In Which Author Karen Hawkins Dons Her Goddess Armor and Goes To War
Sep 19th 2007
Karen HawkinsOn Writing!
I love romance novels. I’ve been reading them for years — since I was 14, in fact. I began with Georgette Heyer and moved on from there. I tend to read everywhere, in the line at the grocery store, at the dentist, on the train . . . thus, over the years, I’ve heard every slam against romance you can imagine.
You know the comments. I’m sure all of you have heard them in one form or another.
Frankly, I’m tired of this prejudice. Therefore, to stem the tide of the unknowing, I’ve prepared a Comeback Primer to help us all get over these awkward moments and still Make A Point.
So put on your shining gold breastplates, lift up your spears and shields, and repeat the following answers in your clearest, strongest voice:
Comment:
“Oh you’re reading one of THOSE kind of books.”
Answer:
“Yes, the GOOD kind, about romance and love and commitment. You should try one sometime!”
Comment:
“I prefer MORE SERIOUS reading.”
Answer:
“I’m glad you’re able to put some meaning into your life through fiction. Personally, my real life is so fulfilling that if I want to, I can read books just for pleasure.”
Comment:
“Oh, a smut-book!”
Answer:
“Actually, no. This is a book about monogamy and love and commitment. If you want smut, the Penthouse magazines are behind the counter wrapped in brown paper.”
Comment:
“Oh honey, my Roger would KILL me if I read those kinds of books. Why next I’ll be expecting him to ride up on a white horse and sweep me away!”
Answer:
“Tell Roger to keep murder mysteries out of the house rather than romance novels because those could REALLY give you ideas.”
What about you? Have you ever been put into the position of donning righteous armor and Defending The Genre? Does it make you hot under the collar when someone makes cracks about the romance genre? And have you noticed how many of our critics have never read a romance book and yet feel free to make disparaging comments?
59 Comments »
59 Responses to “In Which Author Karen Hawkins Dons Her Goddess Armor and Goes To War”
twolilhahas on 20 Sep 2007 at 12:26 am #
I have gotten comments before. People look down on it. I think they’re great. I’m not a good comeback person, so I usually just smile and say, “Yes, I’m reading romance.” I think next time someone says, “You’re reading one of THOSE kinds of books,” I’m going to say, “Sssh! It’s the GOOD part!” hehe See if I can get a blush.
twolilhahas on 20 Sep 2007 at 12:29 am #
Oh and LOL about Roger and the murder mysteries!
Stacy ~ on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:12 am #
I used to get more upset but now I think the easiest and best thing to do would be to smile mysteriously and tell the person they don’t know what they’re missing, then give them a pitying look. I’ve never been in that situation, but the idea that romances are for women waiting to be swept away by a man on a horse is laughable now. Instead, the heroine is the one saving the hero, and horses have nothing to do with it.
aussie dee on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:13 am #
some equate romance books with the words Mills & Boon, obviously not knowing there is a whole world of different books out there, all different genres of stories that can inspire or just plain make you happy.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:09 am #
TwoLil and Stacy, those are great answers! I bet if I say “Shhh! This is the good part!” WHILE smiling mysteriously, I could really slice my critics to the nubs. Teehee!
Dee - you’re right; people equate today’s romances with the old style sexapade-style books which always had a rape scene. I once found an old 70s era romance at a used bookstore where the heroine was drugged and forced to work in a brothel and had numerous partners, all the while looking incredible beautiful and helpless until the hero came to rescue her.
If I bought a book like that today, I’d take it back to the store and demand my money back because I WANT romance and I WANT a heroine who can rescue herself and I WANT commitment and monogamy.
For me, romance is not just about the relationship between the hero and heroine, but about the heroine’s growing abilities to deal with the complexities of her own life. I looove that and it encourages me to be patient and be proud of the control I’ve taken over my own life.
gannon on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:37 am #
Ah, the romance critic! Grrr! You’re right, Karen, most of these people have never read a romance, so they don’t know what they’re talking about! I’ve used some of the same comments that you have. Plus, I like to inform people that romances are read, AND WRITTEN, by some highly educated women!!
