Debra Mullins | Why Do Woman Read Romance Novels?

June 23, 2010

Comments

23 comments posted.

Re: Debra Mullins | Why Do Woman Read Romance Novels?

Hi Debra!
I definitely think the disrespect has to do with romance being a "woman's" genre. For centuries, anything that has been thought of as a "woman's" field has always been looked down upon, whether is jobs, hobbies, whatever. Just my thoughts :)

I think the reason why romances are so popular is because these characters oftentimes go through hell, yet in the end love is what keeps them going and really that's what life should be about. All you need is love!
(Lori Brighton 10:14am June 23, 2010)

I love romance! I have always been a proud reader of the genre. There are just as many fantastic stories and writers out there as in any other genre.

I am thrilled it seems to be growing and I think the YA books have helped a lot with that.

Here is to many more years to come of great romance reading!
(Felicia Sparks 11:18am June 23, 2010)

I absolutely agree about romance novels making us remember why we fell in love with our own hero!

I find myself always attributing the hero's good characteristics to my husband and thinking, Ah, this is why I love him!

But I also read romance because I think we come up with some of the most creative stories! Seriously. Our range goes from historical to futuristic! We have everyday people and vampires. We have books with kids and books with only heroes and heroines.

We are some of the smartest writers around!

susan meier
(Susan Meier 2:45pm June 23, 2010)

I really got into reading romances after one too many dystopic YA books. I want a happy, or at least satisfying, ending. You'd think I'd get that in YA books but no.

My usual reading material tend toward mysteries and fantasies (Terry Pratchett, Piers Anthony), but I'm more into specific writers than genres. In any case, there are romances in those books although they are not labeled as such (Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie and her relationship with a much younger Jamie and the ending of his "La's Orchestra Saves the World", for example).
(S Tieh 2:54pm June 23, 2010)

Some great opinions here today!
(Debra Mullins 3:13pm June 23, 2010)

Thank you for your post, Debra. I doubt romance fiction is suffering from the Rodney Dangerfield syndrome because it's written for and (usually) by women. Not in this day and age.

Rather, it's the strict, commerce-driven formulas. The hero must be arrogant, overbearing, rich. The heroine challenges him, but is the only person who can save him from himself.

The two are forced together by some plot device, e.g. a marriage of convenience or a common mission. In most scenes they're arguing or having sex, or both. Eventually she realizes she loves him. Later he realizes he loves her, and surrenders to her control. The End.

Yes, the demand for this power fantasy is tremendous and profitable. But formula fiction and power fantasies don't garner respect in the literary/cultural community. True creativity does. If only publishers were brave enough to allow fiction that deals with romance, but doesn't follow the formula.

Consider how diverse romance fiction has become. I hope publishers will recognize the market for romance that breaks the rules and pushes the envelope, that focuses on real love rather than power fantasies.

That should win respect, but the authors, editors, and publishers behind such works shouldn't produce it for that reason. They should do it for the readers who enjoy it, and are now being offered little if any.
(Mary Anne Landers 4:21pm June 23, 2010)

Great Post!
(Vicky Dreiling 4:34pm June 23, 2010)

GREAT post!!!! The last two paragraphs say it all!!!! I am completely happy in my marriage...been almost 12 years....but you really hit the nail on the head. women love to live vicariously through other women, even fictitious ones, when it comes to love. Those first sparks of attraction, the butterflies, the first kiss....OMG!! Love it all!
(Stephanie Haefner 4:35pm June 23, 2010)

I suppose many, perhaps most, romance readers read it for the reason you give; or it's an important reason among more than one. But with some readers, I suspect the motive isn't to recapture past emotions. It's to experience emotions they haven't, but wish they could.
(Mary Anne Landers 4:44pm June 23, 2010)

Romance is an escape. A delicious thrill.
(Mary Preston 4:51pm June 23, 2010)

I agree, Mary Anne. Women read these to experience these emotions, whether it is for the first time or the relive something all over again. :)
(Debra Mullins 5:20pm June 23, 2010)

I completely agree. It's fun to
live vicariously through romance
characters. But, most of the
time, I wouldn't trade my
situation for theirs any day.
(Jacqueline Cook 5:22pm June 23, 2010)

Romance novels are all about love, and that says it all.
(Diane Sadler 5:58pm June 23, 2010)

I am always amazed at the quality of writing in romance novels. I find myself in awe of how romance writers can come up with such interesting and totally different plots when there are always a hero and a heroine and a happy ending. I love reading romance novels. The people who disparage them simply don't read them.
(Gladys Paradowski 6:36pm June 23, 2010)

Oddly enough there are very few "romantic" movies that I like. I always find them a little cheesy. I much prefer books. Why? I really don't know. Perhaps it's that in a book I can use my own imagination and it is never realized in a film.

I first read romances because I was able to get them at my neighborhood used book store for 10 cents. I liked the feeling of being "adult" enough to read them and the books portrayed the kind of courting and marriage that I wanted for myself. Those parameters have changed in some contemporary books, but the ones I prefer still meet them. And yes, I read them to experience emotions that I never have in life. But the books also contain history, suspense, places, etc. unknown to me. In short, I want to experience more than my life offers.
(Sigrun Schulz 6:38pm June 23, 2010)

I believe romance novels are popular with women because they can live out a fantasy or a "what if _____." And then fill in the blank with just about anything you can imagine, but the novel gives you something to get the mind going down a sweet valley where there will be trying times and obstacles, but somehow the relationship manages to come out OK with hardly any scratches.
(Alyson Widen 7:44pm June 23, 2010)

In the chaotic times we live in I enjoy reading a romance that celebrates the power of love. We all need to feel the power of happiness.
(Rosemary Krejsa 8:35pm June 23, 2010)

I live for romance novels - they help me get through regular life challenges..
(Brenda Rupp 9:39pm June 23, 2010)

I have my moods where I like to read a good novel, or vary my taste every now and again, but I feel that every woman loves to read a good romance novel. It either touches a certain part of their heart, or takes them back to a time in their life that brought them joy, or they can put themselves in the main characters' shoes, if the book is written well enough, and see things through her eyes. It's a great escape for that period of time it takes to read it, and boy!! What a great ride it can be!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:40pm June 23, 2010)

Thank you for coming and talking with us today...
(Brandy Blake 10:04pm June 23, 2010)

I read historical romance to go back to a time when love really was somthing and men were real men
(Vickie Hightower 12:40pm June 24, 2010)

Don't let it fool you... many men do like the books, they just don't TELL anyone. I read to seniors in a local nursing home, and I have "male only" sessions where they guys get to pick the book, and I've read a TON of romance books to my men's group. We just agree to "fib" about which book we actually read or read from one romance book then read from one action book, and they only tell the others about the action book. I don't know why men who enjoy romance books are so worried about others finding out... but they are.
(Donna Holmberg 12:53pm June 24, 2010)

i read romance for the falling in love. and because i love it when tough guys turn to butter with their HEA's. my hubby is NOT romantic, so i get my romance from reading!
(Christy Mitchiner 8:26am June 25, 2010)

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