Lately, there have been discussions of how publishers can entice the baby boomer readers. Harlequin has started a new line called NEXT that deals with more mature heroines. So as a Baby Boomer, what do I think of the over forty heroine?
In general, I prefer the heroine to be mid to late thirties, depending upon the story. An older heroine brings more “life experiences” (i.e. baggage) into the story. She’s probably been married and either divorced or widowed. More than likely she has children. The children could be grown or teenaged (which is a story in itself). All of this takes away from the main focus of the romance—the relationship between the hero and heroine. It makes great women’s fiction, but not in the tighter genre of romance.
To me, a romance works best when the experience is new—the younger hero and heroine falling in love for the first time. It’s a learning experience on which we get to travel. Now, an “older” romance works wonderfully as a secondary plot. I loved the romance of Bobby Tom Denton’s mother in SEP’s Heaven Texas. As a secondary plot, the relationship does not have to be as in depth and it can help contrast and compare the relationships. It helps define the hero and/or heroine by their reaction to the older romance. Also the two relationships can more easily cover the issues within the parameters of a romance.
As a side note: the one main problem I think many baby boomers have with contemporaries is overly successful heroine who by the age of 28 has fought her way to the top of the company, seems to spend a couple of hours a day at her job and has plenty of free time. We know that doesn’t happen.
So the question of the day is how do you feel about romances featuring heroines over the age of forty?
I’m in my 30’s so right now, I’m happy reading about heroines in the mid-twenties to mid-thirties. I think when I get older, my perspective will change, and that’s not a bad thing. I think that a lot of great romances can be told and not make it seem like someone ovr 40 is done with romance and sex. Or that the woman is just looking for a companion to go play bingo with. I’m just not ready to read them right now.
by Stacy ~ September 10th, 2006 at 8:52 amBingo? Dear me.
I’m prejudiced in the other direction, because my heroine is in her mid-forties, and I cannot agree that the romance must be “secondary.”.
by Bernita September 10th, 2006 at 10:34 amA woman who has been widowed but who is inexperienced in sexual relationships because she has been faithful and married young has lots to learn.
As far as baggage goes, I’ve seen lots of baggage carried by the mid-twenty heroines.
The “same old, same old” issues CAN be tiresome if you read them again and again, I don’t think it’s accurate to say mid-forties = anything in particular. Forties aren’t what they used to be and I have several never-married mid-to-late forties female friends who are as vivacious, attractive, and funny as ever, but are in that horrible dating pool. Some of their stories are great - the balance between “still dating” and “planning for retirement” and the way that blows all old notions about getting married and having babies out of the water.
Bernita also makes a good point about a woman who is widowed (or maybe divorced) but it inexperienced sexually/dating-wise might also make for a really interesting romance-focused book.
by B September 10th, 2006 at 11:00 amI agree, baggage isn’t dependent upon age.
In fact, my youngest heroine to date was a widow with three kids — at 24!
Not only that, but falling in love is always a new, wonderful and exciting experience, whether you’re twenty or thirty or sixty. While I undertand that everyone has preferences, and that some readers just aren’t into reading about older heroines, I just can’t buy the idea that romance is only for the young.
One of the most delightful romances I’ve read in the past few years is Jeanne Ray’s JULIE AND ROMEO, in which both the protagonists are sixty, healthy and every bit as amazed by what’s happening between them as any younger couple I’ve ever read about (or written). Baggage? Ohmigod, yes — two full sets of grown children who are appalled that their parents are falling in love. But “baggage” is only another name for “conflict,” a necessary component of any romance. And whether or not the story stays focused on the romance, rather than all the detritus the couple brings to the story, depends far more on the skill of the author than the age of the couple, IMO.
by Karen Templeton September 10th, 2006 at 11:13 amAn older heroine brings more “life experiences” (i.e. baggage) into the story.
This is the very reason I love reading about an older heroine - because I can identify with her outlook on life, with the way she see the world around her, with what she’s going through trying to balance every facet of her life.
Besides, that first experience can happen at any age. Just because a woman has been married or been in several relationships doesn’t mean any of those were “the one”.
I happen to know 2 women who were over 40 when they met the men with whom they were meant to spend their lives, and everything they’re experiencing now (one just under 50, one just over) is the stuff of a first time love!
by Alison Kent September 10th, 2006 at 11:20 amI think in the hands of a skilled author, a story about 60 years old falling in love could be romantic. But I hope that a move toward older heroines doesn’t mean an increase in the hackneyed virginal or never-had-an-orgasm widow contrivance. Isn’t there a way to write a romantic story even if the heroine has had great sex in the past or been head-over-heels in love? Maybe the heroine has had lovers but no-one who ever tempted her to marry and make the ultimate commitment to a relationship. Or maybe she’s divorced because her husband didn’t want her to go back to school and she meets a gorgeous, more open-minded younger man there. I’m sure there are a thousand ways to make this work that would appeal to readers.
by Kimber September 10th, 2006 at 2:46 pmSorry, that should have said “a story about 60-year-olds.”
by Kimber September 10th, 2006 at 2:48 pmI’m much more interested in what kind of story it is than what age the characters are. That said, I haven’t even thought about trying Next because I guess I assumed they weren’t geared to me.
by Charlene Teglia September 10th, 2006 at 4:31 pmI would absolutely love to read about older women. I’ve just about stopped reading romance because of the prevalence of young heroines. They just don’t resonate with me anymore (I’m over 50); I’d like identify with the life situation experienced by a woman my age who’s finding that a new love is still possible.
