It’s Saturday Writing Question day! Thanks to KATIE A., who asked:
Do you read “other’ romance/chick lit books (not by the
Plotmonkeys, but your competition)?
CP: I admit it isn’t easy for me to read other authors and yet I
only read romance and I love contemporary and so yes, I do read
“other” romance/chicklit books. What I’ve found exciting is that there ARE authors that I can read for the pure enjoyment of reading. I get frustrated with myself when I start to pick books apart, but then I realize if the book was something I got lost in, I wouldn’t even be drawn out of the story long enough to pick it apart, critique it. So once I find an author like that, I read her backlist and future books!
JEL: I’m the same as Carly, except I hardly read straight
romance anymore. Mostly, I read romantic suspense, straight suspense or women’s fiction, which includes chick lit. It’s not that I don’t love romance, I do! But the titles that have been tickling my fancy as of late are more hybrids or in other genres altogether. Like Carly, I need a book that I can get lost in, that I can turn off the internal editor and just enjoy someone telling me a story. I need something “new” for that…something unfamiliar. That’s why I’m always reading different stuff. I need to be surprised. If I can anticipate how a story is going to unfold, I lose interest.
JD: Unfortunately, being a full time writer makes it hard to
read as much as I used to. But I always try and read the
competition, if only to keep on top of what’s out there in the
market, and to see what readers are buying. I’ve found some
really good authors that way. I have always loved reading
romances, and always will. Sometimes I do venture into suspense, but they always have a romance of some sort within the story. I, too, have that pesky internal editor (a hazard of being a writer) that sometimes makes it difficult to read a book, but if it’s a good story and the writing is fresh and fast-paced, I usually forget about critiquing and just get lost in the story and characters. I love when that happens!
LK: I honestly made a vow to myself this year that I was going to reindulge my lifelong love of reading. In the past few years, I’ve let it go as I’ve been working so hard on so many other things. But reading is a “me” time pleasure and I have really enjoyed giving myself time to do it every day. That said, I very rarely read romance or chick lit. Working in that genre every day leaves me hungry to read something entirely different, though I will grab a “comfort read” romance whenever I just need to indulge in that swept-away feeling.
Do you consider yourself ‘romance’ authors or chick lit authors and why? What is the difference?
CP: I consider myself 100% Romance. For me, the difference is
twofold: 1. Once the hero and heroine meet, there is nobody else in the world for them; and 2. Guaranteed happily ever after.
JEL: I’ve never really considered myself a chick lit writer even though my first Marisela book was released by a chick-lit imprint. My Marisela books have a chick-lit feel because they are so heroine focused, but otherwise, they’re more action-adventure. The new one is being marketed as romantic suspense and frankly, I’m worried as hell over that because the book is not a traditional romance in any sense of the word. In that, I’m more in the chick-lit vein. But my romances–like my Blazes and my novellas–are 100% romances and I’m very proud of those books, too.
The difference between chick lit and romance isn’t always clear. But basically, chick lit focuses on the heroine’s journey, her conflicts and goals while romance balances the story between the hero and the heroine and focuses on the relationship. You can see by that why Marisela isn’t really a romance heroine, but a chick-lit one.
JD: As a writer, I’m a romance purist *g*. I love writing about monogamous relationships and the happily-ever-after is a must for me. I just can’t write a book any other way. With chick-lit, sometimes the heroine goes through a number of men before she finds one she can have a relationship with (there is nothing wrong with that, I just prefer not to write those kinds of stories) and I’ve discovered that with chick-lit, the ending isn’t always a guaranteed happy ending. I want my readers to finish a book, close the cover, and know that my characters have found *their* happily-ever-after.
LK: I definitely believe I am a romance writer, not a chick lit writer. It’s too bad because my first two books for HQN were both packaged with chick-lit’ish covers, but they just weren’t. They were pure, happily-ever-after, small town romance. That’s what I love and that’s what I will continue to write.
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Hey ladies can I say that I usually just lurk but today I had to say
I have read at least one or more of your books and you are the greatest
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:)
Chick Lit or Romance ? As long as you all wrote it, I’ll read it! You guys are the best!! “PLOT MONKEYS RULE” (*)
JULIE: Marisela is great and i can’t wait until the new book is released!
Carly: Thank you for the Chandler Brothers, they introduced me to your writing.
Leslie: She’s got the Look and She drives me crazy – loved them! Can’t wait until Here comes Trouble!!!
Janelle: I have two words for you “Wilde Men”
Thank you for the wonderful books !
Trish
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I agree with Trish. No matter what you write, if it is written by either of you I’m buying it.
Julie, I am finished with “Dirty Little Secrets” and loved it. I can’t wait for Marisela’s next book either. My sister, who I have brought over to this site bought a copy of “A Fare To Remember” so that is on the way as well.
