Julie Lence's Blog, page 20
August 27, 2009
Why I write Western Romance
There's something so humbling about the western part of the United States. The desert, the mountains, the wide open land; all combined, it's a place that will steal your breath for a moment or two.
I grew up watching many westerns. From John Wayne battling the bad guys to Gunsmoke, The Big Valley and High Chapperal, I fell in love with everything. I admired the ladies with their long dresses, their boldness, courage and strength to stand behind their men and homes; the handsome, rugged, rough-around-the edges cowboys forging their way, helping others and setting wrongs to right, and the land. Always the land. Many times, I wanted to ride alongside of them or board a stage to a new town, a new adventure. And the saloons, with their polished bars, gilded mirrors, card games, gun fights, whiskey bottles breaking and crashes through the front window made me want to particiapte in the action.
Since I can't time-travel back to the glorious old days, I write about what I love best. I won't say that all of my heroines are bold and fiesty on the surface, but deep down they are. They just have to find that inner strength and apply it to their daily lives. My heros are the rough-around-the edges types, but they're also vulnerable to emotional hurt and pain and will fight for justice and what is rightfully theirs. Together with the land, I let my characters take me to the streets and ranches of the west, to places I've been and places I haven't been, to a time and way of life I admire greatly. And I allow them to take control of the story and set their own destination and ending.
From brawls and shoot-outs, to forging through the desert or something as simple and fun as a barn dance, I'm reliving my childhood and making my dream of being a writer come true.
Julie
I grew up watching many westerns. From John Wayne battling the bad guys to Gunsmoke, The Big Valley and High Chapperal, I fell in love with everything. I admired the ladies with their long dresses, their boldness, courage and strength to stand behind their men and homes; the handsome, rugged, rough-around-the edges cowboys forging their way, helping others and setting wrongs to right, and the land. Always the land. Many times, I wanted to ride alongside of them or board a stage to a new town, a new adventure. And the saloons, with their polished bars, gilded mirrors, card games, gun fights, whiskey bottles breaking and crashes through the front window made me want to particiapte in the action.
Since I can't time-travel back to the glorious old days, I write about what I love best. I won't say that all of my heroines are bold and fiesty on the surface, but deep down they are. They just have to find that inner strength and apply it to their daily lives. My heros are the rough-around-the edges types, but they're also vulnerable to emotional hurt and pain and will fight for justice and what is rightfully theirs. Together with the land, I let my characters take me to the streets and ranches of the west, to places I've been and places I haven't been, to a time and way of life I admire greatly. And I allow them to take control of the story and set their own destination and ending.
From brawls and shoot-outs, to forging through the desert or something as simple and fun as a barn dance, I'm reliving my childhood and making my dream of being a writer come true.
Julie