The insistence on “young’uns only” sends the message (whether intended or not) that romance is only for the younger crowd, and if it doesn’t happen by the time you’re 35 or 40, you’re out of the game. I find that dismissive, depressing, and incredibly short-sighted.
by Nancy Gee September 10th, 2006 at 4:47 pmMe too…over 50. Never say never, because I’ve read the occasional over 40 story and enjoyed the book. However, when I’m browsing for a new book to read. I don’t want to read about someone who is fighting gravity, wrinkles, problems with teens…it just doesn’t engage me because it’s so much like my own life. I agree with Sandy, I like when the experience is new. I prefer my heroines in mid-twenties to mid-thirties.
by Rosie September 10th, 2006 at 5:34 pmNancy wrote:
by Barbara Samuel September 10th, 2006 at 5:51 pmThe insistence on “young’uns only” sends the message (whether intended or not) that romance is only for the younger crowd, and if it doesn’t happen by the time you’re 35 or 40, you’re out of the game. I find that dismissive, depressing, and incredibly short-sighted.
For those of you trying NEXT, it’s a great series — basically because it DOES have boatloads of conflict and does reflect “real-life” heroines from 35 on up. Do remember, though, that this is Harlequin’s women’s fiction line — the romance is the sweet whipped cream on top — not the whole pie.
As for me … I have to agree with those who say that any couple, regardless of age, in the hands of a good writer, can create a compelling romance.
The older I get (and I’m just in my late 30s), the harder it is for me to relate to stories about younger women, because I find myself shaking my head and tut-tutting, muttering, “Oh, yeah, SHE’s only 25 — she’ll learn!” But of course, in the hands of a great writer, any age heroine can draw you in and have you rooting for her and believing she’s capable of earning her HEA.
by Cynthia Reese September 10th, 2006 at 7:20 pmI honestly can’t remember whether I’ve ever read any over forty romances. Guess I don’t pay attention to age. Anyway, one thing I would be interested in seeing is maybe some anthologies featuring older romances and they wouldn’t even all have to be the “falling in love” variety either. Seems to me that a short story format would be perfect for exploring all those other romantic moments in life.
by B.B. Medos September 10th, 2006 at 8:56 pmI would love to see more romances with over-40 heroines. I’m over 40 and absolutely believe that romance and love still exist and are as vibrant for women and men my age as for any other age demographic. Life experience does not necessarily mean negative baggage. I have a richer, fuller life in my 40s than I did when I was in my 20s. I think I’m a helluva lot more interesting at this age than I was 20 years ago. *g* So, it follows that a romance heroine can also be interesting, rich and full of life.
by Mary Stella September 11th, 2006 at 9:28 amI don’t really pay attention to age as much as the story. I like older heroines, probably because I’m in my 40’s and can relate to them, but I’m not prejudiced either way. I think heroines come in all shapes and sizes. Not all middle age heroines have the life experiences we think. Take Star Jones, for example, who just married for the first time in her early 40’s, and was as starry eyed as any 20-year-old when she did. In the end, it’s all about the romance.
by Patricia September 11th, 2006 at 9:42 amHow annoying–half my post was lost. Sorry about that!
In a much abbreviated reply: I believe romances can be very romantic between two lovers of any age. It’s the same emotions flooding through you, the same fears, the same hungers, the same desire be seen and loved as you are. I write about all ages of women falling in love. There are certainly different things going on at various ages, especially externally, but love is love is love. Maybe it’s even more heartfelt later–when it’s harder to just fling yourself into something, knowing how time can sometimes flow….how sometimes even the best intentions don’t fix things.
Oops, well that’s not very abreviated!
Barbara
by Barbara Samuel September 11th, 2006 at 3:22 pmAs a side note: the one main problem I think many baby boomers have with contemporaries is overly successful heroine who by the age of 28 has fought her way to the top of the company, seems to spend a couple of hours a day at her job and has plenty of free time. We know that doesn’t happen.
That’s the problem I have with many contemporaries (and much of chick lit) as well and I’m 25. I know it’s not accurate, and yet it still manages to make me feel bad for not having my life together as much as this fictional woman does (or seems to).
by Jay September 11th, 2006 at 11:23 pmKaren - I loved JULIE & ROMEO. JULIE & ROMEO GET LUCKY is in my MP3 right now!
So yes, I like older heroines…though I’m still of the younger generation myself.
by Jenna Bayley-Burke September 12th, 2006 at 1:01 amThis is a very interesting discussion to me because my agent is currently shopping around my first single title. My heroine is a forty-something divorcee and the hero is a fifty-year-old widower. The interesting twist is that he is the less experienced one due to marriage at a young age and his late wife not being very interested in sex.
I think that mid-life romance can be even more satisfying because the protagonists realize what they were missing all those years and really treasure their new love. There are also great opportunities conflict-wise for young adult children and elderly parents all sticking their noses into the romance.
Although I am in my thirties, I had an absolute blast creating the characters and writing the book. It was just a lovely experience.
Marie
by Marie Donovan September 12th, 2006 at 3:37 pmI think you have to consider the views of the target audience. Women over forty are approaching menopause. Usually, their careers have peaked, their children are grown and gone, and they’re wondering “what’s next?” They are reassessing, taking stock, and wondering if what they settled for is truly what they wanted.
I see women going through this spirtual transformation into a “new life” fascinating, compelling, and rich with potentials for drama.
I’m not quite there yet, but I find myself reading, writing, and longing to see more of women getting on with the second half of their (love) lives.
by Liane September 19th, 2006 at 8:21 am