Fans of Interracial Romance discussion
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What Turns You OFF When Reading an Interracial Romance?
Guinevere wrote: "Seriously. In the past few days, I've picked up a few books all by black authors. Every single heroine was mixed race. I love my mixed race sistas, but what the hell is up with this trope of giving..."Totally get that, and I would add if an author is in love with that Nicki aesthetic, than keep it 100, and include the reality of butt shots, and fake hair that achieved that "glamour".
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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@Kim: Since Hemingway has never been one of my favourite authors (I know "sacrilege" lol) I disagree with his thinking. He was writing the default, so no wonder the "blank slate" idea worked for him.I like details like skin colour, hair style/texture, body type, especially in our genre. You can have those details and still have an interesting character. And @Guinevere, I feel you! So glad Amazon allows for sneak peeks before you buy. I've saved myself huge headaches that way. Like you I want to support IR but not at the expense of continuing the colorist mentality.
@Tai "Rarely do you find the heroines going to sleep with rollers or wrapping her hair.The other problem I have with books not just IR but all the women are thin. Really? The women all have smooth creamy tone skin. I loathed the word creamy! Can't anyone have some stretch marks? Rounded belly? Something to make the character more real. It's bad enough that magazines and movies promote the "perfect body" do we also have to read about it as well? "
Loved it!
I think only one character I have ever created was actually 'skinny', and it didnt feel authentic to me. Since then, all of my characters have been more realistic.
@Kim - I don't like to focus on to many descriptions. When I read, I always make up my own version of the characters. I give just enough for a general image then hope the reader does the rest.
Im going to have to come off as a bully here. But I dont find anything wrong with explicitly letting an audience know a character's race. And I can deal with a character who is fair skinned,mixed race, or doesnt have features I can identify with, but that "light skin privilege" starts to crawl under my skin. Many books market IR as a black woman, who is not mixed race. Open the book, and the first thing Im reading is how a character has "caramel or honey or anything lighter than a paper bag colored skin, long, butt length, straight, hair, with bodacious curves, that literarily make a man's eyes pop out."
It's all right to be those things, I mean, I grew up in the urban areas, where many girls do look like this. But it seems as though even women that look like me just dont understand how harmful this is to anyone who doesnt look this way.
It's nice to see variety, but it appears as if it's all Im ever seeing from black authors, both men and women. The more books i find myself putting down by black authors, the more Im picking up books by white authors who are doing the same thing. And not even better! It's just, where are the Connie's from I Hunt Killers? Or the Loor's from the Pendragon series. I know, they're not all literature classics, but it bugs me that i've seen the same issues over and over from authors I'd rather be supporting.
It's all right to be those things, I mean, I grew up in the urban areas, where many girls do look like this. But it seems as though even women that look like me just dont understand how harmful this is to anyone who doesnt look this way.
It's nice to see variety, but it appears as if it's all Im ever seeing from black authors, both men and women. The more books i find myself putting down by black authors, the more Im picking up books by white authors who are doing the same thing. And not even better! It's just, where are the Connie's from I Hunt Killers? Or the Loor's from the Pendragon series. I know, they're not all literature classics, but it bugs me that i've seen the same issues over and over from authors I'd rather be supporting.
Write the book of your ideal chacter and story and let us know when it's published. I would love to read the type of books with the chracterization you're looking for.Lead by example. Change the genre by examples.
Ree
Not to "insert promo here" but I am planning to self publish. And I doubt it'll be up there with all these great literary geniuses.
But it just seems as though it's first nature to give a woman features closer to my own. I think women who identify as mixed race are beautiful. But they're not the only type of beauty holding down a black community.
I love that people have not given up on ir titles. I love black love, but it's just not first nature for me to create a black man love interest, and I know I'm a hypocrite for that. But if men who aren't black find black beauty attractive, I'm just trying to figure out why we don't...perhaps it's culture. And I know we have the power to influence culture. But I'm ranting....but Shiree I agree with you. Hopefully the same people I'm having a debate with will have an open mind to my future writing darker skinned protagonists or darker skinned love interests...
