Advice on Editing & Blair's Christmas Books

 Our family's Capital Room Bar is decorated from head to toe for Christmas, including "snow" in Florida. (You know you're in a really upscale bar when the menu of holiday cocktails comes in a Santa stocking.)

 On Friday, Nov. 29, my daughter, Susie, sang several sets of Christmas Music, accompanied by a jazz trio, at The Capital Room Bar. To view a short video, click here.

 

 ADVICE ON EDITING

This is far from the first time I’ve held forth on my particular method of editing, but as I plow my way through the creation of The Phantoms of Lark House (somewhere around Book #53), it seems like a good time to bring up this controversial subject yet again. I admit I haven’t read any “how to” manuals in a long time, but I suspect the advice has not changed much from when I was a beginner. Over and over, one sees (or hears), “Finish the @#$% book!”

Now this might be a good idea if you’re a procrastinator, if you find it difficult to make yourself sit down and write. I have never had that problem. Always a part-time author, I sit down six mornings our of seven—faithfully—and work on my current WIP. Some mornings, I am creating; others, editing. But I do it EVERY SINGLE DAY (except Sunday when I sing in the choir).

I have never followed the advice of “Just plow your way through the draft; edit later.” I cannot even imagine working that way. So, without looking at what I’ve previously written on the subject, below please find Grace/Blair’s method of editing.

EDITING AS YOU GO

WHAT IS EDITING?
    If you think your every word is perfect prose the first time around, you likely need an ego-ectomy. Admittedly, a few, a very few, authors are so prolific they must come close to that golden achievement, but 99% of authors don’t. Maybe 99.9% don’t. And you should never be upset you are among the vast majority who lay out words, puzzle over them, agonize over them, always striving to make them better—more colorful, more graphic, less cliché. We find places where we meant to get across a certain point, but somehow it never made it out of our head. The fix? We revise—changing, inserting whatever it takes to make it right.
    Or maybe we went off on a tangent, writing beautiful passages, none of which contribute  to the story—paragraphs that don’t move the story forward or give readers information they need to understand our characters or our plot.
    Editing is making your manuscript better.
    Editing again makes “better” sparkle.
    Editing is what lifts your story out of the mundane and makes it shine.

PREPARATION- before setting Word One to the Page.
    Plot. I have a general overall idea of the plot in my head. I scribble a few notes. (How my plotting method differs from the so-called “rules of writing” is a whole ’nother blog.)
    Characters. I begin my Character List with the names of the people who appear in my first scenes. (Really annoying to have to stop mid-sentence and create a name or leave a blank space to be filled in later.) I make an effort to add each new character to the formal Character List so I’m not caught, flat-footed, fishing for a name (or location) in later chapters.
    Setting. Having a basic setting fixed in your mind is essential. I may have an opening scene in the dark side of London, but I need to be ready to describe the great opening-up to the English countryside as my hero ventures out of the city. (Or your heroine comes to London, to Brighton, to a country house in Yorkshire, etc., etc.) Readers want not only to see your hero and/or heroine but the setting you create around them.

WRITING.
I never rush. Sometimes the words flow; sometimes, I sit there and play with one sentence or  a single paragraph, persisting until I find it at least passable. I usually manage one-third to one-half a scene at each sitting. (Again, I am a part-time author.)

EDITING.
Here is where my method differs radically from the common advice. I know from long experience that reading over my work shines an instant spotlight on where I could make it better. I may add a  single word, a sentence, a whole paragraph or two.

I edit hard copy, because that’s what works for me. (If you can edit on screen, fine.) I edit after EVERY CHAPTER.
I get out my angled lap table, red pen, highlighter; sharpen my pencils, and go to work—adding, deleting, clarifying, making a complete mess of my neatly typed pages. And yes, I’m then stuck with inputting all those changes. But, oh, the satisfaction of knowing the manuscript is now so much better.

Frankly, because each chapter builds on the ones that have gone before, I don’t see how anyone can wait until the end of a book to edit it. Surely so many juicy bits, even whole characters, could fall by the wayside. Not to mention that the thought of a FIRST edit of an entire manuscript makes me nauseous. Too big a task.

