Like fashion and just about everything else in life, the
publishing industry is constantly changing. But one thing about romance novels
that has not changed is a classic romance.
To diverge for a moment here, when I first joined Romance
Writers of America in 1993, we were told every publisher was eagerly seeking
time-travel romances. This was on the heels of Diana Gabaldon’s mega bestselling debut
romance, Outlander. Within three or
four years, the market was glutted with time-travels, and most publishers quit publishing
them.
I’ve seen the publishing market’s pendulum swing
frenetically over the past three decades. Everyone wanted those slender little
traditional Regencies; then all the lines closed. Publishers couldn’t get
enough vampires; now authors can’t sell them. Romantic suspense was everywhere;
publishers have now pulled back on acquiring them. And who remembers the short-lived publishing frenzy to acquire chick lit after the 1990s success of Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones Diary?
Classic Romance Never Goes Out of Style
No matter what the genre within our romance genre, though, a
classic romance will never go out of style. What are the elements of a classic
romance? It’s very simple. Two people falling in love. The reader needs to have
a sense that of all the people in the world, these two were made for each other
and have been waiting their whole lives for one another. They just don’t know
it until we, the authors, bring them together on the pages of our books.
Of course there have to be obstacles standing in the way of
their happily ever after. The tougher the obstacles, the more satisfying the
reader’s reward.
After chapters and chapters of building this
once-in-a-lifetime love story, our hero and heroine fall into each others’ arms
and vow undying love forever and ever. And the reader closes the book (or turns
off her reading device) with a smile on her face.
I hope I can bring such a smile to my readers with my two
brand new Christmas novellas, One Room at the Inn (Lords of Eton series), which is in the Winter Wishes anthology,
and His Lady Deceived (the Deceived
Series).—Cheryl Bolen is the NY Times,
USA Today bestselling author of 41 romances. When she’s not traveling to
England or watching her alma mater University of Texas playing football or basketball, she can be
found reading about dead English women. Visit her at:
Comment below for a chance to win a digital copy of my The Portrait of Lady Wycliff (Book 1, Lords of Eton).
To win Amazon gift cards, go to our giveaway page here.
Being a writer has taught me to be both excited by and leery of trends. As I've aged, leeriness has taken over. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's not bad to be leey, Liz!
DeleteLove a classic romance. They live forever in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Nora.
DeleteRomance has been in my blood since I picked up my first Harlequin at age twelve. I still continue to read classic romance and now write them as well. Looking forward to your books!
ReplyDeleteI, too, used to love those slender Harlequins, especially if the hero was rich and handsome!
DeleteIt does make me wonder what the next trend will be. I love most romance books, so I guess it doesn't really matter. My only stipulation is the happily-ever-after ending.
ReplyDeleteI guess the easy thing about writing historicals is not having to worry too much about trends, though sadly, historicals written in any setting other than England and Scotland are not being acquired.
DeleteAs my grandmother taught me, classic never goes out of style! Great post <3
ReplyDeleteAh, Elsa, classics as in books and in pearls and in the LBD!
DeleteI've always thought the British labeling of a romance novel to be true. They were called courtship novels. I guess courtship is an old-fashioned word, but that describes the process from attraction to attainment very well. Good luck with your Christmas romances!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan. I love that, courtship!
DeleteSuccinctly put, as always, Cheryl
ReplyDeleteHey, Kathleen, I've got a journalism degree. Can't write long to save my life.
DeleteI love the classic romance story. I enjoy the hero and heroine building the relationship. I'm seeing a lot of books that the entire story is 30-40 pages and I've read a few, but everything happens so fast we don't see the couple take any time to get to know one another.
ReplyDeleteTina, a very astute observation. Readers want a meatier story. The want more emotional depth and character growth.
DeleteYou just listed all the reasons romance novels are the BEST. Enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteKara, spoke like a true romantic!
ReplyDeleteI want the HEA more than anything. I do have a preference for a historical romance but after I discovered my favorite Amanda Quick was also Jayne Castle and Jayne Ann Krentz, I read her paranormal and contemporary romances, and now I read most of the sub-genres except inspirational. Besides the HEA, my biggest requirements are that the book be well-written and the protagonists are neither too stupid nor too "angsty" (I'm too old to put up with all that grief). Reading across the genres has also meant I always have something good to read no matter what the publishers think should sell. I think that's one of the advantages of the ease of independent publishing because the author can decide what story to write regardless of what's "in" at the moment. Karen H near Tampa (kesh307 at yahoo dot com)
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a thoughtful post, Karen. It's obvious you're a fan of our genre.
DeleteI love how between two people meeting and falling in love is an infinity of possibility. Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Satin.
ReplyDeleteI would like to win that book of yours, Cheryl Bolen. If have another of yours to read first.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, CL.
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