But it just seems as though it's first nature to give a woman features closer to my own. I think women who identify as mixed race are beautiful. But they're not the only type of beauty holding down a black community.
I love that people have not given up on ir titles. I love black love, but it's just not first nature for me to create a black man love interest, and I know I'm a hypocrite for that. But if men who aren't black find black beauty attractive, I'm just trying to figure out why we don't...perhaps it's culture. And I know we have the power to influence culture. But I'm ranting....but Shiree I agree with you. Hopefully the same people I'm having a debate with will have an open mind to my future writing darker skinned protagonists or darker skinned love interests...
It really is not the surprising that most black romance heroine looks are a tad racially ambiguous because most of our real life Black beauty icons (examples: Beyonce, Halle Berry, Rihanna) are too. Also does anyone else find it odd that we are rejecting heroines that favor the children that are the results of the same interracial romances we champion? Yes, I definitely think all the flavors of the rainbow should get their shine, but that is the thought that always pops in my brain every time this topic comes up. It doesn't stop me from DNF-ing books sometimes myself, mind you, but it seems the one comment not mentioned.
Guinevere wrote: "Not to "insert promo here" but I am planning to self publish. And I doubt it'll be up there with all these great literary geniuses. But it just seems as though it's first nature to give a woman f..."
@Guinevere I look forward to reading your work. A good story that draws out my emotions is what I look for in a good read. What the hero look and act like is the most important thing to me because if you do your job and draw me in, that woman looks like me. Period. I become her. I read her words aloud, and I cry when she cries, and laughs when she laughs. I get horny when she's horny and feel satisfied when she satisfied. That is the way I made it through years of White on White romances and I still have the mentality reading all other books.
The only times the characters irritate me is when the story does not draw me in and I can become the lead actress so I start picking things apart because that's the only thing interesting about the story.
I've read best sellers that people have raved about and all I can think is this author should be grateful to her publisher because she sold the heck out of her butt. This book sucks or I don't get it. LOL
I know everyone don't read a book in the same frame of mind as I do, so I'm only giving opinions based on what I consider the perfect read.
Ree
I guess I never think about if a character is racially ambiguous. When I read a character, sometimes I imagine her looking like Lupita. Sometimes like Angela Bassett. Sometimes like Halle Berry. And the thing is, for me, it doesn't matter. I just want a good story. If it becomes too obvious the writer is trying to describe the character a certain way, sure--I get annoyed. That's why, as a I writer, I make it known the characters I writer about are a certain race but I don't focus solely on it. I don't need it drummed into my head that the character has natural hair or brown eyes or green eyes or whatever. I want to know about the story that's being told. Now, if the race or how dark the character's skin is or what type of hair they have is really important to the story being told, wonderful tell me all about it. Otherwise, it's just a detail. And I want a character-driven plot that will pull me in.
Definitely a good observation. A racially ambiguous leading lady is the product of an interracial pairing.
I like every opinion on here. Perhaps what just rubs me a different way, is I've read black-black romance books written by black men recently. The black woman has almost always been mixed race. But many black men are cultured to reject women with what's considered "bad hair" and dark skin. So their fantasy is that racially ambiguous black woman. She's essentially like being with a white woman, just with the sexual benefits and attributes of a black woman.
So maybe that's the only issue I think many may have. We can change our perception of beauty, but at times we choose not to. So it just hurts more than women have the power to empower their own image(cuz lets face it...no one else is) and decide against it.
Here's food for thought. A mixed race black woman. Why is it only considered interracial when she's with a white man and not a black one? While her appearance may favor some African features, since most blacks in the Americas are mixed to begin with, wouldn't they be as or more european(or insert ethnicity) than of African descent?
