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Hedlund"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/-\/Romance?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=3"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Romance"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/-\/Romance\/-\/Romance?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=4\u0026max-results=3"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"4"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"3"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-1225518786485118369"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-21T06:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-07-23T10:33:53.400-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Romance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"3 Main Reasons Why People Read Romance Novels"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JQLB4D0WVno\/Va21ePju44I\/AAAAAAAAE38\/u9ge9cV_CzQ\/s1600\/Why%2BPeople%2BRead%2BRomances.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JQLB4D0WVno\/Va21ePju44I\/AAAAAAAAE38\/u9ge9cV_CzQ\/s400\/Why%2BPeople%2BRead%2BRomances.jpg\" width=\"286\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund,\u0026nbsp;@JodyHedlund\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm a historical romance writer of both teen and adult books. In fact, even my upcoming historicals (which are not categorized as romances) are based on the love stories of important historical figures. For example my historical, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.com\/books\/luther-katharina-a-novel-of-love-and-rebellion\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELuther \u0026amp; Katharina\u003C\/a\u003E, which releases in October is centered on Martin Luther  (the founder of the Lutheran church) who was a monk but ended up marrying a runaway nun, Katharina von Bora. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI was utterly fascinated by their love story and decided it needed to be retold to our modern generation. \u003Cb\u003ESo one of the reasons I write romances is because I love bringing to life real love stories of the past\u003C\/b\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAnother reason I write romances is that I want to be able to present healthy models of love, chivalry, and passion to a hurting and broken culture.\u003C\/b\u003E No, my characters aren't perfect and they have real problems. But all of us can benefit from watching imperfect couples work through issues and come out on the other side stronger as a result. Such models give us a picture of what hopeful and healthy relationships look like, the kinds of relationships that we can aspire to. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis past week I asked my readers over on Facebook to share why they read romances.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uy5WgqiTN3k\/Va2xrppGSQI\/AAAAAAAAE3w\/TgSK3LFUwuw\/s1600\/WhyLoveStoriesJH.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uy5WgqiTN3k\/Va2xrppGSQI\/AAAAAAAAE3w\/TgSK3LFUwuw\/s400\/WhyLoveStoriesJH.jpg\" width=\"257\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003EI categorized their answers into three main categories:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. To escape from reality:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"Everyday life is serious business. TV is getting hard to watch. It's enjoyable to read a good romance story which takes you away from all of this.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Pure escapism. Everybody's beautiful and you know it will work out perfectly.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Love stories and those happily-ever-afters trigger my endorphins or something...Romance novels are my Prozac.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"To escape and get lost in a good sweet heart stopping story between two great characters who get their happily-ever-after.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Relaxing.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. To glean inspiration for everyday life:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"The challenges the couple has and the steadfastness of their faith in God and in each other is what draws me to the story in the first place. No one is without some challenge in their life so it is always encouraging to find couples who work through and persevere.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"I love that most romance is about two people who come together even with seemingly insurmountable odds against them. Gives hope.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Hope. Overcoming obstacles, lives changing... it's hope in action\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Christian romance is helpful to your everyday life.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. To live vicariously through the characters:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"I enjoy  romances because I can live vicariously through the characters and have what I don't have right now!\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Because my love life is dead\/non-existent.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"It's what I want in life. A man who loves the Lord and loves me!\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E \u003Ci\u003E\"Dreaming.\"\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI appreciated all of the feedback. \u003Cb\u003EIt reminded me that as a romance writer I need to keep these three points in mind as I'm crafting my stories:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. Readers want stories that transcend reality.\u003C\/b\u003E They want heroes and heroines that rise above normalcy, who overcome problems, and who find victory (or are at least on their way to finding it). Readers face failure too often in real life that they read to find hope that perhaps they too can overcome and find victory. So romance writers must give readers the fairy-tale with the happily-ever-after.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. Readers want stories that inspire them.