Why Do I Write Romance?
Why do I write romance?
The short answer is: because I like romance.
As a reader, romance is one of my favourite genres. I like it for two reasons. 1. Because it is very character focused, and 2. Because it isn’t afraid to play with tropes and popular ideas. There is nothing too strange, nerdy, or gay for romance. You want non-binary fairy werewolves working in a coffee shop on a space ship? Romance has you covered.
Well… maybe not for that exact story, but you get the idea.
Romance is also (despite what some people will tell you) a very versatile and challenging genre to write. It’s not easy to create characters which have both enough conflict to stay apart for most of the story and compelling reasons to come together in believable way at the end.
It’s a challenge, but it’s a fun one to rise up to.
That’s it for the short answer. Are you ready for the long answer?
The long answer is: I don’t just write romance.
I went to film school as a form of tertiary education and while there wrote a number of scripts ranging from quirky dramedy (a hybrid of drama and comedy) to grisly horror. Some of these scripts won awards which – while not especially prestigious – was incredibly motivating for me at the time.
But that’s not all. When I was a teenager I attempted a few epic fantasies and during several long weekends at home with my brother I even wrote him a couple of game scripts which he then used to make some 8-Bit adventures. He even voiced one. It’s truly a work of art.
However, I must admit, even in these non-romantic works, romances and other relationship driven plots tend to wiggle their way in. In hindsight it isn’t hard to see that I have always had a soft spot for people and the connections between them. Perhaps this is why I have ultimately made romance my home base… thought I retain the right to explore into other realms.
Finally, as one last little point I would like to make on this subject: as a queer woman and as a writer who matured in fandom, I find romance a much more comfortable sandpit to play in. I feel like I can make friends here and touch on things which would be taboo or just ‘not cool enough’ elsewhere. That was not a feeling I had when I was trying to break into TV script writing.
So that’s it! That’s why I write romance. What do you think? Do you agree with me? Do you have other reasons why you love the genre either as a writer or a reader (or both!)? Let me know in the comments and follow along with the rest of my book tour to learn more about me, my thoughts on writing, and my novella Cutie Pies, which is currently available where ebooks are sold.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Title: Cutie Pies by Barbara Bell
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic, Gay, Romance
Length: 121 pages/Word Count: 29,800
Summary:
Joey works at Cutie Pies, the smallest adult store in Sydney. After his parents kicked him out years ago, the haphazard shop became his home away from home and is the only place where he can embrace his queer, quirky, and—okay—sometimes a little awkward self.
When Mick, a new-to-town customer, walks in asking for a dildo, Joey thinks it’s all a part of the day’s work. Except Mick’s large dark eyes, shy smile, and kissable lips—along with the ten-inch dildo he bought—quickly win him a starring role in Joey’s nightly fantasies.
Joey can’t stop thinking about him, and Mick’s continued visits to the store make him even harder to forget. Mick is shy and sweet, but also secretive and uncertain. As the two grow closer together, Joey starts to wonder what Mick really wants from him, and whether he can risk falling in love with someone who might not be free to love him back.
Add to Goodreads.
Purchase Link: Riptide Publishing
Author Bio
Barbara Bell grew up on a sheep farm in rural Australia, moved to Brisbane when she was nineteen to study film, and now lives in Sydney with an ever changing cast of housemates and a colony of bees.
She is an avid traveller, a proud geek, and loves telling stories about human relationships and how strange and silly (but also beautiful) they can be. She began writing when she was eleven years old and believes it’s probably too late to break the habit now.
Author Links: Goodreads
Giveaway
To celebrate this release, one lucky winner will receive a copy of Cutie Pies! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on March 24, 2018. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries.
Congratulations on the release, Barbara. It sounds really good
susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds good can’t wait to read it.Love the cover.
jean60212@gmail.com
Looking forward to reading.
cvsimpkins@msn.com
Thank you for the post.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Thank you for the post. Good luck with the release!
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
I agree with you on why I read M/M romance. I would also add that I like to live vicariously through the characters as I don’t have love in my own life.
jlshannon74 at gmail.com
Thanks for sharing
I like reading romance as well as other genres; mystery, action, suspense, and more. Glad to have read your post and congratulations on your newest release!
taina1959 @ yahoo . com
Congrats. Sounds like a fantastic story. Can’t wait to read it.
iluvthebeach13(at)gmail(dot)com