I started reading romances when I was in high school, but after college, I felt like I had to put them aside. I was an ADULT, after all. So I primarily read mysteries. I liked solving puzzles, and I was fascinated by fictional people's motivations, much as I found deciphering real-life people's motives a little too exhausting.
But then my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I couldn't bear to read about people dying, even if it was a fictional death. I needed a respite from the grimmer aspects of life weighing me down, so I returned to romance novels. I craved a happily-ever-after ending, at least for a few hours each day, since the real world wasn't able to provide me with one.
About a year after my mom passed away, I decided to go to my first romance writers' convention. It was in another state, and I was nervous at first, since I didn't know any of these people, but it was like finding long-lost relatives. Not only did I not have to hide my interest in romances, I got to carry on like a fan girl with other romance-loving women while we discussed our favorite books and characters and authors.
The most exciting part was discovering that *I* could actually write a romance. All by myself. The kind of book I wanted to read. I could create my own sexy, witty heroes, and delightful, clever heroines. I could immerse myself in whatever world I chose to make, simply by putting my ideas and words onto paper.
I've been doing it ever since.
Still, I've spent plenty of time trying to explain my writing preferences. It's always puzzled me how it's perfectly fine to express emotions about falling in love if it's in a song, or in a movie, but mention the words "romance novel" and it's like you've just confessed to dropping out of school in the fifth grade.
For the record, I have a Bachelor's degree, and a law degree, and I've owned my own business. I'm blonde, but it doesn't mean I'm brainless. It means I have a great hairdresser.
Writing romance is one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's also one of the most satisfying of my accomplishments.
I'm happy there are plenty of people who love romances, and who don't need to be persuaded that it's a wonderful way to spend their day or evening. My goal is to provide myself, and other like-minded readers, with an enjoyable experience, engaging characters, and a story that makes us laugh while we set aside the things in life that are too much for our hearts to bear right then.
Romance writers made it possible for me to endure the biggest heartbreak of my life, and I'd like to provide the same ease to someone else's heart one day.
That's why I write romance.
"That's why I write romance."
Donna, If I first met you at a romance convention, that would be the phrase that I would be most eager to hear.
Having visited many writer's web sites and blogs, its the romance writers who leave me with the feeling that I would really like to know these people better.
They are invariably humorous, sometimes mischievous, occasionally possessing rapier like intelligence and always fun-loving imaginative and kind. All qualities that I admire.
I think that I understand why many people dismiss romance as an inferior genre. Book stalls in England display a lot of rubbish with outrageous covers and these are the books that casual observers remember. But when you think of Eloisa James a Shakespearian professor, or Stephanie Laurens a retired scientist of some eminence or numerous historians like Philippa Gregory, all with superb literary styles, then the shallowness of the critics becomes apparent.
Many people who don't read much also like films based on romantic novels: Gone with the wind, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Lorna Doon .....
Romance is also the largest sales sector. All those people buying romance can't possibly be wrong. LOL
Really sorry about your mum Donna. But if her dying led you to writing romance then it shows that there is light in the darkest depths.
I now check Amazon kindle for 'Donna Cummings'. I know it won't be long!
Thanks for sharing *smile*
Posted by: Quantum | October 10, 2011 at 06:32 AM
Q, you're not supposed to make me misty like that! *sniff* You've made my day.
What a wonderful description of romance, and romance writers. I'm appointing YOU the official spokesperson, and sending you on a tour to enlighten the world. :)
You're so right about all the qualities of romance writers--and it's why I like hanging out wiht them too. And romance readers--they're are the BEST!
I'm hoping to have something on Kindle soon. There's a bit of a learning curve there, and once I've conquered that, I'll hopefully have a couple different things up there. I can't wait to let you know I'm there. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 10, 2011 at 09:25 AM
Donna...let me know if you need Kindle help...I'm through the curve and going back a second time. =) I write romance because I love to read it. Been reading it for probably 35 years now, and crave the happily ever after. The funny thing? Until I started writing, I didn't know romance stories always HAD to have a HEA! I thought it was just miraculous all the books ended up with one! Whew, I'd think, another one ended up with a happy ending! Yay!
lol.....I know better now!
