tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141313224798481619.post5385763824324826191..comments2024-01-11T15:14:09.152-05:00Comments on Romance Writers Behaving Badly: On beautyCailin Bristehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16210469124316577849noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141313224798481619.post-37545681583714076932011-01-12T15:02:50.157-05:002011-01-12T15:02:50.157-05:00PS, if you're looking for a contemporary with ...PS, if you're looking for a contemporary with more realism, I suggest reading Bekki Lynn's erotic romance novels. She's outstanding at writing a more realistic contemporary perspective.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141313224798481619.post-21981112550442925572011-01-12T14:57:18.366-05:002011-01-12T14:57:18.366-05:00Vivien, I don't know your choice of romance no...Vivien, I don't know your choice of romance novels. However, there are many small print/epublishers who feature plus-sized heroines. And as Cara said, Francesca Hawley is one of the authors. She writes for Ellora's Cave. Also, Celia Kyle is another author who favors 'fluffy' heroines. <br /><br />I've also seen blurbs for all sorts of health conditions that the heroine or heroes are overcoming. So, I'm not certain how that fits into what you're saying. <br /><br />That being said, I UTTERLY AGREE about the whole entertainment industry and its absolute abuse of women. I mean who the hell cares about how thin you can be... planning on entering a concentration camp soon? I could get on a whole huge soap box about the horrors of this society, and so-called ideas of beauty. <br /><br />However, as Cara said also, it's about the FANTASY!!! Read literary fiction if you want that kind of realism. I don't. For a number of reasons that I won't get into because it could be a hundred page paper on the subject. <br /><br />I wouldn't be interested in a beer gut, bald guy, so why would any of my heroines be interested? I'm not saying I'm a prize. Currently, I doubt any guy would be interested in me, either. Again, I won't go into those details. <br /><br />Okay, my heroines are NEVER EVER rail thin and stacked. Why? Because I personally do not find that physically beautiful. I can't stand the way super models look these days. In turns my stomach. <br /><br />Yes, my heroines are beautiful in their own unique way. The hero is, of course, drawn to and sexually excited by her beauty. However, it's who she is that causes him to fall in love with her, to love her with devotion. <br /><br />Also, my youngest heroine is 27. My oldest heroine is 100 years old. <br /><br />And, yes, my heroes are handsome in their unique and powerful way. They are also ultra masculine and they ARE NOT guys. <br /><br />And, of course, my heroines are attracted to their heroes... but they haven't hopped into bed just because of ripped abs, or some other physical attribute... yet. And, if they do there will be much more to the story than a matter of physical attraction.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141313224798481619.post-58194265099311172992011-01-12T10:02:46.654-05:002011-01-12T10:02:46.654-05:00Romance is about fantasy--all women are pretty, al...Romance is about fantasy--all women are pretty, all men are hunky, serious misunderstandings and baggage are resolved in mere weeks (sometimes less) and everyone lives happily ever after. No one has serious money problems, or health issues. Personally, when I'm reading a romance, I don't want to read about an unattractive hero with a beer gut who's stuck in a deadend job. I want a hunk with potential! But I understand where women would want a heroine they can relate to...and if the heroines are all rail thin (but stacked) and gorgeous, it's not a true reflection of reality.<br /><br />I AM seeing more overweight heroines in romance novels...in fact, I think it's becoming a trend. A fledgling trend, but a trend. Two authors who feature plus-sized heroines come to mind: Francesca Hawley (who I will interview on my blog Jan. 28) and Gerry Bartlett.<br /><br />For me, the issue is age. All the heroines are still young. Thirty-something seems to be the max age. For heroes, mid-thirties seems to be the max. People 40, 50 and older need romance, too!<br /><br />BTW, I had the HARDEST time posting! The blog would not recognize my URL, http://www.carabristol.com. I had to use my OLD wordpress URL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141313224798481619.post-85556583281913849582011-01-12T07:16:55.646-05:002011-01-12T07:16:55.646-05:00I have read some books recently where the main cha...I have read some books recently where the main characters have had physicial issues to overcome. One herion began her story missing an arm. I've noticed many shapeshifters prefer women with "a bit of meat on their bones".<br /><br />No matter what the character looks like, the writer needs to take her on a journey. I love how a character finds her inner beauty and simply glows as the result. I agree, Show, rather tell.Mary Quasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02068681260271252321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141313224798481619.post-26099747632899546612011-01-12T05:50:26.220-05:002011-01-12T05:50:26.220-05:00I hear what you say about the hyper-reality so pre...I hear what you say about the hyper-reality so prevalent in contemporary media. In my fiction I try to portray characters who are quirky in some way, though I like to try bring across some of the ideals I find attractive in the physical archetypes I encounter. <br /><br />To many, novels equal escapism from the mundane, so we're in the business of fabricating dreams for our readers, and in dreams, many things are better than in the real world.<br /><br />So, while I feel one should give what people want, it should be tempered with some touchstone of the real. I don't like stories where everyone is beautiful. I can think of a few authors out there who love bandying around that adjective. <br /><br />Show, rather than tell, I say.nerinedormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12885964421325041778noreply@blogger.com