It’s the first Wednesday in August, which means it’s IWSG day! Bask in the support and kindness of your fellow authors, and come join the group if you haven’t already. The group is on Twitter (@IWSG) and uses the hashtag IWSG on social medias, if you’re the masochistic type who flitters around social media. (And we are all that type.)
Our volunteer co-hosts this month are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery! Go tell them thank you for giving us all some time this month, because those digital connections are what the IWSG is all about.
And the optional question for August 3rd: When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?
Answer:
I am unashamed to admit that I pay attention to what romance readers want, and then try to deliver on their desires. I’m focusing less on being original, and more on having fun writing exactly what I would like to read. I love and happily read the romance tropes myself, so it’s both interesting and fun to give the people what they want. And anyway, I’m stuck with my book through 50k words or more, for months or even years, and multiple re-reads to edit. If I can’t hold my own attention, I have no hope of holding onto a reader. So yes, bring on all the dearly beloved, repeated literary themes.
A well done grovel? YES PLEASE. I even have a rec list full of grovel romance.
Enemies to Lovers? Good ole’ “I have everyone. Except you.”? Hells yes, hand them over so I can write some more. Here’s the rec list for that.
That tried and tested fan favorite, “I Can’t Argue With You When You’re Sick. Get Better Immediately.” Yasss. Although I haven’t written my own yet, the next superheroes in love book is in progress and it will contain some hurt/comfort. And of course I have a rec list for this trope too!
Or how about Beauty and the Beast? It’s been around for hundreds of years for good reason. And we can never have too many retellings. Here’s the rec list for this one, which, yes, I have already written my own take on.
I couldn’t agree more. A romance novel without the tropes is not a romance novel. Ditto with the cozy mysteries. Not following genre conventions is not the same thing as being original. Mostly, it annoys readers.
Exactly! Yes. I know I get pretty irked when I don’t get my HEA in a romance. It’s kind of a basic!
Yep, there are certainly things that know how to make lovers of those things smile. Sounds like you’ve got Romance down pat! (Great graphics too!)
Thank you! Finding fun gifs is one of my favorite parts of blogging, I admit it.
Yes, as a fellow romance writer I agree. The readers look for certain tropes and delivering those is important while also putting our own spin on them.
As an avid romance reader, I know I look for those tropes and really enjoy them.
You’re writing what readers want and what you enjoy – best of both worlds!
Right? It doesn’t hurt that it’s just fun to write.
I think you’re right to write what readers expect in romance. Many genres have certain expectations. I’m sure you put your own unique spin on your stories while following the expectations of readers in your genres.
I like to think so! And yes, romance definitely has certain expectations to it. It’s a joy to live up to those expectations.
I doff my hat to you SE for your professionalism, although it’s clear you do absolutely love what you do too, so hopefully it’s also fun 🙂
It’s a ton of fun. I keep waiting for the writing police to come smack my fingers with a computer mouse because I’m not allowed to have that much fun 🙂
😀 😀