A funny thing happens when I tell people that my novel is going to be published sometime in the near future. The first reaction is usually to congratulate me. Then comes the inevitable question, “What’s it about?”
That’s when I hesitate. After all, I want my book to be a best seller (or at least a good seller)—and everyone I tell is a potential reader, I hope.
I gulp and then say, “It’s a love story, ala Nicholas Sparks with a little Maeve Binchy rolled in for good measure.”
The rest of the conversation depends on whether the person I am talking to is a man or a woman. Women often look interested, and then I go on to explain a little more about the story—it’s a coming of age story set in a very traditional Irish American community during the 1970’s.
Men, however, usually change the subject.
I’m not surprised at this. Most people equate love stories with romance novels—especially the ones with notoriously lurid covers showing women who are being ravished by a long-haired man.
Love stories, though, tell the stories that fuel everyday life. They relate how people find love and how they make the connections we all value. They tell stories of survival—how people heal from life’s great traumas: the loss of a spouse, abuse and rejection. They can be cathartic, helping people to weather many of life’s storms. They can also give us insights into the lives of others: what it is like to be a victim of abuse, or to lose the love of your life, or to pick up the pieces after a terrible trauma. Some love stories can be a window into an historical period. They can humanize the suffering of people who were persecuted in some way.
The characters in quality love stories have lessons to teach us all: resilience, hope, how to forgive, and how to know when to move on.
Nicholas Spark’s novel, Safe Haven, tells the story of a young woman who escapes a dangerously abusive relationship. It describes how she outwits her police detective husband and makes a new life for herself.
The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford tells the story of long lost lovers who finally are reunited after many years. They were forced to separate during WWII when Japanese –American citizens were rounded up and placed in relocation camps.
Both of these authors are men. They both assert that they love to write love stories because these are the stories that people relate to best. Both men write about women lovingly and sensitively.
I would rather call my novel a relationship story. Because I really believe that love stories are about relationships. And quite, honestly, I am proud of my novel. I like my characters, I think the situations they face are realistic. The dialogue rings true, too.
So, labels aside, I hope that when you read a love story you will appreciate how it relates to your life. And perhaps, you too, will begin to see a well written love story as a relationship story, where love, life, survival and courage are celebrated.
Looking forward to your novel!
Thanks, Betty–you win an award for being the first to post a comment the soonest after I put the entry up! Wow!! You are amazing!
I can’t wait to read it! I guess to get most men interested you need a war or political back story, and lots of those are love stories, too.
Great point! I guess if I had a sword fight or a gang rumble it would have spiced things up a bit!! Thanks for the comment. I can’t wait to finish it up and get it our there, too.
Interesting, looking forward to your novel
Thanks,Paula. I look forward to its publication. Lots of work ahead of me!
Love the term “relationship” story! Best of luck with your novel : )
I appreciate your good wishes and I thank you for following my blog.
This is your best piece so far Kathy! It is so well thought out and articulated – I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks, Marilyn.
You’re welcome Kathy, I think your love of writing and expertise in putting together a wonderful story really shine in this one!
A love story. This is good. Maybe you should write from the “sparkle” view point. I think it would be good…..very good.
Well, it would be different and probably a best seller!
Kudos for this thoughtful piece on love and relationships. I look forward to reading your novel.
Thanks, Barb. Relationships make up the fabric of our lives.
Terriffic!! Just because I’m not there, doesn’t mean that I am not so very excited for you! After reading your 1st novel, I knew that you would be a success! I will be 1 of the 1st to own your novel! Lucy