As writers it is important to know our target audience – my guess is that most of us are part of our target audience. The only thing I like more than writing a romance is reading one!
It’s been said that a large percentage of women who read romance are happily married or in otherwise committed, monogamous relationships. Is that true? I happen to be, but I would be interested to know where that theory came from and if there is any truth to it…
If you fit into that group, why do you love romance novels? Is it because it gives you an escape from your own life for a time? Or do you read romance to become re-energized? Grateful (as in “Thank the stars my life isn’t as complicated as …. – insert name of current heroine here)? Or is it something else? Author Alicia Blade has this to say in her blog, Ali’s Blog:
“…I wonder now if women who are in happy, satisfying relationships don’t read the novels not because they’re missing something, but rather as a means of reliving those first few weeks or months of passionate excitement that almost inevitably fades. Women often say that they feel more intimate with their mates after reading a romance, and I think that this is possibly because the romance reminds them of those feelings once-experienced—not necessarily lost, but harder to recapture now that the relationship has settled into comfort and security.”
Falling into the category of happily married-romance novel lover, I have to agree with Ali’s musings. I find a strengthened connection physically and emotionally to my husband after reading a good romance. I am reminded of what it was like when I first fell (and fell hard and fast, I might add) for him. We were completely absorbed in each other, constantly thinking about the other and putting the majority of our energy into our blooming romance. Now, twelve years, three kids, several houses and numerous jobs later, we can’t do that. But the blossoming relationship between a hero and heroine take me back to those crazy, giddy times. It seems obvious, maybe I just never thought about it before, but I think it is more than memories…it’s recapturing the feelings that were so strong when our love was new. I felt a graciousness and gratitude toward the whole world as a giddy, love-sick twenty-five year old. My faith in goodness and love was renewed. I get those same feelings from reading a great romance. My love with my husband is renewed but so is my faith in the world…
Sappy? Yeah… Cheesy? Maybe…Do I keep going back for more…and more…and more? You bet your gag-me-with-a-spoon-silly-sappy-simperings I do! And my sincerest hope is that the novels I write leave my readers with the same feel-good fuzzies.
That leaves me with a whole handful of questions…Are you in a relationship? Does that influence whether you read romance or not? Why do you read romance?
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Interesting question, Tiffany. I used to read 2-3 romances a day, but not so much any more. Looking back, I found those times I was really sucking the romances down were when my lovelife stank. Come to think of it, that was when I was writing romance, too. I needed to lose myself in other peoples’ happily ever afters – especially since I wasn’t having any of those myself.
Since I met and married my man, I haven’t had the old urge to immerse myself in other people’s love. Now I read romance for fun and to keep myself abreast of what’s being written, but it’s not such a pressing need.
B.E.,
Interesting! Thanks for sharing your viewpoint. Romance is such a successful genre, and I’m so curious about why that’s so.
Have a great Thursday and thanks for stopping by MamaWriters.
Tiffany
Hmm, interesting point, Tiff! Great post. I am married, as you know, and why do I read romance? Yes, maybe a little to reconnect to that early stage of love. I am likely not the person to ask right now, lol. I have been wondering a lot about this lately–about how the early flush of love fades into something more stable. But we all NEED that passion, that fluttering of our heart from time to time.
But, I also read romance for an escape and because I believe in love, in romance and in the power of passion.
Renee
Renee,
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Like so many things in life, I think this is also about balance. I am really happy with where my husband and I are right now, stable, well-acquainted but still our own individual selves. But I also like some passion now and again (and not just in the bedroom). We struggle with being “romantic” – doing nice things for each other because things are so crazy busy.
I think I read romance for all those reasons too. I love to read a historical or paranormal to experience a world different than the sometimes mundane one I inhabit. I love contemporaries because I can relate so completely with the characters. I’m not sure a person who doesn’t believe in love could stomach a romance…although, maybe that might change their outlook?
Thanks for joining me today!
Tiff
Great questions, Tiffany. I’m willing to bet, though, that there are as many reasons as there are readers. With apologies to Alicia Blade, I’m not sure it’s possible to put romance readers into a single narrow box and tie them up with a neat little ribbon.
I’m one of those happily married readers. But I loved romance long before I was married, too. And while I’m sure my reasons aren’t everyone’s, for me it has always been about getting lost in someone else’s world – a place where, no matter what happened, I KNEW everything would end up as it should!!! It wasn’t just the emotions of the happy couple, it was the triumph of good over evil and things ending up the way they ‘should’ that attracted me. I’ve always loved those “happy ever afters,”
~ Melissa
Melissa,
I’m sure you are absolutely right! Trying to pinpoint romance readers is like trying to say all children are darling angels all the time (or vice versa – little monsters). :0)
I’m so with you on the happy endings…for me, life is crazy and unpredictable enough. When I pick up a book, I like knowing that in the end, no matter how impossible it seems, things will work out.
Thanks for taking part in the conversation!
Tiff
Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
I agree with Melissa ~ there’s just no one reason people are drawn to romance, or to any sort of art, I suspect. That being said, I think there’s probably a handful of reasons that are shared by a lot of the people who love it.
I don’t know, Tiff, why I read romance. LOL I mean, I don’t know as far as how it interacts with my main romance, my man for the last 20 years of my life (as of next week.)