MORE EDITING.
After editng each chapter separately, I edit again after five chapters; i.e., I edit 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, etc., all the way to end of the book. Therefore, when I begin my first top-to-bottom read, I am on my THIRD edit of each scene.
I used to do only one full run-through. In recent years, I’ve done the top-to-bottom twice before running a final Spell Check and calling it quits.

Which Editing Approach is Right for You?
Only you can decide. My goal is to make newbie authors aware that there are DIFFERENT ways to edit. DO NOT let so-called “expert” advice turn you from the method that works best for you. I happen to believe “polish as you go and do it frequently” makes a better book, but if “dashing through a draft” keeps you from slowing to halt . . .

Nuff said. Stop, consider your options. GO!

~ * ~

For your Holiday reading . . .

Though A Gamble on Love was not written specifically for the holiday season, there is a long holiday scene in which many of the details are thanks to a class I took through the RWA's Beau Monde, lo, these many years ago.

 

Miss Aurelia Trevor has a problem. Until she reaches the age of twenty-five, she will have no control over her beloved Pevensey Park, and by that time her unscrupulous uncle will have run it into the ground. Marriage to someone other than her uncle's leering son is her only way out, but, one by one, she rejects the men on her list of suitors. In desperation, Aurelia does the unthinkable. She hires a solicitor to find her a husband strong enough to stand up to both her uncle and her cousin. And soon learns the truth of that old adage: Be careful what you wish for.

Thomas Lanning is a man of the City. Unlike Aurelia, who stands to inherit vast land and wealth, he has made his own place in the world. He is not at all tempted by the suggestion of marriage to an heiress, but other considerations, such as a power base for a seat in Parliament, tweak his interest. Plus an unexpected twinge of chivalry when he hears the full extent of Miss Trevor's difficulties with her uncle and his family.

Aurelia, who only wants to live in peace on her acres, finds she has acquired a ready-made family in Thomas's younger sister and brother, as well as a head-strong husband whose campaign for MP fills her household with a shockingly odd assortment of characters. It seems her marriage of convenience is fast becoming a marriage of inconvenience. Just how far will this strong-willed pair bend to accommodate each other? And will they do it before it's too late?

Below, two novellas, written for Christmas anthologies, both tending toward being tear-jerkers.

 After suffering social disaster at her very first ball—severely aggravated by the horror of an unfeeling family—Miss Pamela Ashburton hides herself in the country, expecting to live out her life as a spinster. Major Will Forsythe, injured in body and spirit at Waterloo, comes to the country to escape the concern of well-meaning relatives. Privacy, peace and quiet—that's all he wants. Until he meets a holiday sprite in search of mistletoe. And the Christmas spirit, in the form of a cluster of white berries, gives them both a second chance.

 

 Marriage, yes. Love, no. Lady Christine Ashworth's glorious Season in London comes to an abrupt close with the death of her father. Her home now belongs to someone else; her fiancé is conspicuous by his absence; and her younger sister is as miserable in their new home as she is. What can she do but accept an offer from the despised heir, even if Christine now considers all men anathema, particularly the perfect stranger who has taken her father's place?

Author's Note: This novella was first published in a Christmas anthology as THE LAST SURPRISE, but I always felt it needed more scope. Therefore, ten thousand-plus words have been added. A LADY LEARNS TO LOVE is a poignant tale of those faced with tragedy, amplified by unforeseen circumstances, who still manage to survive, aided by the spirit of Christmas.

~ * ~

For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For Blair's Facebook Author Page, click here.*

 

For recent blogs, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)  

Bon Mots & a Family Favorite Recipe

  

Thanksgiving 2024 at the Reales, Sanford, FL

Susie, Riley, Grace, Lionel, Mike, Carlos, Gloria, Cassidy, Hailey.

 Apologies for such a long delay between blogs, but Life intervened in a series of disasters:  being left to cope with the Shawl Committee's contributions to the Church Fall Fair alone, as everyone else was singing in a performance of the Messiah. Followed by two wasted afternoons due to my car's starter dying (waiting for AAA, waiting for Toyota to fix it). And then . . . my dishwasher died, only a month after a costly repair. No putting good money after bad—new dishwasher time. Followed by . . . Aargh! My Internet bit the dust on the afternoon before Thanksgiving. Thank goodness Spectrum sent someone right away when I reported the outage after the holiday. So I am now playing catch-up. Sigh. 

