Soooo....

[MouseWife]

Oh, I would love to burn some of the music videos I've seen.

Although not right now when they all sound like chipmunks.

[Morrigoon]

Damn, all this talk about trashy romances makes me wanna go out and buy another one

But a sobering look at my bank account earlier today will keep me away from the stores for a while!

[3894]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Even if you don't read the back, you can always tell who the guy is going to be because the heroine always takes an instant dislike to him, then he decides he hates her too so he marries/ravishes/imprisons her to get even, and finds himself feeling an increasing tenderness or need for her, but she keeps fighting him until she feels a throbbing sensation in places she didn't know existed and soon finds she can't live without him. Then, if you're lucky and the novel hasn't ended yet, they unite against a common enemy, and then there's an epilogue 6-months to a few years later that shows them happily married.

And that's the entire point of a romance novel, just as a mystery is the entire point of a mystery novel. It's predictable. Formulaic. The writers are hacks, not necessarily meaning they're bad writers (some are, some aren't) but that they're writers-for-hire writing to specific stylistic and editorial guidelines, including euphamisms and descriptions (called "tags"), length of manuscript, monogamous relationship for heroine, and happy ending.

The reader of romance novels knows what she's getting, just as the reader of mystery novels knows what she's getting. People read romance novels to be taken away from stuff IRL. Think of a reader in a hospital waiting room or on the subway to or from a stressful job. She just wants to be taken out of her life for a little bit. Romance novels do that.

Those sex scenes. With a few exceptions (like Ellora's Cave Publishing), the sex scene is supposed to advance the plot. A lot of it isn't true to female sexuality, IMO. It reads mechanical when the reader isn't invested in the characters and the outcome of the romance.

Those horrible covers. Here's the inside scoop: the bodice-ripper cover(called "clinch cover") intentionally appeals to older readers, as in 60 and older.

The romance novel industry is heading in new directions. The readership is aging. In Feb of this year, Harlequin launched a new contemporary romance series called Everlasting, series romance spanning years or an entire lifetime, depending. Harlequin NEXT is a new-stages-of-life imprint: "From that first baby at 45 to the first date after divorce or widowhood; from that first day of college-accompanied by your freshman daughter! - to dealing with three generations living in the same house".

I'm heading in new directions, too. My writing career has evolved and I am writing with my husband now. We just sold a manuscript about a mystery we solved on an Indian reservation. Yes, true story. No, not a murder mystery. When the book is out, I'm so hawking it to you.

[Mousey Girl]

I think I became an avid reader in third grade. That was when I fell in love with Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little. By 7th grade I was reading Stephen King. 7th grade was also when I read Caravans by Michner(sp?) and I understood what I was reading. In 8th grade I discovered Steinbeck.

I will take a good suspense/thriller over a romance novel anyday.

I have kept a few of the novels I truly enjoy reading, but over the years I have weeded out most of my "keepers."

[Stan4dSteph]

Originally Posted by 3894

And that's the entire point of a romance novel, just as a mystery is the entire point of a mystery novel. It's predictable. Formulaic. The writers are hacks, not necessarily meaning they're bad writers (some are, some aren't) but that they're writers-for-hire writing to specific stylistic and editorial guidelines, including euphamisms and descriptions (called "tags"), length of manuscript, monogamous relationship for heroine, and happy ending.

True, and I like mystery, but maybe that's why I so love Elizabeth George. I love that she posts a journal on her website that gives insight into her thought process. She has stated that she wants the characters to grow and change, not just be like Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys, forever trapped in time and solving the mystery of the week. She even went so far as to do something quite daring recently that caused a lot of strong reaction from fans. I think it was brilliant.

[JWBear]

I've been an avid Sci-Fi/Fantasy reader since Jr High. In our garage there are about 10 Staples printer paper boxes full of my Sci-Fi/Fantasy paperbacks. Some I've had for over 30 years now!

When I was living in Fullerton, I had them all out in a custom built bookshelf (it was only 4" deep) that took up most of a wall in my office. Unfortunately, it fell apart when we tried to move it. And now, we just don't have the room.

My dream house will have a library.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by JWBear

My dream house will have a library.

and a Home Theatre that seats 12-20 and has room to display my movie art in the lobby as well as a popcorn machine.......

[MouseWife]

A library, a home gym, a 'photo room' {to organize my photos, albums, etc.}, a game room, a room for my toys....

Oh, and rooms for the family, too.

Ooo! Popcorn machine! Yes!!!

[JWBear]

I actually designed my dream house once. It ended up being about 10,000 sqft.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by JWBear

I actually designed my dream house once. It ended up being about 10,000 sqft.

Well, isn't the Aaron Spelling mansion up for sale now? Hmmmm, wonder what the monthly mortgage would be on that?

I would also need to have a huge kitchen, pro stoves and the like, but also a kitchen big enough for the party to be held in it.

A view of the Pacific would also be lovely, why cold I not have won the Powerball and had the $$ to buy Falcon Lair before it was destroyed? we'd be BBQing right now.