 Romance/Love: August 27, 2014 Issue [#6518] |
  Romance/Love
This week: Expectations in Romance Submissions Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf (written) Romance/Love
A question of what romance contests expect to find in their entries. |
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Romance contests are fun and while there aren't many available around the site, there are a few. I've judged one a couple of times when I'm not entering with my own stories. However, on occasion (much like with a certain other contest I run) I am often surprised by what people do enter because they don't quite reach my genre expectations. Which is why I thought this might make for a good newsletter. Romance genre, in particular, is known for the readers having certain expectations before a page is turned or a link clicked.
Not sure what I mean. Well, here are a couple examples:
Example 1: I've seen a fantasy round where the prompt was very fantasy specific and a couple of the entries were science fiction. Granted it's not romance, as this newsletter is, but creates a similar point. Most readers who are avid fantasy fans won't have anywhere near the same interest when the story is actually a science fiction one, especially where there is a pre-expectation.
Romance can be like that.
Example 2: Romance contest where a story has a couple but the story itself isn't focused on the relationship, the conflict is related to something else, or even if it's somewhat about their togetherness, but there isn't the same pay off as the ending doesn't give that heart warming sensations of the happily ever after.
While some appreciate a story that has some romance but isn't following what many refer to as the set up or formula. However, many of the avid romance readers become unsettled and/or unhappy with the story that doesn't reach their expectations of what a romance story should contain. There have been a few newsletters over the formula of romance, so I'll just cover some of the main point. The ending is usually the more known one. The readers do often prefer either happily ever after or happily for now at least. Aside from that, a more obvious one that I sometimes find lacking is the focus on the relationship, on the romance. It seems obvious but the nuances aren't always easy to see because while the writer knows the story, characters and can see it when sometimes the reader can't based on the end results. Point of view is also on the list, even though any would go. More so, happens to be more common for the romance to be told from the woman's point of view with some scenes coming from the love interest. But in general, there are some key elements that some romance readers expect when holding a contest or picking up a romance novel.
Why write about it then?
Well, maybe it's something to consider. While there is definite reasons to not worry about expectations or what others might want from a story, at the same time, when putting work out for others to see and putting a label/genre on said item, there are going to be reactions to it. When writing in a specific genre, this is why we also say read in the genre because it's good to know what is already out there, what the people are enjoying and if there are any genre expectations. Romance is just one, but I know even as a non-avid romance reader, I expect the romance in the story. What do you expect in romance?
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What qualities do you expect a romance story to have?
From last time, I discussed boy love and got a few great responses.
Comment from Mummsy 
I adore my boy/boy couple in my Prince(ss) Alexandra series! I think I've done a decent job of following the guidelines you put forth. 
Also . . . I just read a great YA novel called One Man Guy that does a fantastic job of this. I highly recommend it!
Comment from Elle - on hiatus 
Hi Dawn, if you're after great m/m romance novels, you must check out Andrew Grey. His 'senses' series is stunning. He writes emotions so powerfully that his characters feel real. The series starts with 'Love Comes In Darkness' and the characters reappear in other books in the series and secondary characters get their own stories. I HIGHLY recommend them. They're not too steamy, although there are some intimate scenes. He does write steamier books (some I would call erotica) in other series, so pick and choose to your own preference. His 'Stories From The Range' series is also excellent and definitely romance worth reading.
Thanks for the comments.
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