I love it when people think that women who read romance expect to be swept away by Prince Charming; that we will expect our lives to become this fantasy world. While I love reading about it, I don’t expect my life to mirror it! The last time I checked, people who read Tom Clancy novels were not under the mistaken impression that they were Jack Ryan out to save the world. Puhleeze!
Karen Rose on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:58 am #
Go Gannon and everybody else.
My favorite comeback was to an older man who stopped by my table at the Sarasota Reading Festival a few years back.
He was putting down “those kind of books.” I winked and said, “I write the kind of books that women love to read and men LOVE when there women read. If you know what I mean.”
He turned fourteen shades of red and bought both books I had for sale. I chuckled and wished him a nice time with his wife.
Now, I have many more comebacks as I have many more male readers, but that was my first GOTCHA that I managed in real time. Usually I think about the response a few days later.
cail on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:59 am #
people have figured out not to comment on it to me, because i go on a lecture about how facinating the world of romance novels are, and the change in dynamic over the years, the difference between the historical, paranormal, modern etc. It really turns into a lecture on the history of romance. got one of my non romance reading friends to want to write a intellectual paper on it!
elsiehogarth on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:05 am #
Both Karens, YOU GO GIRLS!!!! I’m writing some of these down. I love the monogamy, love, committment comment and the story of the man buying 2 books.
All I ever say is ” Have you ever read one of “these” before? Try them you might like them”. or “You only read Fiction, well I live fiction everyday and if I want truth all I need to do is watch the news.”
SuzyQ on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:25 am #
To my male co-workers who always give me a hard time: “You should read some of these books. You could use a couple pointers.” Then just smile sweetly and walk away.
gannon on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:33 am #
Ha! I love that comment SuzyQ!!
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:43 am #
gannon, that’s EXACTLY it. There’s the assumption that we’re not capable of telling fantasy from reality. Get with it, people! Of COURSE we can. Just because I love to read Harry Potter doesn’t mean I expect to be able to fly on a broom! Sheesh!
Karen Rose, how funny that he bought BOTH books! That’s hysterical!
cail, when your friend finished with that paper, I’d like to read it. There are more and more studies being done on romance in academic fields, which is great news for us all.
elsie, I hear you, sister! I am sometimes overwhelmed with Bad News and it helps to be able to escape a few hours into a relaxing world of fantasy. It’s a wonderful mental health moment for me.
SuzyQ, lol! That’s a GREAT comeback! Btw, there is a study that shows that women who read romance have MUCH happier sex lives than those who don’t. I’ll see if I can find that study online and post a link here . . .
Caren Crane on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:52 am #
Karen, to me the most infuriating thing is a writer who writes romance, but then touts her work as something “different” from most romance novels (i.e. intelligent, with believable characters). Why write romance and then feed people’s prejudices about the genre that feeds you?
This happened very recently in my part of the webiverse. It made me crazy! I tried to very politely (and privately) point out that she should support her writing peers and her genre and she (very publicly) restated her opinion that she was telling the truth and only said what she sees around her. Ack!
I only wish all romance writers and readers would be proud of what they love and not hide it behind flowery book covers or pseudo-intellectualism.
Meg on 20 Sep 2007 at 9:17 am #
You know what? I LOVE my romance novels! I too read everywhere I go not caring what anyone else thinks (and all too ready to let them have it in the event that they interrupt me only to insult my choice of reading material). My most satisfying situation where I have had to stand up for the type of book that I read was with my husband. He used to say all the classics: “Those books have nothing but sex in them.” and “You know you are just reading them for the sex.” I am happy to say that I converted him!
Granted he wasn’t reading an entire romance novel himself, but he would read parts of my novels (and not just the sexual ones), he would have me read to him, and he would show a genuine interested in what was going on in whichever book I was reading! I was proud of him. And I never heard those mocking words from him again. I would like to thank Suzanne Enoch for her help in converting him–it was one of her novels that he read part of first!
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Sep 2007 at 9:18 am #
Caren, I’m with you. The worst thing is when an author is ashamed of what they write. But I don’t think those writers last very long. They discover that romance readers are smart–and can tell when someone is pretending to like the genre but secretly doesn’t.
