I’ve just been told by another reader that —
There has been a lot of furor lately over literary sniping at chick lit authors, and I know that my friends who write more traditional romance are saying, “Yeah, take a number. We’ve been dealing with it for years.” And sometimes even I, who usually love to jump into a good controversy, just want to take a step back.
Because, here’s the deal: I write funny books. I write funny books that are romantic. I write funny books that are romantic and (at least it’s the goal, and my readers reassure me I’m doing okay) entertaining.
There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, there’s a hell of a lot right with it.
One of my prized possessions is a handwritten note the Pulitzer-prize winning humorist, Dave Barry, wrote to me with a quote for my first book. He’s the funniest man in the world, in my opinion, and he won a Pulitzer, for goodness’ sake. You want to talk about highbrow? The man writes booger jokes.
But when I went through rough times with my mom’s illness, or when my husband was deployed to Afghanistan immediately after 9/11, guess what books I turned to? That’s right. The ones that made me laugh, like Dave’s. And the ones that let me escape, like all the wonderful romances that end with happily-ever-after. I treasure the reader letters I get that say “you kept me up late reading and I was late for work.” But the ones that say “I’ve been having a tough time, and you made me laugh when I hadn’t laughed for a while” or “Thank you for that happy ending; it gives me hope that I may have one of my own some day” – those are the ones that make me cry.
Hi. I’m Alesia Holliday, and I write funny, romantic books. I’m so proud of that – and I don’t need anybody else to approve, or respect me. I got tons of respect as a trial lawyer and, let me tell you, writing romance is WAY more fun!
Let’s hear it for entertainment.
Hugs,
Alesia
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Way to go, Alesia! I think it’s great to embrace what you love to write and then do it — without letting someone cram you into a tight, labeled box. That said, it brings up a marketing musing. I haven’t picked up a lot of books that are marketed as chick-lit, because my perception has been that they lack the romance I love to read. Please note that I’m saying this has been my perception, based on marketing. Alesia’s eloquent “focus on the protagonist’s journey” helps shift that perception. Now I wonder if there are other great books that I’ve missed.
I’m not a narrow-minded reader. I can love a book that has plenty of romance but focuses more on the heroine’s growth and journey than only the developing relationship.
I’m a reader who enjoys chick-lit, even though I am not in the demographic group that is considered to be the target age for the genre, as I turned 60 in January 2005. I was also a faithful viewer of “Sex and the City” until it concluded it’s six year run last year. The lack of a convention HEA ending, and the concentration on the growth of the heroine, doesn’t bother me at all, as I often need to take a break from more traditional romance novels. The one thing that does bother me are TSTL heroines, no matter the genre, and sometimes I feel that chick-lit goes a wee bit overboard in the TSTL category (those tend to be the books that follow the Bridget Jones style of chick-lit).
I couldn’t agree with you more Alesia, as long as your books are selling and you’re enjoying what you do, why demand respect from other people who probably haven’t had the same amount of success as you have? Being a critically acclaimed author is all very well, but what difference does that make if nobody reads your brilliant work because they’re just not that interested?
Yes! You go, girl! I see no reason why we should be ashamed of writing and reading romance (or chick lit or women’s fiction). Nobody would expect us to be ashamed if we were reading, say, crime fiction. And that’s popular fiction, too. And just because we enjoy a genre for women by women, we are supposed to be ashamed of ourselves??? Not likely. Does anybody remember the fabulous “angryromancegrrrl” bookmarks from the 2004 RWA national? Answer No. 10 on the top 10 list of replies to people criticizing romance, sums it up quite nicely: “Three words: 51 million readers.” Ha!
Besides, the differentiation between popular fiction and “high” literature is quite artifical anyway. Think of how the literary canon has changed during the past decades when critics finally realized that literature wasn’t and isn’t produced just by white men.
I also remember one of the infamous, informative and wildly funny Madame X Tells All ‘workshops’ at National. When someone asked what the panel would say to someone who asked, “When are you going to write a real book”, one kick-butt panelist replied, “I’d tell them X&#@ you.”
I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to read romance and certainly not to write romance either. Like I said in a comment on an earlier blog, I don’t disguise the covers either.
Let’s hear it for entertainment.
A big ole “Amen” to that.
Mary Stella, I think this is part of the problem chick lit is having in general. Most people dismiss it as twenty-somethings whining about their lives while drinking and shopping. My books are anything but that – I HATE whiny protagonists!
