Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
If you found me via Mishka Jenkins’ wonderful blog, or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.
Victoria Barbour belongs to this week’s questions and here they are:
1. Have you always written Romance?
Nope. I started out writing Science fiction and Fantasy, but it was an easy transition to Romance. Adding the romantic elements into a story always seemed to make it a better tale, with deeper characters to write about.
2. How do you deal with critiques about the romance genre?
I kind of laugh it off. If Romance isn’t for you…fine. I’m not a big fan of Literary Fiction. Occasionally I encounter the literary snob type, who thinks only what they read is true literature, and everything else is trash and not worth reading. I feel sorry for them, living is such a small world, but I know there’s not much I can do to change their minds. Arguing with these people is rarely productive, so I just smile and move on.
3. What’s the one thing about our genre you’d like people to know?
That guys read Romance, and it’s okay to admit that. There is nothing uniquely feminine about a good story with a happy-ever-after ending. There’s a ton of great Romance out there with big explosions, hot sex, creepy monsters and other ‘guy stuff.’ I’d like to see us move away from the ‘this is for women/this is for men’ mentality. Books are for people.
I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Leslie Hachtel at http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com/
And check out the Romance Weekly Blog Hop & Giveaway:
A Writer's Haven 
Great point, Steven. Why should romance be just for women?
I’m making that my mission. Everyone needs Romance in their lives.
You are right that guys read romance. More are finding out that the books are good as writers get better about writing stronger male characters. 🙂
yes, guys are coming around. Possibly a new growth area for our industry.
Excellent male point of view.
Thanks Beth. I try my best 🙂
Guys do read romance! I have two male cousins (both authors too, though not romance) and they were surprised at how much they liked reading my romances.
We’re all looking for a good story, well told. (In your case, however, it’s a great story, very well told ♥)
My nineteen year old son has read my stories and says he likes them as much or more than his action thriller reads.
The next generation always seems to be a bit more open-minded. Hook ’em young.
I do believe with men like you the stereotype will begin to change at the way men look at romance novels. I commend you for breaking into this aspect of the writing world because I feel this is a change that needs to be made. Great answers!!!
A good point, men do read romance. For such ‘open’ society we live in, we aren’t very open 😀
Great answers 🙂
Some of the romance books I’ve read are action packed and male readers would enjoy them as well if they like action.