My favorite line was one Karen H said years ago–I kept it but it would take me hours to find it. Maybe she remembers. It was in response to the comment, “When are you going to write a real book?” Her answer was something like, “You mean, instead of the fake books they pay me for?” I still get a chuckle over that.
goddess2574 on 20 Sep 2007 at 9:19 am #
I work with other men and they usually forget that I am a lady and treat me as one of their own. So when I got a couple of books in thru work one morning, they said the typical, sex books comment, and didn’t they get me excited to read them? I said oh yes, doesn’t your wife read these? Ha Ha they laughed and asked really, and I said well, strong men, love, affection, and when I get that screct little smile or laugh out loud, then my husband alwyas has to know whats going on. Nothing like getting a mans attnetion. There wasn’t an answer for that… LOL!!! There are some really great answers here today, and I will have to remember them as I usually get noticed reading places like waiting to pick up the kids from school or at the park. You know where other mothers are apt to be and want raise their voice to the upbrining of children today. Thanks Karen H. for the wonderful question!!!
Amy
Darla on 20 Sep 2007 at 9:22 am #
I pretty much tell people anymore that “Well, I guess its a good thing that I’m spending my money instead of yours then, HUH!”
A frined and I had a discussion one day about what we spend our money on and decided that each of us have things that are important to us that were willing to splurge on…for me its ROMANCE books, and for her it was rodeo, horse things, etc.
I need a shirt that says “I’M PROUD TO BE A ROMANCE READER!”
Romance is a balm that sooths my soul.
ct009ct on 20 Sep 2007 at 9:55 am #
Darla, I want a T-shirt that says that.
“ROMANCE is a balm that soothes my soul”
Beautifully put.
RevMelinda on 20 Sep 2007 at 10:02 am #
As you can tell from my “screen name,” I am a minister in my Other Life. I preached a sermon about romance novels and the congregation loved it. It may not be for everybody, but here it is if you want to take a look (you can skip the first few paragraphs about the scripture reading, LOL):
http://tworevs.blogspot.com/2007/06/do-you-love-me.html
Sherri Erwin on 20 Sep 2007 at 10:10 am #
This is why Jennifer Crusie is one of my hereos. She’s a hot defender of romance and she always knows the right thing to say. I have this deep-seated fear of finally making it on to the Today Show only to end up saying all the wrong things in defense of my genre. Maybe I’ll have to add Karen H to my hereos list.
Kay on 20 Sep 2007 at 10:38 am #
I should know better than to read a Karen Hawkins blog while drinking coffee!!!
Now that I have cleaned off the laptop monitor and changed shirts……. TELL ‘EM KAREN!
There is a reason why the well-written books that you goddesses write sell so well,
THEY ARE GREAT READS.(Congrats to Karen R on the NYT) The last “important”novel I tried to gag down, at the insistence of a dear friend, put me off reading ANYTHING that I don’t want to read. I now promptly put down a book it it doesn’t hook me by the first 3 pages, and I ALWAYS read the end before buying the book. So there. LOL
Thank Zeus that there are you goddesses to keep me in great reading material. My only complaint is that you all don’t write FASTER.
Keep up the great work, ladies.
Claudia Dain on 20 Sep 2007 at 11:10 am #
I rarely get any sort of remark about being a romance writer or reader, I think because I have this Tough Broad glimmer in my eyes that gives fair warning.
I did say once to a group of women, “I like romantic songs. I like romantic movies. Of course I like romantic stories!” That took the wind out of their sails!
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 11:25 am #
Caren, that’s one of my most frustrating things, too — when a romance author denies she writes romance. I once saw an author who used to write genre romance and had switched to Christian romance that she was ’sorry’ for her previous books. That made me SO mad! I do wish she’d had a chance to read Rev Melinda’s sermon which, btw, made me tear up.
Well said, Rev Melinda! I am printing that up and keeping it. It lifted my heart.
Meg, that’s so cool that you’re sharing something you love with your husband. He sounds like a keeper!
Amy, that’s a great (and sexy!) answer. I’m going to remember that one.
