February 13, 2008 | All Work and No Play
I was Googling around for my book titles (as you do, especially when you should be writing) and I came up with this interesting blog, written by a male writer who enjoys a bit of erotica. According to his post, he has spent years mocking Mills & Boon novels, without ever having read one himself. Finally, one of his friends challenged him to read one. It happened, by chance, to be my novel, All Work and No Play…
He says:
You can imagine that my spirit rebelled at this. For a man to read Mills & Boon … well, it’s just not done, is it? It’s certainly not the sort of thing you’d admit to the chaps down at the rugby club.
But he did read it. And what’s more, before he read it, he examined his own expectations. And after he read it, he re-examined them. He concludes, in part:
All that this book demands of its reader is that the eyes scan the words and absorb them for a few moments, and that the hands keep turning the pages. I read it in the bath and in my bed and I have to admit that it was a relaxing read. It carried me along as easily as the wind carries a kite (though with less of an unfortunate effect on the hair). And at the end, when true love comes to fruition, when it becomes – for however short a time – “happy ever after”, there’s a certain sense of satisfaction.
It doesn’t shake our world. It doesn’t make us contemplate the meaning of life (let alone of the universe or everything). It doesn’t throw new light on our existence and make us see things through fresh eyes. But there’s more to life, surely, than philosophy and the search for meaning?
The friend who challenged me says she reads these books as an escape, a chance to leave the world and all its troubles behind for a while, to relax and unwind. She can lose herself in the flow of the tale, however briefly, and in that sense they are definitely good books. They ease her spirit and make life that little bit easier.
I have to say that, on the basis of this one book, the genre succeeds in meeting that basic need.
I don’t wholly agree with everything he said–if you read the comments to the post you’ll see I mention quite how much thought and effort has to go into creating a book that is apparently “unchallenging”. I also think that romances actually require emotional identification and investment from the reader–the reader has to be an imaginary participant in the relationship, rather than the passive consumer that Ro describes. The reader enjoys this emotional charge, as well as the relaxation. Ro isn’t a romance reader in general, so maybe he’s not looking for this effect from the books he reads.
But I was impressed that this reader took the time to read and think about the genre before expressing his opinions. Those of us who read and write romance know far too well that many, many people don’t.
Anyway, have a read of the whole post. What do you think?
Lucy Diamond says:
Wow - the comment you left on his blog was fantastic - word-perfect. That must have been quite something, reading such a lengthy analysis of your book, and of Mills and Boon books in general - but you responded with great dignity and humour. I loved reading all the other comments too - blogging at its best!
Ehle says:
Aw, hell.
I spent five minutes on a post and my browser done et it. But here’s the gist.
I think anyone who’s ever picked up a category romance has said to himself, “This is nothing. I could write this.”
So why don’t they? Because it’s harder than it looks. You make it look easy.
There are any number of chick lit, mystery, or young adult novels that, to me, are unchallenging because they seem generic. But I know better.
This guy doesn’t. Not yet. It’s a learning curve. It’s like in the Devil Wears Prada, when Andrea looks at the two blue belts and laughs because to her, they’re the same. Three months spent reading something you’ve been mocking for years is in no way enough time to have learned how to distinguish the subtleties of the genre. I’ve read 412 category romances since March of last year in a similar challenge, and I still don’t get it. I have a new appreciation for the genre, and I’ve found some authors and stories I really liked. But I still couldn’t tell you why something worked or how it worked, because I honestly don’t know enough to even wager a guess.
It takes a lot of hard work to make something difficult look effortless, so be proud of it. It’s not a slight. In my experience, the books that made the biggest impression on me were the ones that did it without my knowledge or consent. I may not have had to work for the answers, but I got them regardless, almost through osmosis.
Ro says:
I suspect I’m going to get confused trying to maintain the conversation across two different blogs but here goes!
Julie’s original comment on my blog was both unexpected and very welcome. Lucy’s right: it was an excellent response to what I’d written and it sparked off more conversation both on and off the blog than I could ever have anticipated. It made me think long and hard about what I’d written. And this little piece here is stimulating still more reaction. It’s a good thing too: Lucy’s right again - this is what makes blogging particularly worthwhile.
I would like to reiterate that I did not, to the best of my knowledge, say that writing these novels would be undemanding or unskilled. Writing *anything* readable is demanding. Creating characters and situations and developments that carry a plot forward in such a way as to take the reader along with it, utterly absorbed, will always be demanding.
I did say that it’s an undemanding read but then, as Julie rightly says, creating that is itself a skill. I do accept Julie’s point that my background probably mitigates against much of the emotional investment that other, more typical readers may make when reading this type of book. Even so, my key source on such matters - the friend who challenged me - would be the first to say it’s undemanding and unchallenging, an escape first, last and always. And the point - maybe the key point of my review - is that THIS IS FINE! NOT EVERY BOOK HAS TO MEET PARTICULAR CRITERIA TO HAVE A PURPOSE … and it certainly doesn’t have to meet any I might set out!