\u003C\/b\u003E As I mentioned, one of the main reasons I write romances is so that my characters can model healthy relationship skills, sacrificial love, and how to overcome obstacles without giving up hope. While I never \"preach\" at my readers, I do weave in themes and nuggets of wisdom that readers can take away when they close the book.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. Readers want characters that are alive.\u003C\/b\u003E Part of the key in bringing characters to life is to have them act out their hurts and problems. Have them grapple with real struggles that readers can relate to. But we can't only show them \u003Ci\u003Eacting\u003C\/i\u003E, but we have to show them \u003Ci\u003Efeeling\u003C\/i\u003E that frustration, pain, and anger. Then in the end, we have to help them reach a point where they've grown, where they're in a better place emotionally than when the story started.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMy Summary: \u003C\/b\u003EClearly readers want to be entertained when they read (much the same way movie-goers want to be entertained). But readers (particularly romance readers) have other expectations too. To engage and please our readers to the fullest, we'd do best to pay attention to what they want!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESo what about YOU? Why do you read (or write) love stories?\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1225518786485118369\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/3-main-reasons-why-people-read-romance.html#comment-form","title":"72 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/1225518786485118369"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/1225518786485118369"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/3-main-reasons-why-people-read-romance.html","title":"3 Main Reasons Why People Read Romance Novels"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JQLB4D0WVno\/Va21ePju44I\/AAAAAAAAE38\/u9ge9cV_CzQ\/s72-c\/Why%2BPeople%2BRead%2BRomances.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-1062858087603431139"},"published":{"$t":"2013-09-17T06:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-09-17T12:09:36.510-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Craft of Writing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Romance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"5 Elements Sigh-Worthy Romance Novels Must Have"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kT9nr_Xvld4\/UjTF3ot02KI\/AAAAAAAADrw\/IhJIL2gRzgk\/s1600\/MP900442424.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"215\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kT9nr_Xvld4\/UjTF3ot02KI\/AAAAAAAADrw\/IhJIL2gRzgk\/s320\/MP900442424.JPG\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund,\u0026nbsp;@JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm a romance novelist. Yes, I also write historical fiction. But I consider myself a romance novelist\u003Ci\u003E first\u003C\/i\u003E and a historical writer \u003Ci\u003Esecond\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhy?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWell first, \u003Cb\u003EI love reading romances of any genre.\u003C\/b\u003E This past summer I went on a binge and read dystopian and fantasy YA romances (books like \u003Ci\u003EThe Selection\u003C\/i\u003E by Kiera Kass, \u003Ci\u003EBeastly\u003C\/i\u003E by Alex Finn, \u003Ci\u003EDelirium\u003C\/i\u003E by Lauren Oliver). Partly I wanted to be aware of what my teen daughters are reading. And partly I like reading sweet (clean) romances and know I can \u003Ci\u003Eusually\u003C\/i\u003E get that in a YA book .\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESecond, I consider myself a romance novelist (versus historical novelist) because when I dabble with writing in other genres,\u003Cb\u003E my stories always end up with a romance element\u003C\/b\u003E. It seems to come out whether I'm writing contemporary or YA or historical.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMost of the time readers appreciate the romance aspects of my books. Occasionally I get complaints like: \"for a historical it was too romance-y.\" But overall I've gotten a positive response to the sizzle of the romance in my books. My characters aren't pulling one another's clothes off, but the romantic tension is there nonetheless.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAny time I finish reading a romance novel, I sit back and muse over elements I liked or didn't like. And if I move the book to my favorite's shelf, I ask myself\u003Cb\u003E what was it about the romance that hooked me\u003C\/b\u003E?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA romance novel usually has to have several key elements to make it to my \"keeper\" shelf. These elements might cause some readers or writers to  classify romances as \"formulaic.\" But essentially, \u003Cb\u003Ethose tried-and-true elements are the building blocks for penning a winning romance. \u003C\/b\u003EThey're the things romance readers expect, love, and essentially why they pick up a romance in the first place.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe 5 elements sigh-worthy romance novels must have\u003C\/b\u003E:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kRVj-qhJRFA\/UjTMJ2w6NdI\/AAAAAAAADsA\/Jt1EC1Rj8i8\/s1600\/Romance+Elements.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kRVj-qhJRFA\/UjTMJ2w6NdI\/AAAAAAAADsA\/Jt1EC1Rj8i8\/s400\/Romance+Elements.jpg\" width=\"287\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. Both the hero and heroine must be likeable\u003C\/b\u003E. The reader must be able to fall in love with the hero right along with the heroine. He has to be the kind of guy that melts readers' hearts. Sure he has to be flawed, but in such a way that readers still love him.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd the reader must also be able to cheer for the heroine. She can be many things, even a feisty tomboy. Certainly not perfect. But she has to be the type of woman our readers would aspire to be.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. The hero and heroine must meet early in the story. \u003C\/b\u003EIt's best if our two main characters meet within the first chapter or two. Even if we have a love triangle, readers still like to know which man they're rooting for.