Comments on: Generation gap http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/ Readers of romance talk Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:35:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: AccessRomance - Readers Gab » Blog Archive » Escape artistry http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-2856 AccessRomance - Readers Gab » Blog Archive » Escape artistry Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:18:50 +0000 http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/#comment-2856 [...] Escapism’s been on my mind since Jill commented: With the economic slump, I’ve heard that more readers are reaching for books based on fantasy … an understandable reaction to current hard times. [...] [...] Escapism’s been on my mind since Jill commented: With the economic slump, I’ve heard that more readers are reaching for books based on fantasy … an understandable reaction to current hard times. [...]

]]> By: Eva Gale http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-2683 Eva Gale Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:51:44 +0000 http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/#comment-2683 *That’s it exactly. Eva’s upcoming character sounds like she’s *got* character, instead of being an Everywoman who’s stuck in the ’70s.* From your lips to the editors ears... *That’s it exactly. Eva’s upcoming character sounds like she’s *got* character, instead of being an Everywoman who’s stuck in the ’70s.*

From your lips to the editors ears…

]]> By: Pretty women | Moriah Jovan http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-2682 Pretty women | Moriah Jovan Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:05:34 +0000 http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/#comment-2682 [...] Over at Teach Me Tonight, Laura Vivanco discusses the topic of older women in romance vis a vis Charlotte Lamb’s novels. She also points out RfP’s post at Access Romance and about young heroines who don’t really seem young and Robin Uncapher’s post about the time warp in romance. [...] [...] Over at Teach Me Tonight, Laura Vivanco discusses the topic of older women in romance vis a vis Charlotte Lamb’s novels. She also points out RfP’s post at Access Romance and about young heroines who don’t really seem young and Robin Uncapher’s post about the time warp in romance. [...]

]]> By: Jade Lee http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-2620 Jade Lee Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:04:51 +0000 http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/#comment-2620 This is an incredible challenge for authors. I write both STs and for Blaze. The only reason I feel like I can sound relatively young is because I still have a teenage daughter at home. But in 5 years, I'm not going to know what the latest "hollar that" or AIM lingo is, much less music taste. And that's assuming that my Canadian editor understands it! My only hope is to read hip YAs. This is an incredible challenge for authors. I write both STs and for Blaze. The only reason I feel like I can sound relatively young is because I still have a teenage daughter at home. But in 5 years, I’m not going to know what the latest “hollar that” or AIM lingo is, much less music taste. And that’s assuming that my Canadian editor understands it! My only hope is to read hip YAs.

]]> By: RfP http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-2619 RfP Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:50:19 +0000 http://accessromance.com/gab/2008/08/15/generation-gap/#comment-2619 <b>Jill</b>: <i>With the economic slump, I’ve heard that more readers are reaching for books based on fantasy.</i> I've read a similar idea about the fantasy genre, and it tickles my imagination. It's probably difficult to back up with data. It can be so hard to classify books as fantastical or reality-based; romance is often a blend. Looking at Presents, didn't the change in the line happen before the US economy slowed down? And that particular line is still dominated by British authors, isn't it? OTOH, I can think of a few arguments supporting your idea. Much of the world is going through economic uncertainties, not just the US; plus I wouldn't be surprised if Harlequin knows exactly which types of plots resonate in the big US market. And the economy slowing isn't the only source of angst for Americans. <b>Tumperkin</b>: <i>the shame of her having been an illegitimate child</i> That's so strange, especially given RWA's <a href="http://www.rwanational.org/cs/the_romance_genre/romance_literature_statistics/readership_statistics" rel="nofollow">reader statistics</a>. 57% of (US) romance readers are Gen X or younger. Surely a lot of current readers have grown up not seeing "illegitimacy" as a big deal? (Though being a bad parent seems if anything *more* despised now.) So how many read the books *despite* the time warps? Or are twisted like you and find them amusing? : ) Or out of a weird mixture of attraction and repulsion? That's me with Betty Neels--they're hilariously disconnected from reality, but strangely appealing. She's created a whole world, from physical types through social mores, and while it's not an attractive reality, everything in her world makes sense by its own logic. Plus, as I said, I think the dissonances are part of why they're interesting. <b>Kimberly</b>: <i>I have no problem with a contemporary woman listening to Neil Diamond if it’s deliberate (meaning the whole retro thing is part of her character).</i> That's it exactly. Eva's upcoming character sounds like she's *got* character, instead of being an Everywoman who's stuck in the '70s. BTW, I love that your son's already opinionated about authenticity and originality: <i>Van Halen (Not Van Hagar)</i>. Jill: With the economic slump, I’ve heard that more readers are reaching for books based on fantasy.

I’ve read a similar idea about the fantasy genre, and it tickles my imagination. It’s probably difficult to back up with data. It can be so hard to classify books as fantastical or reality-based; romance is often a blend. Looking at Presents, didn’t the change in the line happen before the US economy slowed down? And that particular line is still dominated by British authors, isn’t it? OTOH, I can think of a few arguments supporting your idea. Much of the world is going through economic uncertainties, not just the US; plus I wouldn’t be surprised if Harlequin knows exactly which types of plots resonate in the big US market. And the economy slowing isn’t the only source of angst for Americans.

Tumperkin: the shame of her having been an illegitimate child

That’s so strange, especially given RWA’s reader statistics. 57% of (US) romance readers are Gen X or younger. Surely a lot of current readers have grown up not seeing “illegitimacy” as a big deal? (Though being a bad parent seems if anything *more* despised now.)

So how many read the books *despite* the time warps? Or are twisted like you and find them amusing? : ) Or out of a weird mixture of attraction and repulsion? That’s me with Betty Neels–they’re hilariously disconnected from reality, but strangely appealing. She’s created a whole world, from physical types through social mores, and while it’s not an attractive reality, everything in her world makes sense by its own logic. Plus, as I said, I think the dissonances are part of why they’re interesting.

Kimberly: I have no problem with a contemporary woman listening to Neil Diamond if it’s deliberate (meaning the whole retro thing is part of her character).

That’s it exactly. Eva’s upcoming character sounds like she’s *got* character, instead of being an Everywoman who’s stuck in the ’70s.

BTW, I love that your son’s already opinionated about authenticity and originality: Van Halen (Not Van Hagar).

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