Okay folks... looks like, for the most part, romance readers are looking for the H-E-A (that's "Happily Ever After". Glad to hear it -- cuz, well, I am, too (*G*) and that's usually what I write.
Mel wrote a blog post yesterday about this, too, and I had to go comment of course. I'm stealing what I said there to post here, because I think it does affect the whole "Does the HEA work" thing.
I imagine it really is all about the execution. I didn't love "Blood Brothers" (surprisingly... cuz I'm a wicked Nora fangirl) because I didn't feel the love. Yet, a good friend of mine thought it was one of the best Nora Roberts books yet.
So, apparently, it's also about the reader. I got a review for my short story "Now That We've Found You" that said they didn't believe the characters could fall so hard so fast, and then today Charity mentioned that the ending to that particular story is one of her favorites.
::scratches head::
So, when an author says she's doing something for her readers, which readers is she talking about? Clearly, no two people think alike.
Still, in the end, it's obvious from the sales numbers that romance resonates with people and that folks are looking for some sort of HEA -- whether it's a "happy" or a "hopeful".
And, that's what I tried to get across in today's blog post.
And, now I'll shut up about it.
:-)
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It was a GORGEOUS day yesterday. I worked outside some, but would you believe it was TOO HOT to spend much time really working??? How is that possible?
Back in November, when my darling dog, Bailey, crossed the Rainbow Bridge, DH and I talked about a memorial garden for her. I had a place all picked out, and I knew I wanted to plant a dogwood tree (seemed appropriate *G*). Yesterday, I ran to our local Agway and took a look at the different dogwoods they had, and got shivers when I found the one I ultimately bought.
It was Bailey's Red Dogwood.
Yes. Really.
Give you goosebumps?
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DH bought new chairs for our deck... six plastic green ones that recline just slightly. We'd both been gone in different directions, and I got home just after he did, not realizing he'd made this new purchase and put them out on the deck. I just went in and let Dakota out of her crate.
She went tearing downstairs and then, all of sudden, she was barking up a storm! I hurried to see what the ruckus was, and lo and behold--she was standing about four feet away from the sliding glass door, barking at the chairs! Her fur was all poofed up and she sounded vicious! LOL...I laughed until I cried.
She is an endless source of amusement.
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Your Inner Child Is Scared |
 Like a kid, you tend to shy away from new experiences. You prefer what's tried and true - novelty is scary! New foods, new places, and new friends are difficult for you to deal with. Some say you're predictable, but you enjoy being comfortable. |
Well... I wouldn't say I'm "scared", but I do agree that I like the familiar.
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11 comments:
That is so beautiful that you found the perfect tree to honor Bailey.
Poor Dakota.
Your Inner Child Is Sad
You're a very sensitive soul.
You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have.
Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone.
You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time.
my skin may not be thick, but I'm more than thin-skinned.
I love it that you found the perfect dogwood. It was waiting for you, I think.
Enjoy your Saturday!
I'm so sorry about Bailey, but I'm glad that you found the perfect dogwood. It sounds meant to be. May it flower beautifully.
As for HEAs, I agree. It really is up to the reader. I think what's most important, though, is that the writer believes that these two characters are meant to be, because if s/he is just putting them together because s/he wants to write a romance and that's it, it won't be effective for many people at all.
Glad Spring has arrived for you. The threat of snow looms over our weekend.
Dakota is such a... such a... puppy! ;-)
I'm so glad you found the perfect tree for your Bailey.
And what else would romance readers want than HEA? Unless they needed a good cry, lol.
Cool on finding the perfect tree for Bailey.
ROFL re Dakota and those mean, horrible chairs!
I'm glad that you found Bailey's Dogwood, I got chills too. And I probably would have laughed until I cried too at Dakota!
You were meant to find that tree. I'm sure it will bloom and be a wonderful spot in your garden.
Poor Dakota, the evil plastic chairs were invading her home! *G*
My Inner Child is Sad:"You're a very sensitive soul.
You haven't grown that thick skin that most adults have.
Easily hurt, you tend to retreat to your comfort zone.
You don't let many people in - unless you've trusted them for a long time."
Um, that's pretty accurate actually. Scary.
I hope you have have a gorgeous day!
Cool about the tree.
BTW, I'm tagging you!
http://melissamcclone.blogspot.com/2008/04/tag-im-it.html
What a wonderful memory tree. I never knew there were varieties of Dogwood trees? It's so appropriate.
Puppies are so sweet and funny.
I think HEAs depend on the reader's investment in the characters. If the characters speak to those readers, then maybe the HEA is stronger for them. Does that make sense? Keeping with Nora, I LOVED Blood Brothers. I was good with the characters. But I'm listening to Red Lily and I'm not invested in the characters at all, so their HEA doesn't mean as much to me.
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