So you see, it's like this. Although in my own mind, all my stories are romances, the "story" part always comes first with me. So suppose...just suppose...that the hero and heroine of my new WIP have a brief interaction in Chapter 2 (not necessarily a positive one), then don't meet up on the same page again until, oh, say, around Chapter 8 or 9? Would you still consider this a romance? (Even though they do ultimately reconnect and fall in love.) If it's not a romance in the strictest sense of the formula, would you still be interested in reading it?
(Not that I'm saying I'll change it if your answer is "no". Just wondering how many potential readers of Loyalty's Web and Illuminations of the Heart I stand to lose if my characters continue on their current merry way. :-) )
9 comments:
I still think it would be a romance. It makes it a little more exciting when there is uncertainty about what is going on in the relationship.
I agree. Many of the great romance novels have this kind of plot. Almost all of the romance movies I've watched do, too! :)
I prefer a good story with a sub-plot of romance. So...it sounds good to me if the two future lovers only meet up again in chapter 8 or 9 especially if they got off to a rocky start.
I would be surprised and disappointed if there is no interaction between them for that many chapters. Can you trim what happens between encounters? Could you have them at least think about the encounter, either good or bad, or even "what a jerk, but man was he ever hot" only medieval speak?
Yeah, I think maybe I'm not actually writing a "romance" this time. My nickname for my WIP is "Acelet's story", and that's really what it seems to be turning out to be. A story about Acelet's "journey", only part of which is his falling in love. I'll probably lose some romance readers like Donna, but maybe I'll pick up some other readers to balance out the losses. :-)
You won't lose me, Joyce. I enjoy your writing, not just the romantic part of it. If you lose some readers because it's not enough of a romance, oh well. You'll pick up others because it's got something to offer other than the romance. I'm more excited than ever to read this book now! :o)
Thanks, Jaimey! Now I just have to get the darn thing written! LOL!
I'll read anything you write! That being said, could they PLEASE dream about, yearn for, or fantasize about things going better when they meet next?!?!?? Just an imagining of a whispered kiss????
Oh, don't worry. I still plan there to be some breathless moments. And yes, maybe even a kiss or two before I type "the end". ;-)
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