Nor do I pretend to have got to the bottom of what makes the genre tick in any of its numerous variations. As Ehle pointed out quite correctly, it would take a far greater investment of my time and effort to even come close to that. As a man and therefore not the target audience I might never really understand fully.
And that’s fine. I’m not trying to “distinguish the subtleties”. Let us not forget, this was initially a simple challenge: read one and write a proper, considered critique. This I did.
Really, I’m just pleased to have removed a few of my own misconceptions and prejudices. The simple fact is that I am not likely to turn into a great fan of this genre. I am a hopeless romantic but I tend to prefer my love stories wrapped in a different style of packaging.
But I have learned to appreciate these books for what they are. And, yes, I have gained a new appreciation of the skill with which they are written.
I may not pick up a Mills & Boon next time I’m looking for something to read; but then I wouldn’t expect my friend to pick up one of my Jasper ffordes. On the other hand, when *she* does pick up an M&B, I won’t mock her either.
I shall, instead, know that she’s intent on relaxation … and that she’s following one sure-fire way to get there. And occasionally I might even join her.
Ehle says:
Ro,
The important thing is that you tried something new and different, and you got something out of it. Maybe you didn’t reach the bottom of the ocean, but you skimmed the surface, and that’s pretty cool. And as someone who HAS tried forcing Thursday Next upon an unsuspecting victim–how can a person dislike Fforde? HOW?–I applaud you.
Ro's M&B-reading friend says:
Lol… never did I anticipate, when I challenged Ro to read your book, that it would reverberate as much as it has.
I love reading Mills & Boon… so much so, in fact, that I belong to the subscriber service that sells them, and each month, around about now, my box of Modern Romance gets delivered, and each month I go through the same routine when opening it. I sort all the books in the box into alphabetical-by-author, and I start reading.
I read them at night, in front of the telly, or in my bed. I read them on weekend mornings, while I sip my tea. Truth is, I like to spread them out, so that one box lasts until the next arrives.
I have been reading M&B since I was about 15, and I remember back then my father tut-tutting at my choice of books. I have carried on reading them, even branching off into the American line, SD… but I have always come back to M&B. I also only read the one line, Modern Romance - I love how the books are set in and around Europe (and lately Australia and NZ), and I l-u-r-v-e the new Modern Heat books!
What I love more, though, is that Ro took me up on my challenge, and read the book. Yes, it’s most definitely not the genre he prefers reading, and yes, it did take him a while to finally read the book, but he did what he promised, and he read the book with an open mind. What impresses me more, though, is that he wrote the critique and posted it. He could have just told me what he thought, and left it at that. How many more men out there would be brave enough? :^)
PS. I have long harboured the desire to write a M&B book (don’t worry, I *know* it is NOT easy!!), but would any of you ladies know how/where I would start?
Ro says:
Ehle … It’s always been a blind spot of mine in a sense: I was prepared to read pretty much anything, I used to say, “except for Westerns and romances”. It feels good to have pushed outside my comfort zone like this … but now I can’t help thinking I should try a good Western too. I am, of course, prepared to read a few more M&B books too but Friend hasn’t carried out her threat to deliver more chosen volumes yet
Friend … Flattery, especially today, will get you everywhere! But what about what Ehle said: are you prepared to try reading a Thursday Next novel by Jasper Fforde? It occurred to me last night that these aren’t exactly deep and meaningful either
Laura Vivanco says:
these aren’t exactly deep and meaningful
You might be interested in reading Kate Hewitt’s defence of the genre or this article, which explores how “today’s Harlequin authors are increasingly devoting swaths of their books to upfront discussions of [...] serious sexual issues”.
As I said on your blog, the deeper themes in M&Bs are often overlooked because people aren’t looking for them and because the novels are such quick, easy reads.
Incidentally, re this, which is mentioned on your blog: “my Mum’s romances (though, curiously, she was also the one who had the James Bond books.” I think there’s an obvious explanation for it. James Bond and his world actually have quite a lot in common with that of the Mills & Boon Modern line. There’s the sophistication, power and ruthlessness of Bond: he’s an alpha male, at ease in a world of luxury hotels etc, much like the heroes of the M&B Modern line.
Ehle says:
Ro,
I think deep and meaningful is all relative. America’s Next Top Model isn’t what you would call quality television, but I can’t go through a day without something happening to make me think Tyra was RIGHT ON. She is so FIERCE.
The best thing about Fforde is that I’ve been there, done that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been reading a book, and all of a sudden in pops Mr. Darcy or Pip or Mia Thermopolis. And I can’t help but think, “Holy cow! How did YOU get here?” So there’s a certain truth about those books, and for me, that’s what it’s all about.
