I did an interview for a newspaper a few weeks ago and when the reporter asked me why I wrote romance, for a moment I couldn’t respond. Eventually, I did, responding with answers I knew she expected me to provide. So in this Blog, I’m going to respond to that same question. However, this time, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the things I love most about writing romance.
My top ten reasons for writing romance are:
1. I love happy ending; especially, the “happily-ever- after.”
2. I want to write stories that leave me (and the readers) breathless with excitement.
3. I want to write about heroes who are sensitive and know how to love a woman.
4. I want to make readers laugh and cry, and laugh again.
5. I want readers to close a book I’ve written and sign with contentment and pleasure because I’ve touched them in some profound way.
6. I want readers to know that despite living in a crazy f*#**# up world, it’s a world where love still exists.
7. I want to believe that despite my rocky love life people still fall in love.
8. I love to escape to exotic romantic places – and romance writers do this best.
9. I love women and there’s just something special about being 1% of a group of creative talented people.
10. We all need love.
No related posts.
Those all seem like good reasons to me, and in my reporting days, I’d've been more than happy to include them in my story. So, I’m curious — what did you tell the reporter, instead?
What else would a reporter possibly want to hear? What was there left for you to tell her?
But you should never compromise yourself like that – give answers that are yours – that’s the purpose of interviews – to showcase yourself, not the reporter.
Aries
Those are terrific reasons. Please share them with reporters as often as possible.
“7. I want to believe that despite my rocky love life people still fall in love.”
Dude, with a list like that, women should be falling-down-out-cold for you.
Those answers must not be reaching the right group. Can we help you with that?
Oh! We can crown you Romance Writers Most Eligable Bachelor!
Is there a better topic?
“The greatest of these is love…”
AMEN, brother!!
Well said/written. I’m going to print out those reasons and pin them in a prominent spot on my bulletin board – then when I get frustrated with my writing and can’t seem to get on track, I shall refer to those 10 important reasons for inspiration.
~ Wylie
love is universal. Not everyone wants to be a spy, a vampire, a thief- but we all want to fall in love.
Beautiful list. #1 is my #1 reason, too.
Wayne,
You have compiled an excellent list. I have several of them on my reasons why I write romance list as well. Great post!
Gwyneth
Good list.
Twenty years ago I wanted to write romances because I felt so blessed in my marriage. People — personal friends, mostly, since I knew few writers then — were like “Why? You’re a guy. Write guy stuff.” So I wrote guy stuff — military science fiction and the like.
Now, thanks to writers like you, when I say I want to write romance, people — mostly fellow writers these days –say “Good career move.” Maybe.
But the desire to write romance has less to do with “career move” than it has to do with my being so blessed in my marriage (which has just entered its second quarter centurey) that I want to write about people finding love and making it work.
You keep blazing the trail; I’ve a feeling there are a lot of us right behind you.
I love that list and I am tempted to use some of it in my blog: http://www.kristen540.blogspot.com
with appropriate credit of course.