tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9791523.post110460213205518720..comments2024-03-04T03:40:11.172-05:00Comments on No rules. Just write.: Mystery in our libraries, romance in our bookstoresBrenda Coulterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528691681455659296noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9791523.post-1105312725665787612005-01-09T18:18:00.000-05:002005-01-09T18:18:00.000-05:00Brenda! No way! you aren't 48!
And I agree that o...Brenda! No way! you aren't 48! <br />And I agree that older women read the romances. My grandmother was the whole reason I first started reading romances. I was 10 years old. and she had a subscription to every line that harlequin put out. she was in her 60s.<br />HeatherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9791523.post-1105299867420400642005-01-09T14:44:00.000-05:002005-01-09T14:44:00.000-05:00Sue, I hate to argue with you after that lovely co...Sue, I hate to argue with you after that lovely compliment. ;-) But according to Romance Writers of America, it's not the twentysomethings who are buying the bulk of romance novels. Only 16% of romance readers are younger than 25; 21% of them are between the ages of 25 and 34. That only adds up to 37%, which means it's the oldsters (you and me, babe) who are reading the books.<br /><br />Do older women place a higher value on reading novels, or do they simply have more time to read? Beats me. All I know is that when my boys hit high school, I suddenly found the time to begin reading--and writing--romance. And as much as I'd love to think of myself as special, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm just an average 48-year-old woman.<br /><br />Thanks for posting.Brenda Coulterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528691681455659296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9791523.post-1105296290605635392005-01-09T13:44:00.000-05:002005-01-09T13:44:00.000-05:00It might also have something to do with the demogr...It might also have something to do with the demographics of who uses the library. I believe the average patron of libraries is getting older and may have more interest in mysteries than romances.<br /><br />And this is not a veiled attempt to make people of age into neuter, asexual drudges. But, publishers generally want romances involving twentysomethings. I lived through my 20s, and my 30s and ragbagged the tee shirts long ago. I am greatly heartened to see that there are small steps being made to include those of us who are more "mature." <br /><br />Give me men and women who are wrestling with remembering to take their gingko biloba and struggling with annuities or straight pension plans. <br /><br />Vive la hip replacement!!<br /><br />By the bye, Brenda, Finding Hope was by far the best LI I've ever read.<br /><br />Take care--SueSusan Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16599394499288052327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9791523.post-1105284767724548562005-01-09T10:32:00.000-05:002005-01-09T10:32:00.000-05:00Exactly what I was thinking, JH.Exactly what I was thinking, JH.Brenda Coulterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528691681455659296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9791523.post-1105268369455217492005-01-09T05:59:00.000-05:002005-01-09T05:59:00.000-05:00Brenda,
Unless the writing style is knock-your-so...Brenda,<br /> Unless the writing style is knock-your-socks-off, once a mystery's solved the magic leaves the story. Why return when you know who done it? Romance (perhaps) resembles a comfortable sea cottage populated by people the reader either wishes s(he) knew or wants to emulate; a regular holiday escape with friendly faces. Hence the borrow/buy dichotomy. Just a thought.<br /><br />JHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com