|
Terry Odell | What's Romantic Suspense
September 15, 2012
According to the publishing industry, romantic suspense includes all
romance-themed mystery sub-genres, from cozy to thriller. There's the added
hero/heroine story arc, with its requisite Happily Ever After. However, by
tacking that 'suspense' term onto the genre, readers might be expecting an
actual suspense, not a mystery, and be disappointed. Mystery isn't the same as
suspense. I happen to think I write romantic mysteries, or, as I prefer to call
them, "Mysteries with Relationships." According to the dictionary,
suspense is a state of uncertainty, enjoyable tension, or anxiety. A
mystery is something you cannot explain, or don't know anything about.
It's easy to see how the two overlap. Often the major difference in writing a mystery as opposed to a suspense will
boil down to Point of View. If there's a villain's POV, then the reader knows
what's happened. That's Suspense. Think Alfred Hitchcock. Do you know the bad
guys are waiting in the heroine's apartment? That's suspense. If there's only
the detective's POV (and I'm being simplistic, because often there are multiple
POV characters in a mystery, but they're not the villain), then the reader
doesn't know what happened. That's Mystery. Think Sherlock Holmes. Does the
heroine show up at her apartment and think something is "off?" That's
mystery. When I started writing my first book, FINDING SARAH, I thought I
was writing a mystery. Heck, I'd never even read a romance. But when my
daughters, who were reading the manuscript said it was a romance, I figured I
ought to read a few. Hundred. And as I read, I fell in love with the "romantic suspense" genre,
although I still think there's room in there for Mysteries With Relationships. FINDING SARAH starts off
as a mystery. Sarah's shop has been robbed and she calls the police. The
detective, Randy, tries to solve it. However, later in the book, Randy and Sarah
are separated, and Sarah is in danger. Now, the reader will see things through
Sarah's eyes that Randy doesn't know, and things through Randy's eyes that Sarah
doesn't know. This creates suspense, even though the book never delves into the
villain's POV. In HIDDEN FIRE, the same
two characters are part of a more classic mystery. There's been a murder, and
Randy must figure out who did it. The reader never sees the killer, so it
wouldn't be classified as a suspense, although there's plenty of danger for the
reader to worry about. In DANGER IN DEER RIDGE,
I do have scenes from the villain's POV, but I chose to do this simply because
the villain was clear from the start. When the reader knows what the villain is
doing, it creates the "ticking clock" that adds to the suspense. What's your take? Do you like seeing what the bad guys are up to (suspense?) Or
do you prefer to follow the protagonists and solve the puzzle with them (mystery)? One commenter can choose a download of any one of my digital titles. Check my
website, where you can find more about each book, including first chapter reads,
and let me know which you'd like, and in what format. Kindle, Nook, or
Smashwords, where you can choose almost any format. Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Comments
28 comments posted.
Re: Terry Odell | What's Romantic Suspense
I prefer the romantic mystery--the cozier the better---the scary thriller part just doesn't appeal to me.
(Sue Farrell 12:53pm September 15, 2012)
I enjoy a combination of romance and suspense, the type that keeps me on edge and wanting to find out what is going to happen next. Usually there is a mystery factor added.
(Anna Speed 12:57pm September 15, 2012)
I like both. I like seeing what the bad guys are thinking and following the protagonists and trying to solve the mystery. It makes life interesting.
(Kai Wong 1:00pm September 15, 2012)
Romantic mysteries are wonderful!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:10pm September 15, 2012)
I love mysteries with romance. The combination builds up the
intensity to the conclusion.
(Nora Charles 1:49pm September 15, 2012)
I like a little bit of both. The combo of them makes for a fun ride. :)
(Amber Hall 2:24pm September 15, 2012)
I do prefer to follow the protagonists, but also like having the villain's POV, too.