This thread really has me thinking :D
I like every opinion on here. Perhaps what just rubs me a different way, is I've read black-black romance books written by black men recently. The black woman has almost always been mixed race. But many black men are cultured to reject women with what's considered "bad hair" and dark skin. So their fantasy is that racially ambiguous black woman. She's essentially like being with a white woman, just with the sexual benefits and attributes of a black woman.
So maybe that's the only issue I think many may have. We can change our perception of beauty, but at times we choose not to. So it just hurts more than women have the power to empower their own image(cuz lets face it...no one else is) and decide against it.
Here's food for thought. A mixed race black woman. Why is it only considered interracial when she's with a white man and not a black one? While her appearance may favor some African features, since most blacks in the Americas are mixed to begin with, wouldn't they be as or more european(or insert ethnicity) than of African descent?
This thread really has me thinking :D
Ree.....you just dropped the mic on me. NAILED IT. Point being we need enough info to determine race but not so much that it keep us from identifying with the heroine. Saying someone is black can mean a lot of things. She could be anywhere from light to dark. Saying she is something that is obviously biracial cuts out a huge chunk of readership whereas I imagine even for biracial women who often identify as black just saying black is more inclusive. Thats my "If books were MY idea of perfect"
How come we never see black women who workout? :D
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Libertad wrote: "Here's food for thought. A mixed race black woman. Why is it only considered interracial when she's with a white man and not a black one? While her appearance may favor some African features, since most blacks in the Americas are mixed to begin with, wouldn't they be as or more european(or insert ethnicity) than of African descent?"
Good point. America is still entrenched in the 1 drop rule (no matter who you are, it's embedded in our conscience) but I'd love to see this played out in a story. Whenever the foundation is examined and/or twisted to a new view, it has my attention. Particularly in IRs & MCs.
Libertad wrote: "How come we never see black women who workout? :D"Now Libertad, thank you for that. Most of my favorite heroines are fit, bad ass, and wish there was more of that in IR too. I don't necessarily want to read my doppelganger, but more my idolized best version of me that could exist. She would be be training for iron man, or at least cross fit beast let me tell ya! lol
I am not quite certain whether or not someone has said this or not, but what I do not like in IR books is how the man gets so fixated possessing the woman that I wonder if he's with her because she's black or he just has an obsessive personality. That really gets under my skin.Another issue I have (but this is actually applicable in all genres), is the "instalove." They meet on Monday, sexing on Thursday, in love next Wednesday. I like for the relationship to build.
I want something that appears to be real even though I know it's fiction. I want to know what she / he looks like and all of that good stuff.
When I write (nothing is published), I typically pattern the women after myself, my sisters or my nieces). I do hate the majority of women have flowing, silky hair. Since I wear my hair natural I would love to see someone who resembles me a lot more. I may be light complected, but I don't represent what the authors write about either.
Honestly, I have been so put out with much of the fiction written by black authors that I cannot remember the last time I bought a book written by one. I think we still have a ways to go when it comes to fixing this.
I think that I for one love envisioning a heroine that isn't like all the other heroines. There isn't one type of beauty especially with us black women. We are such a diverse type, so I guess it bums me out when I read stuff like this:
"I'm only 1/4 Cherokee bc I'm mixed with her and my father, he's just black. My hair is pretty nice; it doesn't get all nappy when I swear like some of my cousins hair."
Yes this was a line from an actual book I just put down. When I read things like that I wanna start stabbing books with horcruxes!
"I'm only 1/4 Cherokee bc I'm mixed with her and my father, he's just black. My hair is pretty nice; it doesn't get all nappy when I swear like some of my cousins hair."
Yes this was a line from an actual book I just put down. When I read things like that I wanna start stabbing books with horcruxes!
yea my twin sister, Libertad chimed in with the workout comment! I would've mentioned that if she wouldn't have beat me to it!
WOW....Guinevere, I do not think I could have continued with that book. I cringed reading it now.
Guinevere wrote: "I think that I for one love envisioning a heroine that isn't like all the other heroines. There isn't one type of beauty especially with us black women. We are such a diverse type, so I guess it bu..."Guinevere that would bother me too because an "exotic" heroine isn't an automatic DNF, but a heroine that has put down other sisters to stand out might be.