Good luck on the Westerns. I grew up around cowboys, so when I think of Westerns, I think of chew tobacco and horse poop. It’s hard to get excited about that.
Ro’s Friend,
eharlequin.com has a lot of useful information, like how to format a manuscript, write a synopsis, build dialogue, etc, as well as how to submit and to whom. You might also check with your library to see if there’s a writer’s group in the area, or find a writing partner online. The hardest part about writing a book tends to be, you know, writing one, so being held accountable can be a pretty good motivator. Other than that, write every day. When you get stuck, keep going. The more you practice, the better and more confident you’ll become. Good luck!
Julie says:
Thanks, Lucy. I must admit that reading Ro’s blog was a treat. Seven years of studying English Lit and ten years of teaching it have made me very interested in how readers respond to texts; three years of being a romance author have made me very interested in how people think of my genre. Plus, you know, I’ll admit a teeeeensy liking for being someone’s centre of attention for a few minutes.
Julie says:
Ehle, thank you for saying I make it look easy!
I agree that it takes a LOT of reading to understand a genre. Certainly much much much more than one book. And 412 category romances in a year? What was your challenge?
In my experience, the books that made the biggest impression on me were the ones that did it without my knowledge or consent. I may not have had to work for the answers, but I got them regardless, almost through osmosis.
I love this, and I think it is really true. Many books have made an impression on me without my understanding how it was done…I think this could be one reason why many of my most influential books were read when I was a teenager, without any training on how to read a book with an analytical eye.
Julie says:
Ro…I thought a lot about whether I was going to respond to your blog, because I don’t normally. But from reading your stuff I thought you would welcome a different perspective. As I said, it’s a pleasure to meet someone with an open mind and I’m glad that your reading, your crit, and my comment have stimulated discussion.
I’ve got to admit, I’ve never read a Western either–well, not a straight one, I’ve read Western romances. I do like Western films. Maybe I should try one of those too. I like me some horse poop.
I have read Jasper Fforde but I sort of got weary after the second book.
Julie says:
Friend…you rule! You can challenge anyone to read any of my books any day! In fact if you like, please email me (use the contact button on right) and I might have something else for you to read…
I love how you line up your books and make them last, like fine chocolates! Brilliant.
I agree 100% with Ehle’s advice on writing. Particularly if you’re interested in writing for Modern, you might try to find a copy of Kate Walker’s 12-Point Guide to Writing Romance.
I also agree about America’s Top Model…
Julie says:
Laura, thanks for the links, which I will check out. As a lady with a talent for finding the deep and meaningful within romance, I appreciate your thoughts on this discussion.
Leo says:
I think it’s admirable that Ro read a romance novel. I wish more guys would! A round of applause to Ro from the peanut gallery!
Donna Alward says:
LOL Julie I’ve enjoyed this as well. It’s refreshing…cuz it’s an honest discussion without people getting their noses out of joint…every one is playing so nicely (which as we know doesn’t always happen, lol). You however always respond with such grace you astound me.
Ro’s friend - I was going to mention Kate Walker’s 12 point guide as well, which I believe is sold out now but is being reissued in a brand new edition this spring. It is my most oft used reference book. And e-harlequin has FANTASTIC resources. Including authors quite willing to answer questions.
Also great for those just dipping their toes in the pool is Leslie Waingers WRiting Romance for Dummies. It’s laid out very well and is concise, clear, and motivating.
Good luck!
*waves to Ro*
liz says:
Great discussion. Nothing I can add!
Biddy says:
WOW! This has been a great discussion! And I have found a new blog to read *waves to Ro*.
I second/third/whatever the Kate Walker 12 Step Guide Advice.
Ro's M&B-reading friend says:
Julie (and friends) - thanks for all your advice and comments regarding the blog and its subsequent commentary. Needless to say, it has been all very interesting, and I have enjoyed exploring all the various blogs (and it’s been rather a thrill to know that my favourite romance authors are a little like me and enjoy blogging!
And ladies… Ro is a very interesting man, with many interesting views and conversation with this man is never dull!!
I’m glad that some of you are enjoying his blog!
Ro says:
*waves back to Biddy and Donna*
*blows ~big~ kiss to Friend*
I have to say I’ve enjoyed this thoroughly too, both here and on my own blog. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’m thinking of writing another piece to pull together the various threads of thought and to try to make my own arguments more coherent. Don’t hold your breath though as my brain currently feels as if it might implode!
I’m not an argumentative type but I do love a nice debate
I also have a suspicion that I’ll be handed something else to read soon. Whether I’ll dare to commit my thoughts and feelings to any kind of public forum is another matter altogether!
And, of course, you should all feel welcome to keep on visiting my blog whenever you feel so inclined though I can’t promise what you’ll find there!
And finally, Friend, thanks for the compliments