The following quote has been hanging fire since just after the Election, but, with all the most recent headlines, it seems even more applicable now than it was three weeks ago.

Below, a quote from the Reverend Friedrich Niemöller—written post-WWII & now a permanent part of the Holocaust Museum. These are words that apply to ALL. Insert whatever non-Aryan race, religion, non-accepted gender you choose. 

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.  

            ~ * ~

Last night at Thanksgiving with the family, my oldest granddaughter - the only one to see Wicked so far - was raving about it, showing Ariana Grande videos, etc., etc. Then, this afternoon, I got a Wicked meme from my daughter-in-law in Connecticut with the following message:

Since the Wicked premiere was last night, I think now is a good time to remind everyone that Wicked is a story about a weak man gaslighting an entire land into believing a woman was their enemy, all because she had the guts to try and stop him from silencing and stripping the rights of a significant part of the population, inherently political, and unfortunately, relevant.

My DIL also sent a meme of a traditional Pilgrim/Indian Thanksgiving dinner. The caption: 

 CELEBRATING THE DAY AMERICANS FED UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS FROM EUROPE.

~ * ~

FEATURED RECIPE

Back in September, for Riley's birthday, my daughter asked me (at the last minute) to make Bacon Bread. I groaned and told her I needed more notice. She shot back, "Thanksgiving!" So . . . 

Covid put "paid" to this family favorite, a pull-apart bread, where everyone just dives in and grabs. Sigh. But the time had come to revive Bacon Bread. I hunted out the recipe, acquired all the ingredients, and once again began to play with a recipe created for the earlier, smaller version of Pillsbury's Buttermilk Biscuits. Below, please find Bacon Bread 2024. (I guess this version was the best yet, as my son-in-law's mother and two of the grandgirls asked for the updated recipe.) Plus the entire Bundt-sized bread disappeared in record time. So here it is:

 

Pull-Apart Bacon Bread - 2024

The original recipe was for the 7.5 oz. Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits, almost impossible to find any more, so I have attempted to revise the original recipe, using “Grands.” Two “Grands” make quite a bit more dough than three of the smaller biscuit packages, so I have adjusted the other ingredients accordingly. Needless to say, there is quite a bit of leeway for you to adjust the recipe to your taste, including increasing the amount of bacon, which remains the same in this recipe as in the original. In this 2024 update, I have increased the amount of butter, cheddar & fresh herbs.

Grace Note: This recipe is much easier if you do the preparations ahead of time - several hours up to a whole day. Cook the bacon to crisp. Cool & crumble. (I cut the strips into quarters before frying.) Shred the cheese; chop the onion & pepper. Snip the herbs into small pieces. Refrigerate until an hour or two before putting the bread ring together.

Shortly before taking the biscuits out of the package, melt the butter. BUT allow enough time for butter to cool a bit, perhaps 10 minutes, or you will burn your fingers when you mix all ingredients "hands on."

FINAL PREPARATION:

Prepare a Bundt pan with a generous coating of solid shortening (such as Crisco), plus a dusting of flour.

1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup -optional)
1½ teaspoons vegetable or olive oil*
1 lb. bacon, cooked & crumbled
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1- 1½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Fresh herbs, chopped (if available)**
2 pkgs. (16.3 oz. ea.) Pillsbury “Grand” buttermilk biscuits

While vegies sauté, preheat oven to 350°.

Sauté onion & green pepper in oil until tender. Cut each biscuit into four sections. In a large bowl, gently toss onion & pepper mix, biscuits, bacon, butter, cheese & herbs, until combined. (This is a hands-on process—every biscuit piece needs to be thoroughly coated.) Transfer to Bundt pan, keeping mixture as evenly distributed as possible. Bake at 350° for c. 35  minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand for 5-10 minutes.(No longer or butter will harden, making it difficult to unmold.)  Carefully run table knife around the outer & inner edges of the bread before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Reheat in microwave before serving leftovers.


