Why I Write Romance

Posted Aug 30 2012, 12:01 am

When I tell folks I’m an author, they of course ask me what I write. I tell ’em, romance. With a capital “R.”   

Then they ask why romance (maybe even with a slight lip curl.) My reply is because in romance story, the good guys win–all the time. It’s what separates romance from love stories. Only bad guys die in a romance. Romance stories always have an emotionally satisfying end. After x-number of pages of the hero and heroine fighting the odds–and each other–they wind up living “happily ever after.” 

And then of course there’s the sex. With a capital “S.” And that can be pretty darn satisfying, too. On several levels.   😉

But it doesn’t matter what heat level you write or enjoy reading. The vital thing about romance is that all important HEA. 

As a reader, I want to feel the joys and the sorrows, the highs and the lows of the characters. I want to be tormented into believing the hero and heroine will NEVER get together only to be proven wrong by the end of the book. I want to laugh out loud and cry in private while reading. I want to be entertained. To escape for an afternoon with hot guys and sexy gals.  

This is what I strive for as a writer. Take my latest release, Wildflower. (The blurb is featured above and through tomorrow, Sept. 1st, you can get Wildflower for FREE, exclusively through KDP Select.) It’s a classic “Ugly Duckling” story, with the appropriate amount of torment thrown in. Add a stampede, some nasty cattle rustling bad guys and a hero/heroine with stubborn streaks as long and as wide as the Mississippi River, and you’ve got the true makings of a romance.

But something’s still missing. 

Ah, yes! The sex. With that capital “S.”  

But, as I said, it doesn’t matter whether you prefer sweet or erotic in your stories. What matters is having two characters, from opposite sides, thrown together to overcome insurmountable challenges so they can live “happily ever after.” HEA. The reason I not only read romance, but write it as well.  

What about you? What’s your favorite part of a romance story? What draws you to read Inspirational, Young Adult, Romantic Suspense or Paranormal? I’d love to hear from you!

Remember to leave your email along with your comment. We’re got some AWEsome grand prizes for this blog hop.

First Grand Prize is a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet. Wooza!

Second Grand Prize is a $130 Amazon or B&N gift card. Totally cool!

Third Grand Prize is a Large swag pack. Suh-weet!

I’m giving away a separate Amazon or B&N gift card for $10 as well so leave your email address with your comment!!

Please check out the rest of the authors on this hop. http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=150398 

There are over 200 writers! Remember, the more you comment–with your email address–the bigger your chance to win one of the outstanding grand prizes.

94 Comments

Comments

94 responses to “Why I Write Romance”

  1. I love the emotional tug of war and the guarantee of a happy ending. It’s what makes me return to romances time after time. of course, if there’s an underdog involved all the better.

    lindaaandrews@lindaandrews.net

  2. Kelsey S. says:

    I love happy endings. I’ve been a sucker since I was a baby watching Snow White.

    kesummer69 at gmail dot com

  3. Lynn Cahoon says:

    I do like the immediate attraction or sparks.

    lcahoon7(at)gmail(dot)com

  4. Shannon says:

    I love when they first meet, is it love at first sight or hate at first sight? Either way the sparks fly and I am hooked

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

    • Lynda Bailey says:

      I think it’s better when it’s “hate” at first sight. You know they’re attracted to each other. THEY know they’re attracted to each other (but won’t admit it). It’s all good from there.

      Thanks for stopping by, Shannon!

  5. Delphina says:

    What a fun hop! delphinareadstoomuch at yahoo

  6. Kate Rose says:

    Lynda:

    Ahhh romance. Us “oldies” love it! I’ve got a long email coming to you about the screenplay, Mongolia, critique group. I like Wildflower.

  7. Trix says:

    I love m/m best, since there’s a greater variety of appealing male characters. But no matter what the romance genre, I like to see all the different ways that characters find their HEA.

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

  8. JeanMP says:

    I admit it I love the HEA, but enjoy reading all the ups and downs that they go through to get to the HEA.
    Finding so many new authors and their great books, such a fun bloghop.
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

  9. Susan Smith says:

    I like all romance novels, especially happy endings.

  10. Is romance writing really only about HEA? I love the character arcs!
    Jesse
    jesse.kimmelfreeman@gmail.com

  11. Krista says:

    I love the guaranteed HEA 😀 Books tend to “live” in my head for a few days after I finish them, so sad ending would just depress me for days.

