Be still, my beating heart!
After having a really interesting conversation with Islander8 this morning about the nature of writing romance in novels, I've decided to blog about it to open it up a bit.
It may not come as a surprise to those who know me, but I'm a bit of a boy when it comes to my taste in entertainment. Give me a beer, a copy of Tomb Raider and a film with explosions in it, and I'm pretty much happy. But I am also a romantic at heart, which does make me a bit girlie (well, that and my love of shoes and chocolate, of course). Whilst I don't do romance for romance's sake (Mills and Boons style romances make me want to jump in the shower to wash the skeezy feeling away), I do like a romantic subplot in my novels; it gives me something to root for, and it makes my heart feel good that, despite all of the trials, tribulations and dragons / ancient evils / megalomaniac wizards the characters face, they can find a little bit of happiness as well. Awww. What a soppy old sod I am.
Problem is, I am also very, very self conscious about writing romance. 'Cos nothing opens you up to your readers like romance does. I can write violence. I can write conflict. Hell, I can even write explicit sex (way hey!). But I hold back on the mushy stuff because I get really self conscious about it. Probably because, out of everything I write, it's the most 'real'. The other stuff I write is so out there - dragons and swordfights, evil sorceresses, massive willies that never wilt - it's obvious it's all imaginary. But romance... that's real. That comes from the heart. When you write romance, you let people in.
I think it all stems from something I wrote a long time ago. Ages ago (about 8-9 years ago), I wrote a romance mod for the computer game Baldur's Gate. And, as always, rather than holding on to the positive reviews, I took on board the negative ones. And boy, did those negative ones hurt. I was accused of being a sad, fat woman with no life who was living my romantic life vicariously through my character (even though I was a happy, fat married woman in a good relationship!) - yep, that's what one of the reviewers said - and it has made me very, very wary of letting go like that again. Stupid thing is, I love crafting romances. I love throwing two characters together and seeing what happens to them. But I have been bitten so many times by so many cynics, I'm a bit scared to even offer my hand now.
And this seems to be a common thread amongst books where a romance is highlighted. Go to any negative review on Amazon for Twilight, and it will slag off the romantic language and imagery. People seem to like bashing romances – there is no middle ground there. Hell, it was laid on so thick that I couldn't read it (although I do like Meyer for her balls – she wrote a novel that broke most of the writing rules and ended up with a mahooosive bestseller... you have to admire the woman's moxy!), and so I won't be going down that road. But I do have a little romantic subplot, because I like romantic subplots and they make me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Problem is, I am so self conscious about being perceived at writing cliched naffness that I hold back. What goes on in my head does not get on the page. I edit it before it has even drawn its first breath. And this means that, whilst in my head my two protagonists are the new Romeo and Juliet, on the page they may as well be strangers. So I have to learn to let go. To write something and then not immediately delete it because I am worried that a small bunch of people will sit there, rolling their eyes and sniggering at me. Now, I'm not ever going to be one for a Mills and Boons style romance (either with or without vampires!), but I do want to write a sweet, believable romantic subplot that makes the heart feel good.
But how to do that?
Seriously – how do you get over something that you like in private, but makes you feel a bit vulnerable and self conscious when it goes public? (Gosh, that sounds a bit dodgy, doesn't it?!)
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49 Comments
I don't quiet get what your worried about, not every one will like romance novels, and neither do I if the only purpose behind them is romance - so write a novel with a relationship at the core but don't call it a romance in your head - one can write touching scenes without going down the road of 'smoldering blue eyes and lips quivering with anticipation.' So don't, write a different romance, between un-likley subjects and in un-likley situations - If people who don't read romance crtisize you, so what - write for the people who do - the rest should have known better if it's on the romance section and they don't like romances!
I wouldn't imagine that the audience for Balders Gate would be idea candidates for a romantic novel anyway. Your most important quality if you want to go on would be a thick skin, and not to worry about what a bunch of snide gamers think! I hate historical fiction as a rule, finding most of it turgid and exposition heavy, but I can recognize good writing when I see it, and if it transcends the genre, I'd read it. Do the same with your romance, make it so good it can't be scoffed at.
I will probably be criticized as a romantic, but I find writing that avoids dreams and passion sterile. After all, the words 'story' and 'romance' were once interchangeable.
I think this probably stems more from my own issues with self confidence (which I have blogged about before) and worrying far too much about what other people think. I would never subscribe to the whole 'quivering lips and smouldering eyes' thing (although Kailas does have blue eyes, and they are mentioned quite a lot!) because I don't like to read that kind of thing. I find I am a bit self conscious 'cos I am worried about naffness, and I expect my years of knocking around with horror writers hasn't helped - they are not the most open to romantic interludes, and so whilst my icky violent side has been nurtured, my sappy soppy side has always been private. And now I feel a bit silly letting it out (probably because I still persist in thinking everyone is a horror writer at heart! Lol!).
