Chilling in April 2024 spotlights romcom reading, and self-reflection  

Rather than spotlight one person this month I am throwing the spotlight on some great reading in the rom-com genre. On discovering authors like Katherine Center, and reading Hello Stranger (which I loved and featured as such) I found myself perusing this genre with a real passion. I couldn’t stop. Rather than reading I have been devouring. My self-reflection is out of control because rom-com has added a dimension to my thoughts and I love it. Why?

As an author, I have been told, the best writing happens when we write what we like to read. It makes sense. Consequently, I decided to reflect on this and found that what attracts us has similarities no matter the genre in much the same way we are attracted to what appears different in life. There is always a subconscious thread we recognise and it calls to us. As a result, I decided it would be interesting to focus on rom-com and fine tune the threads and then self-reflect.

I like the idea of humour as that thread weaving through my work. Am I this kind of writer? Self reflection dictates only partly, although enough I hope to imbue the warmth I find in this genre. And the attraction is about warmth. Let’s consider the definition. Wikipedia defines this genre as a ‘subgenre of comedy and romantic fiction focusing on light-hearted, humorous plot lines centred on romantic ideas’ where true love manages a win every time. Who doesn’t like this?

To this I will add I like the fact the characters have a reality about them. For whatever reason, the people I favour in this genre write with a sense that their characters are real people, vulnerable, seeking love but making mistakes, have family feeling and hope no matter how dire the situation. The characters have weaknesses, behave irrationally, but of course, those same characters are also unrealistically good looking and rich and powerful. Plausibility is stretched. However, these same characters have soft edges endearing them to us. Connection is made. We see ourselves reflected but with humour, with a gentle flow of words. In fact, the more the characters fail, the more we want them to win.

Of course, not all the authors in this genre manage the above but then again that isn’t the point. This is not about individual writers but rather the way rom-coms garner emotions. Basking in the humour and the warmth has inspired me as has this image on Linkedin used by author Robert Shackleford to lighten the writing regime. I haven’t read his books but I love the simplicity of the chosen meme. Between the rom-com and this image, I seem to be on track (don’t quote me, an author can often have a wild imagination too).

Barb’s News

My own books

Rather than comparisons to others I am choosing to put up an image of what I have achieved so far and though a small image, it houses six books. It reminds me every day is a learning experience. Now to keep going, to believe in myself and to trust in that learning process. A dose of self-reflection never hurts a soul.

The world around me

This month I attended two author sessions courtesy of  Townsville Libraries. It isn’t always easy to live in a small town but Townsville Libraries try to do their best to expose would be writers and fans to as many experiences as possible. (The supper they put on is pretty good too).

The first, Romancing the Page with Barbara Hannay and Rachel Armstrong brought together two generations of local authors with fans and would be writers. Both these ladies have new books coming out, Barbara Hannay with The Wife’s Secret and Rachel Armstrong with Bali Escape with the Single Dad.

Two days later one of those authors, Barbara Hannay held a very interesting workshop on the writing process entitled The Winding Path to Happy Endings. The presentation highlighted not only the difficulties of writing as a profession but also how rewarding it can be. Again it encouraged self reflection on my part and I think on the part of other attendees.

Books I’ve read and Films I watched

Films

Madame Web

That the actor (main role) Dakota Johnson, was not surprised her Marvel movie Madame Web flopped was only one of numerous and I mean numerous comments I have read since seeing this film. Fully conversant with the fact that people have varied opinions about films and books because as an author it smacks you in the face every day, I am not upset at the negative reviews. I enjoyed the film but was not blind to the faults. I am upset at the idea that the faults could have been avoided.

With the amount of money spent on this film, what the heck happened? The faults are glaring but there is also entertainment possibilities and a lesson in values. It could have been a great film. Surely the leading actor read the script and asked questions. And surely, other people connected to the project, professionals who are paid an enormous fee could have spoken up? For me, all that action and selfish teenage behaviour resonated (ex-teacher here) and there were some excellent lessons to be had, to be displayed. Even better, the bad guys meet a well-deserved end.

But there was a distinct lack of cohesion between plot (reason for the action) and the action itself. So much, sadly left unexplained. I actually enjoyed many parts of the film but with all the professionals involved, why weren’t the problems addressed? The colossal waste of funds breaks my heart and the whinging about it by cast members and crew leaves me speechless. I know that last bit is a contradiction because I have just said my piece – I have whinged. What else can I do? Stay silent and keep the sadness I feel to myself. This would have been an easy fix in a world where so many other things are out of our control.

Books

This month my reading was all about romance novels or romcoms. An author is an artist at a keyboard. If the author types in confusion, love, fear, shyness, brashness, smarts and stupidity, the audience connects. The brain accepts plausibility – it suspends disbelief. That last sentence says it all. These rom coms display ingenuity, a comic flair, some very likeable characters with real feelings if somewhat over the top or down right whacky at times. We discover good writing and hotness can fit nicely and that tropes are nothing without the characters, their quirks, their fears, and their actions. We want readers to suspend disbelief because of our words. To be involved in escapism is one thing but to empathise, to connect enough to believe is everything a writer could wish for.

The Bodyguard – Katherine Center (more books please)

Raising the Bar – Avery Kane (more please)

Love at first – Kate Clayborn (haven’t stopped at one as you can see)

Luck of the Draw  – Kate Clayborn

Best of Luck – Kate Clayborn

The Improbable Meet Cute (a small taste of authors who organised individual books under one theme to give excellent insight into the genre and the individual writer)

Alla prossima, till then happy reading,

Barb

If you are feeling kindly disposed, please feel free to check out my books

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Unexpected Obsession

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Emotions in Eruption

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