Happily Ever After: The Magic Of Romance Novels
And, as all romance writers and readers know, not everyone understands that a book can be both. Walsh says that the biggest challenge she faces is other people’s perception of romance. “People never know how to react when I tell them I write romance,” she says. “It’s like there’s an ingrained urge among people to see it as beneath them. There’s also a lack of support at a broader level. Most bookshops don’t stock much romance despite incredible sales, and we rarely get serious coverage in the press or prizes. I know how much work and skill it takes to write in this genre, but it’s hard constantly having to justify my craft.”
This dismissal of romance can be rooted in misogyny. “Romance has traditionally been looked down upon because it’s something women enjoy,” says Notaro, whose podcast You Had Me At Hello invites guests to celebrate their favourite screen romcoms. “But really, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to write – books for women, about women. I am a proud big girly book author!”
And so am I. Two years ago, burned out after several years writing research-heavy historical fiction (and, in retrospect, reeling from the recent sudden death of my father), I knew I wanted to write the sort of book I needed to read. I wanted to finally write in a genre I’d loved since I was first captivated by Sebastian and Veronica all those years ago. I wanted to write something fun, something full of joy and heartbreak with a happy ending. I wanted to, well, write a love story.
