Romance Newsletter

March 14,2005

About this Newsletter

You're not perfect sport, and let me save you the suspense, this girl you met, she isn't perfect either. But the question is whether or not you're perfect for each other. ~ Robin Williams, Good Will Hunting



Letter to the Editor

In our lives

In the beginning of a relationship, everything is new and exciting. We hide our faults and are on our best behavior. Things which might normally annoy us can become quite adorable in someone we particularly like. In our eyes, their little quirks make them stand out from the rest. We bend over backward just to impress and please our new prospects. At which point do we show our real selves? When do we decide to accept that the person we are with is not going to be completely perfect?

When we reach a certain comfort level within a relationship, we are able to be who we really are without worrying about the trivial things. We are no longer self-conscious about what once seemed important.


In our stories

We live far away from the fairy tale dream, so one thing that can attract readers is when they see themselves relating to the characters we have created. Writing characters that never make mistakes, or that do not have personality flaws can make the reader tire quickly of the story. Nobody is perfect, so they aren't going to relate to a character that is. Don't make your characters perfect in writing, adding their idiosyncrasies is what makes them distinguishable.

Everything becomes predictable when our characters lack unexpected traits. People aren't going to take interest in a plot they already foresee. Why bother reading something if we already know where it's going to lead? There must be something to keep us wondering, or someone in the story to hold our interest if we wish for it to be a success with our readers.

However, when we create a story that maintains the readers' attention, they may wish to read it again, even if they already know how it's going to end. We look for things that may have slipped our focus the first time through. If we are swept up by the characters, it can be a common thing to catch something new the second time we read it. If we connect with the characters, we gain respect for the writer.


In our daily lives and in stories, it's acceptable to be less than perfect




Editor's Picks

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Invalid Item  [] # by A Guest Visitor

Ask and Answer

Informal poll time! I would like to know what everyone considers to be the most romantic movies of all time. So, dear readers, please send me your top three nominations. We'll tally the votes and see what gets people's hearts gushing.

Until Next Time,

~Lexi