Yes, I mean exactly what you think I mean.
So: romance in writing. Love it or hate it? For me, I like a nice balance. A little sizzle and some romantic tension is the icing on a really good read. But no need for gory details. I want no mention of shafts, pillars or secret places of desire in what I read or write.
The second part of that question is, if you like it, can you write it? Some people just don't have it. You guys know I love J.K., but her attempt at romance is pretty terrible - "and then suddenly they started snogging". What the heck?? But it's hard to write good scenes without being cheesy. And then there are the writers who build up a ton of awesome tension, and then it fizzles out into nothing when the deed is done (I'll pick on Stephenie Meyer here).
Further, how do you decide who's going to hook up? Do you know from the beginning that certain characters are destined to get together, or does it evolve naturally? I'm currently working on the second book of my trilogy, and have been debating this for my MC (which kind of makes me feel like some sort of literary pimp). Does she have a fling with the hot shapeshifter, even though she's in love with this other character?
So, writer friends, how do you feel about romance? How much is too much (or can you never get enough)? Do you like to write it, or does it make you blush? Does your MC have multiple love interests? Do tell! And happy V-Day!
Personally, I love a good romance. Details, not details, its all good for me. I did want to throw Breaking Dawn across the room at one point though (apparently it didn't include enough details).
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
I write Love Stories. They're are not cookie cutter romances but they are very romantic.
ReplyDeleteI started my MS with the idea of two childhood sweethearts who can't seem to get it together. They eventually reunite as both their marriages have ended. Their is a fmaily saga element to it and those characters have their own stories waiting to be told.
For me, I like the complicated layers. Not starting a love story from the veyr beginning but later on and weaving in the various turning points as they go along.
So, I love writing about love. All it's intricate facets.
No, just because you like something doesn't make you talented in that genre. To be honest, I read Thrillers for years. Devoured them and still do. I cannot, I mena cannot write them. I never really read romance but have this story that yearns to be told.
Whew, what a long comment! LOL. Happy V-Day!
Snogging. LOL. I love that word, but you're right - not very romantic. I love romance, doesn't mean I'm the best at it, but it's something I want my readers to enjoy - not too much - just enough. I usually plan the love (and the flings) in advance. Good luck with your WIP. =D
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteI love romances in novels. I find them lovely and enchanting.
It takes serious talent to write good romance. Whenever I see it done I have tremendous admiration for it.
ReplyDeleteJai
I love the tension. It's juicy. Meaties up the story better than just jumping into love. Because, then what? But that's just me. I LOVE your new picture!!! You look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI don't want the messy details but I do like a bit of sizzle. I do find it difficult to keep the cheese out when I write those kind of scenes.
ReplyDeleteDitto, I appreciate a nice courting, but don't much care for the nitty-gritty. I don't think it really adds to the plot. I have a hard time writing romance because I'm awful apprehensive that its either cheesy or overwritten.
ReplyDeleteThat said, their are a fair few couples in my WIP. Some were together from the get go. Others I knew would come together. And then my BIG romance I never planned on because I originally drafted the guy to be the big baddie. Now he's a good guy who gets the girl. Kinda.
Funny how writing works like that. Great Post. Happy Valentine's day.
I like romance in a story -- but more as a spice, not an entree. When writing, I never planned for two characters to get together, it's always just something that happens (and it usually surprises the heck out of me!).
ReplyDeleteI like romance in the books I read, but I flip past the nitty-gritty, down-n-dirty scenes. For me, authors might as well do the lead in and then fade to black. Like Jennifer said, it's a spice. Use it sparingly.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer, I haven't gotten to a point where the story needed sex. Some of my stuff has romantic undertones, but usually my characters are too busy. I mean, when you're chasing a killer, developing a relationship really isn't a high priority.
Ooh, a triangle. People love triangles. (although I am not personally a big fan of them) I love to have a little romance in my book. With YA fantasy, I love the whole journey with the romance weaved in between. Where it builds up and builds up until they finally kiss and live happily ever after ;p
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what I'm writing. My current WIP has romance and kissing, but no sex. The other piece I'm starting now will have lots of sex (without being descriptive, because that creeps me out a little, too). The adult one I have in the works will have sex in it, too, but probably disfunctional sex.
ReplyDeleteSome of the best and most effective sex scenes I've ever read are in Judy Blume's Wifey. She uses the sexual encounters to highlight the dynamics of the relationship and she makes each one unique and hilarious in its own right.
I love romances, but I don't want an anatomy lesson or any, as you say, gory details. I like a nice balance--romantic tension, some sizzle, then close the door. I can imagine the rest. That's the way I write a love scene.
ReplyDeleteI'm not into reading graphic "encounters" and I could never write them!
I love kissing scenes! It can be saucy, it can be sweet, passionate, hungry, unwanted, soft, hard, just about anything! So fun to write. But, I'll admit...the things I find in a Nora Robert's story make me blush. I think a lot can be shown, without showing everything, if you set the scene just right. And lovely new profile pic, btw! :)
ReplyDeleteI love a little romance in the books I read, but it's not always necessary. And I don't need the graphic details either, but kudos to those who can write those scenes, and write them well!
ReplyDeleteI'll be struggling with where to draw the line in my 2nd novel. A novel I'm reading now just gives brief mentions, which I'm finding annoying. Some stories require more spice than others. Depends. I do not claim mastery at this point. I'll keep practicing.
ReplyDeleteOoh.. I love a good romance, especially in YA.. I like to have just ENOUGh details.. but not too much, then again.. depending on how old they are, it can be a bit more or less, but still a good balance.. I like growing with the characters.
ReplyDeleteHappy late Valentine's Day!!!
ReplyDeleteSo I love a good romance novel, a wonderful chick lit, sweep me off my feet sort of stuff. That being said when I write a little romance my story is never truly based on it. I do a nice balance (or so I'd like to think), any day now I'll hear from the publishing house and see if they agree!
I usually (but not always) know who is going to end up with whom. I often think they will kiss for the first time in one scene, and then it turns out they need to wait longer and kiss later on. But I know it will happen sooner or later!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I like a bit o' sizzle, but I don't need all the gory details! :)
ReplyDeleteAlexia, you have an award waiting at my blog!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I like it the tension, etc. but I don't need a description of the actual deed. I can handle it occasionally. I understand there are times when it works out, but I have stopped reading series because there is too much of it.
ReplyDeleteWriting it is challenging. Making it steamy and nit cheesy is art and kudos to those writers that can do it.