Sabrina, I still have people say that to me — “When are you going to write a REAL book?” and I always say, “When they stop paying me all of that REAL money for the FAKE books I’m writing now.”
Darla, we need t-shirts, bumper stickers, and buttons with that on it! I love it! ROMANCE IS THE BALM THAT SOOTHES MY SOUL. Absolutely!
Lisa H on 20 Sep 2007 at 11:30 am #
First, Rev Melinda - what a great sermon and I so agree.
Karen - I am printing, framing and memorizing your great comebacks.
I listened to Lisa Kleypas’ talk at the RWA conference on-line ( I could only attend in my dreams) and she briefly addressed this issue beautifully.
My life is full of serious situations. I don’t want to read about more of the same, or negative things like murder, rape and torture…I want to escape to a beautiful place where people care about each other, beat the odds and find true love.
I have read many reccommended books of “serious literature” (Oprah picks) and they have a common thread, incest, alcoholism, abuse and neglect —not exactly uplifting or relaxing!
Thank you ladies and thank you Karen it is nice to be around like-minded women!
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 11:32 am #
Sherri, I’ve always loved the things Jennifer Cruisie has to say about romance. It’s awesome to have such a strong voice in the academic world.
Kay, I have a plastic sheet over my keyboard for all of Julia London’s posts. She’s caused numerous coffee and diet coke spills. I should send her a bill!
Claudia, you’re so petite and gorgeous that it’s hard to imagine you with a Tough Broad Glimmer . . . although, now that I think about it, I believe I saw it at the conference this summer!
Lisa H, it IS a wonderful community, isn’t it? No other genre has such great fans.
Ronlyn on 20 Sep 2007 at 12:17 pm #
Mostly I’ve had to defend my reading choices to my own mother and MIL. My mom loves to roll her eyes at the “smutty” books I’m reading. Last time she was visiting I made a HUGE pile of all the books that she’d given me: Johanna Lindseys, Julie Garwoods mainly, and pointed out that she was being a hypocrit. My step-dad just grinned the whole time.
My MIL tried to involve me in a book exchange with her and a girlfriend. books about travelling cats or something, I can’t remember anymore. My wonderful DH told her that I read mostly romance and she proclaimed, “I don’t want to know that much about your sex life!” LOL. One of the moms also got upset when I took a pic of my oldest son (he was about one at the time) pretending to read one of my books. After they objected I handed him a Playboy and took a pic and emailed that one asking if that was any better. *G*
If anyone else says anything I simply point out that pretty much any book has some element of romance in it.
Ronlyn on 20 Sep 2007 at 12:18 pm #
continued:
It doesn’t have to be sexual, but romance and relationships are what create stories worth reading IMO.
twolilhahas on 20 Sep 2007 at 12:46 pm #
I just don’t get it. What’s the difference between watching romanctic comedies and reading romantic stories? I mean, guys don’t get slack for watching those action movies in which there is always a wild sex scene with no love behind it going on. So, why the problem with women reading books about finding ONE person to be with and LOVE? Grrrrrr!
My mom used to read romance, but won’t anymore. She says it messes with her head too much. I understand that point of view. It used to do me the same way. I’d get sad because I wanted a good guy like that. But then I thought about it and was like, the only reason I fell so in love with this guy is because I can get into his head. If I was the heroine and heard only what he said out loud, and saw only what he did, I would probably feel like the heroine (who usually isn’t interested/doesn’t think she cares) until the end. So, then every man was potentially that special guy and I can read happily now. And I found a good guy, too.
colinfirthfan on 20 Sep 2007 at 12:59 pm #
I hear about it from my DH some times.
When people ask me what I read I tell them - pretty much everything but most of the time I read sci-fi/fantasy and romance. Lots of romance.
My reason for focusing on these books - I want my Happily Ever After and Good triumphs over Evil. If I wanted reality then I would turn on the news!!
RevMelinda - I liked your sermon!
KarenH - I have a big Georgette Heyer collection. I frequently re-read them.
Suzanne Enoch on 20 Sep 2007 at 1:06 pm #
Thanks, Meg! Glad I could help convert your fella.
