Jul
I Write Romance, Wanna Make Something of it?
I was reading John Gardner’s craft book, ON BECOMING A NOVELIST, the other night as I was stirring the risotto for dinner. The book was published in 1983, the year I went to work leaving my infant son home with his father. Mr. Mom, a movie about a stay-at-home dad came out that same year. The world was in flux.
Pouring in more chicken stock, I came across this bit of advice: read bad fiction so you can appreciate the good (read, literary). And where did Mr. Gardner suggest we find the bad fiction? Woman’s fiction, mostly. He goes on to tell us that we should underline passages that stream with triteness, cuteness, and sentimentality. By this time, something was steaming. And it wasn’t the risotto.
Why is romance, and women’s fiction, the stepsister of the publishing world? Why are cozy’s looked down upon by the noir division of the mystery world? Tell me what’s wrong with not having bloody body parts showing up, page after page. And why do we, as readers, love the books we love?
I’ve been struggling for a while to define and claim what I write. When I announced that I had sold a short story to people at work, they thought it was cute that I’d sold to True Love. Selling three months in a row, my stories are claiming me. I am a romance writer. Romance with a touch of mystery and humor.
I kept reading as I was stirring. Mr. Gardner redeemed himself at the end of this chapter with this one idea: even though you can get advice from a lot of great writers, in the end, it’s your story and you must face that blank page on your own. In other words, trust your gut as my accountability partners tell me. I think readers are given that same advice. Read what you love, not what people tell you to read.
Stirring the last bit of broth into my risotto, I realized something. Writing is like food. Not everyone has the same tastes. And that’s what makes this journey so much fun.
So today’s question, what one book did you read because you thought you had to? Did you enjoy it?
Lynn Cahoon’s work has appeared in Grit, Chicken Soup for the Soul, True Romance, and True Love. She is currently polishing two romance novels, working on a cozy mystery, and waiting for a call from the slush pile. She lives in the St. Louis area with her husband.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Lynn, *great* post! Being a native NYer, I especially liked the “you wanna make something of it” part! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing up for our genre! It shouldn’t need defense–my thought is, anything that gets people reading and thinking is always a good thing–but sadly, so many put their nose up when they could be burying it in an excellent story, because they think it’s “not good enough.”
The first “you have to read this” book that comes to mind is Twilight. I think it’s sad that so many people refuse to see it as a YA romance, which it is IMHO. I read it dutifully, waiting for the sparkling brilliance I’d heard about. Let’s just say, I’ll keep the rest of my opinion to myself, since not everyone feels the same. (Can you say “whiny”?)
There were tons of books I had to read in school; some I loved, some I didn’t even finish because they put me to sleep. (coughBillyBuddcough) Reading has to be a matter of choice. If you don’t like what you’re reading, you won’t finish it and you won’t go looking for more from that author. (Still haven’t read Moby Dick.) I’d do handstands on the roof of my house to get my oldest to read Harry Potter, but if he prefers Star Wars fanfic, that’s what I’ll get him; I don’t care if he reads the toilet paper wrapper: JUST READ. Don’t be aliterate (coughlikeyourfathercough).
Thanks for sharing!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Carla, I bet you and I agree on Twilight.
Maybe the reason romance is so look-down-on is the happy ending? I mean, we all know litera-tyoor isn’t any good unless it comprises reams of navel-gazing and angst and then everyone dies, right?
It might also be a product, though, of when that book was written. I’ve read plenty of purple-prosed wonders from that era. I’d challenge the author to read some of the greats of today and see if he’d still spout the same opinion.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:28 am
Lynn,
Terrific post. Two years ago, I decided to become a serious writer and picked up a book on how to get published from the bookstore. After reading the book, I changed my manuscript, and then joined RWA. What did I learn? That everything the writer said on how to get published was wrong for the romance world. (He said to eliminate conversations–they were “telling.”)
After multiple recommendations, I read Stephen King’s ON WRITING. Fabulous piece. I’ve read it multiple times and gleaned something from each time.
