Just Brain Candy
A few years ago in a feature in The Oxford Student an unknown author described her addiction to romance novels. She (I’m guessing the writer was a she) described the standard plot of every romance like this:
I know the plot even before I open the book: a couple meets and are instantly attracted to each other. It might at first be lust combined with a certain derision that quickly manifests itself in the first physical contact, and by the time they finally shag, they have fallen in love with each other but won’t admit it. They then undergo some kind of crisis moment because they are scared to be in love, which is followed by a brief separation before the person who doubted wises up and finally asks for them back. If the person who instigated the doubt is the male partner, he produces a ring and they live happily ever after.
Fair? Is there more to it than that? Is the formula that simple? Is the only “thing” distinguishing one book from another the execution of this standard theme?
October 29th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
lol well, I have to admit it does describe an awful lot of romances.
But…you can say the same thing about mysteries and the formula they follow, or many fantasy books.
It’s all in the execution.
October 30th, 2006 at 1:28 am
Interesting….
October 30th, 2006 at 8:51 am
I agree.
October 30th, 2006 at 9:11 am
Yes, I would pretty much agree with the summation. But the details are what make them interesting aren’t they?
October 30th, 2006 at 11:26 am
At one time I think that may have been a fair assumption, but there is so much more to romance now…suspense, humor, paranormal, etc…that I have to disagree with that statement. And I think it is pretty narrowminded as well. Obviously someone hasn’t read any really good romance novels lately!
October 30th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
I knew I was missing a few aspects. *ggg* Now that ’she’s’ cleared that up for me, it’ll make it so much easier to write. LOL!
October 30th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
While many romances may follow a similar formula, not all do. I am more interested in the details and how the story is written.
October 30th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
This may be right about the gist of the story, but it’s the details that really make the story.
October 30th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
I agree with you Angie! Romance novels have changed a lot in recent years.
October 30th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
I’m a Bad Boy.. when do the good things start happening for me?
October 30th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
I think if that were the case, we’d all be romance writers. I agree it’s the details.
October 31st, 2006 at 9:18 am
They are unique in certain aspects and have changed and improved.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Who cares? It works for me and I love it!