*I sauté the onion & green pepper in the bacon fat (pouring off all but what I need). But sautéing in olive oil would certainly be considered more healthy.

**rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil, oregano, dill, etc. (dry, if absolutely necessary)

~ * ~

There's a story behind this week's featured book, Paradise Burning (with crossover characters from Shadowed Paradise). The climax of the book is a major fire destroying huge tracts of pinewoods on Florida's Gulf Coast. When I wrote it, it was fiction. Two or three years later, it became fact, the very acres I wrote about going up in flames. 

Suffering from burn-out, Mandy Armitage, a vital member of her family's international investigations agency, is sent on a working vacation to Florida—as research assistant to a best-selling author. The only problem: the author is the husband she hasn't seen in five years. As if that weren't enough of a challenge, her assignment plunges her into the darkness of international human trafficking and the ruthless men who run it. As the world around her literally goes up in flames, the girl once known as Mandy Mouse metamorphoses into a dynamic, independent woman as she discovers how easily black and white can dissolve into shades of gray.

Author's Note: Although PARADISE BURNING is a stand-alone book, reading SHADOWED PARADISE first (which contains several cross-over characters) may add to your enjoyment.

~ * ~

For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For Blair's Facebook Author Page, click here.*

 

For recent blogs, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)  

 

 

REQUIEM

SWAMPED by Church's Fall Fair

(major contributor & "table-sitter")

Next Blog - November 30

(2 hours waiting for AAA on Friday, followed on Saturday by 

3½ hours at Toyota, so, sorry, no new blog until next week)

 

On the day after the election, my son sent me the following poem. The author is Dean Fiora, and that is all I know about the source. Although perhaps a bit overdramatic, it resonates with the bitter disappointment so many of us felt as the results came in. 

Who killed the country?

"I," said he president.

"A despot on day one,

"My reign has just begun.

"I killed the country."

 

"I," said the Congress.

"When you filled me with morons,

"Disaster was foregone.

"I killed the country."

Who killed the country?

"I," said the media.

"I kissed Donald's butt.

"And your throat is now cut.

"I killed the country."

Who killed the country?

"I," said the Russian.

"In your house horse race I meddled.

"Now you're in a fine fettle.

"I killed the country."

Who killed the country?

"I," said the billionaire.

"A president I've bought.

"Now the nation is fraught.

"I killed the country."

Who killed the country?

"I," said the Supreme Court.

"I took away your rights,

"And now you've lost the fight.

"I killed the country."

 

Who killed the country?

"I," said the insurance company.

"All your claims I denied,

"Thought you got sick and died.

"I killed the country."

 

Who killed the country?

"I," said Big Oil.

"My gunk filled th oceans,

"Setting slow death in motion.

"I killed the country."

Who killed the country?

"I," said the corporation.

"My carbon emissions,

"Led to clime demolition.

"I killed the country."

"We," said the people.

"We disdained education,

"Which helped murder the nation.

"We killed the country."

~ * ~ 

Below, from Facebook:

~ * ~

Life must go on, so next week, back to normal, 

including Gallery & Book Promo!

 

~ * ~

For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For Blair's Facebook Author Page, click here.*

 

For recent blogs, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)   

 

Helene, Milton & Why Read Romance

 FLORIDA - HURRICANE CENTRAL

It's been a rough few weeks. Just tonight, the TV news mentioned "a quarter BILLION dollars" damage in Florida from Helene and Milton. This includes total devastation along the Florida Gulf Coast, both storm surge and surge in the Venice area, where I lived for 25 years before moving to the Orlando area to be near the grandchildren. Many properties along the barrier islands were left with three or more feet of sand in the houses, at least one buried almost to the roof level. In addition, every river and stream flooded from the deluge, causing severe water damage to homes throughout Central Florida, including right here in Seminole County, 20 miles north of Orlando. I, thank goodness, live on top of a "Florida hill" (recognizable only because water flows away from it in all directions). And my house managed the wind with only one shingle down and a power loss of maybe 18 hours. (After a series of off-on again Wednesday evening, power failed completely while I was sleeping, coming back on at 6:30 pm Thursday night—definitely among the first in the area to be restored.) I am infinitely grateful for being spared. And praying for the thousands who have lost everything, their homes and businesses pulverized by the one-two punch of back-to-back hurricanes.