I'm wondering, has anyone had any complaints about the diversity with the love interests? I'd love to see some mixed race heroes since obviously we see a lot of mixed race heroines.
Maybe some more Latino heroes too( even though I know being Latino isn't really a race persay, I should know I get the " I didn't know you were Cuban, you look black" comments pretty much every time I confess my ethnicity)
Maybe some Indian love interests. When it comes to Asian guys, all I ever see is East Asian. :(
Maybe some more Latino heroes too( even though I know being Latino isn't really a race persay, I should know I get the " I didn't know you were Cuban, you look black" comments pretty much every time I confess my ethnicity)
Maybe some Indian love interests. When it comes to Asian guys, all I ever see is East Asian. :(
Im sure there is interest for all types of heroes being paired with AA women in IR. Again, Im primarily WM/BW but Ive read a few latin hero variations that I enjoyed. I just dont specifcally hunt for them myself.
Oh and Id like to add that I think the focus is on bw/wm because its indicative of a loooooong ... underserved(?) segment of readership. Sistas didnt just wake up one day ten years ago and say"Hey, I wouldnt mind reading about a white guy with one of us." The need has been there from the beginning of romance. Its just now society (Hollywood included) is picking up on the demographic. We exist. We always have. cha-ching cha-ching.
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Seriously?
:-(
Guinevere wrote: ""I'm wondering, has anyone had any complaints about the diversity with the love interests? I'd love to see some mixed race heroes since obviously we see a lot of mixed race heroines. "
I think it's the opposite. Most readers have voiced being turned off when they discover the hero is mixed mostly because they expect a WM (especially if the cover shows it) and if it's sold as such via the blurb. I wouldn't mind seeing more asian heroes though. I know most of the IRs since the 90s/early 00s have been bw/wm since it's the most popular.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Guinevere wrote: "I think that I for one love envisioning a heroine that isn't like all the other heroines. There isn't one type of beauty especially with us black women. We are such a diverse type, so I guess it bu..."Well, won't be touching this one either.
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "It really is not the surprising that most black romance heroine looks are a tad racially ambiguous because most of our real life Black beauty..."FPD, I wasn't trying to make you feel like the heavy *sad face* (though I get that same response when I bring up my distaste for BBW story lines), but kind of wanted to put that part of the bi-racial component out there because it never seems to make it in these discussions. I just don't necessarily think of it as a moral failure, if the author's dream character is based on Halle Berry either (that is not aimed at anything you've said by the way). I don't want to feel like a race traitor for finding brown skin beauties, with long hair, or green eyes cool. There should be more of your dream girls included in the landscape, but I still want mine too.
agreed. again nothing wrong with variety. just not sure if each and every book in the genre has to have the same heroine
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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I actually deleted the original post because I just felt like "well duh" *grin*. But genetics are a wonderful thing and not every biracial child is going to look just one way, lol. I crave variety, that's all and it's absolutely RIDICULOUS that the past couple of books I've expressed some interest in all have the same template of heroine. I'm not gonna lie, I'm freaking disappointed with the colorism issue. We should know better. This is still OUR genre and if we're not going to shift the paradigm by showcasing black female beauty in all its incredible permutations, we can't be crying foul when mainstream writers (jumping on the IR bandwagon) don't do it either.
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "This is still OUR genre and if we're not going to shift the paradigm by showcasing black female beauty in all its incredible permutations, we can't be crying foul when mainstream writers (jumping on the IR bandwagon) don't do it either. "Well this right here I can agree whole hardheartedly with. The funny thing is, it's not going to be BW/WM that will make it popular. If an IR author really wanted to catch fire, they would start a well written multicultural character series, that mixed up the pairings, but make sure to include BM/WW because that is what's going to take it mainstream (unfortunately). While we're arguing about degrees of blackness, some enterprising appropriator is going to sweep in.
