Romance Novels to the Rescue!

Maybe, like me, you've read a blog post or newspaper article lately about how romance novels are ruining women's lives. Bloggers, psychologists, and theologians have all weighed in on how romance novels set unrealistic expections for relationships and lead to dissatisfaction, etc, etc.

Well, my goal here isn't to defend Christian romance novels or explain why I love them and read them ... and write them. But I have been thinking about those things a lot lately. And it got me thinking about when I was in college...

I began reading novels with a strong romantic story lines when I was in junior high. These were mostly historicals by authors like Gilbert Morris and Bodie and Brock Thoene. In addtion to being wildly entertaining, they modeled what a pure love can look like. And, yes, they modeled what a good man could be, who loves God and seeks to serve Him.

Fast forward seven years. I'd just finished my first year of college, which had been full of meeting new friends and wrought with plenty of heartache. One of my new friends was a guy who was a couple years older, lived off campus (that was a huge deal at the time!), and knew just the words to say to make a girl swoon. He also had what he called "a special relationship" with God, which meant he thought he could do anything he wanted without consequence. It also meant he wasn't concerned about purity or a God-centered relationship, quite the opposite of the examples I'd first read about in books and then seen in real life. Quite the opposite of what I hoped for in a relationship.

But I enjoyed his friendship, and we talked every night that summer. With just a couple weeks left before classes resumed in the fall, our conversation reached a head when he asked me, "Why aren't we dating?"

Oof! What's an immature 19-year-old kid with a grand total of one official boyfriend ever supposed to say to that? I wanted a boyfriend. And I really liked this guy. He didn't hold a candle to guys in the novels I read, so that's why I dug into depths of my mind and pulled out the best fairy-tale line I could come up with. "You're not the man of my dreams." (Feel free to laugh or groan here. Either is appropriate.)

He promptly told me that I wasn't the woman of his dreams either, and our friendship crumbled pretty fast after that.

So, was I missing some tact? Absolutely. Do I wish that I'd said something kinder? Yup. Did romance novels rescue me from a whole lot of heartache? You betcha! More than 10 years later, there's nothing I regret about not dating that guy. While I'm all for realistic expectations in a relationship, I'm also for not settling for less than God's best.

I still read them. And I'm going to keep writing them. Because I believe that good novels not only offer an escape, they also give us hope for the best that God has for each of us. Life's not easy--but good romances rarely portray it that way, anyway.

What have romance novels done for you lately?

The Black Moment by Lisa Mondello

As a reader, the black moment is the point of the story that always has me glued to the story. It doesn't matter if I have to cook dinner (I read while I'm cooking) or pick up the kids from school or work (warning, I may be late) or have to work on my book. (Okay, I do tear myself away to get pages written.)

It's the point where the story picks up "speed" because all seems lost, I'm sure the hero and heroine aren't going to get together and they can't resolve their problems, and I can't wait to find out how they actually do!

As a writer, I hate the black moment. I do. I become fully invested in my characters as I write them. Usually by the time I get to that big moment, I care so much about them that I...don't want to hurt them. I don't want to put them through pain or have their heart ripped out. I'm a nice person and I want to be nice to them.

But that's no good. And I know this in my head and need to convince my heart to go along with it every time I write the black moment in a book. In real life, we hate seeing people we care about struggle and suffer. In fiction, it's perfection. The more torture we inflict on them, the better the payoff is. Don't you think?

What's your opinion? Nice black moment? Or put the characters through torture? I vote for torture. It's the only way that makes fiction grab me by the throat and keep me reading until the end.

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

What do you image--Lenora Worth

I'm headed to the grocery store. That's always such fun, isn't it? I knew it was time when I decided to have a mini-omelet and discovered we were out of eggs. Then I decided I'd have some wheat bread toast and a piece of low-fat cheese, only to discover that someone had eaten all of my low-fat cheese. Hmmm. Okay, maybe a banana. Yes, we have no bananas today! No grapes, and one puny apple. No strawberries, either. I need a valet!

But not to worry. As much as I dread walking into that big superstore, I dread even worse having no chocolate in the house. Why is it when you're trying to eat less, you just want more? Anyway, I decided I'd make this a fun trip. I'll use my imagination in the produce aisle. The woman with the white fur hat--I'm guessing she used to live in Russia. Maybe she was a spy. Now she's settled in the deep south and is enjoying this cold spell, so she pulled out her pretty fur hat that the tall, dark and handsome American man gave her once when they thought they were in love.

The little boy smiling at me from a buggy that is blocking the bread aisle--he's about to enter pre-school and he's afraid but he can't tell his mommy that because she goes on and on about what fun he'll have and all the new friends he'll make. But she doesn't see that hint of fear in his smile. I wink at him, hoping to give him some confidence.

And finally, the pretty woman in the book section, looking around for that latest bestseller--she's lonely because her husband is off fighting a war and even though she misses him, she is a romantic at heart so she believes she will be with him again one day. They will have the life they always planned, with a beautiful cottage in a quiet neighborhood, a fluffy dog and a beautiful baby or two. She picks up a book, reads the back cover then looks up at me as she drops the book into her buggy.
Everything will be all right.

