Jean Lauzier is a former Long Ridge student and website regular.  She keeps busy writing columns for several online magazines and working on her own romance "ezine", Romance Rendevous.  When not writing she homeschools her three children, takes care of numerous critters and manages an online writing group.  You can check her websites at www.jeanlauzier.com and www.storycrafters.net.

 

 

Not Just Another Sappy Love Story

 

by Jean Lauzier

 

            Love stories...boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back and they live happily ever after.  You know them.   The secretary, nurse, teacher falls for the boss or powerful brooding man who has no clue she even exists and of course, there’s the knight in shining armor who comes to rescue the damsel in distress.  Remember those?  So did I and when someone suggested I try my hand at writing a romance story, I promptly refused with an "I'll never write that stuff."  But life likes to throw us curves and I fell headfirst into the romance genre.  Not only did I learn to swim, but I now call "romance" home.  Let me tell you about my genre.

            There's suspense.  Curling up in front of a fire with a great mystery is one of the best ways to spend a winter evening.  Murder and mayhem, cops, robbers, good guys and bad ones.  Add romance to the mixture and you have two great stories for the price of one.

            Something more old fashioned to your taste?  Try an historical.  No matter your favorite time period, someone is writing about it.  From the middle ages to the days of the old west, and whatever country you dream of, you are sure to find just what you are looking for. Time traveling through the ages is a great way to spend an evening.

            In the mood for a little more excitement and action?  Try a military romance.  Yes, I know it sounds strange, but women are doing things never dreamed of in the seventies.  Spies, mercenaries, pilots, undercover agents, police officers and border patrol agents are just a few of the many careers you will find in this subgenre.

            Got your head in the clouds and are a bit of a dreamer?  Romance has that too.  From fantasy to science fiction, you can dance with elves and fairies or explore new galaxies far, far away.   

            One of the most pleasant surprises I received when exploring the romance genre was finding the vampire/werewolf books.  Not only are these not what I expected, they are powerfully written and practically burst with emotion.   Another great subgenre for curling up in front of that fireplace is the paranormal romance.  I just love a good ghost story and here you can find all kinds. 

            Not long ago I discovered medical romances.  Doctors and nurses save lives while falling in love and trying to have personal lives of their own.  I have got to check those out.

            As the mom to a teenage daughter, I like to be able to share my love of reading.  And in the romance genre I can.  From inspirational to contemporary "sweet" stories, we can discuss our likes and dislikes and how we "thought" the plot should go.  It makes for good conversation on the way to town when it is just the two of us.

            Not in the mood for something sweet?  Try something hot and spicy.  Again, romance has something for everyone.  From those who like no sex or prefer to leave it behind closed doors to those who want passion and intimate details, you will find it.

            As a writer, the romance genre is full of potential also.  At last count, fifty four percent of books sold are from the romance genre.  And rumor has it Nora Roberts earns more each year than Stephen King.  Sounding interesting?  Then here's a chance to stretch your limits and with the many different lines to choose from, there's no excuse not to give it a try.  Here are five to get you started.

            Mills and Boon's Tender Romance will launch in September of 2006 with a word count ranging from 50,000 to 55,000.  These character driven stories are focused on the relationship.  The heroine is someone the reader likes, respects and wants to be her best friend.  She is a strong woman of the 21^st century.  The hero is the tender alpha male every woman wants; strong, honorable and has a great sense of humor.  Stories for this line should be couple focused with high sexual tension.  Sex is optional.  There should be strong emotional conflicts though not "weepy" and be overall a "feel good" read with a nice happy ever after end.

            Harlequin Everlasting has a launch date of February 2007 and a nice word count of 75,000.  This series of novels will cover the life and relationship of one couple across a time span of years or even a lifetime.  The focus is on the character's lives instead of the initial start of that relationship.  These must be emotionally intense stories with a significant conflict.  This line offers more structure options than others and includes the usage of diaries, letters and even first person point of view.   Again, characterization is important. Characters must be credible, complex and sympathetic.  Happy ever after endings aren't required but the end must satisfy the reader and fit the story.

            Mills and Boon's Modern Xtra-Sensual has a word count of 60,000.  Set in an international city or affluent urban setting this line is sophisticated and cosmopolitan.  It features a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants from her life, career and man. Aimed at readers from 18-35 years of age stories should be a "feel good" read full of flirting, great passionate sex, falling in love and a happy ever after commitment.

            Silhouette Desire is a bit shorter word count wise at 57,000 but requires strong, intense story lines that are fast paced.  The hero is a powerful and wealthy alpha male with an arrogant side.  The heroine is strong willed, smart and flawed but set on saving the hero.  Dramatic conflicts such as revenge, secret pregnancies, and marriages of convenience abound.   Told mostly from the heroine's point of view these are sensual reads requiring powerful, passionate and provocative love scenes.

            SPICE launches in May of 2006.  Word count ranges from 90,000 to 150,000.  Spice is erotic fiction for the modern woman wanting a great read.  Featuring bold, high-wattage sexual content in stories that push the envelope, Spice is contemporary fiction rising above the typical genre stereotypes.  Spice stories can be anything from sensual love stories to the gritty, slice of life experiences of the modern woman and include ethnic, literary, mystery, suspense and even paranormal subgenres.  However, POV is limited to first or third, female only.

            These lines are actively seeking submissions so check out the Harlequin website at www.eharliquen.com  for more in depth guidelines and submission requirements.  

            Who knows, you might be the next Nora Roberts.