=)
Posted by: carrie spencer | October 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Carrie, thanks for the offer of help -- I'm sure I'll take you up on it. :)
And you are too funny about the HEA. I'm still cackling about that.
I can't wait to read more of your stories. I love your sense of humor, and your New Voices entry is just my type of story. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 10, 2011 at 10:16 AM
Donna, I write romance for a lot of the same reasons. It's a pet peeve of mine that romance writers are looked down on by literary snobs. The world has enough sadness without me adding to it in a book. Sure their may be some sad moments, and lots of emotion in our books, but with a romance you'll get thrills, puzzles to solve, sometimes a world to save, and still it will end in such a way that the reader feels good. Romance makes the world go around, so why not write about it?
Posted by: Anita Clenney | October 10, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Donna, I couldn't agree more with what you say and what Quantum said. I chased romance for a lot of years before I realized I wasn't a "romance" writer. However, I love romance and put it in all my mysteries. (New genre- Romantic Mysteries!!) Nothing better than a kiss before you kill 'em!!
Posted by: Liz Lipperman | October 10, 2011 at 01:58 PM
"I'm blonde, but it doesn't mean I'm brainless. It means I have a great hairdresser." Snort!
Right there with you - with the romance writing, not the blonde bit. I'm Polish; that's enough to deal with. ;-)
Posted by: Kiersten | October 10, 2011 at 02:37 PM
What a great post, Donna! I too found, on more than one occasion, that romance helped to keep me sane when my world was falling apart. For many years, I was a closet romance reader because the genre was held in such contempt within academia. It was the warmth, intelligence, and comraderie of the online romance community that transfomed me into a reader who boasts of reading Proust and Putney, Chase and Chaucer, Eloisa James and James Joyce.
Posted by: Janga | October 10, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Anita, that was beautifully said! I agree about not wanting to add any more sadness to the world. I prefer to add hope, and I think romance does that so well.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 10, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Liz, you crack me up! A kiss before you kill them -- LOL. I think it's great that you put romance in all your mysteries. It means you're a romantic at heart, even if you love to kill people off!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 10, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Kiersten, it's fun to mess with people's preconceived notions, isn't it? LOL Maybe we'll convince non-romance readers one of these days too. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 10, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Janga, I love the writers you paired together - that's perfect! And you're so right about the warmth and welcoming nature of the romance community. It's another reason I love romances--because of the wonderful people who love them like I do!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 10, 2011 at 11:08 PM
I love how this post and the comments show that romance writers and readers are among the most educated (including self-educated) segments of society. It makes sense that there is a correlation between experiencing so much of the uncertainty of the real world that we gain a greater appreciation for the fantasy and optimism of romance. :)
Posted by: Melissa | October 11, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Melissa, I agree! With all of your points. :) And I particularly liked the last part, since it really explains so well that we like the fantasy escape it provides us, so that the real world is a little more bearable afterwards. Thanks for sharing that. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 11, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Cheers to you for owning what you do and love and for being GOOD at it!
Your analogy about feeling like you just told someone you dropped out of school in 5th grade cracked me up.
It rings true for YA, too. Not necessarily taken seriously. Not "literary" enough.
But hey. We string words together to please ourselves and hopefully others.
No need to apologize for that.
So I say, once again, CHEERS to you, my friend!
And carry on...
Posted by: julie gardner | October 12, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Julie, it's taken a while for me to get to this point, and sometimes I tell non-romance folks that I write "romantic comedy"--which is true, as well as easier. LOL
And it's funny that a lot of the literary "classics" were the genre fiction of their day, so I guess we just have to make sure OUR books last 100+ years.
Or, as you said, we can just enjoy what we do, which I think is the best way to go about it. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 12, 2011 at 10:05 PM