Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What Are you Reading?
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Yeah, there are definitely problems with this series. I don't know if I would have kept reading if I'd read the ebook. The narrator for the audio books is good though, which helps when I'm confuzzled about what's going on, as I do seem to be a lot with these books. There are a LOT of characters to remember.
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I didn't like it that much, see my review. I went on reading t..."
*nods* yep, those things.
It still surprises/amazes me that I got as far as I did with this series, despite all the flaws that would have thrown me out of any other series.
Heck, I couldn't get through even two chapters of Cut and Run! But this one I got through five or six books! *is baffled*
Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I'm reading the first of THIRDS series Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet. Not quite sure yet what to think of it."I didn't like it that much, see my review. I went on reading t..."
Oh, goodness, I should have read your review before buying it...
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http://www.brainmillpress.com/books/n..."
How does he think of these plots? This sounds..."
Which means he feels the tragedy is necessary and appropriate and organic to the story? :-D
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It seems like an interesting idea. Investigative journalists falling for their target is always a good one.
That's an interesting comment about manufactured conflict. I do think a romance has to have conflict to be satisfying--there has to be a journey, if not an actual quest--it doesn't have to be huge or angsty or ugly, but if the happy ending is handed on a plate at the beginning, what is the point of the story? Wouldn't a pretty photo of two smiling men (or two smiling anybodies) be just as satisfying?
And yet I know there are readers who don't want any "conflict." I'm not sure if they really don't want conflict or they don't quite understand what conflict is. Do they think the characters would be angry and fighting all the time?
I agree that when the conflict feels manufactured, it's frustrating though. More frustrating than no conflict at all.
For me the conflict has to come from character and from plot. Two very different people fall for each other. That is going to be conflict right there, because it takes work to live happily ever after -- or at all -- with someone really, really different from you.
Or two similar people want vastly different things. That also creates a lot of genuine and inevitable conflict.
And that's how baby stories are born! :-)
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https://www.pagepublishing.com/
Is it that? A lot of entries popped up when I plugged in "page publishing company."
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Really? What's different about their formatting?
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Oh this is so interesting!
I tried to get my dad interested in these, and he rejected them. Maybe I'll try again. Maybe it was his mood.
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That actually sounds great.
Calathea wrote: "Oh, goodness, I should have read your review before buying it..."Why? Apparently lots of people love the series. So you can make up your mind based on facts instead than on opinions, that is instead than on my opinion ;-).
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http://www.theguardian.com..."
So it becomes a saga and not just a series. :-)
Josh wrote: "Which means he feels the tragedy is necessary and appropriate and organic to the story? :-D"IMO it means it is not completely tragic. But I'll let you know when I've read it.
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Well, you're going to have to tell us more. ;-D
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not fit the stereotypical idea of a romance reader.
Now the stereotypical idea of a romance reader is as idiotic as the stereotypical idea of a romance writer (lots of cats, am I right? :-D) but these stereotypes persist.
In marketing meetings they are referred to as demographics.
What is it that you find in M/M Romance that you don't find elsewhere?
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IMO it means it is not completely tragic. But I'll let you know when I've read it."
What?! You don't want me to keep guessing??? ;-D
Yes, I'm looking forward to your review.
I read romance because I like think with everything that happens around us, especially these days in this 'If it bleeds, it leads' mentality, I like knowing that there is a happily ever after, or happily for now, out there for all of us. It may be a bit of escapism, but I'm not going to apologize for that.
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Nor should you!
This is as valid a reason for reading as any other.
We don't hear people trying to justify their taste in TV. :-D
Why is that?
Or maybe we do. We have the I ONLY WATCH PBS crowd. :-D But we all know they are secretly glued to reality TV.
Anyway, it's always fascinating to me that romance continues to outsell every other genre and yet so many people -- readers and writers -- feel like they have to apologize for liking it.