As for the BG romance mods - seriously, google 'Baldur's Gate romance mods' and then stand back. The optional romance paths in the game were HUGELY popular, and I think there must be nigh on at least 50 - 100 new romance mods you can download, created by fans. They are definitely the most popular mods that people make and download.
*Sighs* I suppose it's all about challenging yourself and learning how to thicken that skin again, isn't it? Possibly with a big old side order of self belief, huh? Bugger! I am SO crap at that... XD
(Sorry it's short - baby wants feeding, toddler wants lunch!)
As for the feedback, if it was me personally I would re-write your mod making it even more soppy and unbearably cliched just to piss them off further...
In my opinion there are only two people who you need to impress and that's your intended audience and a publisher/agent. Having said that, you could receive negative feedback from tons of publishers/agents and it won't mean squat if you eventually get took on by someone!
Write whatever you feel works and disregard any stupid comments from all the idiots in the world. As long as it makes you happy (and your target audience of course) then the rest of the world can go stuff themselves as far as I'm concerned... (As I'm sure you can guess; I had a few drinks with lunch)
I would also like to add that not all horror writers are adverse to a nice romantic scene every now and then. In fact in the novel I am writing, a couple have a very tender moment embracing each other as one of them slowly dies... Of course she then sits up and tears a chunk out of her hubby's throat, but it is nice and soppy up until then! ;-)
My only addition was - if this book is for adults you need a bit of something, if not soppy romance then raw sex...something! Not necessarily with the main MC. Having read your story Ely I know there is a very raunchy scene in there - perhaps there needs to be more...? Don't know...
I agree with what you're saying about an adult book. If its for children, you can occupy them with rainbows and magic and puppies and stuff. When your writing for adults you need to work a bit harder. Depending on the genre, you need to incorporate things like a twisty plot, gore, action or like you said; raw sex (always a fan) to keep the reader entertained.
I haven't read the book, but if it has any of the above elements it should be fine
“Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend.”
Before he said this, though, I definitely knew I wanted to adhere to the former as opposed to the latter when it comes to the aims of my novel. Dragonsoul is about a young woman who faces adversity, learns responsibility and where she fits in in the world. She just happens to find someone along the way... ;-)
However! This doesn't mean I should sit on my laurels when it comes to the romance side. Damien - since you're my usual writing crowd (I write a lot of horror short stories, and all even my fantasy has dark / horror elements in it... it's why I need to balance it with a bit of light sometimes!), I would be interested in your opinion - the extract I8 and I have been discussing is in the group Aspiring Writers (I can link it if you want me to) :-)
Islander - I can't say I've read the book but I know plenty of friends who have; some say they enjoyed it (mostly the women) others say that it contains a number of grammatical errors and is equivalent to the works of a child... Glad you agree the movies are terrible. I'd hate to think anyone on the cloud belongs to 'Team Jacob' or 'Team Edward'!
Elysia - I'd be more than happy to review your work. Would you give me a link as I'm still struggling to find my way around the cloud.
I think something interesting has struck me - when I read horror I don't expect to see romance.
I just read Full Dark, no Moon by Stephen King. It includes a few short stories that are excellent - gripping read, all of them. Not a smidgen of romance in sight! All "eek"!
Also, I love Harry Potter - again other than the Hermione/ Ron and Harry/ Ginny stuff - not that much romance.
Agatha Christie - Great plot - no romance (hardly...)
Ken Follett - Historical fiction -excellent plot and characters - no fantasy!
The point is, every book in its proper place... rarely do you get books that cross over - if ever!
So, where does that leave you Ely? Anyone?
I've read quite a few horror / dark fantasy with romance in them, my favourite being Weaveworld by Clive Barker (which is one of the major influences on me as a writer and on Dragonsoul). Barker likes his romance, as does James Herbert (even if he is a bit twisted...), and even King includes it in his work. Horror is very much about the human condition, and romance is often used to contrast the dark with the light, which is why I use it. :-)
Damien: http://writing-community.writersworkshop.co.uk/forum/topic/6303 I hope that gets you there!
See you knew about the teams...lol!
Trust me. when I found out it was a book teens were into I was horrified - I had no idea. I just came across the book at the airport and got hooked on the series. As for errors, there are plenty. I know. I have a confession, I am a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, as well as Heroes, Roswell, etc... I also love The Lost Boys, Interview with a vampire... you get the drift!
Twilight filled the void - I had to get a dose of Angel in a book!
i will now go and hide my head in shame...
