your house for long periods of time. And, the easy access to work for my husband, and most of everything else we use is always nice.
So, since I have some free time, I better get to work:) Other than writing, my only job is to make sure the trash doesn’t get packed, lol
Breaking out
June 20, 2006 by Melissa · 3 Comments
Well, I am taking another break, but not really getting that much rest. WE are getting ready for our move which thankfully is just down the road. Since it involves the military, it is always a web of documents to sign and bureaucratic BS. Thus is the nature of any government organization.
What little I have gotten to write has been on Sinner’s Delight, The Cursed Clan, and a new story I am doing for an anthology which involves my best friend Kally Jo Surbeck which involves the Fates.
I am also indulging a bit and reading. Read the new Amanda Quick, highly reccommend it. A lot like her older books and I really liked the whole idea of the Arcane theme. Can’t wait until the next one comes out. I am also rereading Nora Roberts’ Faery books, you know the jewel ones in Ireland. I am hoping it will but me more in a mind of writing paranormal. It is hard to jump from genre to genre from time to time*g*. Voice is really close, but there are different elements to each genre and sometimes when I am working on two or three at once, I have to make sure they don’t overlap.
So, hopefully I will have some news about a new blog I am going to be involved with, and new publishing news.
Off to work on my scary junk closet.
Just a number
June 16, 2006 by Melissa · Leave a Comment
NOTE: If you are in the frame of mind as Barbara Bush and you don’t want to waste your beautiful mind thinking about our men and women making sacrifices, just leave. Don’t send me comments, don’t post nasty comments.
Again, sorry but this is another downer of a diary. My personal life sometimes boils over into my professional life, and there isn’t much I can do about it. As a military family, our lives are intertwined with the politics of this country. And a lot of times, I keep my thoughts and feelings to myself. Mainly because romance authors aren’t looked to for deep political thoughts and others in the business tell you speaking on political things is a killer for the career. But yesterday pushed me over the edge.
Asked about the US military reaching the horrific number of 2500 dead soldiers, Tony Snow said, it is just a number. JUST A NUMBER. No, he wasn’t. He was someone’s brother, son, father, uncle, or friend. He was SOMEONE. If you need to see how this administration views our servicemen and women, as numbers or ‘fodder’(a term GHWBush used for returning servicemen’s coffins). Atonishing enough, this same day, Senators stood up and praised the plan to allow insurgents, ie terrorists in bushspeak, who only attacked our troops to have amnesty. Now, the Iraqi official who stated that has resigned, but not before our senators stood on the floor of OUR congress and said it was a FANTASTIC plan. This is what they thought of our men and women in uniform.
So, people disgusted with this decided to do something I think is fantastic. They have listed everyone from the US military who has died. They are calling on people to public. The diarist who called for everyone to do it is being attacked on a lot of very conservative sites. This isn’t a political issue. This is a human issue. They died fighting whether you agree with the war or not and they deserve your attention.
And please remember, I am informed and I do understand we are nearing 150,000 Iraqis have died(you read that number right). Some days it is too much to wrap my mind around.
The diaries:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/15/17945/0503
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/16/01721/7453
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/16/93435/6741
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/16/103820/796
It took four diaries to list the names, and that is all they did, list names.
I know people have lost, people who are still struggling with their grief. It isn’t an easy thing to go through, while many of us wait for the boot to drop for orders for deployment.
Promise not to be a downer tomorrow.
-Mel
Operation Helmet
June 15, 2006 by Melissa · Leave a Comment
Sorry, but I need to have a little bit of a serious talk again. It seems that our government has short changed our men and women in uniform, again. They don’t have the helmet upgrades they need to keep them safe. Yes, some of them do, but all of them who go are not worth the 75-100 bucks to upgrade. You can do it yourself, but many people serving are living paycheck to paycheck and not even making it. But you can help. Operation Helmet, started by a Vietnam Vet because his grandson who was serving in Iraq requested them for his company, and Operation Helmet was born. You can find all about what is needed, donate, or even request one at Operation Helmet. Check it out for yourself and pass on the information.
Give so they can live!
Pic from The Age
Working to the end
June 14, 2006 by Melissa · 2 Comments
Well, yesterday on Ciar Cullen’s and Leigh Ellwood’s loop I had a FANTASTIC time. Great authors and readers, and just a lot of fun playing with them. I had so much fun I forgot to post more excerpts.
Yesterday was also my 14th Wedding Anniversary. We did the dinner out but did it with kids because they are going to Grandma’s when we move. A move without having to entertain children, how refreshing. My mother is a former military wife so she knows how hard it can be. I took the night off and now tonight I plan to work.
The days after I do an author chat are always a little of a let down. Sort of like the day after NYE without the hangover and waking up next to someone you don’t know. You are tired, so you know you need a break, but you sure do miss the fun. But, I must keep up the work and get to the end of Sinner’s Delight, and work on The Cursed Clan books.
Back to work for me:) Hope everyone is staying cool since we are now hitting the 100s here in south Texas.
