I feel the same way about romance novels! Why is there such a stigma. There so many good love stories to share and tell. Why aren't they taken seriously. I was absolutely delighted when I read The Scarlet Pimpernel way back in high school. I'm sure it wasn't classified as romance, but there was some in it, and I loved it. When it was all said and done, I read it at least 10 times. Sigh.
a tiny anecdote. a young relative of mine, talented writer and reader, at one time had the task of 'pre-screening' romance novels for a major publisher. roughly, according to account, at times (probably seasonal) skimming up to 500 manuscripts a week!...i can hardly imagine, if that were me, it would feel like (no word for task-agony)...this was a while ago, she persisted, and on to other opportunities. so, a happy ending...; )
I've loved romance novels since my friends handed me some to read in high school. I've never understood why so many people consider things that bring joy are "lesser", and I'm all for people openly supporting and embracing the things they love. These days I'm loving how much more attention is being given to romances by and about BIPOC people and LGBTQ+ people. There's still a lot of work to be done in that regard, but seeing progress is heartening. I want everyone to be able to have that "I deserve a happy ending" feeling!
Are there “romance novels” for men? And don’t say “pornography,” because that’s a whole other drive. Is it the action-espionage genre, creating a world where the average male reader can imagine himself in a world of masculine smarts, mastery, and sexy available women? It is likewise disparaged, and likewise successful, from a sales and adaptation standpoint, plus the “I don’t give a fuck what anybody thinks about what I read” viewpoint. Interesting window into our binary noggins.
I feel the same way about romance novels! Why is there such a stigma. There so many good love stories to share and tell. Why aren't they taken seriously. I was absolutely delighted when I read The Scarlet Pimpernel way back in high school. I'm sure it wasn't classified as romance, but there was some in it, and I loved it. When it was all said and done, I read it at least 10 times. Sigh.
a tiny anecdote. a young relative of mine, talented writer and reader, at one time had the task of 'pre-screening' romance novels for a major publisher. roughly, according to account, at times (probably seasonal) skimming up to 500 manuscripts a week!...i can hardly imagine, if that were me, it would feel like (no word for task-agony)...this was a while ago, she persisted, and on to other opportunities. so, a happy ending...; )
This is such a good question and I think the short answer is yes, sure! And a longer answer is coming when I get back to my laptop! 😉
I've loved romance novels since my friends handed me some to read in high school. I've never understood why so many people consider things that bring joy are "lesser", and I'm all for people openly supporting and embracing the things they love. These days I'm loving how much more attention is being given to romances by and about BIPOC people and LGBTQ+ people. There's still a lot of work to be done in that regard, but seeing progress is heartening. I want everyone to be able to have that "I deserve a happy ending" feeling!
Are there “romance novels” for men? And don’t say “pornography,” because that’s a whole other drive. Is it the action-espionage genre, creating a world where the average male reader can imagine himself in a world of masculine smarts, mastery, and sexy available women? It is likewise disparaged, and likewise successful, from a sales and adaptation standpoint, plus the “I don’t give a fuck what anybody thinks about what I read” viewpoint. Interesting window into our binary noggins.