A Romantic Heart
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| Since I've been there, done that... I suppose I should get the tee shirt. |
During my absence, I sent another son (son #3, Carter) off to WVU to study forensics. And son #1, Caleb, was prepped and readied for his move to the Big Apple to work on his law degree at NYU.
July-August was simply life on fast-forward.
In the midst of it all, my mom returned from Alaska with her husband, Frank, for an extended visit. The week we took Caleb to New York, my mom wasn't feeling very well. She was admitted to the hospital and in a seeming spiral, went from feeling ill to being incoherent and on a ventilator. It's only been in the last few days that she has started to be responsive and hopefully will be breathing on her own again soon.
Prayers welcome. I totally do prayers.
But, in my fog, I forgot to post this for Stephanie Faris' blog tour. And that's just bad. These are some books the whole world should know about, and these are some of them. I love Stephanie's stories/ They're fun reminder of a simpler time when kids can think up the best dreams and reality is not yet a hindrance.
So, please welcome, Stephanie!!
Why I Still Have a Special Place in My Heart for Romance Novelists
by Stephanie Faris
We met in a middle school classroom. There were only a few
of us in those early days and we still weren’t sure what we would call
ourselves. All we knew was that we lived in the Nashville area and we wrote
romance novels. We were so excited to finally meet other people who did what we
did.
That group became Music City Romance Writers, which just
celebrated its 20th anniversary. In my early days of writing, those
women helped me learn, grow, and survive numerous rejections. MCRW was a
chapter of Romance Writers of America, an organization that has chapters across
the globe. Like other writing organizations, RWA is geared toward helping
writers navigate the rollercoastery life that is writing!
Unlike most writers groups, RWA is filled with women who
have to support each other when it often feels like the world is against them.
The only snide comments I’ve ever heard about my writing came when I was a
romance novelist. Even a year ago, a female author made a mean
comment about romance when I brought up that I used to write it. I will defend
my romance novelist friends until the day I die. Those women are some of the
hardest-working, successful writers I’ve ever met.
Yes, successful. Because romance novels bring in serious
money, y’all. Romance novels earn more than a billion dollars a year, making up
13 percent of all adult fiction sales. Many authors have advanced degrees and
have found they can make more writing romance than in their chosen field (plus
it’s far more fun!).
For women who regularly dismiss romance, consider this: it
is one of the few industries run by women for women where numerous
professionals are making six-figure salaries. Some of them you’ve never even
heard of. There are also many more who are making more than you make at your
day job…and they’re doing that work from the comfort of their homes. I’ve seen
feminists scoff at the romance genre, but what happens if they stop picturing
Fabio and start thinking of it as an actual profession. There are romance
novelists making more than CEOs of major corporations and they should be
applauded, not ridiculed.
But most of all, I’ll defend romance novelists because they
are some of the warmest, most supportive authors you’ll ever meet. If you’ve
never read a romance, pick up one and give it a try. You can start with
Elizabeth Seckman’s entire library! You may just rethink your position on the
genre.
In Piper Morgan Joins the Circus, Piper learns her mom’s new job will be with the Big Top Circus. She can’t wait to learn all about life under the big top, see all the cool animals, and meet the Little Explorers, the other kids who travel with the show. She’s even more excited to learn that she gets to be a part of the Little Explorers and help them end each show with a routine to get the audience on their feet and dancing along!
school and new friends—and is thrilled when she is made an “office helper.” But there is one girl who seems determined to prove she is a better helper—and she just so happens to be the principal’s daughter. Can Piper figure out how to handle being the new girl in town once more?
Stephanie Faris knew she wanted to be an author from a very young age. In fact, her mother often told her to stop reading so much and go outside and play with the other kids. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism, she somehow found herself working in information technology. But she never stopped writing.
Stephanie is the Simon & Schuster author of 30 Days of No Gossip and 25 Roses. When she isn’t crafting fiction, she writes for a variety of online websites on the topics of business, technology, and her favorite subject of all—fashion. She lives in Nashville with her husband, a sales executive.
