I don’t like romances.
Yes, I’ve tried reading them.
No, I still don’t like them.
I’ve always been a “Rah! Rah! Girl Power!” sort of reader. I became frustrated quite young with the woman as plot device: Our princess has been stolen (as if she’s an inanimate object), you must go on a quest to save her! Or the woman as set decoration: Look how lovely our princess is! Or even just as a reason for character development: Now I’ve learned to love a woman, I will become a better man!
I wanted the princess to save her own self! I wanted the princess to save the prince!
Then I found myself at college. In a dorm room. With a chick who loved romances. I mean… they were everywhere. Those thin little Harlequins with the damsel gazing up at the muscular man. Bleh.
Then, one day, I ran out of things to read. (This is the definition of a nightmare for a reader) So, fine. I grabbed a Harlequin.
The story can be summed up as follows (disclaimer – this was more years ago than I care to admit, just in case you want to tell me that romances aren’t like this. They were. I read them):
The Girl – demure, shy, quiet, pretty in a way no one really appreciated.
The Guy – cocky, confident, manly, attracted to the Girl mostly because she’s not interested in him.
Circumstances threw them together! She hates him! He hates her! She can’t stop thinking about him! They end up in a barn, or an elevator (I can’t recall offhand). They fight, they call each other names! He slaps her! They kiss! They make love! Then they end up apart, they pine for each other, then they end up back together.
I mean… seriously.
A few weeks later, I once again have nothing to read. So, in desperation, I tried again.
This time she was sassy and bold and pretty in a way no one really appreciated. He was still cocky. They ended up in a barn, or an elevator or… maybe it was a boat? They fight, he slaps her, they kiss, they make love, they end up apart, they pine, they end up together.
I probably read a half-dozen of her Harlequins. They were all the same story, as far as I could tell. And the part where he slaps her and then they kiss bothered me to my soul.
I swore never to read another.
I suppose what I want out of a romance makes it not be a romance any more. I want excitement and adventure. I want… I want “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” (The Princess Bride) And if it gives me all that, then maybe the kissing parts aren’t so bad.
And now? Now I have promised my fellow Purple Ink Writers that I’ll write a Paranormal Romance.
My characters might even end up in a barn.
purple ink writers 
I’m like you, Donna. I’ve read enough romance novels to know that I do not like them, for the same reasons as you. Every time I’ve picked one up, it was the same formula each time; page 47 for the first kiss, sex on 76, misunderstanding on 87, make-up sex on 114, happily ever after with all of her needs and wants being fulfilled by a man by the last page. It was so boring. And c’mon, there’s only so many times you can describe something as turgid before you over-use the word (hint: it’s overused if it appears once). Romance novels also intrigue me though — ever since my mother told me that Harlequin pays around 5K per book (this was in the 1990’s so they are probably ‘worth’ more now). They always seemed like something that once you get the formula down-pat, you can vomit one out every month and make some seriously respectable cash from them…under a nom de plume, of course.
I’ve thought about trying to write formula romances, and I just don’t know if I’m ready to sell my soul.
See, this is why you use a pen name. All the money tawdry, trashy novels deliver, -almost- none of the shame.
A lot of fiction is formulaic in its own way. And movies these days… Well, I won’t go there. I liked this entry, Donna. I share a lot of your opinions. And I love the picture you ran with the post. So, so perfect. 🙂
I should mention that of course I have nothing against a good romantic subplot, or a good steamy sex scene!
I liked romance novels, then hated them (too many annoying damsels in distress) and am now back to the point where I like them again. Yes, some of them are very silly…and indeed they can be predictable. But I still enjoy them, despite being a reasonable woman. 🙂 heehee
And why do I like them? Well, I like the ones with strong female characters, witty banter, and a good, moving plot (even better if there’s a mystery)….and I can’t lie, I do enjoy the naughty parts. 🙂
Good luck with your romance novel writing, I hope your characters do end up in a barn…and of course, with witty, snarky banter before sucking face. 🙂 good luck!!
I may have to write in a barn now just for the laughs. I’ve already been challenged to use the word “moist.”
lol. You should totally used moist. But in a random bit, like…”why is this bread so moist?” 🙂
Why is this bread so moist?
Miracle whip!
(it wouldn’t let me respond to your last comment, so I had to jump back up here. Sorry)
lol yes! Love it. 🙂