Even a quick visit to Romance Gems shows readers that our authors write many different things, yet we are ALL dedicated to the romance genre. As different as our books are, I’m wondering if how we came to WRITE romance is different too. Let’s find out!
“I can’t point to any one moment that pointed me to write romance. I always liked writing, majored in journalism and English, and wrote for newspapers for many years. An avid reader, I started many books that I never finished. When I had my second child at age 25, I started writing my first completed manuscript, a romantic suspense. I wrote off and on until I hit 40—and got really serious. My stories are inspired by movies and books I love, and all of them revolve around a love story. It’s natural that I write romance. Cinderella was my favorite children’s book.” ~ Cheryl Bolen
“I was 11 years old when I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. Even though some of the 18th century prose was confusing to 20th century me, I wished one day to be able to write a book with such deep emotion, such engaging conflict, and with a wonderful uplifting ending for all. Flash forward 44 years, a lifetime of living, and after reading every Nora Roberts book on the market, and I did just that. Even as a child I knew that everyone deserved their own happily ever after. And now I write them!” ~ Peggy Jaeger
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| Photo Credit: Liz Flaherty |
“I thought about this question, wrote something, then deleted it and wrote something else. And that's how I started writing romance. It was never a conscious decision. It was what I read from seventh grade on up, thanks to Betty Cavanna and Rosamund du Jardin and Janet Lambert, among others. It's where I learned things, found peace, and was never lonely. It is the happiest genre I know, and when you add the Ever After on there--after writing and deleting, writing and deleting, that makes it about perfect.” ~ Liz Flaherty
“When I started reading romance, my friends would tell me the stories weren’t real. I learned, quickly, that that statement was made out of sadness and pain. They didn’t want to believe in the love that romances paint, because they were either afraid to wait for it, or had been hurt deeply. And that broke my heart. It still does. Romances—paranormals, suspense, historical, sci-fi, etc.—are beautiful tales of courage, hope and triumph. They’ve taught me that true love, good love, is possible. And I want to fill the world with that. Always. And that’s why I write romance.” ~ Kara O’Neal
“All through my formative years I pretty much read a book every day, and my preferred genre was romance. If it was a mystery, I missed the romance. Even though they were young, I wanted more between Trixie Belden and Jim. As for Nancy Drew and her boyfriend Ned, was that guy slow or what? From there, I graduated to Mills and Boon where I discovered marriage of convenience had the most sizzle between the hero and heroine. I had no idea that was a trope, or one I would use in my very first published romance-I just knew I needed the happy ending. Naturally, the day I first sat down with a borrowed typewriter more years ago than I care to admit, that early effort was my first attempt at a romance. Good thing I had no idea how terrible it really was. Or the long, winding journey to publication.” ~ Kathleen Lawless
“I blame it on Rhett Butler. When he left Scarlett standing there at the bottom of the staircase and walked out of her life, my ten-year-old heart literally broke in two. I cried the entire way home from the movie theater, vowing that if I could change the end of the movie, I would. And I've been writing happily-ever-afters ever since. (well, maybe since my 30s....)” ~ Maddie James
“I started writing romance because I wanted to write what I knew. I didn't know anything about writing adventure or political intrigue. But I knew about love, marriage, and maintaining both. It was an easy choice because I didn't see any others. I still don't. Even though I write a bit of suspense, or paranormal, or humor or family saga type stories...they're all romance. They always will be because now, decades later, I’m able to write a full spectrum of relationships from grandparents down to children. I didn’t have that scope when I was younger. It feels great!” ~ Bonnie Edwards
“When I was 38, I almost died. Before returning to work, I attended a local “How to Write Romance” class given by Karen Robards. (She said something that sticks with me today - begin each novel with a life-threatening situation.) A former English teacher and a technical writer, I wanted to write a novel, but was afraid to try. After almost dying, I decided it was time to make my dream come true.” ~ Jan Scarbrough
“I only started writing about ten years ago. But, of course, the genre had to be romance. I've always been an avid reader, but my favorite kind of book by far is romance. I started borrowing my mom's Harlequins when I was 12, and the rest is history. But even before that, when reading Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and even Trixie Belden, I always loved the parts where we saw Frank with Callie, Joe with Iola, Nancy with Ned, and Trixie with Jim. When I began getting stories in my head that needed to be told, they all held romance.” ~ Kari Lemor
“I grew up on Mills and Boon books and loved them, but never imagined I would be a writer. Then a funny thing happened that jumpstarted my writing career. I was hired by Harlequin/Silhouette to read unsolicited manuscripts, otherwise known as tales from the slush pile. After literally reading thousands of manuscripts, I said “I can do this.” My first submission was turned down, because back then, athletes and entertainers didn’t sell. My second submission yielded a two book contract. Now here I am.” ~ Marcia King-Gamble
“I never set out to write a book. I was just a dedicated fan of reading romance since about the age of twelve or thirteen. But that all changed the day I visited a Victorian-era mansion on Cape Cod. A story sprang to life in my head, as if I’d been struck by lightning! Was I inspired by the ghosts that local legend says haunt the estate? Sounds like something that would happen to me. 😊 You can visit this beautiful place. Perhaps you'll be inspired too. I talk about it in my Author Notes.” ~ Kathryn Hills
As I expected, the authors that have shared here today all came to write romance in different ways. Yet we’re drawn to the hope and happiness the romance genre promises. Aren't we all?
Okay, now it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.
Thanks for joining us!
~ The Romance Gems ~
Our origins stories differ but the result is the same. I want to add that having 2 little children in the suburbs drove me to need some way to exercise my mind. I needed to write with all my soul...still do.
ReplyDeleteI think that was what got Nora Roberts started, too, wasn't it? There was a snowstorm and she was losing her mind... :-) I enjoyed reading all these answers!
DeleteThese are all wonderful! And I agree that Ned was soooo slow! But I still love him!
ReplyDeleteI loved all of these backstories. Me? I started books many times but always put it aside after the first few chapters. When I was a young stay at home mom with a toddler I took to the library every chance I could, I discovered shelves of paperbacks near the door. Those books had no return by date. I started taking home dozens at a time. That's how I discovered there was actually a genre called romance! (I never really considered Austen's books romance.) Within a year I had started and completed a story. It was horrible, but that didn't stop me. By completing that poorly written story, I knew I could write a full-length book. That was a turning point.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of us started writing when we were stay-at-home moms with toddlers!
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