KarenH, you’re always so great with the comebacks. The ones I think of, I usually couldn’t say out loud. For guys who say “you write those smut books?” I would like to answer “yes, and I bet you drive one of those ‘I have a tiny winkie and am trying to compensate’ cars”. But ‘compensate’ has too many syllables and I’d probably make their brains bleed. Sigh. *g*
Ronlyn on 20 Sep 2007 at 1:13 pm #
LOL…my DH will often times come to my defense too and say something about loving that I read romance, that he gets all the benefits from it. *G*
cail on 20 Sep 2007 at 1:16 pm #
Suzanne, I just totally spit out my lunch!
When people question my enormous collection of proudly displayed romance novels, i tell them i read for pleasure, and when i want to read something to learn, i read non-fiction, (and point them towards the history books) or learn new languages.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 1:31 pm #
Suzanne, now that’s a great answer! I must remember the Enoch Wee Winkie Comeback!
Why do people sneer at romantic books while romantic movies are a-ok? I sometimes think it is because reading is a solitary activity and people arent exposed to it like they are exposed to movies. How many times do you end up watching a movie (one you didnt think you’d like) because it just happened to be on or someone else wanted to watch it? And then discovered that you liked it after all?
Georgie Lee on 20 Sep 2007 at 1:45 pm #
Great comebacks. Right now I have the opposite problem. I wrote a Traditional Regency and everyone wants to know about the steamy parts. I then have to explain that I don’t have steamy parts in this novel which disappoints people.
Claudia Dain on 20 Sep 2007 at 2:25 pm #
Honest and truly, the liking romantic movies line really works! Who can argue it? And who doesn’t love a romantic song, be it rock, pop, country, or Cole Porter?
KarenH, when you’re short, you learn feisty at an early age! It’s pure survival. *G*
When my first book came out, my DH proudly showed it to his office mates. They opened their Alpha Male Mouths to give him a hard time, but DH beat them to the punch.
“Let me show you the parts where I helped,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. Did they back down! TMI!! TMI!! LOL
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Sep 2007 at 2:29 pm #
Rev. Melinda, what a great sermon! Thanks for sharing. I’ll be sending it to my parents, the missionaries. They don’t like that I write steamy romances, but my characters are always moral (or become moral) and true to their ideals, and the sex is NEVER gratuitous (at least, I don’t think it is–I don’t mean for it to be).
Some people give us grief for the same reason adolescent boys snicker when you say “breast” in any context: arrested development. Our culture sees anything sexual as something to be hidden, made fun of, or feel shame over. I’ve never understood it. Sex is a natural part of life. We put it into our books because we embrace that part of life along with all the other parts.
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Sep 2007 at 2:31 pm #
And Georgie, they’re only disappointed because you deprived them of the main chance to make fun of you–they hate that they can’t poke fun at the steamy parts in your book. But you can have the last laugh. Use their ignorance to engage them in a serious discussion about the variety of romances out there, and what makes a romance satisfying. Don’t let them get you down–romance has many faces (including non-steamy ones). Your book’s face is just as valid as any other!
Ann in IL on 20 Sep 2007 at 4:05 pm #
IMHO if they don’t read romance it’s their loss. I’ve tried explaining how wonderful romance stories are, but they only scoff.
I did convince one friend to try them after she repeatedly said that she “didn’t need to read romance because she has an active sex life”. I loaned her some of my BEST KEEPERS and her husband threw them away. That was his attempt at “saving” me. No apologies, no offer of replacing my books. Some people just don’t “get it”. Closed minded people are a waste of my time. They may think less of me because of my choice of reading materials, but I KNOW I’m a better person than they will ever hope to be.
colinfirthfan on 20 Sep 2007 at 4:12 pm #
OMG! That is just unbelievable!! I would’ve made her an ex-friend immediately after I shot the husband!
Obviously his parents never taught him - if it doesn’t belong to you DO NOT TOUCH IT!!
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 4:47 pm #
Georgie, why on earth should you HAVE to have a love scene in a book? It belongs in some books and with some characters and not with others. That’s AWESOME that you’ve written a Regency!