I always suspect I read romance b/c of the hopefulness of it all, & the emotional highs and lows that feel so intense and immediate.
I also like people to learn and grow as a result of the events in their world, and I like to experience the feeling of ‘real people.’ i.e. I prefer chracter depth and transformation. And in many other genre books, you don’t get the deep character arc as much. And if you do get deep emotion, well, often it’s of the ‘Heart-Wrenching Pain’ variety, which is TOTALLY not what I want. And I want people ti change as a result.
But I also like plot & high stakes. I like seeing heroines & heroes doing things I would NEVER do. You do see that a lot in romance, which is really fun! I love repartee/ dialogue too, and I think the romance genre gives some of the best of that.
I also like people doing things for the right reasons: i.e. I like my values reinforced. I like to see people struggling but in the end doing things for the right reason. And I think you get a pretty good dose of that in romance.
Great post, Tiff!
Twitter: violaestrella
says:
Hi Tiffany,
I’ve been married a little over eleven years and reading romance novels certainly doesn’t hurt my marriage, that’s for sure. LOL! But the main reason I love them is because I’m fascinated by the dynamics of a relationship, of chemistry, and of how authors can create such realistic characters, put them through hell, then bring them together in the end. I love the character arc and seeing how those characters change, or getting to know them better as more information is revealed. It’s like putting together a puzzle of sorts and as you get to the last few pages, the puzzle’s picture is revealed and there’s that aha moment, leaving me with a sense of satisfaction. And, yeah, like Melissa commented above, it certainly doesn’t hurt knowing I’m guaranteed a happy ending, or at least the hint of one.
Vi,
Great insights! On one hand, I’m amazed at the variety of answers. However, on the other hand, I’m not all because it only makes sense that a genre that has experienced such success and popularity would reach each person on his or her “perceptive plane”.
I’m also surprised by the number of things I love about romance that I hadn’t even thought of! Like you, I love the character arc.
Thanks to you all, I’m finally figuring out how to express my love for romance novels.
Thanks for joining me today, Vi!
Tiff
I’ve always be an avid reader of almost every genre. I like romances because they’re an easy read…a good plot and great characters wile away the hours pleasantly. When life sucked…I read more romances. Now that I’m happy, I still read romances, but they’re interspersed with mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, history, etc. I do like a romance that reminds me of the early days of my relationship with my husband., but it’s not a requirement.
Emma,
I go through phases. I don’t read romance as much as I used to, but there are times (especially in the summer) when I zip through book after book, devouring them during *sheepish throat clearing* baseball games, softball games and swim meets. Now, come on, I can only take so much athletic competition (esp. at my children’s tender ages of 7 and 9 – not exactly Olympic competition – but fun on a limited basis…my exposure isn’t limited.). Plus I’m sure to rip my gaze away from the page when my children are actively participating and offer regular cheers and encouragement. :0)
Thanks for joining in the discussion.
Tiffany
I’m posting this comment for a colleague of mine who’s comments won’t post for some strange, cyper-rules reason:
Alas, some blogs will not take my comments and often end up in the spam filter–you can check there for it. *rueful grin*
OR–since I was clever enough to copy it and paste it here, you can always post it for me!
Hi Tiffany!
Happily married woman reporting in here. *grin*
For me, I pick the genre to suit my mood. Sometimes, I need a gritty thriller to jump in because I’m edgy and crave some kick-butt action to work it off. *heh-heh* Mysteries are appealing when my mind needs a work-out, rather like a literary crossword puzzle.
Romance is heart candy. That warm fuzzy glow is soothing, uplifting and inspiring. Chocolate treats wrapped up in a lovely story. So I crave romantic novels often if I need a lift or a reminder that happy endings can occur. Yet everytime I read a good romance, I sigh happily and yes, I fall even more in love with love (which translates to my wonderful hubby).
Great post! Just last night I finished a short story by Donna Marie Rogers–Welcome to Redemption, and felt warm and fuzzy all over again!!
Smiles,
Chiron O’Keefe
The Write Soul: http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com
Chiron,
Haha! You are one smart cookie, and since it takes one to know one *wink*, I answered your comment here and on Mamawriters! Thanks for the extra effort so that I could reap the benefits of your wisdom.
I do the same – pick a book to suit my mood. I love that: “Chocolate treats wrapped up in a lovely story”. That would make a great tagline, BTW.
I’ll have to check out Welcome to Redemption. I’m always up for a “warm and fuzzy”.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Tiffany
I think I inherited reading romances from my mother! But once I started, I was hooked. It’s the happily-ever-after I’m all about. I like reading other genres too, but I get really frustrated without that HEA. I’ve been reading romances since my early teens, years before my own Prince Charming came along. I think romances are an extension of those fairy tales that we grew up with as children, some re-told and re-envisioned.
Hi Tiffany, I remember reading romances when I was a teenage babysitter. At that time, I think I was fascinated by the dynamic of adult relationships seeing how I had never been on a date! Then oh so many years later while at home with my then toddler son, I picked up a Nora Roberts book – it was right when she hit mainstream media and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I loved it. I loved the characterization, and the emotion, and I especially loved the HEA. As Melissa points out, there are probably as many reasons for reading as there are readers. Sorry to join the party so late – just opened my CRW loop email and saw you were over here.