Romantic Suspense and the GREAT Romance

I am well aware that what I write verges on fantasy. I mean, how many times do we really get involved in the kinds of escapades that we authors of romantic suspense write about? How many times does the normal person actually stumble over a murder victim and then get caught up in the mystery of it? The mystery writer, Ruth Rendell (one of my faves), was asked this very question. The interviewer asked her if she, like her protagonists, ever came across a dead body. Her response, in her lovely British accent was something along the lines of, “Oh my goodness no, I would be horrified!”

I have had well-meaning friends ask me how could I waste my time writing such drivel? (The implication is that there are important books to be written, and why don’t I write one of those?) Well, actually, my friends are nicer than that, and they don’t actually say those words, but the meaning comes across that way to me.

With me, it has to do with God. Yes. God. I have also heard Christian romance writers say that we write romance because God gave us love and romance for us to enjoy. I don’t believe this for a minute. God didn't give us romance. It’s not for our benefit. God IS romance. And we who are made in God’s image and know God are involved in the greatest romance ever. Our romantic hero is Jesus, himself.

Therefore, every time I write a romance I am writing an allegory, a parable which points to the GREAT romance. I am, in essence, re-writing again the story of how much God loves us, pursues us and eventually finds us.

An excellent book that spells this out is THE SACRED ROMANCE by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge. Have a look at: http://www.ransomedheart.com/

So, what about the suspense part? Look around. We are in conflict. This world is in conflict. And one of the hallmarks of a good suspense novel is, you got it. conflict. And, in our books, good always overcomes evil in the end. Because that is what will happen at the ‘end’ of all things.

So, yes, what I write is fantasy. It is entertainment, but every time I write a romantic suspense I am pointing to the GREAT romantic – Jesus, himself.

One day we shall participate in the biggest and best wedding feast of all – the wedding feast of the lamb. And talk about good food – our finest meals and most wonderful wine will have nothing on that banquet. So, until that time all of us here at Craftie Ladies of Suspense will write that story over and over and over again in many different ways.