I don't know why I'm feeling so good today, but it's the greatest feeling in the world to have enough energy to actually enjoy moving around and getting things done, even if it is just around the house.
It's my perfect kind of day, too. The sky isn't just overcast, but has been dark with threatened rain all afternoon. The wind is just strong enough to blow my hair about my face - making me feel like a young girl again. It's a gently warm breeze with just enough cool in it that you can feel the coming rain. The lights are on in my kitchen, and it feels cozy and safe.
Days like these, as well as perfect spring days, are so wonderful and so rare that it should be against the law for anyone to have to work on these days. You don't get many of them and they should be enjoyed to the fullest like any other rare and intangible joy. You can't hold onto to these gems, they can only be enjoyed when they happen.
On New Year's Eve it came to me that this year is going to be a wonderful year. I've haven't felt that way about an upcoming year in over a decade. One reason, I'm finally going to have my surgery and then I can get my life back. To be able to once again walk, run, stand up and anything else I want to do without any discomfort will be a blessing.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Men Like Romance Novels
I joined up with several beta readers/romance writers to critique each other's work. A few of them are guys. I was leery of sharing my MS with them because I didn't think they'd get it. They gave me a quick education about men and romance novels.
I have learned that reading romance novels is a guilty pleasure for a lot of men. Which makes sense, given how many times I've had to move around the guys standing in my way in the romance aisle of my nearest Barnes & Noble. I admit, at the time it annoyed me and I thought to myself, "Why are there MEN in my way - they don't belong in this section!"
Men especially like it if there is some erotica (which there is in the second half of my MS). Their critique summary was they liked it, especially since there is also some action/violence incorporated into it.
I wrote the story from two POVs, the female's and the male's, which allowed them to identify with the main male character. It surprised me to find out that men long for romances written from the male POV. As one critiquer put it, "I'm tired of reading books where the male is nothing more than a hard cock. I want to read books with strong male characters who aren't afraid to act like real men." He also pointed out that guys need to be able to read and empathize with strong male role models.
When I asked what genre they thought it fell into, their answer was "Romance for Straight Men." Unfortunately, at this time there is no such genre. But maybe there should be. That would save me from categorizing my manuscript as "Cross Genre - women's fiction/romance" and it would be a lot less words, too.
I have learned that reading romance novels is a guilty pleasure for a lot of men. Which makes sense, given how many times I've had to move around the guys standing in my way in the romance aisle of my nearest Barnes & Noble. I admit, at the time it annoyed me and I thought to myself, "Why are there MEN in my way - they don't belong in this section!"
Men especially like it if there is some erotica (which there is in the second half of my MS). Their critique summary was they liked it, especially since there is also some action/violence incorporated into it.
I wrote the story from two POVs, the female's and the male's, which allowed them to identify with the main male character. It surprised me to find out that men long for romances written from the male POV. As one critiquer put it, "I'm tired of reading books where the male is nothing more than a hard cock. I want to read books with strong male characters who aren't afraid to act like real men." He also pointed out that guys need to be able to read and empathize with strong male role models.
When I asked what genre they thought it fell into, their answer was "Romance for Straight Men." Unfortunately, at this time there is no such genre. But maybe there should be. That would save me from categorizing my manuscript as "Cross Genre - women's fiction/romance" and it would be a lot less words, too.
Back to Writing
I'm back, but I've been wondering if this is a good idea. I know blogs work for some people, especially if they're already published. But I'm not. Yet.
To be honest, if I do all the daily reading and blogging that some agents have suggested as necessary to becoming a published writer, I'd never get back to my manuscript. I know, because I have been following all the blogs that I'm supposed to follow and I do interact in one forum, Writers Net, where I will continue to participate. But in doing this, I've lost track of my work. So I am giving up on following any, except for a couple of humorous and/or very informative agent and editor blogs, limiting it to 1-2 times a week. So now I can get back to my work. Yeah!
As for this blog, I will add to it whenever I feel the need to espouse my views, but I'm not going to make myself write here just because others have said I must have a blog. I'd prefer that if someone is going to read something I write, then for God's sake - read my BOOK. Once it's published, that is.
Here's a list of other things I'm not going to do at this time:
To be honest, if I do all the daily reading and blogging that some agents have suggested as necessary to becoming a published writer, I'd never get back to my manuscript. I know, because I have been following all the blogs that I'm supposed to follow and I do interact in one forum, Writers Net, where I will continue to participate. But in doing this, I've lost track of my work. So I am giving up on following any, except for a couple of humorous and/or very informative agent and editor blogs, limiting it to 1-2 times a week. So now I can get back to my work. Yeah!
As for this blog, I will add to it whenever I feel the need to espouse my views, but I'm not going to make myself write here just because others have said I must have a blog. I'd prefer that if someone is going to read something I write, then for God's sake - read my BOOK. Once it's published, that is.
Here's a list of other things I'm not going to do at this time:
- I'm NOT going on Twitter - I'm not twitter-pated. And I'm just enough of a private cave-dweller that I don't want people to know what I'm doing all of the time. This is something that would irritate me to have to do, which means I would probably be very snarky. And I don't like to be snarky, unless someone's been rude to me first. I admit, in those instances, I do enjoy giving a little snarkiness right back at 'em. I've always found it fun to have a contest of wits with someone who has no wits.
- I'm not going to set up a website - at this time. I know how to set up a basic site, but when I do have one, I want it to be awesome. In other words, someone's going to be paid big bucks to set me up with a really great site.
- Forget Facebook and MySpace. I will be willing to relook these sites in the future if a need comes up, but not now. Again, they would detract from my writing.
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