Reviews
June 13, 2006 by Melissa · 8 Comments
Ahhh, one thing most writers hate to talk about. I have had some good and some bad. Today I read a particularly nasty one on Amazon. If I didn’t know it was the opposite of what everyone else says, it would have really ruined my day. Sometimes you just have to step back and think about her complaints. Apparently, the reviewer didn’t understand that when you have an anthology, you can’t finish every thread in the story and you are leading to others. Oh, and the longest novella, well, it has more of a story and apparently that is boring. I will not do what many other authors do and beg for people to complain about it or go rate it down. I believe this woman was giving her true opinion of my book in there and I will never have her as a reader. That is all right by me because not everyone is going to like my writing. I know I don’t like some of the big time FAVORITE authors out there right now. I do think she was particularly nasty and personally insulted me, but oh well, small people, small minds.
From the beginning I was rated down by some because I have a lot of plot, LOTS of romance and I like to build sexual tension. I would rather take three or four chapters to take the sexual tension higher. And I have talked on my blog before about this, that I will not write erotic romance for NY. I can’t they don’t understand it and I will not compromise myself just to get to NY. I live true to my characters. Not saying everyone getting to NY is changing for that, but that is what I have been asked to do and I refuse.
Having a great day on Ciar and Leigh’s group! Great bunch of readers:)
Frustration and Virtual people
June 8, 2006 by Melissa · 2 Comments
So, I had a down day yesterday. I achieved the goal I set for myself on Tuesday by working my ass off, figuratively not literally unfortunately. So, yesterday turned out to be a down day all around. Hot as hell, kids stuck inside because of the heat and just a PITA kind of day.
I am going back at it again today, but yesterday I wasted most the day creating virtual people for my blog and website. Of course, they are smart asses, well the chick for my blog is especially, but I had fun. I think the day spent goofing off helped and I am ready to get back to work:)
But, then, that pic sure does give me ideas….
Frustrated writer
June 4, 2006 by Melissa · 7 Comments
Oh, yeah, we have all been there. Fussing because characters aren’t behaving and helping us along. For me it has always been a bit of challenge because I think I suffer a bit from ADD. That or I am just a flake (I lay odds on the latter). So, I have to work at concentration.
But it has been a really difficult time of it lately. As I said, I am used to averaging about 10 pages a day, and now I am lucky if I hit two. I think I am letting the stress get to me. That, and a couple of my characters are being particularly difficult with me. I figure, I will give them a break for a day or two and work on the Clan book. Which in and of itself is scary.
This is something new for me. Yeah, I have done paranormal, although no immortals, but the tone of this series is darker. And I have to curb my inclination toward too many smart ass remarks, lol. I am letting my worries and my own personal critic get to me. I need to ignore the bitch and just write it. That and take breaks and read over a fantastic fantasy by Kally Jo Surbeck. Being a critique partner is cool, lol.
Okay, going to try to write again, might need to get out of the house today for a bit. But I have Evanescene’s My Immortal ready to roll(the theme for my clan books) and I guess I will get some more Kona and get going.
Picture donated by the lovely Aly:)
Safety for workers
June 2, 2006 by Melissa · 3 Comments
Still trying to catch up, and I am about to move to a new to me house, so my posts will be few and far between for the next month or so. But this is something that is near and dear to my heart for a variety of reasons.
I come from a blue collar background. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. My father spent over 20 years in the military, in Civil Engineering(before they sold the soul of it to military contractors) but my family’s roots are in the steel mills of Pittsburgh. It wasn’t an easy life. Horrible working conditions, low pay, and many times their lives were put in danger to make a buck for the big boys. It is one of the reasons my father went into the military. I also had a working grandmother long before it was HIP to be a working mother. My dad even has pictures of her on strike, lol.
But, after the horrible disaster at SAGO you would think that our freaking lawmakers would think about the workers, put them first. Well, of course, they didn’t. When have they? Our privacy has been invaded, our rights stripped away, but they don’t say a word until a warrent is served and a congressman(who had ignored the FBI) has his office search. You’d think they were sacrificing virgins or proposing to eat babies the way they reacted. And, again, they could have stepped up to the plate, but they didn’t. They took special interests over our people. Here is what Rep George Miller wants to add(you will see it is really him being petty *sarcasm*)
– Require the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to randomly check self-rescuer devices upon which miners’ lives depend in an emergency to ensure they are in working order;
– Provide that the air stored underground for trapped miners under the Senate legislation last for a minimum of 48 hours through a chamber or cache; and
– Provide that communication and tracking devices required under the Senate legislation be required in 15 months rather than the 3 years specified.
Now, I know this is way off topic for a romance writer, but with only ONE of the miners dying in the intial blast, think of everyone who could have been saved if these things had been in place. We need to do right by the men and women who are the backbone of this country. They might not be the movers and the shakers, but without them, this country doesn’t function.
Read more at think progress. (where I swiped the pic)
