  Romance/Love
This week: Edited by: StephBee  
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Hi, I'm StephBee and I'll be your guest editor for this issue.
You know, I"m tickled pink to finally get an opportunity to guest edit this newsletter. I'm a sucker for a good romance and a heartwarming love story. There's something so special about the ending, usually that sense of hope that you get, which just makes me feel good. (At least for the rest of the day. 
Romance is such a successful genre, It can be broken into a host of subgenres. I thought I'd take a look at those subgenres which are currently popular right now. Understanding the subgenre will help you pen a romance that will hold your reader captive from beginning to end. |
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Romances have always been popular. Right now, its the top performing genre in the book selling community. As I mentioned before, romances leave the reader with a sense of hope, which is something that those effected by the tough economic times are seeking a sense of. Several popular subgenres today include: Chick Lit, Historical, Regency, Paranormal, and Romantic Suspense.
CHICK LIT
Usually written in the first person, Chick Lit stories involve a young heroine, in her mid-twenties, less well established, who usually lives with roomates and has as entry level job. The heroine is more interested in building a career than looking for Mr. Right. The heroine is, however, very interested in Mr. Right Now. Mr. Right Now is a nice guy to date, live with, and might be marriage material further on down the road.
This genre leans toward breaking more traditional rules. Heroines have been known to smoke, binge drink, and cuss. The writing style is up front, breezy, with less introspection. The end doesn't necessarily have the heroine and hero together, but it usually leaves the reader knowing the heroine has matured.
HISTORICAL
These romances are set in the past. The perferred setting is Europe or North America, but it could be anywhere. Current trends include ancient Greece and Rome.
These stories tend to be longer in length. They may include social commentary as long as it serves a backdrop to the romance.
Some points are polished for modern readers. For example: heroines tend to be more independent and heroes are more enlightened than people of the time period actually were. Another point: In the Middle Ages, young women were married by thirteen, having children. In today's historical, heroines tend to be a little older.
REGENCY
A regency is a specific type of historical romance, usually set in England between 1811 and 1834. These stories focus on the upper classes, and the characters abilitity to make or break a socially acceptable marriage.
It's called a Regency after the regency of Prince George (IV), and again, the time period usually lasts up to the time Victoria takes takes the throne.
These are usually short novels, sweet, and less sensual. The darker side of life, poverity, crime, and other social ills are seldom mentioned. Like historicals, regencies never go out of style.
PARANORMAL
Due to the success of Anne Rice, Anita Blake, and even Stephenie Meyer, paranormal is a subgenre that is gaining in popularity.
These stories include supernatural elements such as vampires, werewolves, and witches. Since readers find it harder to identify with supernatural elements, the author should focus on giving their supernatural characters very human traits.
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
This story includes mystery, suspense, and threatening situations. It's a good way to transition from romance to more mainstream fiction. The heroine is working right along with the hero to solve the mystery. The focus is on the romance. They mystery is the backdrop of the love story. The challenge here is keeping the romance and suspense in balance. Nora Roberts is well known as Romantic Suspense author.
There are more subgenres of romance. Whatever you chose, researching your subgenre will help you craft a better story.
Thanks for letting me hang out this week. 
Reference for this newsletter: "On Writing Romance," by Leigh Michaels, F&W Publications, 2007.
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A western romance.
A paranormal romance.
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#1570270 by Not Available. |
A contemporary romance.
A contemporary romance.
A historical romance.
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#1563122 by Not Available. |
A contemporary romance. |
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I have no feedback since I'm a guest editor, but you can always write in to the Romance/Love newsletter with your thoughts, ideas, feedback & comments.
Your regular Romance/Love editors:
Fyn 
darkin
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her romance, "The Wolf's Kiss," was an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 2007 Popular Fiction Contest. She is a regular editor for WDC's Drama Newsletter.
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Romance/Love: July 15, 2009 Issue [#3139]
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