Writing Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "What is Romance?"Help with writing, mine and yours.
38 total reviews
Comment from judiverse
This is very interesting. The romantic thriller is my favorite of the categories you mention. Mary Higgins Clark's novels are great examples of romantic thrillers. I'm sorry she's no longer around. Maybe you can take her place. I think I'd put yours in the romantic suspense category, as you always add elements of suspense. She never used vulgar language, there were no steamy sex scenes, and there was always a happy ending. Your points are very clear and well presented. judi
reply by the author on 05-Aug-2022
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This is very interesting. The romantic thriller is my favorite of the categories you mention. Mary Higgins Clark's novels are great examples of romantic thrillers. I'm sorry she's no longer around. Maybe you can take her place. I think I'd put yours in the romantic suspense category, as you always add elements of suspense. She never used vulgar language, there were no steamy sex scenes, and there was always a happy ending. Your points are very clear and well presented. judi
Comment Written 04-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 05-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the kind review.
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You're welcome. It's interesting that there's such a variety of romance fiction. I don't read much romance fiction except yours. I read everything by Mary Higgins Clark. Some of her last, she wrote with another woman, but I don't think she has carried on the series. judi
Comment from Tpa
I enjoyed your journey very much. It gave me much information about this genre. I write and self-publish crime stories. My attempt towards romance isn't flaring as much as I want. I follow your work, and this article had given me the fuel to try again.
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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I enjoyed your journey very much. It gave me much information about this genre. I write and self-publish crime stories. My attempt towards romance isn't flaring as much as I want. I follow your work, and this article had given me the fuel to try again.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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Please try again. Thank you for this kind review.
Comment from eliz100
This piece was very informative. I like having definitions of things. The earnings were quite surprising. The picture matches the topic. Thanks for the information.
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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This piece was very informative. I like having definitions of things. The earnings were quite surprising. The picture matches the topic. Thanks for the information.
Comment Written 04-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the kind review.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-You did a good job with this, barbara.
-I read a lot of romance novels, mostly
positive ones without the explicit sex.
-I was introduced to a newer writer,
Sariah Wilson, and she writes the sexiest
books without getting into the physical act.
-I like you organized this, beginning with
definitions of romance, the elements, and the genres.
-After following your story, I would say you
have a correct assessment of the genre you write in.
-Just for interest, I also enjoy books by Jude Deveraux,
and have read a lot of Nora Roberts over the years.
-Who are a few writers you like?
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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-You did a good job with this, barbara.
-I read a lot of romance novels, mostly
positive ones without the explicit sex.
-I was introduced to a newer writer,
Sariah Wilson, and she writes the sexiest
books without getting into the physical act.
-I like you organized this, beginning with
definitions of romance, the elements, and the genres.
-After following your story, I would say you
have a correct assessment of the genre you write in.
-Just for interest, I also enjoy books by Jude Deveraux,
and have read a lot of Nora Roberts over the years.
-Who are a few writers you like?
Comment Written 04-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the kind review. I do like Nora Roberts.
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You are welcome, and thanks for sharing. We are reading her newest trilogy. Another small bit of trvia; she and I are the same age, born in 1950.
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I was born in 1954. A little younger but not much.
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It is about the same! Thanks for sharing.
Comment from Jay Squires
You've written a thorough and entertaining tutorial on the Romance genre in all its aspects. Fanstory romance writers could learn something by studying your exposition. I'm trying to remember any men who wrote romances on Fanstory. Of the women (besides you) there was ... oh, and I'm not going to remember her name, but she left about 2 or 3 years ago and she was from England. She wrote primarily Victorian romances. I know as soon as I push send, her name will pop in my head.) Of course, Sandra Mitchell writes several kinds of subgenre romances, with a lot of time-bouncing. The two of you are the best that Fanstory can offer.
I only found one tiny -- not even spag -- thingy that I'm sure others have mentioned: "I do miss my counter parts." Counterparts should be combined.
Great job, Barbara.