However, I have to admit that even though my house and I were spared, preparing for the storms, enduring them, living without electricity, putting everything back where it was before the storms blew through was more wearing than in my younger days. So don't be surprised by hurricane pics in the Gallery or by my delving into Making Magic With Words for an oldie but goodie for this week's blog. "Why Read Romance" is the first "romance" article I ever wrote - created long before the days of my first blog. You will find it below, as originally written somewhere between 2004 and 2010. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This is an article aimed at MEN as well as women. Life would be a lot happier if, instead of throwing up their hands in horror, men realized that not all romance novels are super soggy soap operas; that many illustrate behavior that can be both macho and caring. And help them maintain better relationships with the women in their lives. Therefore, GUYS, take a peek. You might learn something!

Found on Facebook:

 Below, my daughter's roof in Sanford, FL. The wind was strong enough to hammer tree branches through the roof like a hammer drives a nail. Water poured in. They're living with a tarp on the roof.

I missed similar damage in Longwood by a whisker—well, by 2 houses. Fortunately, my only trees are low-height flowering trees and 3 palms. Two houses down, the most significant debris pile in Longwood. Two huge oaks came down as Milton passed through (and were cleared to the side of the road early in the morning in order to open the road.) The piles of branches and tree trunks was just carted off this morning (two weeks later), leaving a huge hole in our subdivision's fence and a mess in the backyard that the poor owner will have to pay to clean up. The photo was taken by my oldest granddaughter when she and her sister picked up my yard the day after the storm. The girls came inside, wide-eyed over the debris pile along E E Williamson, and asking permission to add my debris the piles along the road instead of the longer trek to my front yard. After seeing the photo, I told them told to go ahead. My few branches weren't going to add much to the near block-long pile of debris. Below, Hailey's pic of the debris pile behind my house.

 For all those who live in areas where power outages are likely to occur, I heartily recommend the flashlight in the picture below. (I have two of them.) I put one on a cord so I can wear it around my neck. And what a comfort it was during the period when the power kept going in and out, as well as when it was entirely off. It's only 3½" but has a powerful beam. A really handy comfort in a time of need. I can't remember where I got it, but I checked Amazon and they have a brilliant-colored 4-pack for a very reasonable price. 

The last pic in this week's gallery is one that pops up from time to time on Facebook. I post it with the hurricane pics as it has a message as powerful as Helene and Milton combined. Take it to heart! 

WHY READ ROMANCE?

Date of original post to Grace's Mosaic Moments:  May 24, 2014 

Below, original Foreword


Many years ago, the first article I wrote for my website—long before the era of blogs—was entitled "Why Read Romance?" Years later, it was updated for the Blush Blog at Ellora's Cave, and this week I am posting it to Mosaic Moments as something you can wave in front of the noses of all those people, both male and female, who scorn the romance genre. I hope you enjoy it.

WHY READ ROMANCE?

Have you ever had someone glance at the paperback you were reading and declare scornfully, “I never read romance!” Or perhaps you’re an author sitting hopefully at a book-signing, eager to show off your baby, and someone says exactly the same thing.

Let me tell you, it’s worse than rude. It’s downright cutting.

But, Romance Lovers, don’t rush out to buy a book cover or turn to reading exclusively on electronic devices (to hide your habit). Hold your head high and know you are among the majority of readers and/or authors in the country. Romance is Big Business, outselling all other genres rolled into one.

My personal response to those who ask why I write Romance is that I have always liked Happily Ever After endings. There is so much angst in the world, including in my own life, that my inner self absolutely requires a pick-me-up, and that’s what Romance does. It plunges the characters into major conflicts then drags them out again, reassuring us that life can be beautiful—even if we are still struggling to get to that point.

