To me, the word “muse” is highly overrated. It suggests that some other wordly entity has entered ones space and mysteriously filled the mind with previously un-thought of thoughts. I, on the other hand, prefer the lay person’s term “mull.” I’m a “muller.”
So… while I was absently mulling over what I could contribute to this column (in the midst of simultaneously watching two of my favorite shows, Law and Order and CSI), three things hit me:
1. No matter how many episodes I’ve seen, there is always one that I haven’t (and I’m just tickled).
2. No matter how many nights and on how many channels L&O and CSI come on, I will find it and watch.
3. I am addicted and I’ve hooked several of my friends and family members along the way.
By this time you’re probably wondering what in the wide world of sports does crime drama have to do with romance? The answer is simple: formula. The perfect definition of formula is “any fixed or conventional method for doing something” (the secret definition of romance).
The truth is, as writers of romance we know what we are going to write (must write), and as readers we know what we are going to get (better get). Yet, knowing these things does not diminish our appetites. Rather, it challenges us as writers to find a twist within the winning formula and not lose our audience who expects–no demands–convention and formula. As romance readers we hunger for “the meeting,” “the first kiss,” “the first love scene,” “the crisis” and the “satisfying resolution.” We know these things are there, we look for them. If we are really devout readers we can even guesstimate just about when “the scene” will happen. But it doesn’t matter. What we long for, yearn for is to see our couple overcome the obstacles of life and walk off into the sunset.
Imagine a romance novel with an unhappy ending…. the heroine loses the hero to her best friend at the altar! Anarchy!! Yet, knowing this, believing this in our guts, we also know that we are challenged to make this same formula fresh and vibrant each time we put pen to paper–or fingers to keys. What then is a writer to do? The answer: paranormal, romantic supsense, time travel, multi-cultural, chic-lit, inspirational and all the sub-genres under the romance umbrella.
Here is where I must go back to my correlation between my favorite shows and romance. The show’s writers saw the value of formula (that works), but wanted to broaden its audience. Hence, a multitude of successful spin-offs based on the original premise: Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Law and Order CI; CSI, CSI New York, CSI Miami. The parallel in the expansion of the romance genre is identical (although we thought of it first!) Could it be that the creators of these hit crime dramas saw the value of the romantic formula and crafted their own success?
The bottomline is that what we do works. It works because although romance is based on a time-honored formula, we bring our voices, our view of the world to make it seem like new. That is the challenge. Are we up for it? Of course! We will come up with the next heart-stopping, steamy, sexy, sweet or mysterious novel. No matter what shape a romance takes, our readers know that despite whatever trials we throw in the mix, they will close that book–satisfied and continue to believe in love. Just as the fans of crime drama know that their TV heros and heroines will find a way to get the bad guy in less than sixty minutes.
Now I’m not sure if I mused or mulled this over, but it’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
No related posts.
Great article, Donna! Too funny, because I have never once used “muse” in correlation with my writing or the process, but I constantly use “mull.” I’m definitely a muller
I’m a law and order junkie too, and since I’m not a regular tv watcher, there is always an episode I haven’t watched as well. Thank goodness for the networks that picked up the reruns!
I’ve never had a muse. I’ve always thought there was something wrong with me until now. Thanks, ladies–I feel much better!
Great article Donna! Who would have thought of relating L&O to Romance.
:lol:. From here on out I have a Mull.
Ok Donna, now I have to wonder if I’m a muser or a muller.:???: Enjoyed the article.:wink:
Loved the title of the article, Donna, and very much enjoyed the post. I too am a ‘muller’! I don’t watch much TV, but I am hopelessly hooked on L&O SVU. I can well imagine getting hooked on the spin-offs! (Step away from the TV
)
What I like about the CSIs and the L&Os is that occasionally the writers are brave enough to *not* let their cops get the bad guy. Even though the episodes where the crime is solved and justice prevails are the most obviously satisfying, it’s the eps that break the rule that often linger in my mind the longest…
As a fellow CSI addict, I’m with you.
Love you comments on the “formula,” Donna. I agree with a commenter above that it’s those romances that brush the edges of formula–managing to deliver a satisfying romance read while simultaneously being fresh, new and formula breaking in some way–those are the ones I remember.
I agree that the romances that work best for me skirt the edge of convention — the idea of formula, though, has always given me the heeby-jeebies. Formula, to me, says that there is a simple way to do the writing that it is almost scientific. Boy + Girl + Suspense Plot + Sex = Romance. (Mystery Formula: Death + Detective + Clues = Solving the Case?
) I suppose at the very very basic sense that might be true, but it gives the impression that writer Joe off the street can sit down and write a decent romance following that formula — he probably can’t. There is that something extra in every good romance novel that I’ve read — style? voice? — I don’t know what it is, but even when a book seems completely conventional in its characters or plot, it can blow me away. The variables of hard work, imagination and skill always keep the formula from coming out the same every time, and is why I keep on reading.
Donna, I loved your article. I’m definitely a “muller”. I agree with your observation and maybe because I write romance as well I’m always looking for the “formula” in anything I read or watch. I enjoy trying to guess what will happen next. I love it when I get it right and love it even more when a twist catches me off guard.
I also strongly agree with Meljean that just because a formula exists doesn’t mean anyone can follow it and write the great american romance novel. There is so much more to it than just that..you have to use it and make it your own. L & O took the classic whodunnit gave it their own flavor and that’s what makes it so tasty and keeps us salivating for more (even at 1 a.m. on a weeknight)I’m a fan of L&O, too! 
Great article and so dead on. I’m a fellow muller myself.
I’m a M & M’er, as well as an addict to the many L&Os, CSIs, et cetera, so it didn’t take much cogitation to comprehend the crafty scenario about the impact of “the formula.”
Love you Ms.
Loved the article Donna. I don’t know if I’m a muser or muller but you hit the nail on the nose with this line: No matter what shape a romance takes, our readers know that despite whatever trials we throw in the mix, they will close that book–satisfied and continue to believe in love.
That’s what keeps us reading romance. Now real life……that’s another story. Thanks for a great article. When’s your next one up-Don’t want to miss it-In fact can you write a daily column? That’s what we need from you, Diva :~)
bbj
Wow, your post’s really got me jumping, Donna! (In a good way
).
But I can’t agree with some of the things you say, though (that’s okay, right?
).
For a start, I don’t think what you describe as “the meeting,†“the first kiss,†“the first love scene,†“the crisis†and the “satisfying resolution.†is a formula. If we gave a chemist an instruction that read, “mix some stuff together…. it should bubble…. then change colour… then blow up” they certainly wouldn’t consider that a formula.
It’s not a formula, it’s a promise. It’s about reader expectation of the finished product, not a blueprint for creating that product.
You also seem to say that the only way to be fresh and vibrant is to embark on a different sub-genre. Wow, can’t agree with that!
Like Meljean said, there’s an extra something that can make even the most conventional romance refreshing and new.
That said, it was a great wake up post for me this morning!
Great to hear the feedback and especially voices of “polite disagreement.” That is what will make this forum so very powerful is if we continue to be honest, share our opinions, our rants whether they are popular or not politically correct.
I love this job!
Layle