Romantic Fantasy versus Reality

by Madelle Morgan

How do authors create those romantic fantasies we all enjoy so much?

The advice given to newbie writers is ‘write what you know’. I hear the collective moan from aspiring romance writers out there: Yeah, if that’s the path to success, then I’m doomed. No one would want to read about my life.  

Avid fans of romance certainly don’t want to read about an author’s real love life unless it could be convincingly portrayed on a cover like this:

Today I will let you in on a Trade Secret. Romance authors actually do draw inspiration from their real lives. I’ve created a short day-in-the-life-of-a-romance-author scenario to demonstrate how it works...

 Real life at the checkout:

“Ma’am, is this purchase a gift?” asks the pretty blond cashier with a metal post through one eyebrow.

“No,” Romance Author (RA) responds.

“Ma’am, the chart on the pantyhose package says this product is for women up to 5’6” in height and 150 pounds.”

“I’m 5’4” and it’s the last pair of Gossamer Silk.” But I weigh more than 150 pounds. At least I did the last time I dared step on a scale three years ago, RA admits to herself. Her shoulders slump under a faded sweatshirt. 

“Fine,” RA says through gritted teeth. “I’ll put it back on the shelf. Thank you for noticing.”

Later at the computer, Romance Author taps away on a work-in-progress:

Samantha dipped her head to slip one gossamer silk-sheathed foot into a Manolo Blahnik stiletto pump. Soft natural blond curls concealed cheeks flushed from her date’s heated gaze.

“Joe, can you zip my size 4 little black dress?"

Joe languidly quirked a dark brow. “Sweetheart, if I touch you I guarantee we’ll never make the reservation at Le Ritz,” he drawled in a deep, sexy voice that whetted her appetite. But not for food.

Real Life at the dinner table:

“You know I hate vegetables,” says Hubby, grimacing at the spinach RA tried to hide in a layer of lasagna.

Later at the computer, RA types the following:

The white-gloved waiter hovered, ready to take their order for appetizers. Samantha selected the spring salad. 

Joe dragged his attention to the menu, the first time he’d taken his eyes off her the entire evening. “The Oysters Rockefeller here are made with spinach?” Joe inquired.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have a double portion.” When the waiter moved away, Joe leaned in, his ocean blue eyes locked on lips she’d moistened with champagne. “I’ll need the energy later.”

And so it goes...

Here’s a bonus Trade Secret revealed: No matter how difficult romance authors pretend it is to craft their stories, we enjoy the fantasy escape from real life when writing them as much as you do reading them! 

www.madellemorgan.com

YA Author Beth Fehlbaum

I'm Beth Fehlbaum, author of The Patience Trilogy- Courage, Hope, and Truth. Hope in Patience is a 2011 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I wrote my first book, COURAGE IN PATIENCE (Kunati, 2008), as a therapeutic assignment. I was in recovery for childhood sexual abuse, and after months of sharing poems and short stories with my therapist, he suggested that I try writing a novel. The follow-up books--HOPE IN PATIENCE (WestSide Books, 2010) and TRUTH IN PATIENCE (as yet unpublished)--are a continuation of COURAGE IN PATIENCE. The books are novels--the story of a teen girl's recovery from childhood sexual abuse. I was motivated to write about someone else's experience because it helped pull me out of my own pain, grief, anger, and disbelief that my own mom turned her back on me.

 

Are your characters based on people you know?

I drew on my experiences as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to write the character of Ashley, the teen protagonist of the PATIENCE books. I drew onmy life as a teacher to create Ashley's stepmom, Beverly, who is a high school English teacher. The character of Ashley's dad, David, is based, appearance-wise, on my husband, Daniel, and they are also both heavy equipment mechanics.  The character of Ashley's therapist, Dr. Matt, is in many ways based on my own therapist. My husband and (now former) therapist are aware that there are characters based on them.

What genre are most of your stories?

The PATIENCE Trilogy is realistic fiction. It's what I enjoy reading, but it really chose me since I was drawing on my own experiences in many ways to write it.

What do the people in your “real life” think of your writing?

They are all very proud of it, because it's so symbolic of how far I've come both personally and professionally.

What was the most challenging book you’ve written?

Each of THE PATIENCE books was challenging in their own way, but TRUTH, the third book, was most challenging because Ashley finally fully remembers what it was like when her stepfather raped her. Prior to that, she had it blocked out. The memory is triggered in TRUTH IN PATIENCE. That was very intense to write.

What books do you have available now?

The Patience Trilogy is the story of Ashley Nicole Asher, a teen girl recovering from childhood sexual abuse and the new life she carves out with the father she never knew.  

COURAGE IN PATIENCE, the 1st book, is officially out-of-print and is available only through used booksellers such as on Amazon Marketplace. The publisher, Kunati, went out of business within six months of Courage releasing. I own the rights now.

HOPE IN PATIENCE, the 2nd book, is still available and in print. 

TRUTH IN PATIENCE, the 3rd book, is as yet unpublished. 

 

 I will be a panelist in a presentation on the Future of Young Adult literature at the American Library Association meeting in November. 

My website is http://www.bethfehlbaumya.com. Be sure to stop by and read chapter previews and reviews of all my books! Thanks for having me as a guest!

What Makes a Writer?

One of the first things I heard when I began my writing career was to “write what you know” If I did that I would have a short career. My life and what I have learned from it however does affect my writing in small ways. Ways I've only just begun to realize.

My first three books were set in Boston. This is were I was born and raised. I set it in the Boston that I knew, even though I haven't lived there in about twenty five years.. However times change and the city changes, but I called one of my brothers who helped verify such things as streets and buildings and their current locations. I am a visual person, I have to be able to see in my mind what I am writing.

That comes in handy when I travel, ten years ago we took a trip to Eastern Europe and took the overnight train from Prague to Warsaw. Nothing like riding a train straight out of an Agatha Christie mystery to spark your imagination. On a recent trip to Paris I was able to get some ideas for a follow up to my recent book THE MAN IN THE MIRROR. Now available on Kindle, the Nook and at Smashwords.com.

Back to writing what you know-I don't believe in it. I do believe that the things you experience in every day life, no matter how small, can spark an authors imagination in countless ways. What do you think?