More than a decade ago, I wrote my first version of  “Why Read Romance” (an article posted to my very first website). Through the years I’ve updated it a time or two, but very little of the article you see below has changed. The joys of Romance remain the same, whether we’re indulging in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Mystery/Suspense, Historical Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Futuristic (Romantic SciFi), or any of the other sub-genres of Romance. (Whether you’re reading a 40,000-word novella or a 100,000-word “Mainstream.”)

Men indulge in sports, tinkering with machines, and a variety of other hobbies, to get away from the stresses of daily life. I suggest that women read Romance for the same reason. We find pleasure in it, and it takes our minds off our personal problems. I’d go so far as to say, reading Romance is a prescription for improved mental health!

If you need an argument for the die-hard skeptics, however, let’s take a moment to analyze the situation. Here’s how I saw it long ago, and nothing since has changed my mind.

                                                            

First of all, whoever said “Love makes the world go round” wasn’t lying. Real Women aren’t afraid to admit it, while so-called Real Men are generally terrified of it. Real Women read Romance because that prized quality called “Heart” lies at the basis of every relationship. We want it, we seek it, we grasp it. We hang on for dear life. For the world would be a cold, dark place with out Love.

Admittedly, women’s approach to Love could be likened to a rifle. Men . . . well, maybe a shotgun comes closer to the mark. Women like to read about Love. Men would rather do it, thank you very much. Nonetheless, the emotions on both sides of the gender gap are powerful. I would suggest, however, that gentlemen could learn a thing or two from reading Romance.

Big question: Does Love work for everyone? Does it stay new-minted, bright and shiny, dazzling in its intensity?

Probably not. But for many, new love settles into a stronger, more lasting emotion, into warmth, companionship, and respect that lasts a lifetime. Yet women fortunate enough to be part of that relationship still enjoy the nostalgia of reading about those precious first moments, those early days when love was uncertain, agonizing, or downright disastrous. Or when it was a sea of fresh discoveries, exquisite torture of the senses.

And then there are those who, for a variety of reasons, live without vivid memories of love’s halcyon days. For them reading Romance provides glimpses of the intense moments they missed  and inspires hope that those special moments are still to come.

For the rest—those who lost their beloved partners through death, divorce, or desertion. For them, reading Romance can bring back the beauty of when Love was new or, like those who never knew Love, inspire hope for the future. Failing all else, reading a book that ends with Happily Ever After can provide pleasure even for those who know Love will not come to them again.

Love—or reading about it—can perk up a day faster than a bowl of ice cream - with fudge topping.

For some reason—probably the eons-long domination of writing by Men, all the so-called Great Romances are tragedies. (As in Romeo & Juliet, Arthur & Guinevere, Tristan & Isolde, not to mention some contemporary novels, mislabeled “romance” and also written by men.) But finally, in the last two decades, women have begun to write the stories they want to read. And now there are thousands of books about women who learned to cope with conflict, come out on the other side of personal difficulties, and do what had to be done to find the right person to share their lives.

These are the people we should praise. Forget Romeo and Juliet, who mismanaged things badly and never made it out of their teens. To me, that’s not Romance. I look to Jane and Joe Schmo who survived.  And raised their children to be able to love and be loved. Jane and Joe who paid the Mortgage and Dental Bills. Taxes. College. The next generation’s Weddings.

No wonder Jane wants to put her feet up and settle down with a good Romance! Yes, sometimes we all need reminding of those first bright days of love when Joe wasn’t quite so devoted to golfing, fishing, or couch-potatoing. We open a book . . . and there before us is that marvelous Regency gentleman with his impeccable manners . . . or the dashing and untamed Scottish chieftain. We sigh over that pillar of rugged individualism, the American cowboy. Hunky cops and daring men of the Special Forces. Lawyers, doctors, firemen, and businessmen as well. And we just might get an idea or three about putting Romance back in our lives.

As for the women who say they never read Romance—ah, ladies, you have no idea what you’re missing. Pull up a chair, sit down, relax, and try on a Romance. Who knows, a good Romance just might inspire Mellow where it would do the most good.

The many Romances available range from Short & Sweet to Sexy & Sassy. From Thrillers and Suspense to Vampires, Fairies, and Outer Space. From Comedy to Drama and every nuance in between. But they have one thing in common: a happy ending.