(Jane Cheung 2:37pm September 15, 2012)
Romantic it gives you a chance to dream
(Jean Sagarese 2:38pm September 15, 2012)
There are times when snippets of a bad guy's POV add a little extra to the story. It makes you almost sit at the edge of your seat, depending on how vile you make him. I do enjoy mysteries, but hate to have to sit this one out. I much prefer to have a hard copy that I can hold, and turn the pages myself. I don't own an e-reader. I'm more old school when it comes to my books, and always will be.
(Peggy Roberson 2:49pm September 15, 2012)
I prefer both. books sounds like a great read. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
(Linda Hall 2:49pm September 15, 2012)
Always romantic mysteries....they are so much fun to read!!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 2:49pm September 15, 2012)
Depends on my mood, but I do enjoy both... a little bit of mystery or a bit of suspense. Thanks for sharing!
(Colleen Conklin 2:54pm September 15, 2012)
I like to solve the mystery with the book's characters. I want to know when they do. It makes it a better story for me that way.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 2:57pm September 15, 2012)
I like the mystery...the characters solve it as I do. It's
best that way.
(Mary Hay 3:01pm September 15, 2012)
I like both of them.
(Cheryl McEwen 3:03pm September 15, 2012)
I LOVE THEM BOTH I LOVE A GOOD MYSTERY AND ROMANCE.
(Shelly Caggiano 4:28pm September 15, 2012)
I enjoy both. Finding Sarah sounds really good and love the cover too...the green gives it that eerieness and captures one's attention! Can't wait to read it!
(Linda Luinstra 5:03pm September 15, 2012)
I love suspense and to be suspended until the very end.
(Shirley Younger 5:11pm September 15, 2012)
I prefer romantic mayhem, whether it is mystery, suspense,
thriller, or action/adventure. If I had to choose, I'd
rather not have the villain POV because I like to try and
figure it out myself. If I knew who the villain is, I can't
help but think the two characters are dummies. There's more
eye-rolling of how STOOPID they are. So now, I guess
strictly speaking, I don't like romantic suspense because I
spend more time making fun of the too-stupid-to-die
characters. But in romantic mystery, I can try to match wits
with them. Too bad the industry classifies romantic mystery
as romantic suspense. My latest book is definitely romantic
mystery, but there was no category for it.
That said, I loved What's in a Name, and I figured out who
the baddie was before Blake and Kelly did. :)
(Rachelle Ayala 5:51pm September 15, 2012)
I like the mystery just to see if I can solve it.
(Connie Schultz 8:29pm September 15, 2012)
i would love to win this book as the title draws me in
(Kimberly Hoefs 9:34pm September 15, 2012)
I love romance in any way, shape of form!
(Barbara Hanson 5:15am September 16, 2012)
Romantic intrigue if I have to choose---but I lover just about
everything
(Amber Kuehn 7:02am September 16, 2012)
I prefer mystery because I just have not found the same enjoyment from suspense books. In crime books the police procedural is very popular (in Ireland and the UK anyway) and there is just no room in those for the bad guy detailing his every move. I also don't like psychological thrillers much - the bad guy's thoughts are usually detailed. And I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of a mystery.
If there is a romance I want it to be based on more than an immediate sexual attraction. There has got to be a reason for the characters to have a conversation, sustain an interest in each other. The possible or realised relationship has got to work, not just because they are male and female.
(Clare O'Beara 7:59am September 16, 2012)
I prefer mystery.
(Sandy Giden 10:17am September 16, 2012)
Reading is my favorite hobby!! I do love a good romance, mystery, or just about anything! I don't have an e reader , so I collect books. I guess that Mysteries of any kind are my favorite. Would love to win this book!!
(Shirley Akins 1:40pm September 16, 2012)
I love them both. The relationship is important but I like
the have a little action and excitement to go with it. As
long as its a captivating story, it doesn't matter if its
mystery or thriller!
(Shelley Phillips 6:09pm September 16, 2012)
Thanks for a great post! I don't really have a preference. I'm
along for the ride and I'll go where ever the author wants to
take me :)
(Erin Fender 10:12am September 17, 2012)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy