Romance Newsletter

March 22,2004 Issue

About This Newsletter



         As a new romance newsletter editor, I hope to bring back the romance into love. Too many times the meaning of love and romance get misconstrued. In the following issues we will discuss the emotional stages of romance in writing as well as in life.

Lexi

Letter From the Editor




         Throughout our lives there is one thing that we will search for and need, and that is love. In each issue that I cover, I would like to discuss the different aspects of love and romance during certain times in our lives and how writing is used to cover each of those stages.


         Writing about and feeling love are different, yet they are uniquely connected. Through writing we can explore aspects of romance that we may not experience, or may not want to experience.

What we will cover in following issues

Puppy Love or Childhood Love

Teenage Love and Dating

Finding True Love

The Proposal and Engagement

Marriage and Love

Growing Old With Love

Love, Loss, and Breaking Up

Starting Over

Editor's Picks

Romance Midst Tragedy  (ASR) The most romantic experience happened at the most tragic of times. #630742 by Vivian

STATIC

Follow His Heart  (13+) Romance Story #454093 by ♥HOOves♥

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Here are a few opinions on love and romance? What are yours?

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A contest for every romance writer...

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Ask and Answer

         Every issue will feature an interview by a different Writing.Com author. This issue features Vivian . Viv, thank you for your time.


Q. In your opinion, what is it about romance/love writing that either draws people in or completely sends them running in the other direction?


A. I think the misconception, that “romance” is for women and young girls who don’t want to think but just feel and be entertained, has fostered the idea that “romance” isn’t worthwhile reading. That concept sends serious readers running. However, those who have read a variety of romance know that some books, stories, and poetry are good, solid writings.


Yes, some so called “romance/love” writings are not anything but drivel, but that same thing can be said about any genre. A reader can find many excellent examples in all genre, and some very poor examples. Good writing is good writing no matter the genre or form it takes.


Q. Why do you think it is easy for some people to mistake false feelings of love for true love?


A. Most people believe that love is an emotion. By definition, an emotion causes excitement, disturbance, a psychic and physical reaction subjectively experienced as strong feeling. An emotion is not constantly existing.Therefore, many people mistake the excitement of attraction, getting to know someone, being around someone who is attractive and/or attentive for love. Others are enamored with the idea of being in love.


“Real “ love is more than a feeling: It becomes an intrinsic part of the person. Excitement diminishes because a person cannot stay in a constant state of excitement and have healthy mental and emotion stability. So, those people, who have “feelings of love” and not the real thing, then are no longer in love when the excitement, disturbance lessens or dies. True love has times of excitement, yes, but times of calmness also exist.


One piece of advice given me when I was a newly-wed has been a part of my married-life philosophy: When you think you no longer love the person(husband,wife, whoever), then you should live, act, think, and talk as if you still love that person - the “love” will return.


Mistaking false love and true love not only messes up lives, but it also leads to poor writing.


Q. Is there a favorite romance/love piece that you have that seems to cover the meaning of this genre? If so, please explain.


A. If you want some of the items I’ve written, here is a list. My favorite would be “Romance Midst Tragedy.”
"Island Storm" , "October's Lie" , "Some Day" , "Invalid Item" , "White Lace" , "Invalid Item" , "Invalid Item" , "Invalid Item" , "Invalid Item" , "Invalid Item" , "A Common Woman" , "Once Upon a Valentine's Day" , "Invalid Item" .


Q.Unfortunately, there are some romance pieces that some consider to be "cheesy". How do we as aspiring writers stay away from falling into that category? Do you have any advice for those that write romance poetry and stories?


A. Write a good story or poem, let love or romance be a by-product of that writing, woven into the poetry or plot as a real part of life.

Let me repeat what I said above: Write good material. Don’t take shortcuts like inserting sexual content or hot love scenes to “spice” up a bad plot or poetry. Make the relationships believable, as well as the people themselves. No one is completely good or completely bad; neither is any relationship.


Q. In closing, is there anything you would like to add?


A. Now, how do we apply all that I’ve said to writing? Anytime love is idealized in writing, the believability is gone. A reader wants to read material that he or she can mentally accept as being possible.

Viv

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         The next issue will discuss puppy love and childhood love. If anyone has any comments, or anything they would like to share in the next newsletter please email me.

Until next time,
Lexi