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Posted Monday, February 15, 2010 on

Why Romance is Successful by Carter Martina

February 15, 2010 in Monday Dialogue with Guests, Writing
Tags: Carter Martina, genre?, romance, success, Valentines
by maggiebishop

What’s in a Genre – Why Romance is the Most Successful Genre on the Market Today

Ah, Valentine’s Day. Or, as is the case this year, Valentine’s Weekend. What is it about this small holiday that makes people so crazy? Whether your obsession is what to get or do for the love in your life, how to use this holiday to save or rekindle a waning love, or if you are single, how to survive around all the overly-mushy couples, this one day can make normally sane people resemble something out of an Invasion of the Body Snatchers movie. This past weekend had the world focusing on love. For the most part in a good way; but for some of the single people or those in unhappy relationships, Valentine’s Day can be a real downer. What better way to put some love back in your life than with a steamy romance novel? You get all the fun and positives from the opposite sex and none of the drawbacks. What’s not to love?

The Kiss, copyrighted (This is an intaglio I did in the 90's)

When we watch the news, read the paper, read online articles & blogs, we are often bombarded with tales of despair, hardship, poverty, pain, war, devastation – not to mention gossip about divorces, fights, abuses, betrayal, revenge, etc. Is it any wonder people are looking for an escape? Men are visual creatures, so more often than not their escapism is watching or playing sports, or let’s face it, watching porn. I know, to them our bodice-rippers (as I affectionately like to call them) are just as pornographic. The difference is called a plot. We’re women, we need a story to go along with our sexual exploitation. For some, depending on their background and upbringing, they don’t even want to read about the scintillating exploits of the couples, they want the nurturing and the love. They want the warm fuzzies.

That’s the great thing about the romance genre; there is something for everyone. Not only do the characters find love, but in some books you may find action and adventure, history, murder plots, espionage, paranormal or out-of-this-realm experiences, scientific breakthroughs or family drama (who can’t relate to that?). I believe it is because of the diversity and our human need for love that we are drawn to stories. Not only do they give us a chance to step into someone else’s life, but often we are able to identify with a character or at least some aspect of their personality. Ultimately, I believe we are drawn to romances because there is almost always a happy ending, unlike what we sometimes face in life.

There are romance readers who proudly carry their bodice rippers, there are those who are closet readers, there are those that don’t understand what all the obsession is about but are secretly dying with curiosity to see what has us so enthralled (yes, that’s directed at you men). Finally, the romance genre encourages passion, and who couldn’t use a little more of that in their lives?

So the next time you need a pick-me-up or an escape, proudly walk into that romance section and let the adventures begin!

Be sure to check out http://cc-chronicles.blogspot.com in the future, for the exploration of other genres.

Comments:

February 15, 2010 at 2:03 am - Betty Dravis:
Perfect day for this blog to run, Carter. It’s so great to see you here. This article is very interesting and informative. I enjoyed learning more about the variety found in the romance genre. I, myself, enjoy romantic adventures with a lot of comedy in them, such as Christy Tillery French’s Bodyguard series. And I also like shape-shifting, whether in a romance or not. With that in mind, I might recommend author Caitlyn Hunter’s Sno Shadows…romance and handsome hunk shape-shifters. Wow!

Perhaps you might want to interview one of them in the near future, or any one of the Dames, for that matter. They are all great writers.

Thanks for sharing this Valentine Day’s blog with DOD readers.

I visit your CC Chronicles regularly and am impressed with the books that you review and the authors you write about. I was honored that you chose me for your Weekend Interview a month or so ago. You did a remarkable job, one of the most in-depth I’ve ever had. Thanks so much.

Hugs – Betty

February 15, 2010 at 9:26 am - C Carter Martina:
Thank you Betty. had a great time reading & reviewing your book and interviewing you! I will definitely be considering the Dames for upcoming interviews.

February 15, 2010 at 9:28 am - Crystal Clear Proofing:
Enjoyable post CC, and a pleasure to see you here!

February 15, 2010 at 4:31 pm - christytilleryfrench:
As a romance writer and reader, I really enjoyed this blog, CC. (Thanks for the plug, Betty! Betty also has a romance – 1106 Grand Boulevard – which is wonderful.)

You are so right – there is something in romance for everyone. So many authors are crossing genres now, and it seems there are very few books written anymore (well, ever, actually) that don’t incorporate some sort of a romantic relationship into the story.

February 15, 2010 at 6:51 pm - Caitlyn Hunter:
Great article, Carter. As another of the Dames who writes romance (I second Christy’s thanks, Betty!) I have to agree that romance has something for everyone.

I love that you refer to romances as bodice-rippers. Not many people use that phrase these days for various reasons and I suppose most romances don’t really qualify as a good ol’ bodice ripper but those were the first ones I ever read and I enjoyed every bodice-ripping moment!

Thanks for sharing your insight on my favorite genre and thanks, Betty, for bringing Carter to us!
Caitlyn

February 16, 2010 at 7:55 pm - C Carter Martina:
Thanks Christy & Caitlyn. The first romances I ever read would definitely have been classified as bodice rippers and I loved them. Makes me nostalgic. The ones I read now are more paranormal or action based, but nothing beats a traditional bodice ripper for adding some cheer to your day.

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Look for a Post on the Urban Fantasy Genre Monday, March 29, 2010 at Spunk on a Stick Tips. (the amazing black & white photos were taken by L. Diane Wolfe. For more of her fabulous photos visit her blog Spunk on a Stick Tips regularly.)

Is Urban Fantasy the New “It” Genre?

What exactly is Urban Fantasy? That is the question of the day, because the lines have become blurred and so many authors want to jump on this new gravy train. Urban fantasy is becoming one of the most popular genres and that is partly because of those fuzzy lines. Before we look at why it’s growing in popularity, let’s get back to the original question – What is Urban Fantasy?

Technically, Urban Fantasy is a fantasy set in a city. Sounds pretty vague. The original Urban fantasy plots were borrowed from Noir. They usually revolve around solving a mystery and often have an element of horror or paranormal. Like thrillers, they have many twists and turns. The main characters are usually tough as nails and the story is often told in the first person narrative. Well, that sounds pretty defined and straight forward. So why the blurred lines. Because authors and publishers want to sell the most books possible and because Urban Fantasy can encompass so many different types of stories they buyer demographic is broadened. For example, as popular as the romance genre is (and it is currently the best selling) many authors don not want to be labeled as romance writers or even paranormal romance writers. Paranormal Romance is one of the genres most often miss labeled as Urban Fantasy because it can have all the elements of an Urban fantasy, however, the plots is driven by the romance not the action or fantasy elements. Romance has generally attracted the female buyer (when was the last time you saw a man browsing that section?) and smudging the line and labeling a paranormal romance, Urban Fantasy, an author can capture more male readers. By the same token, contemporary fantasy, even horror, generally draw a larger male audience than female. Both men and women like reading about strong female leading characters and many Urban fantasy’s have these femme fatales.

Is this why Urban Fantasy is growing in popularity? Partly. But the main reason we read Urban fantasy is escapism. We want to get lost in a story about a tough hero. We want to live vicariously and defeat the bad in the world. When life is difficult and we are surrounded by despair we want the strength that our hero possesses. In our current economic crisis, we want the thrill of not having to worry about money, because rarely does the hero in fantasy have to despair over finances. Finally, often these heroes have super human strength or immortality. By losing ourselves in Urban Fantasy, we get to experience a magical life that has just enough realism to keep us connected.