Last month the Internet bristled with discussions of the 50 Shades movie. So many wanted to express their opinion on the effect that movie might have on the morals of the general population. Opinions are wonderful, we all have them and fortunately so far we have the right to express said opinions.
Except I heard a few too many references meant to be ‘cute,’ which disparaged romance books. “Suitable for a Mills and Boon” “Reads like a Harlequin romance” and several more allusions to the poor writing of genre books, in particular Romance. Funny, I hear few if any remarks about the unreality of murders being solved by the local florist. Or any mockery for super charged super hero loner adventurer billionaire sharpshooters. Yet these books are devoured at a great rate. Not as great as Romance but…
I’ve been around Romance writers for, oh dear, almost thirty years. I’ve heard the same mockery countless times. Even the publication by the University of Pennsylvania Press of the Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance did not stem the tide of mockery. Just a few days ago a cover artist referred to Romance books as “trashy,” explaining that they’re not ‘high literature.’
Which is a shame since we know not only is Romance the hottest genre, Romance writers are some of the best trained, most supportive writers around. More to the point: Love stories have been around since before the written word, and will be here long after we have spread ourselves out into the Universe. The story of people meeting and being willing to take a chance on their future is timeless.
Romance is here to stay.
Mona Karel Author 