June 9, 2016 · 11:10 am
Please help me welcome today’s guest, Elaine Cantrell:
Why I Write Romance Novels
Writing is so much fun. If you’re thinking of writing a book, one of the first things you’ll need to do is pick a genre. I picked romance. Out of all the genres out there, why did I pick romance? Plenty of people write romance so there’s a lot of competition out there.
Well, I picked it for several reasons. First of all, I think most folks are fighting some kind of battle in their lives. Maybe they’re in a relationship that went bad, and they’ve lost the one they love. Whether it was by divorce, death, or just walking away, it tears a huge hole in someone’s heart. Maybe the battle is health-related. It’s hard to accept limitations if they interfere with activities you love. Have you ever dealt with unemployment? How do you feed your children with no paycheck? My romances always have a happy ending which gives us hope that tomorrow things will be better. We can believe that ‘this too shall pass.’
Remember what happened at the end of Gone With the Wind? Scarlett lost Rhett and collapsed in tears, but then she decided to go home to Tara where she can think of a way to get Rhett back. Human beings are designed to hope.
I also think that romance novels possibly satisfy our craving for justice. In the real world, things don’t always end happily. Children are abused, the missing teen is never found, or we get our heart broken. In the vast majority of romance novels you know the bad guys are going to get what’s coming to them. My heroes and heroines sometimes face determined villains, but you can rest easy in the knowledge that the bad guys will never win.
Last, I write romance because I’m a romantic at heart. I just adore a good love story. In my latest release The Captain and the Cheerleader my characters have many obstacles to overcome before they find true love. Their romance didn’t start off like you might expect, but don’t worry. Both my hero and heroine are made of good stuff.
Readers, what about you? Why do you read romance? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.
** GIVEAWAY: Readers should leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Captain and the Cheerleader. The question they have to answer is “Why do you read romance.”
Book Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.
Excerpt:
She looked at him with a sexy little smile curving her lips. “I like your kisses.”
“What do you like about them?”
She pretended to think about it. “The shape of your mouth is pleasing, for one thing.”
“Is that all?”
She shook her head. “No, I like the way your lips feel.”
Her hand had somehow come to rest on the table and was well within his reach so he took it. “How do they feel?”
“Well, they’re firm, but soft too, and they’re just the right size.”
“Is my technique any good?”
She glanced at him from under lowered lashes and seemed to promise all manner of delights. “On a scale of one to ten I’d give you a ten.”
“How does it make you feel when I kiss you?”
Heat flared in her eyes and caused him to tighten his hold on her hand.
“When you kiss me,” she said, “it gives me an empty, longing feeling down deep inside, and I know the only cure for the emptiness is more kisses.”
Kurt took a deep, steadying breath. “Do you want more than just a kiss from me? I know other ways to make the emptiness go away.”
Author Bio:
Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina where she obtained a master’s degree in personnel services from Clemson University. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for women educators and Romance Writers of America. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest. When she’s not writing, she enjoys movies, quilting, reading, and collecting vintage Christmas ornaments.
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Author Alicia Dean 
I can connect with your characters due to a long career as a secondary teacher. My daughter lives at Clemson and we visit often–another connection. Best wishes!
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Thanks so much, and that’s a big connection.
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great post Elaine!
your new book sounds good too.
good luck and God’s blessings
PamT
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Thank you so much, Pam.
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Cute excerpt. I like your characters already.
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I write romance for the same reasons. I loved reading your explanation. It was like talking to a friend! The excerpt was great.
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Thanks, Kara. There’s nothing like a good romance novel!
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Great thoughts on romance, Elaine! I’m always looking for a love story of some sort, even when they’re other genres. 🙂
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I enjoyed your post and agree that reading romance satisfies a craving for order and justice we seldom see or receive in today’s world. Best wishes on your newest release! Your cover is gorgeous –
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I enjoyed your post! Your reasons for writing romance were well thought out and I love the idea that we find justice in our novels for a world that sometimes lacks justice. We do need that kind of hope in our lives! Thanks for sharing! Oh, and red hot excerpt!
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I loved your blog on why you write romance. You are a very skilled writer.
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My stories, too, have happy/satisfying endings. I write for the same reasons: sci-fi romance=hope for the future; romantic suspense & mysteries=justice. Life has so many hardships as you mentioned. I’ve experienced most (not divorce or loss of a spouse). Great excerpt. Best wishes, Elaine.
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