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis goes back to the above point. Readers want to fall in love with the hero. And if they don't know who he is, then it's harder for them to relate to the romance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. A barrier must keep the hero and heroine from finding true love together until the end\u003C\/b\u003E. In fact, there could be \u003Ci\u003Emany \u003C\/i\u003Ebarriers standing between the two keeping them physically, emotionally, and relationally apart.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EReaders have told me one they're usually disappointed when all those barriers fall away and the hero and heroine \"get together\"\u003Ci\u003E too soon\u003C\/i\u003E in the novel. It lets down the tension and doesn't give the reader a reason to keep flipping pages, no matter how strong the rest of the plot might be.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KwqWEbnX59Q\/Ujex6v4B23I\/AAAAAAAADsQ\/d0LoKS7CspE\/s1600\/3a6ff6af8158fc790e3db051c245f31f.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KwqWEbnX59Q\/Ujex6v4B23I\/AAAAAAAADsQ\/d0LoKS7CspE\/s320\/3a6ff6af8158fc790e3db051c245f31f.jpg\" width=\"213\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDrawing by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.strikingly.com\/artbyamyblake#about-me\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmy Blake\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4. The romantic tension must be strong and gradually increase throughout the book.\u003C\/b\u003E Obviously, a romance must have romantic moments between the hero and heroine. That doesn't have to mean we have to load our books with kissing or sex. My books have very few kisses and no sex, and yet I weave in a lot of sizzle.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also intentionally find ways to put my characters into romantic situations that fit with each unique story.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor example, in \u003Ci\u003ERebellious Heart\u003C\/i\u003E, the hero Ben is the son of a shoemaker. At one point early in the story, I have him take the heroine's foot measurements. I shaped the scene to show the growing attraction between the two as she exposes her ankle and he touches her foot. With each scene after that, I keep putting them together in situations where that attraction has the chance to continue growing and deepening.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5. The romance must come to a satisfying conclusion (aka happily-ever-after).\u003C\/b\u003E The couple must get together by the end of the book. They must overcome all the barriers that have kept them apart. They have to fall in love. And they have to want to be together forever. Period.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn fact, the ending really should be \u003Ci\u003Esigh-worthy\u003C\/i\u003E. When the reader closes the book, we want them smiling in ultimate satisfaction because they're happy the hero and heroine overcame great obstacles, defeated the antagonist, grew in character as a result, and in the end found true love.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIs there anything you'd add to my list of must-haves for a romance? Do you think romance novels have become too formulaic?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E*A BIG thank you to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com\/2013\/09\/15\/rebellious-heart-art\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECatherine Johnson\u003C\/a\u003E for hosting a Rebellious Heart Art show! Several artists drew likenesses of the cover like the one above. To see more, head over to Catherine's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/catherinepics\/rebellious-heart-art\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERebellious Heart Art board\u003C\/a\u003E on Pinterest or my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/jodyhedlund\/novel-rebellious-heart\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERebellious Heart novel board\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1062858087603431139\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2013\/09\/5-elements-sigh-worthy-romance-novels.html#comment-form","title":"51 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/1062858087603431139"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/1062858087603431139"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2013\/09\/5-elements-sigh-worthy-romance-novels.html","title":"5 Elements Sigh-Worthy Romance Novels Must Have"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kT9nr_Xvld4\/UjTF3ot02KI\/AAAAAAAADrw\/IhJIL2gRzgk\/s72-c\/MP900442424.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"51"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-7937821640308883073"},"published":{"$t":"2013-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-02-14T06:29:00.486-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Romance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"What Makes a Romance Novel Truly Romantic?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/images\/results.aspx?qu=romance\u0026amp;ex=1#ai:MP900441002|\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"213\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TUnsjtpTDXE\/URZnWvkjhaI\/AAAAAAAAC_g\/PLknfLjXfms\/s320\/MP900441002.JPG\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBy Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund \u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESince it's Valentine's Day today, I couldn't resist a post about romance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI admit. I love romance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI love romance in real life. I love it in movies. I love hearing sigh-worthy news from friends. And I absolutely love romance in books.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere's just something in most of us—especially women—that draws us to the sweetness, tenderness, and self-sacrifice that goes into building a happy, satisfying relationship. We crave that in our own lives. And we also find pleasure in seeing it in others.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EObviously that's one of the reasons I'm drawn to writing and reading romance books.