...is a "A Song of Ice and Fire." That's why I haven't posted lately. Seriously these books are crack and I can't stop reading them. I've had to take a break after the second one, however. I do have children to feed. Also, I've come to the realization that I will have to read every book in the series twice because they are so dense. At approximately 1,000 pages each, that's alot of reading. And these books are dense, yet easy reading all the same. Which left me wondering, as a writer: How does he do it?
So I am taking a break from all things romance and trying to analyze what makes these books so seriously addictive. Here's what I have been able to figure out:
1. That old trick of ending each chapter on a cliff hanger really, really works. In Martin's case, the next chapter is another point-of-view and takes place somewhere else in the story. So you have to keep reading to find out how that particular cliff hanger turns out. And then the next chapter has another cliffhanger that gets resolved elsewhere...repeat, repeat repeat. Never gets old.
2. Good people sometimes do bad things and bad people sometimes do good things. Just like real people. Nobody's one hundred percent good or bad. Even the really, really bad guys have some redeeming quality.
3. Vocabulary, good descriptions, lots of strong action verbs, lots of showing, almost no telling. All those things they tell you to do in writer's workshops, yeah they really work. My only (minor) criticism is sometimes the pace is a bit too breathtaking. There are times I would appreciate a pause in the action and they just don't come too often.
4. Character development out the wazoo. See number two. Martin is not afraid to reveal layers of complexity in all his characters. And just when you think you have a handle on someone, a secret is revealed from his/her past or the character does something unexpected. But it never feels like the characters are going off the reservation and acting "out-of-character." Often times, the reader's perception of the character is formed from the observations of other characters, based on too little information. Just like you or I form expectations of people in the news based on other's perceptions and comments. So when a bad guy displays some sympathy or is shone in a better light, it never feels weird. Its just new information.
I could go on.....but these books are so rich and well developed. Sigh. Wish I could write like that. So....what book have you read that had you sighing and saying "I wish I could write like that?"
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Under Advisement
In "Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin, Catelyn Stark gives what turns out to be (spoilers ahead!) spetacularily bad advice to her husband, Ned Stark. Her bad advice, and his taking of it, spur the plot of the whole novel. This got me thinking about advice and romance novels.
How is advice used to develop the relationship between the hero and heroine? I can think of two ways primarily. One: the heroine gives wonderful advice to the hero and he comes to rely on her and love grows from the action. Two: the heroine gives advice to the hero and things go wrong, causing the hero to doubt the heroine, advice becomes an impediment to love.
I think it works in the reverse too...except in many romance novels, its not so much advice the hero gives as commands, which is a different subject entirely....
Advice by its very nature is used voluntarily. The hero is free to take it or not, as he chooses. How he handles advisement can tell you loads about the character and the state of the relationship.
In the example of the Starks above, Ned takes bad advice from his wife, even though instinctivly, he knows its not the right choice for him. The scene shows how much he respects and trusts her as well as the state of their relationship.
So what do you think? Any great romance heroes you can think of, willing to take advice?
How is advice used to develop the relationship between the hero and heroine? I can think of two ways primarily. One: the heroine gives wonderful advice to the hero and he comes to rely on her and love grows from the action. Two: the heroine gives advice to the hero and things go wrong, causing the hero to doubt the heroine, advice becomes an impediment to love.
I think it works in the reverse too...except in many romance novels, its not so much advice the hero gives as commands, which is a different subject entirely....
Advice by its very nature is used voluntarily. The hero is free to take it or not, as he chooses. How he handles advisement can tell you loads about the character and the state of the relationship.
In the example of the Starks above, Ned takes bad advice from his wife, even though instinctivly, he knows its not the right choice for him. The scene shows how much he respects and trusts her as well as the state of their relationship.
So what do you think? Any great romance heroes you can think of, willing to take advice?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
I was disappointed to read the Catholic Church had de-saintified Valentine's Day. They do that from time to time, when they are forced to admit that the "saint" being celebrated can't be verified by any facts and has been based upon much hearsay and legend. St. Christopher suffered the same fate. Too much legend, not enough verifiable truth. I guess its sort of like a demotion.
So that's kind of a bummer. St. Valentines' Day is really just Valentine's Day now. On a more positive note, I was pleased to read about "National Marriage Week" through a link from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://foryourmarriage.org/. Lots of great tips on how to keep your marriage happy. Its nice they've coincided National Marriage Week with Valentine's Day.
Which led me to thinking about (you guessed it!) romance books. I wracked my brain trying to think of a memorable Valentine's Day romance, or even just a romance book with a Valentine's Day scene in it and I came up with nada. Zero, zip, zilch. Is it because they don't exist, or does this holiday with all its flowers, cards, candies and chocolate just too, too, much, even for the sappiest, most cliched romance? Can you think of a good Valentine's Day romance, or memorable scene having to do with Valentine's Day?
