Romance Realistic Fiction

Marra D.

How does Romance realistic fiction authors hook and hold readers? “Start with a hook. The first chapter isn't the place for back story. Draw the

reader into the story with immediate, interesting action. Write realistic characters. Write characters that readers can identify with. Make them sympathetic. Give them strengths and weaknesses. Set the scene. Use the five senses to draw the reader into the story and engage them in the lives of the characters. Bring the reader into the world you've created. Conflict and more conflict. Introduce the internal and external conflict. In a romance, the internal conflict is usually the romance. Why can't these two people be together? Why is this person the one that the main character should want least in the world? Why are they attracted anyway? Whatever the external conflict, these characters must have internal conflict that will keep them apart. Keep the focus on your main characters.” (“Romance writing: Tips for crafting that crucial first chapter”).

“Make a connection with your readers. Think about an incident that you have been through. Think about all the emotions you felt. Then, find a way to make a connection with your readers, using your words.” (Jordan).

What is the typical love story?

“In a romance the ending must be good. It is formulaic but it works and speaks to the human psyche. Regardless of what happens in the book, if it is to be clearly identified as a romance, the couple must have overcome the obstacles in their path, whether emotional, psychological or physical (often all three) and have made a commitment by the end of the book.” (Salima).

Typical love stories normally start of with boy meets girl. Then a connection rises leading the two to fall in love. After that, an obstacle occurs and both overcomes it. Normally, it ends with a happy ending. (Jamieson)

What exactly is ‘Romance realistic fiction’?

“Romance – A made-up narrative that focuses on a love story - all about emotions and relationships.  Usually involves a couple who want to be together but, for some reason, cannot.” (“Genre”).

“Realistic fiction- A made-up story that could actually happen in real life” (“Genre”).

Why do teens read romance fiction?

‘Teens love realistic fiction because it allows them to try on different roles, see the consequences of bad choices and negative behaviors, and watch another teen solve a problem similar to their own. The goal of realistic fiction is to portray life as accurately as possible. Realistic fiction features believable teen characters in true-to-life situations with satisfying outcomes.’ ("Realistic Teen Fiction”).

“Romance novels makes a really strong connection with young readers. Teens enjoy the rollercoaster rides from suspense to heartwarming excitement. “When I was growing up it was pretty much understood that teens only suffered from crushes and infatuations. That whole Romeo and Juliet play that dealt with the idea of teens in love? Written by a tights-wearing hack! And what did it teach readers? That teenagers who think they’re in love wind up dead. Yes. What, that wasn’t the message you got? Anyhow. The concept I learned while growing up seemed to be that love—that authentic connection worth building a life around—could only magically happen after someone turned eighteen or, better yet, twenty-one, and was ready to stand before witnesses and register the intent of their emotional connection with their government. In short, teens couldn’t feel love because they didn’t have the life experience to identify it as being different from a crush.” (Delaney).

What are some themes in romance realistic fiction novels? Romance realistic fiction novels touches themes

such as bullying, dating, domestic violence, love, deployment, emotional, mental, physical pain and several tough obstacles. (“Young Adult Reviews”).

Romance novels also include family, change, character, bravery, kindness, responsibility, facing up to mistakes, learning to understand others, dealing with transitions and finding one’s voice. However, the most important theme the summarizes everything is, everyone is human. (Gadget).

What age group is attracted to reading romance novels?

A young adult novel is typically for an audience between the ages of 14 and 18. (“Young Adult Fiction Writing)

Statistics states, romance fictions are more likely to attract teenagers and the women population. (“Romance Writers of America”)

How did Romance realistic fiction come about? The idea of romance as a feminine genre is mainly a construct originating from concerns about the dangers these

novels might pose to impressionable minds of literate middle class women. Heinrich Bullinger expressed his disapproval of romances in his book titled The Christian State of Matrimony translated by Miles Coverdale in 1541. His anxieties were based on humanist educational programs emphasizing that the gift of literacy, given by God to humans, should be used to read “godly” works. The fact that His gift was being used to read the less-than-holy works written by those of an opposing moral character was unacceptable. Premises based on the belief that women are easily influenced and romances promote less restrictive modes of behaviour and may induce sexually unruly behaviour in women. Sensation novels caused great concern amongst society and literary critics alike, because of their scenes of adventurous behaviour - adultery and bigamy amongst other sensational elements. Critical attention was focused on these novels in the 1860s due to assumptions made about the susceptibility of the female reader. The presence of sexual elements in the novels was critics’ main focus. Anxiety greeted the works of Mary Braddon, Rhoda Broughton and Mrs. Henry Wood when they incorporated these elements into their own novels. Braddon and others suggested through their writing that desires need not be confined to hearth and home, they challenged patriarchal ideas of passive, innocent pure-minded middleclass femininity. It didn’t help matters when novelists exhibited ‘unladylike’ familiarity with some of the subjects about which they wrote. (“Romance Fiction History-The Golden Age”).

The Romantic era was a period of great change and emancipation. While the Classical era had strict laws of balance and restraint, the Romantic era moved away from that by allowing artistic freedom, experimentation, and creativity. The music of this time period was very expressive, and melody became the dominant feature. Composers even used this expressive means to display nationalism . This became a driving force in the late Romantic period, as composers used elements of folk music to express their cultural identity.      As in any time of change, new musical techniques came about to fit in with the current trends. Composers began to experiment with length of compositions, new harmonies, and tonal relationships. Additionally, there was the increased use of dissonance and extended use of chromaticism . Another important feature of Romantic music was the use of color. While new instruments were constantly being added to the orchestra, composers also tried to get new or different sounds out of the instruments already in use. (“Romantic Era: 1850 - 1920 C.E.”).

How does Romance realistic fiction connect with real life? “New romances reflect what women want in a partner during this day and

age. Heroes are not always the domineering, masculine man’s man, but are often times forced into explaining to their independent working women why they should marry. Heroines some times turn down the heroes at the beginning of the novels because they feel no need for a man in their life. Women today, want to read escapist literature where they can make decisions, look after themselves and be sexually satisfied by understanding men. Where as women in the Victorian era wanted to read novels about women able to stick to their morals, protect their virtue and have some adventures while doing it. Romance fiction continues to adapt and transform into the era in which it is created, however one thing always remains the same; there is always a happily ever after.” (“Romance Fiction”).

Romance novels inspire other people. Individuals can relate to novel characters and help them get through their day because it makes them feel like their not alone. It also helps them make a connection with their spouse because people can get ideas to show someone how they love them, and understand another’s feeling. (“My romance story”).