tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post7141028193763999124..comments2023-03-18T03:41:29.822-07:00Comments on Once Upon A Word: In Defense of the Romance NovelAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16703677258513182786noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-4336252046768259172013-05-19T08:33:24.550-07:002013-05-19T08:33:24.550-07:00Linda--same here. I don't hear it anymore. For...Linda--same here. I don't hear it anymore. For one thing, romance has become not only big business, it's become "acceptable," and with the eReaders--those scoffers who really wanted to read one? Now they can and no one will know. Sneaky, isn't it? I've started conversations with several people in airports and waiting for my car check up as they read on their Kindle--it's always a Kindle. Casually, I ask...are you enjoying your novel? Invariably, with a teensy bit of prodding, the woman will tell me "it's so-and so's newest romance novel." Always a romance.<br />I'm so glad to see you back!!!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-27853993524256236172013-05-19T07:35:57.784-07:002013-05-19T07:35:57.784-07:00Celia, I'm late getting online as you know but...Celia, I'm late getting online as you know but wanted to say that I did enjoy this blog post. And yes, I've been asked the question. But now that I have so many books out, I don't hear it anymore. Maybe my would-be detractors assume that someone must be reading my "romance" novels!Linda Swifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00749255692298669394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-87664501019703120812013-05-18T14:53:42.486-07:002013-05-18T14:53:42.486-07:00Hey, Lindsay--thanks for stopping by!Hey, Lindsay--thanks for stopping by!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-20788155762626530702013-05-18T14:41:18.563-07:002013-05-18T14:41:18.563-07:00Karen--I read to escape, too....99% of the time. O...Karen--I read to escape, too....99% of the time. Our book club reads one non-fiction and one classic a year, in addition to more entertaining novels. In those cases...I feel like it's a class assignment...I do it...so I can discuss the book. But I cannot wait to get back to romances!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-68516688684972920172013-05-18T14:39:15.599-07:002013-05-18T14:39:15.599-07:00Cheryl--you know we can always think of something ...Cheryl--you know we can always think of something clever to say...later. In this case, I did...much later. When confronted, I can't think of anything. Strange, though, Cheryl, now I can Now that I have numerous books out,anyone who talks to me wants to say how much she enjoyed the book. So. That all evens out.<br />I don't understand a person who wants to tell you why she doesn't read romances--"I read Mysteries." Okay. Weird.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-60934996548315587442013-05-18T14:35:26.887-07:002013-05-18T14:35:26.887-07:00Sarah--I think you have it right about those high-...Sarah--I think you have it right about those high-brows. Those who feel superior to others in all ways, and perhaps our writing, love to disdain romance novels as trash. True...I do think some of them were trash!<br />When I was a teenager, my mother told me "never, never, ever read a True Romance magazine.' Oh, well, of course I had to then! My friend smuggled one to me, and yes, I read them late at night when my parents were asleep. I didn't like them, though...I think even then I realized they were a little...something...trashy? What did that mean, anyway?<br />Like you, when I finally sit down at night to watch something on tv with my husband, most often we don't find anything very good. But we choose something...and then both of us begin to read. That's when I also love the romance of two people and their adventures. In a well-written book...what can be better?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-56663717155197370482013-05-18T12:48:33.259-07:002013-05-18T12:48:33.259-07:00Great post, Celia. I read to escape, and if there&...Great post, Celia. I read to escape, and if there's a happily-ever-after there to make me smile, all the better. :)Karen Michelle Nutthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083893569523248900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-55610931202343984352013-05-18T12:02:24.837-07:002013-05-18T12:02:24.837-07:00Celia,
I love this post! It's so true. I'...Celia, <br />I love this post! It's so true. I've had people ask me that before, too, and my sister gave me the perfect comeback, along the lines you mentioned of surprising them with a question of your own. "Do you really read that stuff?" Your response, with a very cool smile..."Why do you ask?" If they respond with "I just wondered..." then you say, "Hm. Why?" LOL <br /><br />Romances are so entertaining to me--as Sarah says, I just want to read about someone else's life for awhile and get away from mine. LOL <br /><br />Cheryl<br />Cheryl Piersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116526340220274282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-7238284105214232152013-05-18T10:55:39.413-07:002013-05-18T10:55:39.413-07:00Great answers, Celia. I think some people like to ...Great answers, Celia. I think some people like to believe they don't need love or happy endings and they also believe it doesn't take hard work to write a romance. Some people like to seem high brow about their reading like they are just above all that trashy romance stuff because they only read Aristotle and biographies. Spare me.<br />Frankly, I get a heaping dose of reality every day all day long with all the negative things happening in the world. I deserve--no, I demand a chunk of happiness and a happy ending in the books I read. There's nothing like a good romance story to give a person a better attitude.Sarah J. McNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749991094677728042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-22531781447816979842013-05-18T10:53:02.659-07:002013-05-18T10:53:02.659-07:00Great comment, Anna. I'd never thought about i...Great comment, Anna. I'd never thought about it, but you are so right. Readers who love a good murder mystery might very well be living vicariously through the novel--well, at least we can HOPE he's only living vicariously.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-75334035321693485992013-05-18T10:50:27.518-07:002013-05-18T10:50:27.518-07:00Rebecca--Good reply to those naysayers, those who ...Rebecca--Good reply to those naysayers, those who want to criticize. I want to laugh when someone says to me, I hear you write romance novels, as though they're asking a question. I answer yes, I do. Several times, the other person quickly says--I only read mysteries. <br />You'd be surprised at how many people read only mysteries, and if ever there was a formulaic genre, it's mystery. It has to be to please readers--true mystery lovers know a wanna-be mystery right away--and they don't like it.The begin alike, the middle is the same, and the ending is always the same...yes, just like a romance.<br />I remember reading all of Phyllis Whitney's novels, too.<br />Thank you for the comment...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-33792357451109319292013-05-18T10:12:12.795-07:002013-05-18T10:12:12.795-07:00Well said, Celia!
Agreed Anna!
Like the answer, R...Well said, Celia! <br />Agreed Anna!<br />Like the answer, Rebecca!Lindsay Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513558547686982857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-69035820693883122162013-05-18T10:02:56.330-07:002013-05-18T10:02:56.330-07:00Great replies. I'd add one more, which is, &qu...Great replies. I'd add one more, which is, "What do you read?" Because I do find it odd that people aren't 'attacked' for reading about mass murderers (mysteries) and spy novels. Sure we want romance, just as much as a guy wants to think he's James Bond or Jason Bourne. Somehow, it's okay to live vicariously through a murderer/rapist or spy, but not through romance.Anna Kathryn Lanierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607469543348819190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3135368746376329105.post-62661069837165913712013-05-18T09:04:17.018-07:002013-05-18T09:04:17.018-07:00Great article, Celia. And while we shouldn't h...Great article, Celia. And while we shouldn't have to defend reading or writing romance novels, I'm glad you did. LOL When I was a pre-teen, and had read everything else in the small school library, the young librarian loaned me her copy of "Celia Garth". I was hooked on the sweet romance of it and couldn't wait to read more. I quickly went through her stash of Phyllis Whitney (which hooked me on romantic suspense) and on to Grace Livingston Hill, and I've never stopped. <br />When asked "Do you really read that stuff?" my answer now is "Doesn't everyone?"<br />Rebecca J Vickeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00546468496288447253noreply@blogger.com