And Ann in IL, I would have billed them for the lot. Their actions were rude and show a total disregard for your property. Sounds to me like someone was very threatened! VERY! Hmmm . . . maybe an Enoch Wee Winkie comment would have fixed that lot on the spot!
Meg on 20 Sep 2007 at 4:50 pm #
KarenH–He absolutely was a keeper. Unfortunately, on November 4 of last year there was an accident at his work and I became the youngest widow I know at 27 years old. For a while I couldn’t even read a romance novel but now I look forward to a new one each week! I think that reading them actually helped me in coping; so a BIG thank you goes to all of you wonderful ladies who keep me reading!
Claudia Dain on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:23 pm #
Oh, Meg. I’m so sorry. I’m so glad you can find joy in romance novels. It’s a guaranteed ride to a Happy Place, and we all need that.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:36 pm #
Meg! How very, very sad. But I’m glad you find joy in romance novels. I used them for a long time after my divorce to help me relax at night before I’d go to sleep. I started back with my favorites — some Georgette Heyers (and Georgie, there aren’t any love scenes in those, either!) and worked my way back into modern romances. They really helped me and I am glad some helped you, too.
You know, I wish we all lived close to each other. I could use an Evening Out With My Romance Pals where we could all talk about life and love and kids and books we love and love to hate.
Ann in IL on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:36 pm #
Oh Karen, you are so right. The Enoch Wee Winkie comment made me laugh out loud and immediately think of Mr. Dweebe. I’m certain his wee winkie is one of his major malfunctions…..only slightly larger than his brain.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:46 pm #
As you know, Ann, the Brain-To-Winkie Ratio is one of the most important factors women should consider when considering whether to admit members of the opposite sex into our circles. Least we forget, in both instances, size does matter.
Just sayin’.
darkshire007 on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:12 pm #
It’s funny that Karen wrote about the Brain-To-Winkie ratio. A few guys over the years would kid me about my romance novels (smut books to them). I put one of these guys on the spot and asked him if he had ever read one. Of course he said no and all the guys laughed. This guy went to Korea on a remote tour so I didn’t see him for a little over a year. When we met up again he told me he had taken up reading romance novels. I was shocked to say the least. Then he told me the whole story and I was horrified. He wife left him while he was over seas for, of course, another man. She told “Steve” that he wasn’t sensitive enough, had no idea about romance or the things women like. He took up reading romance novels to try and get an idea of what women want in a man, a relationship and how to deal with the “I think I love you” issue. I had to tell him that romance novels would not give that to him. Continued….
darkshire007 on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:16 pm #
Each relationship is different and the couple have to be willing to enjoy the good and work through the bad. That what is romantic for one woman may be turn off for another. This conversation went on for most of lunch and into the afternoon. When we parted ways he told me he was still going to read romance novels because they offered hope and that he would take all I had told him into consideration. I was transferred to another base and never did find out if “Steve” had found what he was looking for. I hope he did and that he enjoys every day of it.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:20 pm #
Wow. What an incredible story! You are absolutely right that Steve won’t learn about women from romance novels and I’m glad you were frank with him. And good for him for trying to even try and figure out ways to be more romantic! That says a lot about him right there.
Cookiedough on 20 Sep 2007 at 9:30 pm #
I had a friend recently look at one of my romance books in disgust. she reads only fantasy, so where did she get off looking down on MY choice of genre. It was a Suzanne Enoch- Sin and Sensibility( I never get the chance to read a series in order, but oh well) I left my friend on the couch while I changed for our outing..hmmm
when I got back in the room she was well into the first chapter.
I said nothing about the previousl look, but offered to loan her the copy when I was finshed. She said sure!
I loved it..just smirked to myself the rest of the day
doglady on 20 Sep 2007 at 10:14 pm #
I hear you, Meg. I was 35 when a drunk driver took the man of my dreams from my life. We had been married 14 years. When people ask me “Why do you read those sappy romance novels?” I tell them “Because I LIVED one!”
Of course one guy at work hit me on the wrong day when I was reading one at work (as I remember, it was Karen Hawkins’ HER MASTER AND COMMANDER) He said “How can you read that crap?” I said “I went to college. I can read books with big words in them.”