Steve wrote: "I read romance because I like think with everything that happens around us, especially these days in this 'If it bleeds, it leads' mentality, I like knowing that there is a happily ever after, or h..."No need to apologize, my thoughts are on those same wave-lengths. Some of my analytic friends often wonder why I read so many "happily ever after" books and not books about world problems. The romance with happy endings balances the tormented world of today, at least for me. I like the word "escapism", because that's exactly what I do, it also helps keep depression away.
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I think people who are actually dealing with the world's problems are more likely to reach for romance and genre fiction than those who are in a position to intellectualize or academicize the world's problems.
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not fit the stereo..."
We've been sharing stories about how we got into reading (m/m) romance and what were our first (m/m) romance novels in our Romance week party thread. It's fascinating to read how/when/why it happened to each and every one of us! For example, I find it surprising that so many of us (party animals) have found our first m/m romance books through fan fiction or paranormal romance.
WHY do I read romance? That is a good question. I found romance books only after experiencing burn out and bunch of other severe health problems. I HAD TO make changes in my life and one of the first small steps to the right direction was simply starting to read again — for fun. But why I wanted to try romance books is still a mystery to me. I had never read them before. At least not in such big doses.
I guess there is something very soothing about them, right? After the reader and the main couple has been put through a mangle (several times), that is. :-)
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not f..."
Harlequin suggested that for part of the GR romance festivities we share snippets from reader letters. As I was sorting through letters, I was surprised at how many of them cited a similar experience -- illness or tragedy or burn out led someone to try reading something different.
Maybe something more relaxing? I wouldn't necessarily say less demanding...but maybe more comforting?
The world is full of very tired, very stressed people. And when you are very tired and very stressed, I think you look for safe harbor. If only for a few minutes.
Josh wrote: "Darlene wrote: "Steve wrote: "I read romance because I like think with everything that happens around us, especially these days in this 'If it bleeds, it leads' mentality, I like knowing that there..."True, but also it could be that most people who are "actually dealing" are at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy needs. Struggling to make ends meet. But I certainly see your viewpoint.
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Maybe something more relaxing? I wouldn't necessarily say less demanding...but maybe more comforting?
The world is full of very tired, very stressed people. And when you are very tired and very stressed, I think you look for safe harbor. If only for a few minutes."
That's very interesting to hear about your fan letters. And if you really, really start to think about it... isn't it amazing that a literature genre like romance is actually widely used as a medicine and as a cure for healthier, happier life. It certainly worked for me.
Soothing, relaxing, comforting. Yes, those definitely describe romance novels perfectly.
Josh wrote: "So in honor of it being Romance Week here at Goodreads, I'm throwing out the discussion question:*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not fit the stereo..."
To be honest, I guess I was a born romantic. I began with the Zane Grey and Louis L'amour westerns when I was an adolescent, probably from my love of horses and other animals. Then I was exposed to Gothics and suspense, then Jane Eyre and Heathcliff, THEN my mom had good ol' Harlequin romances hanging around the house.
In all honesty, though, it was for escape, and the harsh realities that seemed to exist wherever I turned. I just wanted to believe in love and HEA or HFN. To me the word ROMANCE is the same meaning as HOPE.
I think the extreme difference of people overcoming problems in communication, in their life lessons, or even seeing the diversity of people finding a common ground in these pages coming to such a happy and positive conclusion gave me a personal 'high' that I was unable to get elsewhere unless I wanted to give in to addictive mannerisms like those around me.
I've always said I'm addicted to reading, but more specifically I think I'm addicted to romance. It gives me hope when it seems I'm surrounded by hopelessness.
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not f..."
I think that is so well said about romance books representing HOPE, Mtsnow.
I didn't use to read romance, I was more into fantasy, mysteries, sci-fi and literary work, but these days I read it because I love reading about emotions, I love reading about other people's lives, from other countries and walks of life, and I enjoy the HEA. I'm getting older, I have experienced burn out, my work takes more energy than before, I need stories that are uplifting and fun.