Thanks to our hosts Lexa, L.G, and Tonja Drecker for this weekly good things check in!
2. My kids are settled back in school and seem content.
3. I have some quiet time to write and get back to work, though I miss the chaos. This whole back-to-school thing isn't so great when your kids start leaving their home state. Roots and wings, right?
First Elizabeth, loved the tee shirt. Your post was a joy to read and most interesting. Hope your son gets on ok with his life.
ReplyDeleteDo have a wonderful week-end.
Yvonne.
Thanks Yvonne. So far, so good. I hope your weekend was a good one too.
DeleteDefinite prayers for your mother! You have been on a roller coaster ride with her.
ReplyDeleteRomance even attracts a few male writers. And I know what you mean about being scoffed at, Stephanie. Science fiction writers get dissed as well.
That sucks! People should encourage anyone who wants to read. Literary snobbery just bugs me!
DeleteSo, I wonder...what sort of books are cool to read? I suppose I have a set of encyclopedias somewhere.
DeleteThanks for the prayers!
I didn't realise Carter was going to study forensics. What an interesting choice. And law for Caleb. What are the other two planning? Yes, I have always heard romance writers being criticised as well as Sci Fi. I had no idea how much money they earned, well some of them anyway, thanks for revealing that Stephanie. Glad your mom doing better Liz.
ReplyDeleteThere's some big money in romance. Thanks for stopping by, Jo!
DeleteYeah, I'm not earning that money. LOL.
DeleteCole is an economics major who enjoys the creative side of life, so he spends a lot of his free time writing and making short films. And Conner is still a junior in high school. His last career objective was to be an accountant.
My blogging's been all over the place too, through one thing and another - and some of that was actually getting some writing done!
ReplyDeleteGlad your mom's doing better - it sounds like a long road, though, so sending lots of positive thoughts.
We'll be looking at a couple of universities for #1 son over the next month or so - it's too scary to contemplate!
Great post from Stephanie :-)
Thank you, Annalisa!
DeleteSeriously? You're looking at universities? Why was I thinking your son was still a little guy?
DeleteThat's great that your getting words written. They are so very important.
Romance writers work just as hard as anyone else.
ReplyDeleteGlad your mom is doing better, life can turn on a dime indeed. So glad I'm done the university thing.
Some even harder--I remember hearing that Nora Roberts is a workaholic. I thought that was the oddest thing because how can doing something so FUN be considered a bad thing?!
DeleteI'm glad you're well educated too. It's made you so wise. Or is that the cat?
DeleteLove the T-shirt! Glad to hear your mom is improving. Sending many prayers your way for her and for your sons as they spread their wings.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Stephanie! I completely agree with her. And my genre, fantasy, isn't considered "real literature" either.
Thank you, Lori! Literary snobs miss out on all the fun!
DeleteThanks for the prayers.
DeleteMakes you wonder...what genre is approved of?
Hope your mum continues to improve.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patsy.
DeleteGreat post! There's a romance only bookstore that was just started last year (or maybe this year...) out in LA. It's called The Ripped Bodice, and I've loved following along on their journey. They love romance, and romance authors, and are not apologetic about it! *fist pump* ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I will say some prayers for your mom, Elizabeth. I'm sorry to hear what happened.
DeleteHow cool! Although the title made me cringe...but may as well have fun with it!
DeleteThanks Leandra! I'd love to visit that book store. How fun! Love the name.
DeleteGreat to keep bumping into you Stephanie!! Elizabeth, my prayers are with you and your mom. I do hope she feels better soon. Don't worry too much about your boys. You gave them a great start in life and they'll be back (probably laden with dirty washing) before you know it. Take good care!!
ReplyDeleteI'm everywhere. Thanks, Nicola!
DeleteVery apropos:) I think I need one of those shirts for me and all my friends:)
ReplyDeleteI need that T-shirt! Glad you are back to blogging, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteStephanie -- another great post. I love that you included statistics, too.
Yvonne V
Thank you! I owe a big thanks to rwa.com for that one--they have all the stats on their site. That's telling in itself--that they have to keep the stats out there because there are so many freakin' misconceptions about romance.