I probably already brought this up but I really don't like the food/chocolate comparisons. They just don't sit right with me, and kind of carry even a sense of racism IMHO. Words like mocha, honey, caramel, Hershey, etc., especially when the hero uses them. It kind of just carries this underlying idea that the hero/SO is with the heroine for the sake of her skin color(or whatever ideas, sexual and non-sexual, he's perceived about her by her skin color). Which I am not about at all. At the end of the day, if I'm reading a love story between two characters, whether if it's Chick Lit, Women's Fiction, Mystery, Romance, whatever, I have to want them to get together. I have to believe that they care about one another and truly love each other. When they're together, I want to actually like and believe they're together.
And as far as sex(and by default even sexuality), I think it's great to have in a book so long as it's for the characters it focuses on. I know that sounds strange. But in some cases, I've read books, both inside and outside of IR, that seemed to be showing or displaying the hero's sexuality or need for sex or his virility through the heroine, not with the heroine in his own right and her displaying her sexuality in her own right. And this is not to say that the female characters don't enjoy the sex they have but it some cases what occurs are the hero's fantasies, what are filled are the hero's needs, what happens are the hero's wants, if that all makes sense. And when the heroine does show enjoyment or interest, it's not until after the sex has occurred, if that makes sense.
And in other cases, the interest for the newer aspect or dimension of their relationship (i.e., "trying something kinky/freaky") is shown for both of them. WHICH IS AMAZING. One of the positive things I've seen about I/R is the fact that is some books character do explore their relationship more, whether it's with BDSM or having sex in room/area outside of the bedroom, and so on.
So, sexuality for IR is one of those "it can be good or bad" things. If that all made sense. LOL
Re: black women working out, maybe it's because there are so many black women who won't work out because of their hair. Well, I've seen it. I know too many women who won't work out for fear of "ruining" their hairstyle, which is ridiculous. I would rather have hair that is not perfect but allows me freedom to do what I want.
And when I write about my characters, they power walk, they jog (even if they hate it), they go to the gym. I don't want my characters to be walking-talking stereotypes.
Guinevere wrote: "I'm wondering, has anyone had any complaints about the diversity with the love interests? I'd love to see some mixed race heroes since obviously we see a lot of mixed race heroines. Maybe some mo..."
I concur. I've read a few books with Indian protagonists (Glutton for Pleasure & Demon Moon) and a few with bi/multi-racial ones (Player's Ultimatum) but they're far and few. Finding quality IRs is hard enough. Finding the ones that feature protagonists that aren't Black/White/Latino is like a porn star looking for a unicorn.
dizzy-and-bookish wrote: "I probably already brought this up but I really don't like the food/chocolate comparisons. They just don't sit right with me, and kind of carry even a sense of racism IMHO. Words like mocha, honey..."ERMAHGERD! I'm so glad you brought that up, Dizzy. I too find myself bothered by food/chocolate comparisons but I could never figure out why I was until I read your post. It does seem a little "exotica erotica." My skin doesn't taste like a Godiva bar or look like one either. It tastes like epidermis and sweat. If it DID taste like Godiva, best believe I'd be a cannibal.
I don't mind the honey, caramel, chocolate descriptions at all if they're used appropriately and not overdone. Taste and smell are two of our most evocative senses. It makes sense that using a flavor or scent would click on an emotional level. But anything can be overdone.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
(last edited Jun 11, 2014 09:24AM)
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@Paganalexandria: Well, there's Suzanne Brockmann with Sam/Alyssa (one of her most popular and most requested pairings) so I don't see a BW/WM couple as a kiss of death. In fact, a smart mainstream author will be paying attention to that PW article about the huge number of black women readers, not to mention how incredibly loyal and vocal we are. They'll want a part of that.On the colorism thing, we're going to have to agree to disagree here. I don't see it as "arguing about degrees of blackness", because all I'm asking for is more variety. I have to say this again because I'm not sure I'm being understood but I AM NOT AGAINST LIGHTER-SKINNED HEROINES. Black women come in all shades, and we as readers and writers should BE at the forefront of proclaiming that. We should be the kind of inclusive that the rest of the media is not.
