Sometimes life socks me in the face. In fact, more times than I like to admit. I fall behind schedule, I gain another pound, I forget an appointment. While none of these are life changing, in that moment, they knock me off my game. You know what I mean. It happens to every one. This provides a perfect opportunity to find a happy ever after by escaping reality with a romance.
But other times life deals me a real body blow. The kind that even a huge romance anthology can’t fix. When a friend is struggling with life or even fighting for his life, or when there is a school shooting or an additional entry in the #MeToo Movement, I question the importance of reading – let alone writing – a romance. What role, after all, can romance play, in improving these situations? How can romance make a difference in the world?
It isn’t the first time I have asked myself this question. I have a tendency to overthink and I have a number of friends who devote their time working to change the world, forcing me to examine my choices.
Romance and the Resistance
Last week I saw a Valentine’s Day article in the Chicago Tribune titled “Resistance in Romance: In the Wake of 2017’s Social and Political Climate, Where is the Genre Headed?” Wow, I’m not the only person wondering about the choices romance writers were making.
The article interviewed about a dozen romance authors, asking them to address the title question. And they did, reminding readers that a lot of feminists are romance authors and that resistance takes many forms. The article tells us that LQBTQ characters are on the increase and treated with complete respect, as are women. Even in the best bodice-ripper, women are taking positions of equality with men, if not power.
“Literature likes to see women martyred, and they like to see people of color martyred, and queer people martyred, and disabled people martyred, but romance doesn’t do that,” according to Sarah McLean, Washington Post columnist and romance author. “Romance has often been the only place in media where women can see themselves at the center of the story triumphing…”
How do I Contribute?
Many authors write their subtle – or not so subtle – messages into their novels. Do I do that? I think of myself as an ardent feminist. Did my readers get my signals?
Giving this some thought – remember that overthinking part – I came up with six ways in which I portray the world as I believe it should be. These are how I am saving the world:
- Making the women in my novels strong and educated – I believe education opens the doors to opportunity. I love sending these characters to school, from the local community college to Harvard.
- Making women characters successful – from finance directors, to successful business owners, CEOs to billionaire’s (Watch for Desire & Dessert in The Billionaire’s Club collection, coming in April), I create women who achieve their professional objectives.
- Giving these women their sexual freedom – women should get to decide what to do with their bodies. The sex may be hot, but it’s always consensual.
- Having my heroes, and all my male characters, treat women respectfully – always. Enough said.
- Having my couples happily-ever-after be achieved on equal footing. Even in Bedazzled – SPOILER ALERT – Keeli achieves her own success before Wyatt can save the day. No white knights here.
6. Causes that Matter
A scene that appears in every book I create is a fundraising event for a cause. I am involved in causes I believe in – my way of saving the world. I serve on the board of Mental Health America of the North Shore, advocating for the mental well-being of teens.
I write about Hepatitis C, Children’s Hospitals, Diabetes, Neurosciences, not to preach, but to inform – oh yeah, and to create a great excuse for a gala event where these handsome men can wear tuxedos and I can describe luscious gowns.
Ultimately It’s about the Romance
Ultimately it’s about entertainment and escape and a great love story is still my purpose in writing. I write romance, to take you away from the day that socks you in face, so that you can replenish yourself and go save your world. If you get a little women’s movement along the way, a little sexual freedom, money raised for a good cause – all the better.
What to Read Next
Thank you BookBub for introducing me to Beth Merlin. Although I am only halfway through one of her books, S’more to Lose which I discovered this month courtesy of BookBub, I can tell that Ms. Merlin is someone I want to read more from and that I want to recommend. Her imaginative stories have well defined characters and her writing is a delight. Give S’more to Lose a try, or start with the first book in the series, One S’more Summer, and let me know what you think.
Contest of the Week
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