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut what goes into making a delightful romance story? What makes a romance novel truly romantic?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELately I've had to do a lot of reading for a nationwide contest that I'm judging for published romance books. Plus I've also been listening to the audible book for \u003Ci\u003EJane Eyre\u003C\/i\u003E on my ipod.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat I've noticed in all this reading is that the romance genre encompasses a wide spectrum of displaying sensuality. There's everything from closed-bedroom-door sensuality all the way to the open-door-and-then-some.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you've read my books, you'll know mine are the closed-bedroom type. That doesn't mean that the book lacks spice or spark. I've been told by more than one reader that I'm good at adding sexual tension without the sex.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhatever the case, let me state the obvious: sex does not equal romance.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn other words, dropping a bunch of sex into a book doesn't make it more romantic than a book with less. And the opposite is true as well—closing the bedroom door doesn't mean the author is focusing more on the romance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe romantic element of a relationship is entirely different from than the physical. Romance is the back-and-forth caring, doing those things that woo someone's heart, and having a certain amount of chivalry or nobleness—particularly from the hero.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn all the books I've been reading lately, I like the ones that develop the romance aspect, regardless of the sensuality or lack thereof. \u003Cb\u003EI enjoy stories best when the author takes the time to build the romantic relationship, to show the love gradually growing, to have the couple doing kind things for one another, engaging in warm conversations, and getting to know one another.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOh sure, I like a heart-stopping kiss or pulse-pounding encounter. But more than that, I like when the characters actively do things that show they care for each other. That could be something as simple as a bouquet of flowers. But it could also mean a special picnic, evening out, or even a flamboyant date night.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat makes a romance even more sigh-worthy (in my opinion), is when the hero recognizes how special the heroine is and SHOWS her in the various things he does for her, the ways he protects her, or the tenderness with which he cherishes her.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor example, in \u003Ci\u003EA Noble Groom\u003C\/i\u003E (my book releasing in April), the hero notices that the heroine is secretly hiding money in a crock under her bed. Unknown by her, he begins to add money to her supply. Of course she eventually discovers what he's doing and is touched by it, especially since it's the complete opposite of what her deceased husband used to do—steal from the crock and gamble away the savings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe hero does something chivalrous and sweet. While those kind of romantic moments happen all too infrequently in the daily grind of real life, we're still drawn to that kind of display of caring because it mirrors the longing inside us for deeper connections and more loving relationships.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESo what makes a romance truly romantic? \u003C\/b\u003EWhether the bedroom is closed or not, \u003Cb\u003Ea good romance has at its heart a loving exchange of kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness\u003C\/b\u003E. It exemplifies what relationships were meant to be like, and perhaps \u003Ci\u003Ecan\u003C\/i\u003E be like, if we put forth the effort.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo celebrate romance, \u003Cb\u003EI'm giving away an early copy of \u003Ci\u003EThe Noble Groom\u003C\/i\u003E (releasing April 1)\u003C\/b\u003E! \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E (Deadline to enter giveaway: Wed. Feb. 27 midnight; US addresses only. Winner will be announced on the Thurs. Feb. 28 post.\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E \u003C\/b\u003EBook will ship to winner in early March\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E.)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ETo enter your name into the drawing, \u003Cb\u003Eleave a comment telling us the most romantic moment you've experience\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Ed! Or answer this que\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Es\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Etion: What makes a romance truly \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Eromantic to you? \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E(Make sure to \u003Cb\u003Eleave your email address \u003C\/b\u003Ewith your comment so that I can not\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Eify you if you win\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E.)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ESending you all lots of LOVE this Valentine's Day! \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7937821640308883073\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2013\/02\/what-makes-romance-novel-truly-romantic.html#comment-form","title":"54 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/7937821640308883073"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8539581256374625880\/posts\/default\/7937821640308883073"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/jodyhedlund.blogspot.com\/2013\/02\/what-makes-romance-novel-truly-romantic.html","title":"What Makes a Romance Novel Truly Romantic?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Jody Hedlund"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/12424307540530719614"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TUnsjtpTDXE\/URZnWvkjhaI\/AAAAAAAAC_g\/PLknfLjXfms\/s72-c\/MP900441002.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"54"}}]}});