Here's the thing: if a geeky white guy author can give me a smart, dark-skinned with braids heroine (Connie from I Hunt Killers Go Team Connie) and another author can give me
, then there's no excuse to be served the same old flavour of ice cream, right? And while I WANT to spend my money with IR authors (don't doubt it for a nanosecond) if some of them are gonna serve me the same flavour of ice cream, I'm going where I can get all 31 flavours, lol.@dizzy and bookish: Intriguing thoughts on the sexual power dynamics. And I do agree. I think it tends to mirror the dynamics of msinstream romance, which probably explains why many readers have a hard time with unapologetically sexual heroines.
Loved the cover of Pitch! And thanks, TFPD for giving me another book for my diverser characters in speculative fiction list. The book sounds good and has gotten good reviews. Going on my TBR list.
@dizzy - I think your analysis re: sex and desire seen through the hero lens is very astute. I think it is part of the larger of issue where some romance novels sometimes feels like a big ol' pile of wish-fulfillment and in that sense women are often cast in the role of an object of desire rather than owning her own sexuality.@PenDiva - I love an unapologetically sexual heroine. I put in too many years with wispy virgins not to appreciate it when i finally came across a heroine who was not only NOT a virgin but initiated and enjoyed sex on her own terms. My bigger issue, and what I tend to see so much with erotica, are these heroines who do not seem to be able to control themselves. I read one book where the heroine first meets he hero during a business function where she is giving a presentation and she immediately gets hot for him and can barely form two sentences because her body is reacting so much to his presence. Sure appreciate his fineness, but don't look a fool in front of your boss and colleagues because you can't control your panties.
Food descriptions dont really bother me. Asjectivwa that jump all over the place do though but I've beaten that horse clear into the light already.
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "@Paganalexandria: Well, there's Suzanne Brockmann with Sam/Alyssa (one of her most popular and most requested pairings) so I don't see a BW/WM couple as a kiss of death. In fact, a smart mainstream..."FPD, I am understanding what your saying, and agree with a lot of it, on some level, but my comment amount about "fighting about degrees of blackness" isn't really directed just about your posts about heroines' skin tone. It's about all the arguments we constantly have regarding our desired representations of black characters period:
- some of us don't like them too 'hood
- some of don't like them too bougie
- some of us want them to use relatable slang
- some of only want proper English
- some want them naive
- some want them with life experience
- some want clean
- some want BDSM themes
- some of us want them glamorous
- some of us want them more realistic
- some of us don't want them to the funny friend
- some of us do not want them sassy
- some of us want less sex
- some of us want more sexual expression
- etc.
These are all things that have to be voiced, but at the same time there is no right, or wrong answer. So there is no argument to really have.
Yes, Pagan, I agree totally that there is no right or wrong answer. We can all agree that we want to see books for every taste.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "@Paganalexandria: Well, there's Suzanne Brockmann with Sam/Alyssa (one of her most popular and most requested pairings) so I don't see a BW/WM couple as a kiss of death. ..."LOL, that list is pretty accurate I must say *grin*
To be fair, we're no worse than mainstream romance readers whose lists are even longer than ours.
*Hugs*
Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "@Paganalexandria: Well, there's Suzanne Brockmann with Sam/Alyssa (one of her most popular and most requested pairings) so I don't see a BW/WM couple as a kiss of death. ..."So true. At the end of the day, the writer must write what feels true and authentic for them. If we write to simply please a reader, we do not satisfy ourselves.
I specifically do not say if my heroine has natural or permed hair because I don't think it's important. I might comment on how dark her skin is if I think it's important, but usually it isn't.
