Comments on: A Male Perspective on Romance Novels

By: Schedule for April 23-27, 2012 - Jessica Scott, Sherry Thomas, Jack Russell & Tracey Devlyn! | Romance University

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:30:25 +0000

[...] author. On Wednesday, “Jack Russell” (who has blogged about the Male Perspective at RU before http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/06/17/a-male-perspective-on-romance-novels/ ), interviews RU founding member and debut author Tracey Devlyn. Friday’s guest is RITA® Award [...]

By: Kate McHughes

Kate McHughes — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:28:57 +0000

Terrific idea, Jack.

If Bart has time to pass on some words of wisdom, I am eagerly listening.

Thanks!
Kate

By: Jack Russell

Jack Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:32:00 +0000

Bart,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I think you may be the perfect person to help Kate McHughes who posted a request earlier. She asked for tips on making a male character, in a romance, come across as perfectly believable. I’ve never given much thought to defining what makes a man a man. If you can offer her some tips I’m certain she would appreciate it.
I have to admit that I’ve learned some things about romance novels by participating in the interview and blog that have made me curious. Thanks for helping me set aside some of my previous biases.
Jack

By: Jack Russell

Jack Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:40:06 +0000

Madelaine, based on your comment I would guess that you’re a writer. Thanks for adding your thoughts and good luck in the future.
Jack

By: Jack Russell

Jack Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:32:44 +0000

You’re welcome Kathy. How about strong, sensitive and complex? If that works for women I’m one for three. Thanks for commenting.
Jack

By: Bart Palamaro

Bart Palamaro — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:30:46 +0000

Dear Jack,
well, OK, here’s some reaction from a male, as yet unpubd, romance writer. I too read (and write) SF and Fantasy, plus historical and techno-thrillers. I got turned on to the romance genre by reading a historical by Roberta Gellis. I quickly read everything else she ever wrote, and was only disappointed once. The woman knows how to research and how to make it personal. I’ve never read a better depiction of the disastrous retreat to Corunna by Sir John Moore during the Napoleonic wars, or why the English aristocracy hated King John.

Don’t sound like romances? I assure you, they are. But I was quickly disabused of the notion that all romances are as meaty, because, of course, they aren’t. For me there has to be something to the story besides the romance, and something more than a thin crust, or it falls apart. But there are still plenty to choose from.

More than 2 sex scenes in a book bore me. Tastefully done, please. No pulsating anything.

I have no trouble buying a romance that has a lurid cover, and which ones don’t these days, as long as the blurb and the first few pages promise something intriguing.

I do concur with your assessment that men in modern romances are over the top sensitive and introspective, but that’s today’s romance, a bit of fantasy for the ladies, but there’s a bit of truth there too.

I remember, yea those many moons ago….

By: Jack Russell

Jack Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:25:16 +0000

Not too surprising? hummm! Thanks for taking the time to comment Kit and best of luck with your writing.
Jack

By: Jack Russell

Jack Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:27:10 +0000

Touché Kate! It was a great comment. Good luck with your writing.

By: Jack Russell

Jack Russell — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:20:25 +0000

Kelsey, It just dawned on me that maybe my wife paid you to ask that question. When you go out for the bookmarkers could you pick up some highlighters for me. I like your thinking.
Jack

By: Kate McHughes

Kate McHughes — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:19:03 +0000

Jack: You’re not the first guy to tell me that he doesn’t know what makes a man a man…he just knows when one isn’t. Ah…and they say us ladies are a mystery. I will search elsewhere for the secret.

In the meantime, thank-you for a wonderful discussion. I have enjoyed.
Kate