It’s not all fluff!!!
I recently began the re-vamp of my current work-in-progress. You know, the one I couldn’t write because the original plot sucked? Well, it doesn’t suck anymore! *bg* And I am way past the writer’s block! Wooooo Hoooo!
So, last night, one of Keith's friends read the small, eleven sentence, prologue I’d recently written, and he gave me this look. The who-is-this-woman-I’ve-known-for-12years look. He was shocked. LOL. He said, "What are you writing here?!" Then he started quoting snippets, shook his head and turned to Keith. "You aren't afraid to sleep at night?" ROFL. He then turned to me and said, "I thought you wrote romance novels." Doubly ROFL! Especially after the look he gave me when I told him this was a romance. *eg*
What do you like in a romance? Besides the guarantee of a happily-ever-after, that is. Do you go for the dark, gritty stuff? Or, are you partial to lighter works? Romantic comedies? Romantic Suspense? Dark paranormals? What's your must-have story?
Sandy :-)
So, last night, one of Keith's friends read the small, eleven sentence, prologue I’d recently written, and he gave me this look. The who-is-this-woman-I’ve-known-for-12years look. He was shocked. LOL. He said, "What are you writing here?!" Then he started quoting snippets, shook his head and turned to Keith. "You aren't afraid to sleep at night?" ROFL. He then turned to me and said, "I thought you wrote romance novels." Doubly ROFL! Especially after the look he gave me when I told him this was a romance. *eg*
What do you like in a romance? Besides the guarantee of a happily-ever-after, that is. Do you go for the dark, gritty stuff? Or, are you partial to lighter works? Romantic comedies? Romantic Suspense? Dark paranormals? What's your must-have story?
Sandy :-)
Labels: Comedy, Dark Paranormal, Humor, Paranormal, Romance, Romance Novels, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Suspense, Writer's Block, Writing
posted by Sandra Barkevich at 1/28/2007 10:38:00 AM
13 Comments:
I love anything that hooks me within the first 3 pages and doesn't let up for the rest of the book. I know, tough on authors. ; )
Romance is at the top on my list (gotta have those happy endings!!), but I read a variety of diverse authors including Larry McMurtry, Dave Barry, Lincoln and Childs, Michael Crighton and lots more.
Have a great day!!
Carla : )
In romance, I like my heroes to be heroic. Same goes for my heroines. I like them conflicted, passionate about what they want, not afraid to fight even when the odds are so stacked against them they're just about tilting at windmills. Dark or light, I want my characters to feel, to fall and pick themselves up and keep on going: never say die. In general, I like a heroic character, especially one that can rise about themselves when the s#$t hits the fan. And I like my bad guys to be smart, and clever, and almost understandable in what they're after. Oh yes, and conflict. I love complex conflict. Not too much to ask, eh?
No, Ursula. Not too much to ask. I ask it all the time--of the books I read as well as the books I write. *bg*
Sandy :-)
www.sandra.barkevich.com
*February 24, 2007, at Sandra's Goings On, guest blogger Terri Garey - Dead Girls are Easy
Carla,
Thanks for the MySpace request. You've been added as a friend. :-)
Romance is top for me too. But, I love to read all types of grenres. Recently, Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy has me hooked. Not to mention Harry Potter, and the Jennifer Scales series. Brian Jacques' Redwall series is fantastic. I love Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels and I'm going to start the Dresden Files soon. Oh, and Neil Gaiman is on the TBR list too. I loved, LOVED! Good Omens. *bg*
Sandy :-)
www.sandra.barkevich.com
*February 24, 2007, at Sandra's Goings On, guest blogger Terri Garey - Dead Girls are Easy
Dark and gritty, that's my style. ;)
Jackie!
I expected nothing less. LOL. I’m a huge fan of dark and gritty too. Of course, a simple romantic comedy is nice too. But, I’m drawn to the dark stuff more often then not.
Your guest spot on Saturday was a huge success, by the way. I had record unique visits on Saturday and Sunday! In fact, this whole month has been amazing. For some reason my site counter doesn’t match the actual unique visits logged by my web hosting company, but I'm not far from 4,000 unique hits in January. Can't wait to see what February brings. Thanks for answering our questions, Jackie. I’d love to have you again sometime.
Sandy :-)
www.sandra.barkevich.com
*February 24, 2007, at Sandra's Goings On, guest blogger Terri Garey - Dead Girls are Easy
I'll admit. I'm not big on romance novels, but I think I prefer mostly dark. As much as I love happy endings, I don't think they should always be happy.
Andrea,
I agree, not all novels, dark or not, need to end with a happily-ever-after. However, and this is an opinion I've shared earlier, if it's marketed as a "Romance" it needs the HEA. That's not to say I don't read and love other genres that don't guarantee that HEA. It's just what I expect when I pick up that "Romance". And, no, Romeo and Juliet is not a romance, it is a tragedy. ;-)
Sandy :-)
www.sandra.barkevich.com
*February 24, 2007 at Sandra's Goings On - Guest blogger, Terri Garey - Dead Girls are Easy
I also like to be hooked right away. I like a strong plot to back up the characters. It seems that I read more paranormal romance or historical romance these days. I tend to have spurts of a type that I like.
Sandy - Don't you love it when someone looks at you in a new way. A new *good* way? Especially when it comes to writing. Can't wait to read the rest of it, so hurry up and write it!
As for what I like? It depends on my mood. Right now for some reason I'm into westerns. Love those cowboys and outlaws.
Rashenbo,
I am so hooked on the paranormals right now. LOL. And, until the past two years, I pretty much only picked historicals when buying romance.
By the way, I love how your blog skin turned out. I tried to use that pic. But, se7en showed me your blog and told me he couldn't use the same picture over. *bg* Isn't it cool to know you have a one-of-a-kind skin?
Sandy :-)
www.sandra.barkevich.com
*February 24, 2007, at Sandra's Goings On, guest blogger Terri Garey - Dead Girls are Easy
I don't mind a sad ending, ending that makes me cry but happy ending is nice too. Something classical would be great, like in ancient time, where there are knights and castles :D
Oh! Nora,
I love knights and castles. They make for great tales. Lots of room for an epic romance there.
Sandy :-)
www.sandra.barkevich.com
*February 24, 2007 at Sandra's Goings On - Guest blogger, Terri Garey - Dead Girls are Easy
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