Comments on: Ask an Editor: Is it a romance? http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:11:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anna Kashina http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2763 Anna Kashina Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:17:50 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2763 Now that I am in on the discussion, I felt compelled to answer this comment. The Graduate should not qualify, because the romance (with sex) does not end with the happily-ever-after, and the sensual relationship is twisted and does not happen between the 'main couple' of the story. I think from what I learned so far if the sexual relationship ends with nothing, it is not a romance. Romancing the Stone may have been a romance novel, but as a movie it looks more like an adventure. The development of the relationship is definitely secondary to the plot. At the same time, Sense and Sensibility should qualify as romance -- shouldn't it? Now that I am in on the discussion, I felt compelled to answer this comment. The Graduate should not qualify, because the romance (with sex) does not end with the happily-ever-after, and the sensual relationship is twisted and does not happen between the ‘main couple’ of the story. I think from what I learned so far if the sexual relationship ends with nothing, it is not a romance.

Romancing the Stone may have been a romance novel, but as a movie it looks more like an adventure. The development of the relationship is definitely secondary to the plot.

At the same time, Sense and Sensibility should qualify as romance — shouldn’t it?

]]> By: Diane http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2760 Diane Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:49:23 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2760 I wonder what you all think of the movie The Graduate. It certainly fits in every way, but the HEA was more like ??? Then, of course, there was Romancing the Stone, which was perfect (in every way!), but in the sequel they had split. This also happened in the National Treasure series. If this is the way of popular "romantic" movies, how does it impact popular romance fiction? I wonder what you all think of the movie The Graduate. It certainly fits in every way, but the HEA was more like ??? Then, of course, there was Romancing the Stone, which was perfect (in every way!), but in the sequel they had split. This also happened in the National Treasure series. If this is the way of popular “romantic” movies, how does it impact popular romance fiction?

]]> By: Anna Kashina http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2758 Anna Kashina Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:13:52 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2758 Dear Adrienne, Thanks a lot for addressing my question so well! I have a much better sense now, both from your explanation and from the ensuing discussion. And, as I suspected, the answer is quite multidimentional. I will follow your suggestions, and will also relay this to my writinig group. Anna. Dear Adrienne,

Thanks a lot for addressing my question so well! I have a much better sense now, both from your explanation and from the ensuing discussion. And, as I suspected, the answer is quite multidimentional.

I will follow your suggestions, and will also relay this to my writinig group.

Anna.

]]> By: Kim Cresswell http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2752 Kim Cresswell Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:08:20 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2752 Teresa...yes I meant the external plot can move forward without the the romantic attachment. It is a subplot without a strong link to the main plot. I find it interesting because others including my agent see the story as a romantic suspense and I see it as suspense. lol I'm very much an action girl and that's what I enjoy writing. Teresa…yes I meant the external plot can move forward without the the romantic attachment. It is a subplot without a strong link to the main plot. I find it interesting because others including my agent see the story as a romantic suspense and I see it as suspense. lol I’m very much an action girl and that’s what I enjoy writing.

]]> By: Theresa Stevens http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2749 Theresa Stevens Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:38:28 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2749 In that case, Angelo, you might want to consider the inspirational romance market. The Christian book market has been taking a beating lately, but there are publishers who release the sort of story you describe. In that case, Angelo, you might want to consider the inspirational romance market. The Christian book market has been taking a beating lately, but there are publishers who release the sort of story you describe.

]]> By: Angelo Thomas Crapanzano http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2748 Angelo Thomas Crapanzano Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:04:06 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2748 It looks to me like the whole thing comes down to sex. As a Christian I am against sex without marriage. I was engaged for two years with a wonderful lady. We had a passionate romance but I never dishonored her or the woman I finally married. It was still a beautiful thing. It was a true romance. My books have hot and passionate romances woven in the plots. I think once you add sex it no longer is a romantic novel. It is , in my opinion, pornography. I think what the world needs is more true romance. To many think of romance as a physical thing. Love is the matching of personalities, based on inter beauty. It looks to me like the whole thing comes down to sex. As a Christian I am against sex without marriage. I was engaged for two years with a wonderful lady. We had a passionate romance but I never dishonored her or the woman I finally married. It was still a beautiful thing. It was a true romance. My books have hot and passionate romances woven in the plots. I think once you add sex it no longer is a romantic novel. It is , in my opinion, pornography. I think what the world needs is more true romance. To many think of romance as a physical thing. Love is the matching of personalities, based on inter beauty.

]]> By: Julie Harrington http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2744 Julie Harrington Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:01:53 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2744 Oh I like the distinction between a book being "romantic" vs. a Romance. I can go with that. Bridges was <i>romantic</i> but not a romance, imo. Tracey, TY for the recommendation, but sad to say I'm not a Foster fan. One Urban Fantasy I did enjoy (and am looking forward to the sequels on) is Gail Carriger's "Soulless." I had no expectations when I bought the book from the Fantasy/Sci-Fi section, I might add. So when I finished it I was really delightfully surprised. Not only was it labeld Urban Fantasy, but I considered it very romantic with a very heavy Romance story, a strong hero and heroine pairing who ended up together/married in this book and sound like they will be together for the next 2 as well. Plus they threw in Steam Punk, Paranormal, Mystery, Horror, etc, etc, etc. Very much a blending of genre lines, and very much a strange POV writing style that I still wonder if I liked or not. LOL. But I must have liked it enough to be looking forward to the next installments. :) Julie Oh I like the distinction between a book being “romantic” vs. a Romance. I can go with that. Bridges was romantic but not a romance, imo.

Tracey, TY for the recommendation, but sad to say I’m not a Foster fan. One Urban Fantasy I did enjoy (and am looking forward to the sequels on) is Gail Carriger’s “Soulless.” I had no expectations when I bought the book from the Fantasy/Sci-Fi section, I might add. So when I finished it I was really delightfully surprised. Not only was it labeld Urban Fantasy, but I considered it very romantic with a very heavy Romance story, a strong hero and heroine pairing who ended up together/married in this book and sound like they will be together for the next 2 as well. Plus they threw in Steam Punk, Paranormal, Mystery, Horror, etc, etc, etc. Very much a blending of genre lines, and very much a strange POV writing style that I still wonder if I liked or not. LOL. But I must have liked it enough to be looking forward to the next installments. :)

Julie

]]> By: Eva http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2743 Eva Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:09:24 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2743 Romance lit can do what it wants. :p Bridges was romantic (tho not for me but I'm anti infidelity like that) so as romance lit maybe it hit it's mark. Romance lit can do what it wants. :p Bridges was romantic (tho not for me but I’m anti infidelity like that) so as romance lit maybe it hit it’s mark.

]]> By: Theresa Stevens http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2742 Theresa Stevens Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:56:44 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2742 I can live with that as long as we distinguish between romance literature and the commercial romance genre. I can live with that as long as we distinguish between romance literature and the commercial romance genre.

]]> By: Eva http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/12/18/ask-an-editor-is-it-a-romance/comment-page-1/#comment-2739 Eva Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:15:30 +0000 http://romanceuniversity.org/?p=2230#comment-2739 Bridges was NOT a romance. I'm an HEA purist but that's just about my only qualification. Don't screw with the HEA, though. Bridges was NOT a romance. I’m an HEA purist but that’s just about my only qualification. Don’t screw with the HEA, though.

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