By now anyone who follows my LJ has to know I like to read books on writing. I didn’t buy this one, but when while skimming I saw this list, I had to write it down and share
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I didn't read the whole book, was really just skimming for what it might say about writing love scenes when I saw this list. I remember you mentioning the "Secret Baby" trope in chat.
I hate forced romance. I think it shows a failure of imagination and lack of condidence in this pairing that people can't find a less contrived way to bring them together. Besides, I like my romance to have some basis in reality, and traditional gender roles notwithstanding, I think forcing people together is a poor way to start a relationship.
And I like SS/HG for the ways they are similar and compliment each other. I think you need Marriage Law more to explain what could keep Hermione and Ron together forever than bring Snape and Hermione together.
As for rapefic, yes, it causes wank cuz every once in a while because those of us who despise periodically have enough of the squeeing and start squawking. But note it usually comes as a reaction to squee--I can--but won't--name a lot of sickeningly praised and much-reviewed rapefic. Hinge of Fate aside, where both were victims and memories altered, I can't see rape as a start on which to build romance--but obviously many do, or the trope wouldn't be so disgustingly common.
I'm not sure what is true of mass market book marketing is true of what is popular on the net where people may be looking for something they don't get under two covers. Most books on publishing will tell you graphic sex is a turn-off to acquiring editors and to avoid it--yet I think we both know it's smut that "sells" in fanfic.
Of course the market doesn't always hold true, but the folks doing the dummy book did their research. The romance industry exists to make a profit and sell books, they know what sells. I read fanfic because in SS/HG I think the writing is better and I like the magic.
I've been exposed to real forced marriages (e.g. India), but they are not as brutal as the marriage law challenge devices. But we just disagree in taste :) on forced marriage bit. Plus you site excellent examples of good MLCs.
Now the dummy book does explain levels of sex in a romance, and the market for them. These are "gradients" of romance, and each has a market. The dummy book also tells of the evolution of romance as women now work and get divorced (at 50% rates now). The "secret baby fic" was invented to appeal to single working mothers. You won't find the felmale protagonists of the early 80s in books published in 2006, those won't sell.
It goes alot into explaining why we like Hermione, she is very modern and opinionated and smart.
I think that MLC got so big, it became almost a rite of passage to come up with a way to make the cliche work--and I haven't been able to stay away completely, because with so many there is something of a fascination to see where someone would take it. Its part of the charm of having common challenges circulate in the ship--though I truly do think this one NEEDS TO DIE!!!
But yes, I adore Helga's and would dearly love to see it finished some day.
I do know romance is huge. I forget the statistics, but I think its about half of book sales. That's a HUGE chunk. Supposedly Diana Gabaldon originally wanted to sell her novel as sci-fi, but was told it would sell for much more as a romance--so she said "call me a romance writer."
What you say above does sound interesting, and maybe I'll give the book another look. I have to admit, its not a genre I much like or ever read much of. In my teen years, it was sci-fi and mystery I ate up, not romance and "Harlequin" to me was and is a dirty word.
First romance I ever read was Woodwiss Flame and the Flower- it was a historical given to my BY th lady I baby sat for. I 17 and never read a romance. It was not a Harlequin, and I don't liek those either.
I hate forced romance. I think it shows a failure of imagination and lack of condidence in this pairing that people can't find a less contrived way to bring them together. Besides, I like my romance to have some basis in reality, and traditional gender roles notwithstanding, I think forcing people together is a poor way to start a relationship.
And I like SS/HG for the ways they are similar and compliment each other. I think you need Marriage Law more to explain what could keep Hermione and Ron together forever than bring Snape and Hermione together.
As for rapefic, yes, it causes wank cuz every once in a while because those of us who despise periodically have enough of the squeeing and start squawking. But note it usually comes as a reaction to squee--I can--but won't--name a lot of sickeningly praised and much-reviewed rapefic. Hinge of Fate aside, where both were victims and memories altered, I can't see rape as a start on which to build romance--but obviously many do, or the trope wouldn't be so disgustingly common.
I'm not sure what is true of mass market book marketing is true of what is popular on the net where people may be looking for something they don't get under two covers. Most books on publishing will tell you graphic sex is a turn-off to acquiring editors and to avoid it--yet I think we both know it's smut that "sells" in fanfic.
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I've been exposed to real forced marriages (e.g. India), but they are not as brutal as the marriage law challenge devices. But we just disagree in taste :) on forced marriage bit. Plus you site excellent examples of good MLCs.
Now the dummy book does explain levels of sex in a romance, and the market for them. These are "gradients" of romance, and each has a market. The dummy book also tells of the evolution of romance as women now work and get divorced (at 50% rates now). The "secret baby fic" was invented to appeal to single working mothers. You won't find the felmale protagonists of the early 80s in books published in 2006, those won't sell.
It goes alot into explaining why we like Hermione, she is very modern and opinionated and smart.
Reply
I think that MLC got so big, it became almost a rite of passage to come up with a way to make the cliche work--and I haven't been able to stay away completely, because with so many there is something of a fascination to see where someone would take it. Its part of the charm of having common challenges circulate in the ship--though I truly do think this one NEEDS TO DIE!!!
But yes, I adore Helga's and would dearly love to see it finished some day.
I do know romance is huge. I forget the statistics, but I think its about half of book sales. That's a HUGE chunk. Supposedly Diana Gabaldon originally wanted to sell her novel as sci-fi, but was told it would sell for much more as a romance--so she said "call me a romance writer."
What you say above does sound interesting, and maybe I'll give the book another look. I have to admit, its not a genre I much like or ever read much of. In my teen years, it was sci-fi and mystery I ate up, not romance and "Harlequin" to me was and is a dirty word.
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