And mine, and many of the books of writers I know, are very romantic and have a HEA or, if not traditional HEA, at least a very satisfying emotional conclusion. Read the back cover or ask people you know for recommendations and give us a try! And thanks for commenting!
Anne, thank you for writing!! One of my favorite reader letters (it’s on my bulletin board) is from a 65 year old woman whose daughter gave her my first book and she LOVED it! I think storytelling transcends age (or I wouldn’t be anxiously waiting for Harry Potter, along with all the kids). I totally agree with you on TSTL characters. I can’t stand them – or whiners – in books I read, either. So I don’t write them. Again, ask for recommendations from friends you trust, read back cover copy – you’ll find books you can enjoy!
Karen, thanks for writing! I actually read very eclectically and am as likely to read literary fiction as historical biography as romance. But I never criticize or denigrate other writers for their choice of genre. There’s room for all of us!
Thanks, Sandy! I do tend to laugh at people who say things like “but you know how it turns out.” Read any mysteries lately where they DIDN’T solve the crime?
Or “when are you going to write a REAL book?” (this is usually from former attorney colleagues) I say: But I’m having so much fun writing PRETEND books and those pretend checks cash so well!
Mary Stella, I feel the same way!! In fact, I’m usually pointing out friends’ books to other people in the bookstore!
Pat, thanks!!
hugs,
Alesia
My favorite books are ones that make me laugh and have a romance. The reason romances do well is deep down most of us believe in love. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. Isn’t that why so many people feed, nurture and pay vet bills for our cats and dogs? They give us love and they entertain us–at least, mine do. Or have I really swerved off topic here?
Edie, I know that’s why I write very romantic books – I can’t look around at my wonderful family and NOT believe in love. And hope. And happy endings. That doesn’t mean that I don’t torture my characters a lot on their way to a happy ending . . . (mwah ha ha), but they get there in the end!
Alesia
Oh, Alesia — I could have written your column, not only because my Red Dress Ink books also all have nice, juicy romances in them (with nice, juicy happy endings!), but because laughter is sooo necessary to our health and well-being. Not only because it makes us feel good, but it’s even been documented that it boosts the immune system, as well. So I make no apologies for writing — or reading — books that take me, or my readers, away from the inevitable stresses of daily life.
So you go, girl!
Karen Templeton
Karen T., I wish you *would* have written my column! One less thing for me to do! LOL! And now I’ll have to add you to my “must-buy” list, too. There was in fact a study written up in a prestigious medical journal about the importance of laughter in healing. I should put a snippet of it in a label across the front of my books – think it would boost sales?
– Alesia, off to get some work done
Great post, Alesia. I love your voice, I love funny, I love happy endings. (I wish I could write funny!) And I also love Dave Barry.
Bravo!
Well done, Alesia! If we could have more ladies out there like you, we’d cut the snippiness from both with in and outside of the Romance genre in half! I say enjoy the books for what they are, and how they make you feel, and stop worrying about what every Tom, Darren
and Harry bloody well think.
Sorry, *laugh* I’m just a wee bit passionate about smacking the hands of people who pick on Romance and her sub-genres.
Thanks, Allison, Mary Beth, and Natasha!! I’m going to get T-shirts made, I think, that say: “PSST! GOT ENTERTAINMENT??”
LOL.
Alesia
I loved this post! I am still kinda in the newbie stage as an author and have been going through a discovery process as to who I am when it comes to writing. I love your attitude. Write what you love and have fun doing it! Yep! Works for me!
Eve, that’s the best attitude to have. If you don’t love what you’re writing, it’s tough to survive all the difficulties involved in publishing. – Alesia
I completely agree, Alesia! I write chick lit, but I don’t think I could ever write one without romance in it. That’s my thing! That’s what I love! Chick lit just gave me the opportunity to write it in a voice that better fits me. And you, obviously! Amen is right!!
Shannon
Thanks, Shannon! What better than an opportunity to write the stories we love?
Who needs a definition when we have a creed
From Natasha:We who write Romances practice the Craft of the Happy Story. We are not weak for it. We are not dull, dimwitted or unlearned. We strengthen and uplift those who are jaded by real life, and need to feel hope in the fictional worlds of their…
Entertainment and the Craft of the Happy story!! It rocks!
alesia