Sorry, Ely - had to have my say... :)
I think it also helps to define what people expect when they say 'romance'. Personally, I find books that are only about the romance pretty plotless - I NEED something else (which was one of my major problems with Twilight... nothing bloody happens!). I like it when little scenes pop up which make you think 'aww! They're falling for each other!' - and then get straight back to the 'proper' story. Romance for me is the icing as opposed to the whole cake.
I even put a line in DS where Kailas comes to see Alicia in the middle of the night, and she asks if he's been watching her, to which he replies 'Why would I do that? That's just weird.'
I took it out, 'cos I knew I would get loads of flak for it... XD
Flight of Dragons and The Last Unicorn RULE, btw... and Labyrinth, and Willow, and Hawk The Slayer... *blushes*!!
By the way, keep it in - it's funny! Why not?
Anyway, you have made me addicted to the cloud today - I need to detox! Ahhhh....
Islander - I only know about the teams because when I was driving past the pics I saw a bunch of kids wearing 'Team Edward' and 'Team Jacob' T-shirts! I thought it might have been a charity drive or something, but then to my horror I saw a local news item on TV that explained all!
Elysia - I also enjoy Clive Barker but he has the most twisted imagination I have ever encountered. What I don't like is how he allows his homosexuality to influence the storyline of some of his books (i.e. One of the stories in the Books of Blood involves a man being forcefully raped by another bloke and then he starts to enjoy it!!! - Not for me thank you very much!) But I know what you mean about Herbert, King etc having romance in their books. Hell, all the books I have ever written (or started) have had a romantic sub-plot in them (True, the love interest is normally slaughtered or something but it still has the romantic elements)
Thanks for the link - I'll go check it out after I've grabbed something to eat (your mention of cake has got me craving)
I love Labyrinth btw, the scariest thing in it being David Bowie's trousers!
As for being bold about it, I wrote a gay romance/horror story called 'Linnet's god' (posted on the gay group) which I was well nervous about writing, let alone allowing anyone to read it! I found myself getting all defensive about it, feeling compelled to kersplain my reasons for writing the thing - but, hang on, I can write about any other subject without worrying what people will think! I can write about horrific murders without anyone accusing me of being a psychopath (as such), or about aliens without anyone saying I'm from a different planet (although I totally am), so why do I feel self-conscious writing a gay character?
I wonder if that story is a romance? Ummm . . . possibly, up to a point . . .
can't stand Mills and Boon slush though.
You have to choose your initial reviewers carefully, find a couple of people you trust to be honest but sensitive. I had a guy at my writer's group who used to gag at the mention of the R word and in his vigorous and complete destruction of what I was writing, he could have really put me off. My shield wasn't and never will be titanium self-confidence, it was knowing that what I had written was absolutely true to myself. He was never going to be my audience and I was never going to be someone else just to please him. Like Bren, I make no apologies.
So be yourself and write the romantic theme that you would like to read.
As for Gerilyn, she is very wise indeed...except that Cecelia Ahern's next book Where Rainbows End was a much better better romance than PS I Love You ;-)
Not hopeless, inspirational.
I have suggested one of the books from 'The Barchester Chronicles' for discussion in a writer's group.
The theme would be 'Do any of you feel closer to the characters of Anthony Trollope than you do to the characters in modern fiction? It would be an interesting topic.
I did read the blurb for PS I Love You and that did not appeal - the concept felt contrived, and I don't fair well with books that are designed to 'tug on the heartstrings' - I tend to resent the manipulation, I prefer it when those moments come out of the blue (for example, Stephen King's Insomnia. That book made me sob like a babe - the description of the old man's life and his memories of his wife were so poignant. I was totally not expecting it, and for me, that's how these things should be played. Again, a subplot, not the be-all of the plot). It's the same reason I don't like films that do that - films like Marley and Me and Sleepless in Seattle... yeuch. Manipulative, oversentimental twaddle. (Although, saying that, I like Pixar films, and they always make me cry. Now I am confused... XD)
Thanks for all your replies! I'm going to just keep re-writing and editing and try to keep the Doubt Monster off my back whilst doing so... yeah, wish me luck!! xx
WOW! This looks feckin' AMAZING! For all the wrong reasons, of course... just look at that cover artwork! I may have to investigate this subgenre of dodgy-sexual-fantasy-disguised-as-Pirate-Mills-and-Boon books... XD
;D
Other than that I quiet like romances as long as it is a sub plot, I like other things to be happening as well as the mushy stuff. A bit of mush is good for the soul although a little goes a long way.
I really liked PS, except the ending.
I must re-read Rainbows and see if it is as good as I remember. If I think it was actually a pile of shite, rest assured I'll be keeping that revised assessment to myself 8-)
Note to self: can't you just be nice for TWO SECONDS?! Sheesh... (Although if I get rid of the bonkers Nazi super soldiers angle, it might just work... XD)
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