I have often heard Romance Writing as a career being scoffed at. Read about it. Other writers or other genres generally don't think much of romance authors touting us as substandard.
But we know differently right?!
What do you say to people when they ask you what you do, or want to do as a career?
Kaily Hart has an interesting post along this line on her blog.
Romance Writing is HARD. Important, it teaches about people and life. And is very very popular.
Various studies - i don't have the ability to attach a document to a blog but i have the figures that show romance writing is the top fiction genre read worldwide.
Why would we be scoffed at and smirked at then for saying we are aspiring if not authors or romance?
Why do you think this happens?
I'd guess most people who scoff haven't read many romances - if they had they'd understand why it's the most popular genre.
ReplyDeleteWe should hold our heads high and feel sorry for them - they're missing out on some fantastic books.
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yes i agree Suzanne! i love romance. and not just the love story, but the characters and the places. all of it!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI've had people ask me what I write and I've replied honestly that I write romance across the medium of suspense/women in jeopardy/and romantic thrillers. There has occasionally been a long pause and then the crunch like = "tell me you don't write for Mills and Boon".
Again I've replied honestly. "No I don't".
Well, I don't do I? I haven't had a novel accepted by Mills & Boon. Might never have one published by them. If I had been lucky enough to be an M&B author I would own up to writing for them.
Romance novels out-sell the crime genre, yet crime novels are supposedly topping the sales charts alongside celeb bios/novels, which means romance novels are not even considered as worthy reading material for adults. All in all, it's a sure bet men are responsible for publishing sales figures, hence crime gets top-billing. Sneaky beggars, aren't they -Men!