Fantasies
Romance novels have always been fantasies.
Even the traditional ones. HealthyPlace.com says that the top female sexual fantasy is the "rape fantasy". Or as romance writers call it, the forced seduction.
The article does state "The reason fantasies are so cherished is because the majority of them will never be realized."
Much like the old romances with pirates and outlaw cowboys. And maybe why so many of the newer erotic stories feature dominant/submissive roleplaying.
Is this why paranormal stories sell so well? Because while supernatural powers can seem sexy, most of us don't really want to meet up with a sexy immortal bloodsucker? We might fantasize about a wild man who will call us HIS and want to 'mate for life', but what would you really do if some guy got all super possesive and started growling when another man looked at you?
What is it really that keeps us hooked on romances? For me, it's not the happily ever after, because I've read many that don't have that, but I still consider keepers. It's the fantasy aspect of it all. The whole escape into someone elses life or world while I read. It doesn't really matter if it's a sexual fantasy, or a superpower one...as long as there is some sort of escape to it for me..
What about for you? What is it that keeps you hooked on romances?
Even the traditional ones. HealthyPlace.com says that the top female sexual fantasy is the "rape fantasy". Or as romance writers call it, the forced seduction.
The article does state "The reason fantasies are so cherished is because the majority of them will never be realized."
Much like the old romances with pirates and outlaw cowboys. And maybe why so many of the newer erotic stories feature dominant/submissive roleplaying.
Is this why paranormal stories sell so well? Because while supernatural powers can seem sexy, most of us don't really want to meet up with a sexy immortal bloodsucker? We might fantasize about a wild man who will call us HIS and want to 'mate for life', but what would you really do if some guy got all super possesive and started growling when another man looked at you?
What is it really that keeps us hooked on romances? For me, it's not the happily ever after, because I've read many that don't have that, but I still consider keepers. It's the fantasy aspect of it all. The whole escape into someone elses life or world while I read. It doesn't really matter if it's a sexual fantasy, or a superpower one...as long as there is some sort of escape to it for me..
What about for you? What is it that keeps you hooked on romances?
SExed by Sasha White at 2:16 AM
13 Comments:
I think paranormals sell because we want an escape from stark reality. it's why I write them and why I read them. We all want more, inside and out. But you, Sasha White, never disappoint me. You always give me what I need from a story, paranormal or not. That's why I always red your stuff.
Well, I haven't done the rape scene yet, but I have done some heavy Dominant stuff. And the world of psychics and super powers is calling to me.
I think there's no limit to imaginatin, or fantasy.
Aww JJ! You warm my heart! Thank you!
I'll do my best to never disspoint!!
Some writer friends and I just had this conversation not too long ago, about what it was about alpha males (and bad boys) that draw us so. But that, in real life, we'd probably smack the guy upside the head more often than not when he got all growly.
I often write paranormal elements in my stories, and it's because of the pure escapism. I prefer watching action/adventure, comedies, sci-fi/fantasy movies versus dramas, because I have enough drama in my real life. I want to escape real life for a couple of hours. It's the same for me with books. Help me escape the boring hohum every day crap and thrill me with something new and different.
I'm so going with the never be realized thing as a truth for me. I totally want to go somewhere I might never go, see something I might never see, live vicariously through someone I might never meet in RL in a romance novel.
I love nothing more than to imagine what it might be like to fly, shift, sleep in a coffin. LOL
Nice post, Sasha :)
Dakota :)
Hey Cyndi! My heroines are always independant and usually adventurous. You're right to say they see what they want and go for it. In the ST I just finsihed the heroine is quite complex. A good gril that is learning to let her yen for advetnure, of all kinds, out a bit.
I have to agree. I love cops and SWAT guys as heros in books, but I've not met any in real person that I'd see myself with, and not constantly fighing. LOL
Sherril~ I think we all read, and write to escape. I know now that I wrte more I read less. and when I do read, most often I read what I don't write. Meaning I still like erotic stories, but I find myself also reading Dean Koontz, John Saul, and various Chic lit authors.
Dakota~ I often dream of those sorts of powers. LOl Maybe thats why I feel the pull of writing them getting stronger, and my characters gtting even more wild. I'm getting older and more sedate, and my charcters are startingot realyl party it up and get in trouble. Live vicariously indeded. *grin*
I particularly love to read paranormal books. Have for years and years. Pure escapism! There's nothing like getting into a good book and enjoying yourself and forgetting about life's problems for awhile. I also agree about the alpha males - nice to read and fantasize about them, but wouldn't want one for my own! :)
Hi Sasha!
I read romance novels because it takes me away to another world and satisfies my curiosity about situations that I would never have the guts to do myself. I have learned many things from some of these books and some of them are downright fantasy and would never happen in real life but it is fun to try and imagine "what if.....".
I enjoy your books for many reasons but a couple of them are - that your heroines are independant and can take control - which for me with 2 daughters - well I want them to feel good about themselves and be independant so that motivates me to read more about that - also the fact that you are well travelled and I love to travel and so I learn about other places through your stories. I have never met you in person but I love some of the experiences you write about and sometimes I feel like a part of you is in that story and I enjoy that.
I can't imagine reading anything else. I will admit that since reading ebooks in the last year I am alot more open minded about types of books I read. For example I never use to read fantasy or science fiction romance or vampire, breeds, werewolf stories and now I do.
I am just starting to read same sex books which I would never have done this in a bookstore simply because I wouldn't have ever thought of reading that.
So I believe I am alot more open minded about reading because of the chatting with other authors and readers and finding out about them and then wanting to support their writing.
You are auto buy for me!
Debbie
I have a comment to make on a rape scene. I don't think I would buy a book with a rape scene because it is too violent. I do have 2 daughers (teenagers) and this is way too scary for this Mom to read. I thinking being dominant and having a relationship is one thing but rape is not about a relationship.
No way!
Debbie
Hi Annalisa!! Exactly. Wanting an Alpha in your dream wolrd is not the sae as day to tday.
Debbie ~You nailed it on the head for sure. As much as I put fantasy into my stories, There is always an aspect of me in the heroines. I defintely plan to write more travel focused stuff, but part of me isn't ready for that yet. LOl Strange huh?
As for the rape scene. I thinkit needs to be done corefully. There needs to be a balance , and it needs to be clear that it's a FANTASY for the person. That they are enjoying it physically even if mentally they're hating the hero..or anti hero.
I did it sort of with a twist..the same sort of twist THE MIRROR had. (I know you read that one) *wink* It'll get pubbed some day..when I'm ready to share it. :)
Beca ~ I agree. I like paranormals that aren't romance too. I think it's all abtou escape...and we all have thigns we're drawn to , depending on what we're longing for in a real day to day life. Maybe?
I wrote a rape scene in my first novel (as Monette Michaels). My crit buds thought it was very powerful stuff and some of the best writing I had ever done. My editor axed it as too much. She felt it would turn my readers off. So, the rape took place "off screen" so to speak. And the bad guy got it in the end -- literally. I still think the reading public which stomachs horror and gore from thriller authors could have handled it, but I'll never know.
As for alphas, love them in my books, but agree that I would probably smack them up side the head in real life.
Rae Morgan
I'm a sucker for time travel, or any "fish out of water" story. It's pure escapism. Guess that's why I finally broke down and wrote one, which (blatant self-promotion here *G*) will be out January 23!
Nessie
Post a Comment
<< Home