Author: Sreelata Menon
Isn’t it strange that despite the popularity of ‘romantic fiction’ it is still considered ‘infra dig’ to say the least? Why are avid readers of Mills and Boon and Harlequin so sheepish about admitting how much they enjoy them? Why do successful romance writers appear almost apologetic for having written them? Is it something to do with the way we view romance?
Every book has a liberal dose of romance in some form or the other, yet most critics and readers are not only apologetic about this genre they are almost ruefully contemptuous about it too. Is it because romance and romantic notions, so much a part of our lives are considered weak and inconsequential?
If so, many a reputed author Thomas Hardy, even good old Shakespeare would have been hung up to dry long ago! The element of romance or love is what has driven most classics to iconic status. Most would never have made the grade but for it! So what ails romantic fiction?
Quality of Writing
It is perhaps the quality of writing.
Let’s take the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen. Georgette Heyer, and currently Barbara Cartland-Anything wrong with their quality? It isn’t as if they had it easy too while claiming respectability as writers.
It couldn’t be gender bias then could it? Seemingly most romantic writers are women. Is it a ‘conditioning’ thing like ‘girls play with dolls- boys don’t’? Undeniably more women enjoy reading romantic fiction than men. But women too are no less serious minded than men so if ‘romance’ is light-weight and frivolous how do you explain their popularity? If ‘love’ and happy endings are only for the fey and silly and not for the stern, serious and sober it would stand to reason then that more than half the reading population is thus mentally challenged.
It could be the ‘happy endings’ then. All worthwhile stories would have an element of surprise or mystery that needs to be discovered by the reader and an already prescribed happy ending does not vouchsafe that! So perhaps what works in its favor is also what works against it.
Not a ‘Dumb ‘Read
And all those who don’t read them at all tend to put them down as a ‘dumb’ read in comparison to other genres.
Which in fact it isn’t.
Granted it is no Gulag Archipelago but if only these armchair critics would spare a serious thought, they would realize that:
* The romantic novel is in fact more intelligently plotted than others.
* It has probably more credible characters weaving in and out of plots and sub plots than most.
* Its characters need considerably more fleshing out and thought.
* The story-line needs to keep the reader involved just as much as other genres.
* It needs to hold and carry the reader along with it just as much as a mystery or a crime novel.
* It is also more difficult to write despite what people think.
* To keep to a predetermined outline and yet be creative and versatile is no mean task.
* And to keep it straight and uncomplicated is as much a necessity here as in any other kind of writing.
* It tells us all about emotions and expectations. Of pain and happiness .Of trials and tribulations.
* It also educates.
* Yes but all in the single minded pursuit of achieving a ‘coming together’ with an ordained partner. A Happy Ending!
But that shouldn’t make it any less important a genre. Should it?
The quality of writing and the power of thought should speak for itself like books in other genres. Just because the general plot is known beforehand is no reason to treat it with such scornful disdain. It has no great literary pretensions its true but nor is it pulp either. Even today’s highly popular well-written urban romances are referred to derogatively as ‘chick-lit.’
Yes certain known, tried and trusted ingredients go to make a good romantic novel. It is a well patented formula that forms the outline of every such work. But to work around it imbuing it with new locales, new colors, impressions and new traits is a skill not every one can master. Even a one-off Booker prize winner! It is as light or as heavy as any genre of writing. Nothing more nothing less.
Therefore instead of being panned ‘romance’ writers and perhaps ‘chick-lit’ churners need to be appreciated and greatly applauded for their consummate ability to create a socio diary of sorts. For ‘Romantic Fiction’ is a true reflection of our times just as it was and has been.
So if you are one of those who can write romantic fiction. Forget the critics. Do go write your romantic best seller. Not everybody can!
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