This week JJ and Kelly are not above capitalizing on a fake holiday to talk about LOVE INTERESTS and ROMANCE. They have lots of Opinions. Seriously, guys, JJ had to edit out over an hour’s worth of conversation on this topic.
Show Notes
JJ doesn't like books with FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELINGS in them, but loves a good romance in books
Some of our objections to the Instalove trope is not the initial connection, so much as the failure to follow-up with showing and not telling.
Objectively, What is a Good Romance?
Tension between characters
Good characterization leads to good romance.
When the parties involved in the romance clearly respect each other
Also, when the book makes you do this:
Objectively, What is a Bad Romance?
Just because a character is hot or tragic, that doesn't make them worthy of being loved.
When the issue of consent is muddy or dubious, and not just in sexual situations. Romantic tropes that fall into this include the Duckie or Brian Krakow Nice Guy.
When attraction overrides reason, especially in the case of serious wrong being done by one party to another
Women in refrigerators (Kelly was right; it's Green Lantern)
Books Discussed/Recommended Reading
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
The Price of Salt (or Carol) by Patricia Highsmith
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan (via Netgalley)
What We're Working On
Kelly is still working on her YA project and writing her "long shitty synopsis"
JJ is working on her mental health
Off Menu Recommendations
Kelly is watching Avatar: The Last Airbender (yes, we are working on another podcast!)
That's all for this week! Next week we will go back to our Publishing 201 series with THE ANATOMY OF A QUERY LETTER.
17. Love Interests And Romance