Into the Fire

As you might have noticed, I've been discussing romance a lot lately. I've been considering why and/or how authors choose their niches/genres. I can honestly say my area of writing chose me.

I knew as soon as I committed to writing my first novel what the focus would be in terms of communicating a certain objective. Some might suggest it is the "message" or the less complimentary term the "agenda". Either way or other ways my novels always contrast the worldview of love, romance, sex to God's view of the same. In my books you will see the world portrayed as it is. Christians will be seen in all their struggles, their hypocrisies if the story leans that way, and/or their failings, successes, commitments, desires, etc. 

So why "romance"? Romance means so many different things to people. I did a blog post several years ago contrasting the way men see/understand romance to the way women often do. Of course not all men and all women interpret it in conflicting extremes, but I would venture to say even at the most basic and compatible levels, a difference exists between them.

You've often heard me separate my novels from being addressed as "romance novels" instead calling them "love stories". Many readers wouldn't make that distinction. I only make it because in the "biz" a romance novel follows a formula which basically consists of girl meets boy, girl and boy fall for each other, some stupid communication or conflict interrupts, interferes, or instigates more conflict and there is great trouble, sadness, anger, and total misunderstanding or . . . you get my drift. 

It's a well known fact that romance novels outsell most other fiction of course among women. So why is that? Of all the women I know, I know two who specifically prefer other genres and one of them is author Brenda S. Anderson who writes Women's Fiction. The other gal is a longtime friend. 

And why do I primarily read espionage, mystery, suspense, thrillers? But I write love stories heavy on the romance. 

These are my musings this Monday in July. Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions . . . 

Father, I thank you for each story. I believe true romance comes from you. The rest that the world offers is just chaff or worse. May I always honor you with my writing. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.