The Curse of Romance. What do you hate about Romance novels? What do you love?

[Suenammi Richards]

As a romance novelist I find it very difficult to get reviewed.  It seems writers, bloggers, and everyone else have preconceived notions about what to expect in a romance novel.  Generally these expectations are not very positive.  I personally am a very selective romance reader.  Currently I read only about 4 to 5 authors religiously, and have a hard time getting through a story that is poorly written. I also have had several people who only read "Sci-Fi", "Murder-Mystery" and even YA claim that they enjoy my novels.

I love romance because of the scion of love defying all odds.  When done right it is the ultimate feel good story.  I want to write good romance that tells a captivating love story.  But it's very hard to do without any feedback from writers of other genres.

So I'm wondering how many people decide to not read a book just because it's labeled as romance?  And if so please share with me why that is. What are your 'terrible' romance experiences, and what has actually worked for you.

 

Thanks,

 

~Sue

[Jennifer Kitchens]

I feel the same way.  I do a blog of clean romance novels.  If you would like someone to review for you, I am always happy to do so for clean romances.  

 

Jen

Clean Romance Reviews

[Kay Springsteen]

The trend is to limit dialogue tags and not to use the archaic ones such as "blah blah," she reproved. And what I do is give the characters action beats to keep them moving. People don't generally do nothing when they have a conversation. So began the "show don't tell" trend. "Where are you going?" he demanded angrily. "Where are you going?" He slapped his palm against the door and slammed it closed. Four or five pages of dialogue with no tags and no action? The slang in the editing business is "talking heads." It's a big ouch and most editors (including me in my part time position) don't allow it.

[Kay Springsteen]

And from the way you write here, I am 100% convinced your stuff isn't

"Blah-blah," she whimpered.

"Blah-blah," he pleaded.

all the way through. :-)

It's nice to see someone understands the best works are a compromise of styles from past and present.

[SidneReadz]

Why romance novels have taken a back seat to my choice of reading is because much of it has been labeled 'erotic' . which i don't mind some but that RAW Erotic and mixed with profanity is just to damz much.  Then again as a teen, (just a few years ago, lol) Harlequin was the thing and i got tired of the happily ever after stories they were putting out. I had friends that actually was falling for it, being young you don't put things into the right perspective and i always wondered is that the reason why i'm the only one still married, or married at all. (lmbo) but REALLY, i just started back to reading ROMANCE I decided that my book club would read MOST genres. so i joined a group to get a few ideas.  anyone got any selections please post on my page.  I like a romance novel that isn't too graphic with a wonderful plot, no more no less.  oh, i also hate that book covers sometimes spell 'romance' with panties. lol

[Kay Springsteen]

my publisher considers discounts to book clubs and only asks that members post a review on good reads or amazon. When I guest on blogs, I offer a copy of my work in a drawing for those who comment and also give a courtesy copy to the blogger where I am a guest. I do write happy endings, but my stories are not the typical thing and have yet to have a love triangle.

[Jennifer Kitchens]

I have struggled with Romance novels - even though I absolutely love them.  My problem is finding ones that are clean and won't make me blush or think twice about loaning it to my 17-year-old sister.  I do a blog about Clean Romance Novels now.  As for what makes a romance novel good -- good plot line, make them fall in love believably (not just one day they discover they are in love, but actually working up to it a little), characters that show personal growth, and of course good side characters to flush out the stories.

[Kristen Thompson]

Im all for romance, I love great character interaction with a great plot to go along with it. I like when romance books have good tension and challenges for the romantic couple, I also dont mind the "sex" scenes as long as they dont overwhelm the main story. I have read some books that have a great plot but put sex scene in such a random moment in the book that it causes me too lose interest for the story. Good romance books for me are fun and exciting lead characters, and a plot that flows along with the romance.

[Iben]

I don't read erotica but have no problem with romance as long as it's well written - and realistic. I cannot stand romance books where they fall in love just because. And it's never-ending, passionate I WILL DIE FOR YOU love. They've been together for 5 minute and they are ready to get married.

 

I can't stand it. I want the how, what and why.

~iben

Borough of Books

[DG Publishing]

Because what I think is romantic, is not something others may find romantic. Instead, I find long lost loves, love at first sight, etc. Books that make me feel all warm inside, that's my idea of romance. A lot of books labeled romance though is really erotica. And I don't mind a little bit of erotica, but I'm not super into it.

 

When I see romantic comedy I usually shoot for that though because from my experience they tend to have smaller amounts or erotica, if at all.

[Suenammi Richards]

Well as I write I try to span the scope of romance.  My romance has comedic overtones because I enjoy books more that do.  I'll write one with a long courtship, and then I'll write one that is more of a kismet type affair.  I like to explore ALL kinds of love because I don't believe people fall in love in one particular way.  And honestly I don't believe that romance has a formula.  I try to figure out who my characters are and then create the situations that would make that person fall in love.  I find that a people have a tendency to not enjoy the unpredictability of it.  And I wonder if setting a 'style' that people can always recognize is more important than creating a different feel every time.  I enjoy novelty, but I wonder if readers would like something more prescribed.

[Yvonne]

Maybe I'm being overly-simplistic, but I don't like the covers. I find them embarrassing and they turn me off. Flowing dressings, bare chests, sunsets...yuck! Makes me want to hide what I'm reading from the world. Is it strange that I want to be proud of what I'm reading?

[Kay Springsteen]

What kind of covers attract your attention and make you NOT want to hide a book?