trashy romance novels

I have to give your friend some credit, most women would rather admit they pick their nose than say they read romance novels. I have a good friend that writes them and she has made a tidy little sum over the years doing so. I think her books are well written, although neither of us would confuse her novels with those of Austin. A little over 80% of female readers do read romance and they out sell all other genres when taken as a whole, so I guess there is an attraction for what they offer. Personally, I'm not interested in standard porn aimed at men, but I'll read romance for escapism and to jump start my ever aging hormones. I don't get the urge to annotate them, but I don't dissect Austin anymore either.

You don't have to put down your friend's taste in reading material to her face, just be honest and tell her you don't find the romances complicated enough to analyze. Maybe there's a book you can both agree on or join a library book club together. If she really wants to pursue her interest there are plenty of websites. My writer friend has been reviewed on this one: www.likesbooks.com and they have a discussion forum.

Criticizing a friend's taste in books is as dangerous as criticizing her taste in men.

Both of you are right that I shouldn't criticize her, which is why I have not done so and have only vented here on this forum. I think the problem comes from the fact that she and I have a mutual friend with whom I talk about politics and books and religion and other stuff like that quite frequently. She has always been a bit jealous of my friendship with this other girl because it has lasted longer and I have had a stronger connection with her. So I think she wants to simulate my friendship with the other girl with me. But, I like my friend just the way she is. I share other things with her - like my interest in romantic movies and when I need to talk about personal issues. We talk about cooking, and work, and school (not really what we are studying, but how it is going), and family. And she doesn't need to be my other friend for me to like her.

Why do you care?

If she finds them entertaining, great. If you don't want to talk about then, just tell her you haven't read the book and don't want to talk about it.

point well taken Bella.

I agree. Personally, I would not go near those types of books, but I would not put the woman down for reading them.

Hey, I love trashy mystery novels, especially ones about serial killers. It ain't "War and Peace", but I find them enjoyable.

A tidy sum, eh? Green Witch reminds me that I have one probably 50% finished -- have the entire plot structure, characters and their backstories, and most of the first chapter done. Gotta finish that thing.

Thanks I try. :wink:

Go for it Soboze- two years ago my friend moved to Hawaii, writing and being a beach bum is all she does now after 10 years of teaching HS biology.
It's not easy to get published, it's a crowded field, but if you have at talent it's such a huge market that your chances are better than if you just write mainstream novels. You have to go to the writing conferences and hustle the publishers. The other catch is they do not want a "one hit wonder" - you usually have to prove you have at least two other stories in the wing in case your novel sells and they want more. I don't know how these women do it, I can barely keep a daily journal going.

The lines between the Romance Novel and the Murder Mystery, Fantasy and Science Fiction and Chick Lit is becoming more and more blurred.

From what I've read and heard the appeal of a good Bodice Ripper is the theme of "journey through trials to happy ending". This may be a pot-boiler-plate Harlequin Romance or something more advanced. In either case adventure is as important as steamy love.

I've read and enjoyed several well-written fantasy novels have been favorably reviewed by Romantic Times as well as by science fiction fans.

i suppose this is all true. I do indulge in the murder mystery genre here and there, and i suppose the differences isnt to be found as far as what is high and what is low. I was venting yesterday. I am not on a high horse, and I said then and still say that I dont find anything wrong with reading these books. Its trying to treat them like they are the same thing as literature of the less pulpy variety that I find irritating.

Odd, isn't it, that it is more socially aceptable to make hierarchies in literature than in music or art?

Romance novels!
After you have read a few, you don't even need to read anymore
I know now how to get to the sex scenes (barely a taste; I'd rather read something stronger meself).

Romance novels are a great way to see how to make a story by inserting the blanks. I don't mean that in a harsh way. They are a great way to learn.
In fact, I think anyone who can pump out novel after novel has to know what they are doing, and do it well!

everyone has something they like thats bad taste, I personally like footballers wives, that very trashy and highly far fetched tv seires.
The point is, I admitt thats trash, and am quite happy to accept any critisism for watching it.

as for the money, do you really think the person who wrote Girls aloud- 'Love Machine' thought that they were the next mozart?
I do agree its annoying when people take things so seriously. What what can ya do?