The Importance of Happily Ever After

Before I was published, I got a lot of questions about why I was writing romance. "Don't you want to write a real book?" they'd say. Or, "Once you break in, you'll write something meaningful, right?" And I would grit my teeth and try to remain calm. On a bad day, I'd just walk away, but on a good one I might make an effort to explain why romance novels have value, how they aren't what you think, and how much importance I think there is to "happily ever after".

Romance novels are considered genre fiction. I think that's the first sticking point for a lot of readers who've never picked one up. They think genre fiction means "written by numbers" or "all the same". However, the fact is that the term genre just means something that has a particular form or structure. For example, mysteries involve a crime (lots of times a murder) and the solving of that crime. How that crime is set up, solved, who is involved, what kind of tone the book takes… all those things can be wildly different.

And the same is true in romance. The only common element romances must have is that the central plot must revolve around the romantic involvement of two (sometimes more) characters and that the end of the story must have a satisfying emotional conclusion. The setting, characters, plot, emotional direction, tone and everything else can be (and is) wildly different. The journey to getting to that satisfying emotional ending is what makes so many readers (1 in 5 of those who read according to statistics from Romance Writers of America http://www.rwanational.org) picking up books and turning their pages.

In my mind, there is enormous value to that satisfying emotional conclusion, that "happily ever after". For one thing, it's a reminder that there is still hope. The most "satisfying" romances often involve struggle. The two central characters have enormous obstacles between them and a realistic shot at happiness. Throughout the book, the reader feels their pain and their longing, perhaps she even wonders if their relationship can survive. And yet, they continue to work toward each other, making compromises, forging new bonds. Despite the odds, they want to be together enough that they're willing to fight for it. The moment where they finally overcome is enormously hopeful.

There are some who say that isn't realistic, but I'd ask any happily married couple if that was true. If they hadn't had to overcome and work and fight to be together at some point. And if they didn't think it gave them greater understanding of their relationship and a greater commitment to fight the next battle that came their way.

Perhaps another issue that leads to the sneers about romance is the sexual content. A frank description of a natural part of any healthy relationship? No! To dare to suggest that women enjoy the physical elements of love as much as their partners? Don't say it! And now, with the growing popularity of erotic romances, could it be that women like to fantasize as much as their male counterparts? It cannot be true.

Except that it is. And since I write about relationships, I think I'd be crazy not to include an element that is so important to making that relationship work. And if the sexual elements are important to the story… I dare anyone to say that it's gratuitous or trashy.

According to RWA, 26.4% of all books sold in 2006 were romances. With the exception of the inspirational market, romance generated more revenue (by far!) than any other genre of fiction. That means these books are touching an emotional nerve with a great many readers. Something that keeps them coming back. Something that makes them stay.

I'll be here with all of you for the next month, so I hope we'll all get to talk a lot about romance, erotic romance and books in general. If you have steered away from romance, let's talk about why! Maybe I'll even give you some suggestions that could change your mind. And if you're a romance fan, I'm so happy you're here. Maybe you just want to talk about what makes up a satisfying emotional ending for you. Whatever it is, let's talk!

Immortality. Erotic Letters. Pleasure Palaces. Something Recklessis a featured book in Fictions Readers, a group to discuss contemporary women's fiction, books, women's issues and much more. Click here to join the group.

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