    Thanks for doing this giveaway!
    ~Krista
    pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com

  12. I like it when there are sparks between the hero and heroine—neither of them want to admit that they like the other one but they just can’t help it.

    Great blog title, btw.

    celestejones215 at rocketmail dot com

  13. Marie Haney says:

    I love that I can live vicariously through the characters in the book. It allows you to escape to a whole other world for a little while 🙂

    Thank you so much for the giveaway!

    songbird1613 at yahoo dot com

  14. Belinda Green says:

    Romance Hop…awesome idea! Best love story for me…Pretty Woman…romance indeed with the must have HEA!… 🙂 A romance novel has to have the same. I love to watch love develop!

    Nice to checkout your page! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Belinda, belgre@comcast.net

  15. Sharon Clare says:

    I’m with you. I love a story that leaves me feeling good. If the sexy scenes get the endorphins flowing then I’m feeling even better!

    sclare(at)sharonclare(dot)com

  16. Dovile says:

    For me it’s the happy ending, because it doesn’t always work in real life romances that way.
    Thanks for the chance!

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

  17. JanD says:

    My favorite aspect of reading romance is the journey to HEA. As for reading a certain sub-genre, it depends on my mood.
    bituin76 AT hotmail DOT com

    • Lynda Bailey says:

      JanD~

      My mood determines which sub-genre I read as well, though I’m most always in the mood for a sexy contemporary. Sometimes the world building in a paranormal gets in my way of enjoying the story.

      Thanks for commenting!

  18. Cassandra Hicks says:

    I love the journey they go through and how they make it despite the odds 🙂
    Thanks for the awesome & amazing giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

  19. Lisa Walker says:

    I love the way the relationship in romance develops and the happy ending!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

  20. Veronika says:

    I’m a big fan of reading about the first love and love happy endings!
    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

  21. Kaylyn D says:

    I love when you get that gut feeling while reading the book. I love cheering for them on their journey to finding love. I prefer romantic suspense because I like the added tension due to the danger. lol Thank you for the giveaway.
    kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

  22. Kelly R says:

    I love reading romance books because it is an escape away from real life, knowing in the end that the girl gets the guy and they live happy ever after….I have met my Love and we do have a Happy Ever After…

    ronnkelly3@aol.com

  23. Patti C says:

    Thanks for participating! Really like the hop so far!! I love reading, especially romance. I love reading contemporary, historical and erotic romance. I love the happy ending that is garenteed at the end. My favorite book is Lover Mine by JR Ward! I love John Matthew and Xhex. My favorite romantic moment was when my fiancé asked me to marry him! We meant two years ago right around when summer was ending when my friend and I went out for our last big night out before classes started again. I think it is romantic when he brings me flowers because no one else has ever done it! Thanks so much! Hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!!

    prettyunicorn78@yahoo.com

    • Lynda Bailey says:

      Patti~

      Thank YOU for participating. There are some truly talented authors doing this hop.

      Sounds like you married the *love of your life.* I did too! It’s great when reality mirrors fantasy.

  24. Foretta says:

    Thanks so much for the contest!! I love the happy ending in romance which is why I read them!!

    forettarose@yahoo.com

  25. Shadow says:

    Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaways! This is so much fun! Thank you! My favorite thing about romance is the romance. lol I love the characters, the plots, the HEA’s, the love. I love it all!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

  26. Thanks for sharing. Love the blog, great hop!
    krystalshannan@yahoo(dot)com

  27. Elizabeth H. says:

    Love to read romance books because I like to know that at least someone is getting an HEA, even if the characters are only fiction! Thanks for joining the hop and the awesome giveaway!
    ehaney578 at aol dot com

  28. Nat says:

    Romances make my life a little happier and joyful!
    readingromances.contactATgmailDOTcom

  29. kim d says:

    Thanks tons for the hop! I only read romance. My fav is Lora Leigh! Going to parade Monday with brothers and sisters! Should be FUN!
    swkimbell@yahoo.com

    • Lynda Bailey says:

      Kim~

      Lora Leigh has some ubber intense alpha males. For me, I like a little beta mixed in with my alpha. 🙂 Hope you had a great time at the parade today and thanks for stopping by!

  30. bn100 says:

    I like the happily ever after.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

  31. Joy F says:

    I love the happy ending when she always gets her man.