I would buy one of those “soothes my soul” t-shirts in a heartbeat. The world of real life is so depressing and just plain old hard sometimes. To all you fabulous romance writers, a great big thank you. You give me joy, laughter, tears, insight, fun, and a place to go to when life beats me down. You let me believe in eternal love, happily ever after, and the power of a good woman and a real man. You have my eternal gratitude!
Julia London on 20 Sep 2007 at 11:21 pm #
Oh you guys have made my day! This was a great blog, Karen — and the posts here are a great testament to the power of love and romance.
Wow. I am going to bed now so proud to be a romance novelist. You guys ROCK
Karen Rose on 21 Sep 2007 at 1:49 am #
I was sitting next to Sabrina during lunch at RWA this past year when Lisa Kleypas spoke. When Lisa got to the part of her story where she and her mom each got a romance novel when buying necessities after a fire destroyed their homes … I started to cry and of course Sabrina was crying too.
I somehow don’t think we were the only ones. Romance is about life and love. How much more important do we need to make it than that?
aussie dee on 21 Sep 2007 at 5:59 am #
aargh, I’ve just noticed when I checked I’m missing some of Karen H’s books (3 I think), hi ho hi ho it’s off to the bookstore I go.
Karen Hawkins on 21 Sep 2007 at 8:40 am #
cookiedough, way to convert the unwilling! And it’s great that it was an Enoch book — she’s one of the best examples of our genre. Hmm. I wonder if I could trick my neighbor into reading a book via the same “I’ll be right back! Ignore the tempting open book on the table!” method.
doglady, AMEN, SISTAH! That’s an awesome comeback! I want one of those shirts, too. Hmmm . . . maybe we need to start a Goddess Store? Btw, you bring all of us here at tgb the same laughter and grins and heart-warming smiles, so thank you for visiting us and sharing. You’re s sweetie!
Karen Rose, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room when Lisa K told her story. She’s an incredible lady!
Good luck, Aussie Dee! I just found one of Sabrina’s I hadn’t read and I would have SWORN I had them all. Just when you think your collection is complete . . . NOT!
Chantal on 21 Sep 2007 at 9:00 am #
Hehe, those are some great comebacks.
I have never had anyone say anything negative to me about reading romance. *knock on wood*
RachelG on 21 Sep 2007 at 10:39 am #
I love it when people say, “All romance books are the same.” When you ask them how many they’ve read, they proudly say, “None!”
Mostly though Karen, I don’t defend the genre any longer. I got tired and don’t waste my time on the stupid people of the world.
Karen Hawkins on 21 Sep 2007 at 12:42 pm #
Rachel, you’re right and The High Road is the more practical approach. But every once in a while, I want to come out slashing. It’s the French blood in me; it gets hot and bothered every once in a while.
Pity I don’t get to rule the world or I’d fix all this.
nystacey on 22 Sep 2007 at 9:45 pm #
*grins* love these comebacks. Here are some more:
-’you read those books?’
‘oh, what do you read?’
‘i read litrachure…you know..the better sorts of novels…’
‘oh…you’re a lit snob….’
(delivered at a booksigning. the individual in question was so surprised she took a few minutes before admitting, ashamed, that she was, in fact, a lit snob’)
‘there are just so many better books to be bought…you know…the classics…’
‘well you know, my favorite austen is ‘northanger abbey’, whereby spoofing both the gothic novel and the society that called them lower class, austen asks the age old question of whether society actually has the right to judge what people read.’ *sighs* ‘you know, that lesson is so lost on people today, making snap judgements on fiction without having read any.’
(pause as individual on the other side of the counter thinks for a moment as the information sinks in) ‘like me?’
*grins*
enjoy the food for thought:)
stacey, a new york bookseller
Karen Hawkins on 23 Sep 2007 at 7:26 am #
OOOOHHHH! Those are awesome comments! Thanks, NY Stacey!
I need to reread Northanger Abbey. I haven’t read that one in years.
I bet you meet some very interesting people! Hmmm . . . books from a bookseller’s pov. That would make a terrific blog, wouldn’t it?