Don't tell anyone this, but over the last several months I've come to gradually realize something about myself: I really like romance novels. OK, not the bodice-rippers with Fabio on the cover, but the ones I have been drawn to are grouped in the sub-genre of "contemporary romance." Up until recently I think I had been fooling myself by calling them "chick lit" but it turns out they are largely the same thing.
In all honesty it is difficult to discern the difference between most books that would be called "chick lit" and others that are classified as "romance." I think the only major difference I've noticed is that the "kissing scenes" (you know what I mean and how do you learn to write those well?) are better in the romance novels. Otherwise the characters are all very similar: nerdy girl who is really beautiful, but doesn't know it, beautiful girl who is really smart, but misunderstood, bad guy who is really good, good guy who is really bad. You know the drill.
Isn't it funny that I was comfortable all this time calling them and liking them as "chick lit" but something about the name "romance" brought out the complete snob in me? Maybe I'm not as smart as I like to think of myself or maybe, just maybe, there's nothing at all wrong with a good romance novel. Probably both.
Now remember, don't tell. Unless you want a few recommendations...
1 comment:
You must be mistaken. It's that huge, brilliant, generous brain of yours, always seeking ways to analyze and make unique connections that is kind enough to want romance writers to think they're producing chick lit.
Signed,
Your Chick-Lit-Loving-Non-Romance-Reading Friend (you know, the one so smart, she's never fooled by such things as publishing marketing strategies like disguising the romance genre).
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