Congratulations on your short stories. You’re building your fan base!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Carla -I want to support the Twilight series, she’s from Utah – just miles away from home for me – Idaho, but I read two and stopped. Now the Olympian series from Rick Riordan, I loved. I borrowed the last book from a fourth grade son of a co-worker. LOVED it! Maybe your Star Wars son woul like them as well?
Aislinn – I’ve been writing for the true confessions lately and have to admit, I loved those puppies when I was growing up. I’d steal them from my mom’s stash. It was pretty purple back then… (grin)
I love those lists of must read books. Now that I’m older, the lists are getting longer. And don’t get me wrong. John Gardner is one of the greats in how to write fiction books. And yeah, the timing is probably part of the reason he spotlighted women’s fiction. But the stigma between literary and genre writing hasn’t gone away.
Thanks for stopping by.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:58 am
I’ve seen my share of looks when I say I write romances…but I dismiss it. Romance is the best selling genre fiction for a reason. Translated, people buy it because they READ it. I don’t mind riding that wave.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:33 am
The one book that I had to pick up because everyone else was reading it was “Harry Potter” and I really tried, but did not finish. The one book that I did read because everybody was reading it and absolutely loved was “The Help.” I’ve told others about it and they have gone on to read it.
I read what I like and no one can make me read what I don’t like.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Um…now, I’m hungry. Actually, I think I read that How To book, or one like it. Of all the novels I’ve been required to read, none sticks out in my mind. Not even the famous ones. What I do recall are the lovely Romances that carried me to far away places and into other realms of wonder. For me, it’s all about the relationship. Those are the novels I chose to write. So, yes, it’s all about our own choices. Great post, thanks!
July 8th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I had a lengthy, opinionated reply in the cue when the power blinked. I’ll take that as God and nature telling me to keep it to myself.
In short: No category of fiction is superior or inferior to any other. Comes down to the craftsmanship and talent of the writer. To a degree, skill and talent are subjective. But to a degree, they aren’t.
I was required to read that timeless American classic, The Great Gatsby.
Amazing book. I hated it.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
This is a common theme among all writers. I wrote my own response to Eileen Dreyer’s CNN article in May and touched on many of the same themes as you have here, Lynn. I have also struggled with the issue of literary v. genre v. mass market. Here’s my take on it if you’re interested: http://everwriting.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/resurfacing/
Also, you might want to have a look at Dystel & Goderich’s blog: http://dglm.blogspot.com/2010/07/from-vault-literary-v-commercial.html
and of course, Eileen Dreyer’s article – I believe this was brought up in RWA loops.
My favorite “I couldn’t read this book even if you paid me” is The God of Small Things. The writer foreshadows every bad thing that is going to happen to the characters and I did not want to read any more about how barbaric and vicious we can be – I already know that.
Thanks for this post, Lynn. We need to say it and hear it. The genre is irrelevant – if it’s good, it’s good.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Imagine me standing up and cheering! Thank you Lynn, you echo my own sentiments on the matter. Recently I was dismayed to read a favorite author’s take on her own work. She insists she writes “literature” instead of “genre”. Notice I said I’m a fan. I’ve read everything I could get my hands on by her. They aren’t literature, they’re mysteries!! Ok, they’re GOOD mysteries, with a lot of “important” social stuff thrown in, but they’re STILL mysteries!
She made it out to be that genre writers were “hacks” and her writing was too good for that…which was and IS absolute BS. She lost a lot of my respect with that rant – not that it would mean anything to her to know that.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I go with Harry Potter as well…tried to not read it for years and then finally gave in to the audiobook — which was outstanding and I couldn’t stop listening!
July 8th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Dru/Nikki – I loved HP… And Joe – I love the Great Gatsby. See, it just goes to show people are different… and THAT’s good!
Sorry about the food cue Jaye… I really was stirring risotto when I was reading though… my hubby thinks I’m crazy….
Shel – I think the world decides if your writing is literature, not you. (LOL) But if you like her mysteries, maybe let her think….
And Elizabeth, Thanks for letting me vent…. I love your romances!
July 8th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I recently read The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird because I hadn’t before (yes, I’ll admit it). I loved TKAM and TGG was well written but can’t say I loved the story.