  32. donnas says:

    Thanks for being in the hop!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  33. Qwillia says:

    For me, romance is all about the trust and respect built between the characters. Since I write BDSM, these elements are very important.
    Thank you for participating in the blog hop!
    qwilliarain(at)gmail(dot)com

  34. christina says:

    I love the happily ever after of the romance. I hate books and movies where you think the characters are going to end up together and then one dies or leaves like in Titanic. I want my characters to struggle but find true love in the end.

    I write contemp romance. I read contemp, as well as historical, and paranormal.
    Good luck with the book. Sounds great
    christina cgricci@yahoo.com

  35. Tracey D says:

    I love the chase and the HEA.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

  36. susan platt says:

    I love many things about romances! HEA, Alpha Men, Sci-Fi, paranormal, Contemporary, BDSM, friends to lovers, suspense! I love to be able to escape for a little while from reality over and over again.

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

  37. AnnaM. says:

    I never thought about the fact that the good guys always win and never die in Romance. I think some part of me knew it. Course, I read Science Fiction Romance so sometimes good guys DO die but usually they come back! LOL. Well, if they’re heroes.

    Thanks for participating!
    AnnaM.
    doxisrcool at aol.com

  38. Meg G. says:

    I love when their is a misunderstanding and then the HEA. Oh and alpha men and the headstrong women who make them fall to their knees is always fun to read about. Young Adult romance is usually more realistic to me so I connect more to that genre.

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Meg G.
    megonski216(at)yahoo(dot)com

  39. Daniel M says:

    only genre where there’s always a happy ending – regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

  40. Mel Bourn says:

    I love romance because I get to fall in love over and over. Just such a wonderful feeling.
    Mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

    • Lynda Bailey says:

      Mel~

      Falling in love is the best feeling in the world, isn’t it? And if you’re married to your true love, romance stories help you to never forget those sensations.

      Thanks for popping in!

  41. Michelle Bledsoe says:

    My favorite part of romance stories is the journey to the ending. I know when I pick up a romance book that there is going to be a HEA, but it how’s the individual writers take us there that is what I love.

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

  42. Sherry S. says:

    I love the HEA. I love paranormal romance because anything can happen.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

  43. Renee B says:

    What a great hop! Grand prizes, old friends to visit and new ones to meet… and chances to win at each stop too. I’m in Blog heaven! :-}

    I’m a sucker for the HEA. All my favorite authors give me a great story line, characters I can identify with, HOT love scenes and a perfect HEA!

    Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
    reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com

  44. latisha depoortere says:

    Thank you very much great giveaway! I love happy endings in romance Fun blog hop!
    tishajean@ charter.net

  45. Yazmin Rangel says:

    I love romance for the HEA.
    Thank you for being part of the blog hop. 🙂

    yazmin.z.rangel(at)gmail(dot)com

  46. Sue Sattler says:

    I love the way they all fight the fall. The struggle is so much fun. Of course I like the secondary characters that are laughing at the main characters and ribbing them the whole time cause you know that they are going to get theirs in another book. So much fun.

    proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

  47. Jo says:

    I like paranormal romance the best – and I think that one of the things I like about it is that the women are just as tough as the men.

    jochibi AT yahoo DOT com

  48. Monica says:

    The HEA, of course!
    I’m enjoying the hop and discovering lots of new authors!
    mcv111 at hotmail dot com

  49. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

  50. Juana Esparza says:

    My favorite part of a romance story is when the hero and heroine fall in love despite all of their differences.

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

  51. Jessica B says:

    Thanks for being a part of the hop. I hope that you had a great Labor day weekend!
    jessangil at gmail dot com

  52. J says:

    Love is a funny thing. Never changes no matter what era you write in. I have an unwilling marriage issue going on in Ancient Rome. hee hee. I guess that is what makes the world go round and why we enjoy writing romance. To give the world another spin.
    Awesome
    J

  53. I start to not like stories with a happy ending. They’re good stuff for dreamers and let you fly with the fantasy, but unfortunately reality is different and right now I’d like to read something closer to my real life. Or looking for fantasy tales where at least you know that’s all unreal and because they are full of surprises as well.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This site contains content that might be considered offensive and/or inappropriate to some. If you are under 18, or are easily offended, please click the "exit" button.