Life Lessons: Talking Is Just as Important #MFRWAuthor Blog Challenge, Week 28
This week’s MFRW Author Blog Challenge Topic is
Life Lessons in My Books
Last year, Mary Balogh spoke at the Historical Romance Retreat (amazing little reader conference, btw) about one of the important themes of her romance novels. It was an aha moment for me. It’s a theme I love and try to emulate (that sounds so much better than copy) and one of the reasons why I love Mary Balogh’s writing.
What theme, you ask? Romantic love brings not just two people together, but two families.
Bring in the In-laws
Romantic love has a better chance to bloom when the extended family is on board with the relationship.
Some Other Lessons
One of the challenging aspects of plotting a romance is finding a way to achieve an authentic black moment for the relationship. In many of the stories I read, one party takes offense for what seems to me no good reason; an honest conversation would (to me) solve everything. Thus the title of this blog–talking is just as important as all the smooching, though I suppose in some instances that would leave us with no conflict and thus no story.
Other “lessons”:
- People are not always what they seem
- What you think you want isn’t always what you need
- For a relationship to work, one has to risk being vulnerable
Lady Jersey, Senior Partner at Child’s Bank
And then, if I may just add, I do so hate the notion that women were downtrodden victims. In times past, women’s and men’s roles may have been more tied to biological realities than in the present, but even in patriarchal settings, there have always been strong and capable women and men who understood and appreciated them. I don’t think there’s anything “modern” about that!
This is a blog hop, so hop along with my fellow MFRW Authors and see what life lessons they share.
Images: Wikimedia
It drives me crazy, too, to read a black moment that could be cleared up if the people would just talk to each other. But, people need to communicate with each other more in their real lives, so I guess it’s not so farfetched, even if it makes me nuts.
Very true, Robin!
Interesting post!
Thanks for stopping by, Cathy.
Yes I agree. Bringing in the families is important. I have that a little in my current WIP since the couple have been friends so already close with each other’s family. I totally agree with the lack of proper communication as a drama device. Sometimes that happens, but most adults (hopefully) know how to use their words and talk things through. LOL
Family members can be interesting secondary characters.
You’re so right about in-laws and the families. They can help make or break a relationship.
Very true!
In my WIP I include the heroine’s family . . . although it’s her dead brother who’s been ‘copied” by a shape-shifter. Does that count?
LOL! Absolutely, Ed!
“…there have always been strong and capable women and men who understood and appreciated them. ” you have no idea how refreshing it is hear someone ELSE say this instead of it always being inside my head
But it’s so true! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Raine!
It drives me crazy when a misunderstanding causes so much grief because the two characters refuse to talk to each other! Makes me want to jump into the story, lock them in a room, and not let them out until everything is cleared up!! I vowed to NEVER do that in any of my books.
I know! I think that’s why I prefer books with a lot of adventure or suspense. Even crazy, outrageous conflict is more believable than the emo characters who can’t/won’t talk to each other.