Fighting in the name of romance.

Seriously? When will we have to stop defending our preference for romance when it comes to our reading and viewing habits?
Why is the romance genre seen as lesser? It generates billions and yet, we earn nothing but scorn from others in regards to it.

Why are thrillers deemed so much more respectable? Which is surprising given the plot line of many are more fantastical than a romance novel.
It might be because most men believe, given the right set of circumstances, that they could totally channel Jason Bourne and win the day. Yeah, right.

And then there are the intellectuals that claim only 'real fiction' is laudable. Okay, so why then do male authors write sweeping epic tales, whilst women write 'family dramas'?

Why are we constantly made to feel smaller for loving something that makes us feel good? And which hurts no one (except for perhaps our wallets).

Why do people smirk and belittle romance movies/series? They are huge money spinners.
Which I think the big-wigs in their offices who make all the decisions understand. BUT - I don't think they get why we like them. Otherwise why would they so often get them wrong?

Making the girl a klutz and having zany, and then even zanier things happen doesn't have to be all that romance movies are. They can be small, subtle things and we would probably cherish them all the more for it.

Nor do I think the decision makers understand the concept of romance. That it doesn't have to have a purely comedic aspect. That in romance, there is drama, tension, action, tears, loss, growth and yes, quirky funny moments - because that is life.

Yet when you think of romance films, they are so narrowly defined - The romantic-action flick. The romantic-thriller. The rom-com.

And why, in all these romance films does the romance aspect completely swallow the heroine's life to the exclusion of everything else? Her work, life goals, her relationship with her friends/family - all of that becomes secondary as if without HIM she is not a whole person.

No, he needs to compliment her existing life, not become the centre of it.

So my fellow romance warriors, be proud of what you like. Stand tall, and sneer back at the nay-sayers and the ignorant. Demand more. Leave reviews of films and series letting the decision makers know what we want and that we will no longer take their recycled narrow view of romance.
We all deserve a little happy in our lives - so what is wrong with actively searching that out when it comes to what we read and watch? Not a damn thing.

Romance warriors unite.