Jul 25 2007
Romance Self-Defense: Introduction
The previous post was obviously me being, to one degree or another, a smartass.
The mission to win respectability for romance cannot be achieved by one author saying the right thing during an interview. Writers and readers together must present a united front.
It can be difficult defending oneself from condescension. It’s often easier to speak up when it’s for a cause. Causes, however, have mottoes and slogans and scripts for their proponents to work from to ensure a consistent message is presented to the public.
RWA would seem to be in the ideal position to organize such a movement. They have access to authors who have encountered the prejudice and authors who have countered it with aplomb. They have a site that could serve as an educational hub. Placed in an area accessible to the general public, readers, who endure many of the same attacks as writers, could also learn how to respond to the harsh and unfair criticism of their reading preferences. RWA could issue press releases to disseminate the information through magazines and web sites that cater to romance readers.
As of yet, however, I have been unable to locate any indication that RWA is addressing how to respond when writers as well as readers are confronted with a negative stereotype about romance.
Guess we have to address it ourselves.
The next couple of posts will feature some of those annoying things people have to say about romance novels, and suggested modes of response, sans my smartass attitude.
Okay, my smartass attitude will be rearing its ugly head, but I’ll separate it from the more considered, credible response.
9/30
11/4
11/4
11/25