So that's kind of a bummer. St. Valentines' Day is really just Valentine's Day now. On a more positive note, I was pleased to read about "National Marriage Week" through a link from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://foryourmarriage.org/. Lots of great tips on how to keep your marriage happy. Its nice they've coincided National Marriage Week with Valentine's Day.
Which led me to thinking about (you guessed it!) romance books. I wracked my brain trying to think of a memorable Valentine's Day romance, or even just a romance book with a Valentine's Day scene in it and I came up with nada. Zero, zip, zilch. Is it because they don't exist, or does this holiday with all its flowers, cards, candies and chocolate just too, too, much, even for the sappiest, most cliched romance? Can you think of a good Valentine's Day romance, or memorable scene having to do with Valentine's Day?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Oh Baby!
Today, I'd like to discuss the baby epilogue. As long time readers of romance know, the babylogue was at one time ubiquitous. You couldn't read a romance without a two-three page ending, detailing the happy couple's joy at the birth of their baby. Both parents, beaming proudly at their offspring, while assuring each other of their undying love, fade to black.
I haven't seen as many babylogues lately. They seem have become passe in many respects. And truthfully, alot of them had a tacked-on, cliched feeling to them. Leaving aside the fact that any parent knows a baby is the death of romance (at least for a little while!) the babylogue was often formulaic, more there because readers expected it, not necessarily because it was the right thing for the characters.
So babylogues seem to be going the way of the dodo bird. And I don't like it.
I know all the problems with the babylogue, but I miss it all the same. There was a satisfaction in knowing the characters would continue to grow " beyond the story" and even though parents know romance can be difficult with small children, children can cement a relationship, and help in time, make the marriage stronger. And quite frankly, to have a historical romance wherein the possibility of children is not mentioned at all, is just plain ahistorical.
I am wondering if there is a deeper meaning behind the death of the babylogue. Is it because readers have grown tired of the formula? Is it because the majority of people are annoyed by the idea that there must inevitably BE a child? Or is this the triumph of romance above all: "We're so happy we don't need no stnkin' baby. We are the end all and be all of each other!"
So why has the babylogue ceased to be ubiquitous?
I haven't seen as many babylogues lately. They seem have become passe in many respects. And truthfully, alot of them had a tacked-on, cliched feeling to them. Leaving aside the fact that any parent knows a baby is the death of romance (at least for a little while!) the babylogue was often formulaic, more there because readers expected it, not necessarily because it was the right thing for the characters.
So babylogues seem to be going the way of the dodo bird. And I don't like it.
I know all the problems with the babylogue, but I miss it all the same. There was a satisfaction in knowing the characters would continue to grow " beyond the story" and even though parents know romance can be difficult with small children, children can cement a relationship, and help in time, make the marriage stronger. And quite frankly, to have a historical romance wherein the possibility of children is not mentioned at all, is just plain ahistorical.
I am wondering if there is a deeper meaning behind the death of the babylogue. Is it because readers have grown tired of the formula? Is it because the majority of people are annoyed by the idea that there must inevitably BE a child? Or is this the triumph of romance above all: "We're so happy we don't need no stnkin' baby. We are the end all and be all of each other!"
So why has the babylogue ceased to be ubiquitous?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Short Story Friday
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/RetuPara.shtml
Its diffficult to find romanc in the short story format today. I'd like to highlght witers wo work in this fomat and do it well. If you know of any, please feel free to send me a link to their work. In the meantime, follow the link to the above, very short story. Its a wonderful tale of a woman rethinking her marriage. Alot of emotional punch packed in a very short space. Kudos to the author.
What do you think?
Who's the Better Romance Hero: Eli or Tom?
The other day, Andrea Peyser of the New York Post had an interesting column, comparing and contrasting Tom Brady and Eli Manning. You can read about it here: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/spoiled_beauty_has_got_plenty_but_wA4uZ7eYWxhirwwDSxrIOL
Eli Manning, is according to Peyser, a better man than Tom Brady. Eli lives on "only" 7 million a year. Eli lives like "real people" in a condo in New Jersey. Eli's nanny and baby looked very cute together when the camera panned to his family's box at the Super Bowl...o wait, never mind about that last part!
ANYWAY. Couple this with Eli's "aw shucks" performance at David Letterman's and you have the good, decent romance hero. A kind of beta best friend to the rakish Duke. The kind of guy who will get his lady love in a novella available for free on an author's website. Tom Brady on the other hand would be the alpha. He had the bigger house, more money, more beautiful (albeit bitchy wife). He's the kind of guy in serious need of redemption.
Of course, Eli beat Tom, which might mean, Eli the "secret alpha!"
So...who is the better romance book hero? Eli or Tom?