Josh wrote: "So in honor of it being Romance Week here at Goodreads, I'm throwing out the discussion question:*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not fit the stereo..."
Why do I read romance? Cuz that seems to be the category your books fall under!
I tend to avoid stories that are just romance, I prefer mysteries, and I don't mind a romance thrown in, but it is not required.
The thing I really love about mm is that there are ssooo many subgenres within the genre.
Jordan wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I'm reading the first of THIRDS series Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet. Not quite sure yet what to think of it."I didn't like it that much, see my review. I..."
What, what, what?? I so loved the THIRDS, those characters are wonderful and the plot was very cool. Plus I live in New York so it is fun when the characters are running around my old haunts - but I did actually listen to the series and did not read it & I am the first to admit what a difference the narrator makes to the stories...
I'm listening to Fish & Chips right now (new narrator for the third book in that series) so I'm still getting used to him and I think I might prefer actually reading this one - but I just love the relationship between Zane & Ty and the way the authors are slowly developing it. This book and Sticks & Stones are more from Ty's pov which is really putting an interesting spin on things after the first book, and there are some really funny laugh out loud moments.
How about the Whyborne & Griffin series - did anyone like that?
Josh wrote: "So in honor of it being Romance Week here at Goodreads, I'm throwing out the discussion question:*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not fit the stereo..."
I have always read almost all genres, but in the last three years it's nearly mere mysteries, mysteries with romance within, romance, old friends :-) , fantasy and nonfiction.
There are so many sad, frustrated and angry people around me, around us, that I love to read about people, who are sad, frustrated and angry but can solve their problems or at least can learn to have happy moments within all the sadness, frustration and anger.
In mysteries (with romance please) I can often find at least a form of morale, that satisfied my idea of a poetic justice.
Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I'm reading the first of THIRDS series Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet. Not quite sure yet what to think of it."I didn't like it that much, see my review. I went on reading t..."
I did manage to finish the first book, and even though it ended with the promise of more nasty to come, I have no real interest in reading the second one.
Antonella wrote: "New book by Alexis Hall coming out in Summer:http://www.brainmillpress.com/books/n..."
not sure if anyone already posted this but AH updated his blog:
http://www.quicunquevult.com/better-l...
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not f..."
I think at heart most romance novels are about learning to get along with others -- and that's a pretty important lesson.
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not f..."
LOL
They do all have that strong romantic element, don't they?
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Yes. I think it was easier to enjoy tragic novels when I was of an age where I was confident tragedy would never touch me.
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "I didn't use to read romance, I was more into fantasy, mysteries, sci-fi and literary work, but these days I read it because I love reading about emotions, I love reading about other p..."There are some books you can only read when you're young.
Josh wrote: "Really? What's different about their formatting? ..."Biggest one is a small graphic in the scene transitions within a chapter. Print books often have extra blank space or a little --- between scenes.
Many ebooks are formatted so that there is not even a double line or anything. The next scene just hits in the next paragraph and with no visual clue and often I'm scrambling to figure out where I am.
They also have chapter headings with a tiny graphic. Similar to print books. Again, it's just nicer, cleaner, and looks better.
Josh wrote: "Or maybe we do. We have the I ONLY WATCH PBS crowd. :-D But we all know they are secretly glued to reality TV...."I have no TV. I will not have a TV when Michael finally moves in. I NetFlix or Amazon prime once or so a year. Ahhh peace!
Trioseven7 wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "I'm reading the first of THIRDS series Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet. Not quite sure yet what to think of it."I didn't like it that much, s..."
I absolutely love Jordan Hawks Whyborne & Griffin series. They are adoring as a couple, each having completely different personalities and their love's deep enough to balances them. Well worth the read far as I'm concerned.
Josh wrote: "So in honor of it being Romance Week here at Goodreads, I'm throwing out the discussion question:*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not fit the stereo..."