DeleteThank you so much for hosting me, Elizabeth. You guys are definitely in my prayers. I can't imagine how chaotic and scary things must be right now. Glad she's responsive and I hope she's up and about soon!
ReplyDeleteNo one can expect you to do everything while your mom is so sick. You did the best you could under the circumstances, and Stephanie's post is as great now as it would have been before. I hope your mom recovers quickly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lexa, and I totally agree. Elizabeth has so much going on, I don't know how she does it all!
DeleteElizabeth, I love that shirt, I feel that way all the time! Sometimes life does get in the way of blogging and that's ok. I pray your mom continues to heal.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I thought romance writers seemed to be in the right genre for making money. I didn't realize they were looked down on, that's a shame. Of course, I still talk to a lot of people that do not seem to understand that writing can be more than just a hobby.
It's still hard for people to take women's entertainment seriously--and women are the worst about disparaging what other women watch/listen to/read! Just a year or so ago, I mentioned to a self-published author that I wrote romance for years and had a stack of rejection letters. She laughed and said, "I didn't know it was possible to be rejected in that genre. Don't they publish anything?" Ugh!
DeleteSending wishes for a quick recovery to your mother, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are that anyone who scoffs at writers of Romance, Sci-Fi, Paranormal, Fantasy, or the multitude of authors who write fiction not classified as "literary" do so out of ignorance. A lover of the written word would never automatically denounce a whole genre because of preconceived notions about its worthiness or based on one book. Call me a snob, but I think people like that are intellectually beneath all writers and I'd rather not associate with them.
I agree with you! We should be snobby toward THEM!
DeleteElizabeth, I'm lifting up your mom in prayer!!! You've had quite a summer.
ReplyDeleteI like all genres. When I get tired of reading YA , I skip over to romance, then fantasy, mystery, and so on. The romance genre is very hard to break into the top rankings because there's so many great authors out there writing it. I just read a romance novel by a pub. sister and loved it. A great book to read at the right time.
Whoever says they don't like the romance genre is lying. We all like romance in our personal lives and even reading a hardcore mystery book!!
I So agree, Cathrina. And anyone who isn't moved by a romantic story is really missing out.
DeleteElizabeth- I am sending prayers for your mom. Hope her breathing is getting better!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see Stephanie here today. I loved hearing about the romance group- what a great support system. Wishing Stephanie all the best. :)
~Jess
Praying for your mom to continue improving! I have two that started college this fall and it is a big adjustment!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, Piper seems like a great character!
Thank you, Kathryn!
DeleteMy romance pen name makes more than "I" do. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL, that says it all!
DeleteI have to admit, I have never actually read one.
ReplyDeleteI hope your mother continues to improve. That sounds so scary.
ReplyDeleteMy girls are only 10 and 12, but with all the fighting, sometimes college sounds absolutely wonderful. But when the time comes, I'm sure I miss them.
There is a book by the author of Beaches called When I Fall In Love that is one of my favorite books of all time. And I adored Me Before You. Those qualify as romance, right?
I absolutely must have that tee shirt today. If I don't get it, I may have to fall to the floor, kick my heels and scream.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have more good news on your mom's health soon
Yay to Stephanie! But I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Sending love your way. And congratulations on having amazing sons!!!
ReplyDeleteSo scary about your mom! Sending prayers heavenward for her.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Stephanie.
Hope your mum gets better very soon. Sounds like it's been a trying time.
ReplyDeleteI've read a few books that would be classified under romance, but I actually think it's the most all-pervading genre because most stories, whether they're sci-fi or horror, tend to have an element of romance somewhere. It should definitely get more respect!
Better late than never. Sometimes life steamrolls us, and we just have to inflate ourselves as we can.
ReplyDeleteStephanie! I love it! I think people rip on romance so much because it's the big kid in the arena. They think anyone can write it, which is SO not true. I've read epic romance fails. =) And I even finished some of them. *shrugs*
I hope your mom is doing better! And I hope life calms down for you too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to applaud romance writers. They have mad emotion-making skills I don't.