Eli Manning, is according to Peyser, a better man than Tom Brady. Eli lives on "only" 7 million a year. Eli lives like "real people" in a condo in New Jersey. Eli's nanny and baby looked very cute together when the camera panned to his family's box at the Super Bowl...o wait, never mind about that last part!
ANYWAY. Couple this with Eli's "aw shucks" performance at David Letterman's and you have the good, decent romance hero. A kind of beta best friend to the rakish Duke. The kind of guy who will get his lady love in a novella available for free on an author's website. Tom Brady on the other hand would be the alpha. He had the bigger house, more money, more beautiful (albeit bitchy wife). He's the kind of guy in serious need of redemption.
Of course, Eli beat Tom, which might mean, Eli the "secret alpha!"
So...who is the better romance book hero? Eli or Tom?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Not Really About Romance
Bare with my folks..this blog is in beta format and I am learning as I am going. Glad you are on the journey with me...
Okay so I'm reading a book called "Pym" by Mat Johnson. Its not romance and usually I avoid straight literature type books like the plague. Boring. Nihilistic. Blah. I figure if I want that I'll watch the news!
But every now and then I take a look at books that smart literary types say I should be reading just for kicks and giggles, you understand. This one appealed to me because it sounded quirky, weird and interesting. Kinda fantastical, even. In a nutshell, a Black professor of English literature gets fired at his all white college and becomes convinced a work of fiction:"The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" by Edgar Allen Poe was a true account of a real voyage. In Poe's book, Pym lands on a island of Black people (actually they are more like monsters) who have never seen white people before. Pym's friends are killed and Pym barely escapes with his life.
Our professor decides to go on an expedition to find this island. The novel is an account, told from his point-of-view about what happens when he does. I will probably not finish reading it. Why.
1. I hard a hard time accepting the the Black professor in the college would get fired. The reason given was that he would not join the college's Diversity Committee. Sorry. I worked for a college for seven years and this did not fly. He was well published and taught courses in Black literature. Not only would the college have given him tenure, they probably would have made him head of the English Department. But this was a small thing to swallow in comparison to the rest of the book...
2. The character is crazy, and rather pathetic. He's been pining for a woman who walked out on him years ago. He actually hires her and her husband to go with him on his quirky expedition. I don't find the theme of unrequited love interesting. Lots of great poetry has been written about this theme, but I wouldn't call this book great poetry. Its well written, but that's about all.
3. He looks down upon his best friend. The best friend is described on more than one occasion as "fat," and "plump." He's always eating Little Debbie snack cakes. The best friend likes Thomas Kincade (called "Karvel" in the book) a detail used to show that he has no taste and little intelligence, compared to our black professor friend. Actually he sneers at just about every other black Black person in the book. Got tired of reading it.
Also there is a "perfect"stereotypical homosexual couple in the book used as contrast to our black professor's own ridiculous longing.
This book was very well reviewed elsewhere (heck, what do I know ?) and I guess I am the only one in God's creation that didn't like it and won't finish it. I am really glad this was a library book and
I didn't fork over my hard earned dollars for it.
So, do you like "quirky" books? Has any quirky book worked for you recently, and why? Or, have you read this book and really love it and wanna tell me to go you-know-where? Let me know!
Okay so I'm reading a book called "Pym" by Mat Johnson. Its not romance and usually I avoid straight literature type books like the plague. Boring. Nihilistic. Blah. I figure if I want that I'll watch the news!
But every now and then I take a look at books that smart literary types say I should be reading just for kicks and giggles, you understand. This one appealed to me because it sounded quirky, weird and interesting. Kinda fantastical, even. In a nutshell, a Black professor of English literature gets fired at his all white college and becomes convinced a work of fiction:"The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" by Edgar Allen Poe was a true account of a real voyage. In Poe's book, Pym lands on a island of Black people (actually they are more like monsters) who have never seen white people before. Pym's friends are killed and Pym barely escapes with his life.
Our professor decides to go on an expedition to find this island. The novel is an account, told from his point-of-view about what happens when he does. I will probably not finish reading it. Why.
1. I hard a hard time accepting the the Black professor in the college would get fired. The reason given was that he would not join the college's Diversity Committee. Sorry. I worked for a college for seven years and this did not fly. He was well published and taught courses in Black literature. Not only would the college have given him tenure, they probably would have made him head of the English Department. But this was a small thing to swallow in comparison to the rest of the book...
2. The character is crazy, and rather pathetic. He's been pining for a woman who walked out on him years ago. He actually hires her and her husband to go with him on his quirky expedition. I don't find the theme of unrequited love interesting. Lots of great poetry has been written about this theme, but I wouldn't call this book great poetry. Its well written, but that's about all.