This might come off a bit snobby, and I don't mean it to because I do like romance as a genre, but I don't consider most of my reading to be "romance" reading. I look for books with other components as well-- fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, etc. I can't remember the last time I read a contemporary romance. (Although I am a huge sucker for historicals.) I think it's kind of hard these days to find media that doesn't have a romance component to it, but that doesn't mean they fit into the category of "romance." Many TV shows have m/f leads who end up flilrting/dating/marrying. But are Buffy, Bones and Castle, etc, considered romances?
But at the same time, I wouldn't be reading these books that I like if I wasn't engaged and rooting for the characters to get together and have a HEA. I guess I need it all?
ETA: Oh, wait, I can remember! I read some Christmas shorts, like Humbug, which would fall under contemporary romance.
Mtsnow13 wrote: "Josh wrote: "So in honor of it being Romance Week here at Goodreads, I'm throwing out the discussion question:*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not f..."
Oh, I like that! There's hope no matter how bad your problems are, they can be overcome.
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Ok, I'm done rambling.
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Anne wrote: "... these days I read it because I love reading about emotions, I love reading about other people's lives, from other countries and walks of life, and I enjoy the HEA. I'm getting older, I have experienced burn out, my work takes more energy than before, I need stories that are uplifting and fun. ..."Anne expresses my feelings about reading romance, too, especially if I extend it to include "other times", because I love historical romances. If I like a book I get immersed in it and care about what happens to the characters, so I get upset if nasty things happen to them. I just can't read sad or tragic books these days. (I think Josh was right when she said "it was easier to enjoy tragic novels when I was of an age where I was confident tragedy would never touch me.")
I've given up on reading so-called literary fiction; too often something really appalling happens to characters, and even if it doesn't one sometimes wonders what the point of the book was: maybe just to write beautifully? -- not enough for me!
I also read mysteries, but only non-graphic, non-violent ones.
I think something which is overlooked when using these large genre categories is that there are some very good writers working within them. I am very particular about the quality of writing I'm prepared to read, so this matters to me.
Alison wrote: "I spent the weekend re-reading Captive Prince 1 and 2 and then went right into the exciting finale, Kings Rising. What a great experience. I loved it. It's so gripping and complex. ..."I did exactly the same, a back to back binge-read of the whole trilogy. Book 2 definitely remains my favourite, I need to reread book 3 with lesser expectations, because I found it quite disappointing on the first read.
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*Why do you read romance?*
Because nearly all of you are readers who really do not f..."
I understand that. I prefer mystery. I like dead people in my reading. Lots of them. ;-D
But I prefer my mysteries to have a strong relationship element.
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Reader expectations.
Where the book you wrote collides with the book the reader imagined you were going to write. :-D Almost always these books are hugely enjoyed on the second read, where the reader understands that the story does NOT have endless possibilities.
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And this is what I love about M/M. Which is, after all, simply a label used for marketing purposes.
We know that there will be a romantic relationship between two men--and that, if the book has been correctly labeled--there will be at least a HFN.
But that's just the starting point. The book can be so much more! It can be a mystery, a western, a military adventure...it can be historical or contemporary. It can tackle serious social issues or make us laugh. Sometimes both at the same time.
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Oh!
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Yes. One of the positives in this glut of books and writers is that overall the level of writing in a genre like M/M has gone way, way up.
Partly that's due to changes in publishing -- a lot of mainstream- vetted writers went into indie publishing -- but part of it is the genre is now old enough that writers who were learning their craft in public five years ago, are now seasoned. That's great for the genre as a whole, even if we had a painful learning curve.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Subtle Bodies (other topics)Husband Material (other topics)
Sing for the Coming of the Longest Night (other topics)
A Shattered Silver Crown (other topics)
A Shattered Silver Crown (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jordan Castillo Price (other topics)Alexis Hall (other topics)
Katherine Fabian (other topics)
Iona Datt Sharma (other topics)
Cynthia Zhang (other topics)
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I didn't like it that much, see my review. I went on reading the second book because I had bought them together: it was slightly better, but very average.