Carly, It goes without saying that I love your books. I can never seem to get one and make it last longer than a day or two. LOL!
Janelle, I have read some of your books and actually have one in my tbr pile. Love ‘em
Leslie, I just started reading “She Drives Me Crazy” last night. I have a feeling it is going to be a late night tonight. Better get some new batteries in my book lite. I am loving “Johnny Walker”
Thanks to all of you for the awesome books you share with us. :)
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Sue, Trish, and Kelly — Thank you all for your lovely comments! We’re the luckiest monkeys to have such wonderful readers! :d
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This post was great Ladies! Julie, I learned a lot from your posting the distinction between chik-lit and romance. Can’t wait to read more of all your books!
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Wow! Thank you for answering my questions! I love all of your books. I love them for different reasons (the chick lit vs. the romance). Currently, I am reading the “New Orleans Nights” one (I finally found it, unlike the other books, which I am still working on…thanks for your help the other day!!! Awesome!). What’s so cool is that I got interested in this genre via Kelly Ripa (eons ago, I know) and, I am enjoying ‘catching up’ on the plotmonkeys’ books. Keep up the fantastic work!!! I think I speak for the others when I say that I you do a super-de-duper job on the books…you keep us entertained…I am thinking about cooling my toes in the kiddie pool this summer reading “plotmonkeys’” books.
Have a great day, everyone! If by some odd chance I will Jungle Madness, save it for me…I’ll be home tomorrow night and can’t check email until then! (d)
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All 4 of the Plot Monkeys have given me reading pleasure, thank you. I am truly a readaholic! :) When I was in Wal-Mart yesterday I saw that they had A Fare to Remember on the shelf. The Wal-Mart I shop at is all torn up & you can’t find anything because it has all been moved! I know that must be hard for the employees as I heard a lot of people complaining.
Janelle, I love the cover on Surf’s Up. I really hate the covers some publishers put on “romance” books.
I do have a question: I just can’t seem to understand the difference between Chick Lit & Women’s fiction. My favorite is romance with that HEA but I also love romance/suspense & I try to read other types of books just to broaden my horizons. Once in awhile I like to read some type of non-fiction but I don’t do that to often.
Plot Monkeys, thanks for a cheerful daily blog & lots of good reading. :)
Have a great day everyone.
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Donna, Chick Lit is a subgenre of Women’s Fiction. Chick Lit is hipper, younger, has a more conversational tone and is normally (though not always) told in the first person. Chick Lit CAN have older heroines, however…but it’s all in the attitude. Women’s Fiction (like books by Debbie Macomber, for instance) are told in the third person, may or may not include a romance and have a more standard fiction way of telling the story. But it’s not just about first person/third person. It’s really in the attitude. Is it hip and maybe a little sarcastic…very real? Then it’s probably Chick Lit or a hybrid like Mommy Lit or Hen Lit (older heroines…I hate that title!)
I just wrote an article for RT Bookclub on Chica Lit…chick lit with Latina heroines!
There was a brief movement of Lad Lit–Chick Lit for men–but it never caught on.
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Wanted to say an extra thank you for all the kind words today! Especially about Marisela. As the release of her second book gets closer, I’m getting more and more nervous!
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Great post, athough I think that every day here at PLOT MONKEYS! :)
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Thanks so much everyone for the comments–I’m so glad to hear from so many avid “romance” readers!
I do love some women’s fiction books–Debbie Macomber and Dorothea Benton Frank being among my favorites. But lately, I’m doing a lot of horror…lol…just finished the latest Preston/Childs book and loved it!
Leslie
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I am into the Romance books more so than the Chik-Lit…..I like the old happier ever after, and even though I like some suspense and mystery in the books, I still want the HEA.
All the plot monkeys here are terrific authors, and I love each and every one of your writings.
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I really enjoyed your thoughts on this topic today.
I always wonder how some writers find anytime to read a book if they are always writing . I guess reading is something you can look forward to if you ever retire.
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I agree with Trish PLOTMONKEYS rule (y)
Leslie I am currently reading She’s Got The Look :)
Janelle I put my reserve in for “Surf’s Up” at Border’s I like to read Debbie Macomber also she has some new ones coming out in the fall
Carly I read “Hot Item” (y)
I always used to read the same ole Author’s until Carly went on Live with Regis and Kelly and then Kelly started her Book Club and after that I was a goner lol I read so many more books now. I never knew what a Chick Lit book was until recently. I liked reading Romance, Chick Lit and I do like to read Mary Higgins Clark also
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I just have to say how much everyone’s comments mean to the plotmonkeys!
We’re soooooooo grateful! We’re glad you come to visit us here … Remember to spread the word. We love visitors! (l)