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "@Kim: Since Hemingway has never been one of my favourite authors (I know "sacrilege" lol) I disagree with his thinking. He was writing the default, so no wonder the "blank slate" idea worked for hi..."I think writing Hemingway's way gives a lot of freedom to the writer. It means you can focus on the story instead of details that may not actually be important. Often, how dark a character's skin is is actually irrelevant to a story. Just look back at how many times we've read in this thread how many people don't want to hear about if skin colour is a "threat" or a reason why a heroine feels uncomfortable with a hero.
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "Paganalexandria **wicked juices bubbling over** wrote: "TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "@Paganalexandria: Well, there's Suzanne Brockmann with Sam/Alyssa (one of her most popular and most requested pair..."*Love back*
You are right, all romance fans have book-thou-shall-nots. I always say no matter how cool we are now, bibliophiles are at their core a little nerdy, and we all know there is no fan base more loyal, but rabidly nit picky than the nerd contingent. lol
Part of romance appreciation is reading a live story where YOU can envision yourself being loved so completely by a man so perfect, hes fictional. I think thats why people like skin descriptions. As black women we are still prone to seeking validation for our specific type of beauty or situation. We can say we dont need it all day long, but I contend that that is why certain tropes work. Whether its the hero who falls in love with the single mother of three or the billionairre who falls for the "ebony skinned" goddess. Romance readers like to identify with the heroine. We dont HAVE to. But when we do? It adds something to it. An extra *oomph* that allows us to get swept up even more. A reader beng able to read a story that says "Yes, this happens to people like me" is a satisfied reader.
Savannah~Quad-motherin'-book readin' diva wrote: "Part of romance appreciation is reading a live story where YOU can envision yourself being loved so completely by a man so perfect, hes fictional. I think thats why people like skin descriptions. A..."Savannah that's true, but I sometimes also like reading characters nothing like me at too.
Reading a book is my version of reaching zen because it takes me out of my head, and able to live someone else's experience for a while. There have also been times that a character felt too familiar to my negative headspace at the time. I can't be the only one with that reading tick, kind of not liking someone because you share the same bad personality traits.
Savannah~Quad-motherin'-book readin' diva wrote: "Part of romance appreciation is reading a live story where YOU can envision yourself being loved so completely by a man so perfect, hes fictional. I think thats why people like skin descriptions. A..."Savannah that's true, but I sometimes also like reading characters nothing like me at times too.
Reading a book is my version of reaching zen because it takes me out of my head, and able to live someone else's experience for a while. There have also been times that a character felt too familiar to my negative headspace at the time. I can't be the only one with that reading tick, kind of not liking someone because you share the same bad personality traits.
I dont disagree, Pagan! As a mood reader, I definitely get that.Just speaking to something I consider a kind of...integral allure of this genre going way back to origins of contemporary romance. Women love the fantasy. And sometimes its all about imagining yourself in the heroine's position. Hell of a lot easier to do if some of the basics are at least within the realm of possibility lol!
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But I do get why readers feel left out when they have a whole array of books and none of the characters look like them or share anything in common with them.
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Fans of Interracial Romance
Books mentioned in this topic
Cold Warriors (other topics)A Thankful Love (other topics)
Against the Odds (other topics)
From Across the Divide (other topics)
Tears of Heaven A Love Story (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jewel Adams (other topics)Tilly Bagshawe (other topics)
Judith Krantz (other topics)
Dying.
Dead.
Slayed.
Oh, Savannah you totally kill me!!
Kim wrote: "I never focus too much on hair type when I write because I don't think it's important. It's one of the reasons I don't give many details on characters' appearances when I write because I've learned from Hemingway that readers will envision the character as they want if you focus less on how the character actually looks."
This is soo true.
I'll always remember how Susan Elizabeth Phillips described her heroine Phoebe in one of her books. She used words like 'Chicky-Boom body' and a "Va-va-voom" hair and "sparkly cat-eye glasses" and Phoebe carried around a little white poodle. None of these things actually truly physically describe Phoebe but they give a very vivid picture of what she is looks like. Without describing hair or eye color I knew exactly how to picture her in my mind.
I do like a little something to help picture a character, but honestly over description has always been a huge problem for me in romance.