  Romance/Love
This week: What are you reading? Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf (written) Romance Newsletter
Reading is an important part of the writing process for many reasons, including as inspiration. In this week's newsletter, I focus on that topic and ask the question: What are you reading?
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| ASIN: B01MQP5740 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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What are you reading?
Right now, the answer for me isn't a romance book, but if you'd asked me near the end of April, I would have said Touch of a Thief by Mia Marlowe. I found it at the library when I was looking for a romance book, though I didn't think to look at the romance section. I just browsed the general fiction and once the cover caught my attention that it might fit in the genre, I checked out what it was about. Woman who if she touches gemstones, she has a vision, that I had to check out. Though it did make me wonder where the line is between romance and romance/erotica... but that's a whole different topic. For today, let's focus on the topic of reading.
I've only read a couple romance only books, that I have to admit. However, many other genres also include romance subplots in their novels. This is true of young adult books in particular, which I read several of this past month and a half. They ranged from fairy tale retellings (Ash by Malinda Lo where the cinderella character falls in love with a huntress) to contemporary (The Waiting Sky by Laura Zielin which included tornado chasing and love interest on a different team of tornado chasers) to even the popular series Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. Romance is a common factor in many stories and I can appreciate a good romance book, whether it's the main plot or the subplot.
Plus, I just need to read more. And I can bet that I'm not the only writer who on occasion slacks with their reading, but maybe it's something we all can work on. Reading is very good for writing and for a number of reasons. To save time, I'll just list a few for you.
 Builds vocabulary.
Provides inspiration.
Teaches writing techniques.
Provides a short escape from reality.
This goes for any writer, but that means romance writers are also a part of the group who should read, both in the genre of romance and in other genres. And while I have rambled a bit for the newsletter, my main point is, I like reading and I want to know what others read. In fact, I used to have a group for reading and I still have an item for people to post what they have read ("Books Writers Have Read" [ASR]) but even beyond that, I have here and this week's question.
What are you reading?
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Here are some book, chapter or contest items related to romance that I found for the week. Enjoy!
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This item number is not valid.
#1989894 by Not Available. |
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This item number is not valid.
#1845006 by Not Available. |
| |  | sparks fly (ASR)
Maria and her friends go to a party, and suddenly, sparks begin to fly. A romantic comedy!
#1988152 by sophia   |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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| ASIN: B07RKLNKH7 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 0.99
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This week's questions: What are you reading? Is there any particular subgenre of romance that you prefer to read? Which do you prefer and why?
Last time I wrote about the lack of activities such as groups that focused on romance here on the site. I received a few different comments and here are a couple of them from last month.
Submitted by Quick-Quill 
Romance is not a short story. It isn't good unless there is some foreplay conflict/climax and resolution. All of that takes time and in the world of Wdc where WC is like a constraint/constriction around the mind, and that makes it hard to write romance. You can write cutesy romantic incidents. I began to write a short story romance. I got so involved I blew passed the WC before I realized it. I had to go back and cut the end off and tell it. This will be the beginning of a romance novel I plan to write. Would you read this if that's all you had to go on?
- Sorry, I wasn't able to read the item submitted so I can't say if I'd read more based off it. However, I do disagree slightly. I think someone can write a romance short story. As you said, it does take conflict, climax, resolution but that's what all short stories are supposed to have. I will agree that it can be very difficult to write flash fiction (less than 1,000 words) but I think any genre is tough to write flash with but I'm more of a novelist. I have a romance story that is 5,000 words. That is still considered a short story. So, I think it's possible to write short romances.
Submitted by ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy
Romance fits so many genres. My latest novel is Travel, History, Adventure, all of which get more readers than the Romance genre. Of course, most of my romance stories are lesbian/gay which get even fewer readers. Most prompts could also lead to Romance stories which fit any era and genre including Fantasy and even Horror. Yes, I'd enter contests or groups related to Romance, but the leaders might prefer to avoid lgbt genre in their contest or group. But maybe that won't last forever...hopefully. ANN
- Very true in that romance is found in many other genres. I even mention that a little in this newsletter. However, there aren't many romance only groups or other activities, so most have to search within other genres as well to find their places.
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| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
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Romance/Love: May 07, 2014 Issue [#6305]
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