As I always tell people, “There are enough problems in this world. I don’t want to read about them when reading for pleasure. I write books with happy endings and I want to read books with happy endings. These books buoy up my day, my week, my year, my life. No matter how dark the world around me, they keep me going. My heart tells me it’s not all fiction.

First of all, whoever said “Love makes the world go round” wasn’t lying. Real Women aren’t afraid to admit it, while so-called Real Men are generally terrified of it. Real Women read Romance because that prized quality called “Heart” lies at the basis of every relationship. We want it, we seek it, we grasp it. We hang on for dear life. For the world would be a cold, dark place with out Love.

Admittedly, women’s approach to Love could be likened to a rifle. Men . . . well, maybe a shotgun comes closer to the mark. Women like to read about Love. Men would rather do it, thank you very much. Nonetheless, the emotions on both sides of the gender gap are powerful. I would suggest, however, that gentlemen could learn a thing or two from reading Romance.

Big question: Does Love work for everyone? Does it stay new-minted, bright and shiny, dazzling in its intensity?

Probably not. But for many, new love settles into a stronger, more lasting emotion, into warmth, companionship, and respect that lasts a lifetime. Yet women fortunate enough to be part of that relationship still enjoy the nostalgia of reading about those precious first moments, those early days when love was uncertain, agonizing, or downright disastrous. Or when it was a sea of fresh discoveries, exquisite torture of the senses.

And then there are those who, for a variety of reasons, live without vivid memories of love’s halcyon days. For them reading Romance provides glimpses of the intense moments they missed  and inspires hope that those special moments are still to come.

For the rest—those who lost their beloved partners through death, divorce, or desertion. For them, reading Romance can bring back the beauty of when Love was new or, like those who never knew Love, inspire hope for the future. Failing all else, reading a book that ends with Happily Ever After can provide pleasure even for those who know Love will not come to them again.

Love—or reading about it—can perk up a day faster than a bowl of ice cream - with fudge topping.

For some reason—probably the eons-long domination of writing by Men, all the so-called Great Romances are tragedies. (As in Romeo & Juliet, Arthur & Guinevere, Tristan & Isolde, not to mention some contemporary novels, mislabeled “romance” and also written by men.) But finally, in the last two decades, women have begun to write the stories they want to read. And now there are thousands of books about women who learned to cope with conflict, come out on the other side of personal difficulties, and do what had to be done to find the right person to share their lives.

These are the people we should praise. Forget Romeo and Juliet, who mismanaged things badly and never made it out of their teens. To me, that’s not Romance. I look to Jane and Joe Schmo who survived.  And raised their children to be able to love and be loved. Jane and Joe who paid the Mortgage and Dental Bills. Taxes. College. The next generation’s Weddings.

No wonder Jane wants to put her feet up and settle down with a good Romance! Yes, sometimes we all need reminding of those first bright days of love when Joe wasn’t quite so devoted to golfing, fishing, or couch-potatoing. We open a book . . . and there before us is that marvelous Regency gentleman with his impeccable manners . . . or the dashing and untamed Scottish chieftain. We sigh over that pillar of rugged individualism, the American cowboy. Hunky cops and daring men of the Special Forces. Lawyers, doctors, firemen, and businessmen as well. And we just might get an idea or three about putting Romance back in our lives.

As for the women who say they never read Romance—ah, ladies, you have no idea what you’re missing. Pull up a chair, sit down, relax, and try on a Romance. Who knows, a good Romance just might inspire Mellow where it would do the most good.

The many Romances available range from Short & Sweet to Sexy & Sassy. From Thrillers and Suspense to Vampires, Fairies, and Outer Space. From Comedy to Drama and every nuance in between. But they have one thing in common: a happy ending.

As I always tell people, “There are enough problems in this world. I don’t want to read about them when reading for pleasure. I write books with happy endings and I want to read books with happy endings. These books buoy up my day, my week, my year, my life. No matter how dark the world around me, they keep me going. My heart tells me it’s not all fiction.

 

~ * ~

For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For Blair's Facebook Author Page, click here.*

*with new posts 

For recent blogs, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)