Personally, I think it's the curiosity, the suspense: The hero and heroine meet. There are sparks of some kind--whether those of passion, antipathy or even dislike. But as the reader, we know the couple will somehow end up together. We watch for the characters' jolt of realization that perhaps they can bypass whatever life events are going on around them. We watch them fight through those day-to-day events. Events that often act as physical elements designed to keep the couple apart. We wait for the flare of passion in that first kiss. Will they want another? Of course they will, that's the definition of romance. The fun--lure--is finding out HOW that will happen.
I once attended a conference where the keynote speaker said, "Put your character up in a tree and throw rocks at them." This means devise plot events that challenge the character. Add one after another so the plot line isn't predictable. So the reader can't stop reading till they find out how this person gets down from the tree. Will they land on their head or their feet?
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| Cindy's latest release |
As I said, I don't write too much romance but in my day job I'm a freelance editor for a romance publisher. I teach my authors how to infuse myriad emotions into their writing. I encourage them to be inventive, bring in story elements that we don't see very often--unique careers for the characters, quirky personalities, plot lines that challenge those quirky characters, emotional situations that stretch the limits of the characters and their family/friends.
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| Author and Editor, Cindy Davis |
Cindy Davis resides in the green/white/brown—depending on the season—state of New Hampshire where she spends most of her time at the computer either editing or writing. When she’s finally released upon society, to autograph her latest book, do a talk, or research the next in the Angie Deacon series—heaven help the people she meets. Shutting her up becomes tantamount to stopping a volcano!
Personally, she’s addicted to coffee—particularly chocolate raspberry flavor. And don’t anyone dare get between her and her life-loves: Ben & Jerry. Other than that, she’s pretty laid back. You’d have to be with 12 kids and 33 grandkids. www.cdavisnh.com, www.fiction-doctor.com
Cindy, we're so pleased to have you visiting the blog today. Best wishes for continued success.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, Cindy. My humble opinion is that romance is popular because the need for connection--for relationships--is encoded in our DNA.
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