 Drama: March 12, 2014 Issue [#6208] |
  Drama
This week: Can Only The Young Be Romantic Heroines? Edited by: Kit  
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Once a woman reaches the age of forty, she seems to be typecast as the mother, the widow, or the eccentric spinster. Is this fair, or does a "woman of a certain age" truly lose all romantic appeal?
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about age in fiction.
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In just over a week's time, I will be forty years of age. To say that I am not looking forward to it would be an understatement. My life may not be a Drama novel – though at times it certainly resembles one – but how many heroines aged 40+ are there, exactly? I can't think of many.
When you reach a certain age, and you're a woman, you become invisible. At least, that's how it seems. This has its benefits. I no longer attract wolf-whistles when I walk past building sites (I've always had the feeling they were mocking me). Nobody spares me a second glance, which means that it doesn't matter if I have a bad hair day or a bad body day full stop. Unless I dress up in my cat onesie and put on clowns' shoes, I can go about my business completely unnoticed, and this is oddly reassuring.
However, it's saddening that women of a certain age are considered to be unappealing by novel writers and movie producers. Unlike their male counterparts, an older actress is unlikely to still take the romantic center stage (perhaps with the exception of Sandra Bullock). It seems like the best she can hope for in that respect is to play someone like Stiffler's mum. Also, how many older models are still allowed on the catwalk?
As our hair greys, some wrinkles appear, and there's a certain southward trend to our body shape, women get written off. Men, on the other hand, have a more enduring romantic lifespan. This is reflected on dating websites, where many men aged 40+ will try their luck with eighteen to thirty-five-year olds, whilst women are more willing to consider someone older.
What this means is that if a woman enjoys reading novels with some sort of romantic content, there will be an increasing age gap between themselves and the main female character. In order to identify with these female leads, then, a woman will have to think back to the days when they, too, were younger.
It is a shame, because women don't suddenly become romantically inactive once they hit the big four-oh. A good percentage may be settled and be a mother, but marriage does not cancel out a love of romantic stories, and being a mother is not the be-all and end-all of a woman's identity.
A quick polling of friends and acquaintances summed up the likely approach of publishers and movie producers. On being asked if they would be interested in novels centered around more mature women, the general consensus can be summed up as, “Who wants to read about that?” An older woman as a minor character is fine – the mother, the hard-nosed boss, the caring aunt, the grandmother. Comedy and tragedy are welcome storylines – the eccentric spinster or the suffering widow. She can play a bigger part as a ruthless criminal or a clever detective – something to make her interesting – but a full-on romantic lead? No. That would very much be a niche market.
I realize I may sound bitter, or jealous, or both, but I am not. I wouldn't want to magically turn back the time and be 20 again, or even 30. I'm much more at peace with myself now and I am not (yet) daunted by the aging process. It's actually quite fascinating.
The sole reason for my gloom is the general perception of older women, and with that comes the general perception of older women in fiction. It appears that there is little that can be done about it, though, unless writers break the trend and write some excellent stories in which women aren't necessarily young. Of course, this would have to be followed by a willingness of readers to purchase these stories.
So, my question to you, dear reader, is: would you read it, or are such stories as unappealing as my friends and existing trends imply?
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The Drama Newsletter welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
Priyanthi Wickramasuriya  - I agree with you. For walking purposes outside the house, I only use two pairs of rubber slippers: The newer pair for going out, with the other for gardening and strolling in my garden.
Perhaps you might like to read my "Enchanted Garden" in my "Tales Of Fun" folder, which is a romance of a different sort, starting with a split ... yet ending on a Happy High!
Priyanthi Wickramasuriya
priyanthi@writing.com
I'm glad I'm not the only woman who doesn't care about designer shoes! And I will definitely stop by your portfolio. Thanks for the invitation!
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goldenautumn - I like a good old fashioned love story. Nicholas Sparks writes with ordinary people and makes it extraordinary. That's my favorite kind of love story. Thanks for the great newsletter.
Thanks so much for the kind words and for the recommendation! I will check out his work, because it sounds like something I would enjoy .
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Quick-Quill  - I have run the gambit of all genre. I still think romance novels will never go away. There in the innate desire among women to reach for the somewhat impossible. We all want to be loved and by the man we think is perfect. But that's boring. What we like is when two people meet, seemingly opposites and then there is "cupid" and "zing" the arrow hits and we go "AHHHH" We feel good. The world is a better place and all is well. I'm reminded of the line in Blind Side when Micheal's mother tells him to open his eyes and the world will be better. (actual line as left my mind) but you get the point.
I sometimes think it's to do with how we are raised. From when we are little girls, we are told stories about princes and princesses, and how even a frog and a beast can turn into the ideal partner. You're right, romance novels will never go away. It would be nice if they could be slightly more realistic, though, whilst still being fun to read!
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Odessa Molinari  - I hate most romance/chiclit for the very reasons you have outlined. I cannot empathise with the female character. What ever happened to women's lib. Can we not stand on our own two feet and make the guy work hard to take our independence.
Womens' lib goes right out of the window in romantic novels. At least, in most of them. The Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie is a good historical drama with a romantic element and a heroine who is strong, honourable and admirable. Whilst she loves, she won't be dictated to. I can definitely recommend it.
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Marci Missing Everyone - I am also addicted to romance. I can really relate to you on all these things. However, my favorite sub-genre is Historical Romance. I love reading about debutantes who think they are frumpy and will never catch the guy. It excites me a Duke walk by and can't take his eyes off of her. I anticipate that first kiss where he is experienced, and she is innocent. I don't know why... I just do! 
I'll admit it, I also like the occasional Historical Romance and hey, I happen to love Pride and Prejudice, so perhaps my last newsletter was somewhat hypocritical . We like what we like!
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Elle - on hiatus  - I love romance novels, but like you, I don't get the appeal of 'beautiful woman buys stunning outfit'. I'm more into 'guy sees woman's hidden appeal and everything goes wrong, but somehow they overcome their troubles and get their happy ending.' I suppose I love the idea that no matter what life throws at you, everyone can have a happy ending. But I do love a heroine who is not typically beautiful. I wouldn't say no to my hubby winning the lottery and supporting my shopping habits (just imagine what I could spend on WDC alone!), but yeah, rich isn't a personality trait in my book, and should have nothing to do with true love.
I fully agree with you. And I think that, usually, it works out that way. There are plenty of women who don't care about wealth, and (thankfully) romance isn't the sole domain of supermodels.
Now, I wouldn't mind it either if a lottery win came my way, but I still wouldn't spend it on handbags costing thousands of dollars. Give me a nice little countryside cottage with a bit of land, some chickens and other animals, Internet access and enough chocolate to last me a lifetime, and I'd be happy!
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team
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