Jay
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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You've written a thorough and entertaining tutorial on the Romance genre in all its aspects. Fanstory romance writers could learn something by studying your exposition. I'm trying to remember any men who wrote romances on Fanstory. Of the women (besides you) there was ... oh, and I'm not going to remember her name, but she left about 2 or 3 years ago and she was from England. She wrote primarily Victorian romances. I know as soon as I push send, her name will pop in my head.) Of course, Sandra Mitchell writes several kinds of subgenre romances, with a lot of time-bouncing. The two of you are the best that Fanstory can offer.
I only found one tiny -- not even spag -- thingy that I'm sure others have mentioned: "I do miss my counter parts." Counterparts should be combined.
Great job, Barbara.
Jay
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 04-Aug-2022
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I will fix counterparts. Thank you for the kind review.
Comment from estory
I think it's a great essay, concise, well laid out, informative, and probably useful to those who need advice on writing in this genre. You laid out all the big points numerically, you gave good background and history of the form, you gave some pointers on how to develope stories. Nice job. estory
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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I think it's a great essay, concise, well laid out, informative, and probably useful to those who need advice on writing in this genre. You laid out all the big points numerically, you gave good background and history of the form, you gave some pointers on how to develope stories. Nice job. estory
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the understanding.
Comment from Ric Myworld
I'm a true sucker for happy times; although, I write a lot of action junk, mostly because I wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to write true romance and sound convincing. I'm a fan who has read your romance stories for a long time, as throughout all the turmoil, two people fall in love and live happily-ever-after. What I think, everyone finds the greatest part of life. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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I'm a true sucker for happy times; although, I write a lot of action junk, mostly because I wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to write true romance and sound convincing. I'm a fan who has read your romance stories for a long time, as throughout all the turmoil, two people fall in love and live happily-ever-after. What I think, everyone finds the greatest part of life. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the encouragement.
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Barbara.Wilkey,
It's a nice piece of Non-Fiction touching all the aspects of Romance and Romance Novel in an interesting way such as - Definition of Romance; Basic elements; Genres of Romance Novel; Moreover, your own opinion in the last which I like most: "If anybody was confused...suspense or mystery."
Undoubtedly, LAUDABLE Attempt!
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Hello Barbara.Wilkey,
It's a nice piece of Non-Fiction touching all the aspects of Romance and Romance Novel in an interesting way such as - Definition of Romance; Basic elements; Genres of Romance Novel; Moreover, your own opinion in the last which I like most: "If anybody was confused...suspense or mystery."
Undoubtedly, LAUDABLE Attempt!
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you for the kind review.
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Most Welcome!
With best wishes,
~ RP
Comment from giraffmang
Hi Barbara,
I'm not sure I prescribe to the 5 basic elements.
All genres have certain tropes that folk expect, but sometimes these tropes develop into cliches and are too overplayed which gives the opportunity to play around with them.
These elements - the elements of the heroine and hero have become stereotypical in a lot of ways.
I also have a dislike for the happily ever after ending. It would seem contradictory to the believability aspect of the fourth element! lol
Just because they make money, doesn't mean they're good.
All the best
G
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Hi Barbara,
I'm not sure I prescribe to the 5 basic elements.
All genres have certain tropes that folk expect, but sometimes these tropes develop into cliches and are too overplayed which gives the opportunity to play around with them.
These elements - the elements of the heroine and hero have become stereotypical in a lot of ways.
I also have a dislike for the happily ever after ending. It would seem contradictory to the believability aspect of the fourth element! lol
Just because they make money, doesn't mean they're good.
All the best
G
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you for your opinions. Everybody has a right to them. I find in writing romance that most of my audience demands a happy ending.
Comment from Fleedleflump
Thank you for doing the footwork on this - I found it really interesting. Having read this, I'd say your current WiP is a romantic crime drama :-). I have tried to write romance (the closest I came was 'The Cook and the Time Traveller') but I do find it quite difficult - my brain is usually looking for the next joke or action sequence.
I thought this was great.
Mike
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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Thank you for doing the footwork on this - I found it really interesting. Having read this, I'd say your current WiP is a romantic crime drama :-). I have tried to write romance (the closest I came was 'The Cook and the Time Traveller') but I do find it quite difficult - my brain is usually looking for the next joke or action sequence.
I thought this was great.
Mike
Comment Written 03-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
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LOL Thank you for your support.