3. He looks down upon his best friend. The best friend is described on more than one occasion as "fat," and "plump." He's always eating Little Debbie snack cakes. The best friend likes Thomas Kincade (called "Karvel" in the book) a detail used to show that he has no taste and little intelligence, compared to our black professor friend. Actually he sneers at just about every other black Black person in the book. Got tired of reading it.
Also there is a "perfect"stereotypical homosexual couple in the book used as contrast to our black professor's own ridiculous longing.
This book was very well reviewed elsewhere (heck, what do I know ?) and I guess I am the only one in God's creation that didn't like it and won't finish it. I am really glad this was a library book and
I didn't fork over my hard earned dollars for it.
So, do you like "quirky" books? Has any quirky book worked for you recently, and why? Or, have you read this book and really love it and wanna tell me to go you-know-where? Let me know!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Romance or Not?
I think one of the things I would like to do is discuss celebrity behavior, especially in the light of my topic of romance. To this end, "Romance or Not"will probably be a sometime feature (whenever I see anything that interests me) where I discuss (and hopefully you too!) whether a certain behavior by a celebrity would fit under the trope of romantic love.
Soooo...Tom and Gisele. You've probably heard about her nasty remarks after the Super Bowl. (Go here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/super-bowl-tom-brady-gisele-bundchen-287254 for more info.)
My burning question is: Would this be something a romance book heroine would do?
One one hand, I like her fiercely defending her husband. I also was charmed with her email asking for prayers. On the other hand (yes I have three) her viciousness in blaming his teammates for the loss will certainly make things very awkward around the water color in the Patriots' locker room. Not something a romance book heroine would do, without appearing like an idiot and thoroughly dislikable. But it is something I can see a more awkward type of heroine doing. I am thinking of the heroine in "Goddess of the Hunt" by Tessa Dare whose name escapes me. A moment like this, if I read about it in a romance book, would make me cringe, but would give the author a perfect opportunity to show the heroine's character growth.
So what do you think? Gisele: Romantic or Not?
(Standard Celebrity Disclaimer: I know these are filthy rich people, leading charmed lives and are spoiled brats. ((perfect Harlequin Presents Material)) but so what. What's romance without a little fantasy?)
Soooo...Tom and Gisele. You've probably heard about her nasty remarks after the Super Bowl. (Go here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/super-bowl-tom-brady-gisele-bundchen-287254 for more info.)
My burning question is: Would this be something a romance book heroine would do?
One one hand, I like her fiercely defending her husband. I also was charmed with her email asking for prayers. On the other hand (yes I have three) her viciousness in blaming his teammates for the loss will certainly make things very awkward around the water color in the Patriots' locker room. Not something a romance book heroine would do, without appearing like an idiot and thoroughly dislikable. But it is something I can see a more awkward type of heroine doing. I am thinking of the heroine in "Goddess of the Hunt" by Tessa Dare whose name escapes me. A moment like this, if I read about it in a romance book, would make me cringe, but would give the author a perfect opportunity to show the heroine's character growth.
So what do you think? Gisele: Romantic or Not?
(Standard Celebrity Disclaimer: I know these are filthy rich people, leading charmed lives and are spoiled brats. ((perfect Harlequin Presents Material)) but so what. What's romance without a little fantasy?)
A Romance Blog for Grown-ups
Hello. I love romance. I love romance books. I love looking for romance in pop culture. On a deeper note, I am spending much of my thought time wondering at the intersection of romance, culture, religion and history
So what does that mean for this blog? Glad you asked!
Firstly, I am a glass half full person about some things. I'd like to discuss, in a serious way, positive descriptions of marriage in popular culture, primarily books. So I'll talk about romance books that are interesting to me. I have a special interest in Christian romance, as I have seen little, if any serious critique or discussion of it.
Secondly, I am very interested in the depictions of male/female relationships in pop culture, music, the gossip rags, etc. Brad Pitt, Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez, all are fair game. The way in which these relationships are depicted, can tell you alot about how the culture defines love and marriage.
Lastly, I am interested in religion and history because any serious discussion of marriage must take these subjects into account.
So....what famous couple do you think epitomizes romance at its finest?
Next Topic: Tom and Gisele! (Seriously)
So what does that mean for this blog? Glad you asked!
Firstly, I am a glass half full person about some things. I'd like to discuss, in a serious way, positive descriptions of marriage in popular culture, primarily books. So I'll talk about romance books that are interesting to me. I have a special interest in Christian romance, as I have seen little, if any serious critique or discussion of it.
Secondly, I am very interested in the depictions of male/female relationships in pop culture, music, the gossip rags, etc. Brad Pitt, Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez, all are fair game. The way in which these relationships are depicted, can tell you alot about how the culture defines love and marriage.
Lastly, I am interested in religion and history because any serious discussion of marriage must take these subjects into account.
So....what famous couple do you think epitomizes romance at its finest?
Next Topic: Tom and Gisele! (Seriously)
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