I finish my shopping, secure and happy with my chocolate and bananas. In the check-out aisle, I get in line behind the Russian lady. She takes our her wallet to pay, but stops to look at an aged picture of a dark-haired man. I give her some privacy by turning to smile again at the pre-schooler who is now holding a toy soldier in his hand. Behind him and his frazzled mother, I see the young woman who is buying the paperback novel and as our eyes meet in understanding, I thank God that I am able to use my imagination every day--at the grocery store and when I sit down to write my little stories.

Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?

Inspiration and Susan Boyle

It's hard for me to believe that there is anyone who hasn't heard about Susan Boyle and her stunning appearance on Britain's Got Talent. Just in case you haven't heard about her, here is the link to her audition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OcQ9A-5noM&feature=PlayList&p=41424DCD1015CA16&index=0&playnext=1

I find this video so very inspirational. Here's an unemployed woman who'd always longed to be a singer. Even though she didn't fit the stereotype of what a superstar was, she gathered her courage, walked out onto the stage in front of Simon (that's scary enough) and sang her little heart out. I cry every time I see this video. When I heard on the news that Susan Boyle has a new CD out I decided to watch the video again. And cried again. It's simply beautiful.

It's important to remember sometimes that dreams, though fragile, can be achieved if you take the step to reach for them. And inspiration can come from the most unlikely places. I'm fortunate enough that my dream of publishing with Steeple Hill was achieved and continues. If you have a story of someone who dared to dream and achieved it, please post it here. We can all use a little inspiration sometimes.

Until next time, many blessings, Lisa Mondello

March Madness

How often does it snow in Atlanta? Usually once a year. For 2009, the storm rolled in on Sunday, March 1, while my family and I were in church. We came out of the sanctuary to see big flakes falling like confetti from the sky, covering everything in sight.

The snow continued throughout the day. Temperatures that had been in the balmy mid-60s earlier in the week dropped below freezing as Mother Nature reminded Georgians spring wasn’t here yet.

She failed to tell the flowers. My front walk was lined with snow-tipped daffodils. Azalea bushes, red buds and Bradford pears were blanketed in white, and the pansies got a frosting. The last of the white stuff melted today, and we’re expecting warm temperatures by the end of the week.

March Madness? You bet! With a start like that, the rest of the month could be whirlwind. My first continuity is due on my editor’s desk March 15th. I’m into the rewrites and spending lots of time with my hero and heroine to get their act together on the written page. Lucky me, I'm honored to work with a fantastic lineup of Steeple Hill authors, including Craftie Ladies Margaret Daley, Barbara Phinney and Lenora Worth.

As soon as that manuscript is headed to New York, I’ll start working on YULE DIE, a Christmas suspense, which will be out in December as a two-in-one with Craftie Lady Margaret Daley. Again, lucky me!

Best of all, my son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child any day now. Hubby and I are waiting for the phone call and the good news about our precious new grandbaby.

Hope your March is full of madness! The fun kind, of course.

Happy reading! Happy writing!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti
http://www.debbygiusti.com/
http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

The Ritas vs. Elton John/Billy Joel

I make no secret that I'm a huge Elton John fan and yesterday I just found out that my favorite musical performer is going to be playing at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on July 18th with Billy Joel. I have wanted to see the two of them perform for more years than I can say. Last time they swung this way, I had 2 small children and 2 more had JUST permanently moved in with my husband and I. I went from a family of 4 to a family of 6 overnight and we just didn't have the funds for such a spectacular treat. (Never mind what it would have cost for a babysitter for 4 kids ages 7, 8, 9 and 10.) Well those 4 small kids have turned into teenagers and the funds are pretty much like water through my fingers. But unlike then, I do make time to treat myself with some things I love.

Why is this important to a suspense writer? Why am I writing about this in my blog?

Because one of my other passions is reading and writing. One of the other treats I look forward to each year is the RWA National Conference and the RITA ceremoy. The RWA National conference is being held in Washington DC from July 15 - July 18. When I heard the news that Elton John and Billy Joel were performing I just about jumped out of my seat...until I heard the July 18th part. You guessed it. That is the same night as the RITA ceremony. This is the one night that romance authors of all genres recognize excellence in romantic fiction. And I look forward to it every year!

Right now I'm reading my RITA books and I'm loving them. I've discovered so many new authors by judging the RITA contest. I have one single title suspense book that I've had at my side since I started reading it and I know it'll be finished by the end of the day. This is a new author for me and I know I'll read more books by her in the future. The RITA ceremony, much like the Oscars for the movie industry, is a special night and a ceremony I've loved attending in years past. I love rooting for a book that I've read and loved. I love seeing the faces of people who've not only won the RITA, but who've finaled in the RITA contest. And I love seeing the unpublished authors who final and win in the Golden Heart contest.

But then...there is Elton John and Billy Joel. I can't be in Foxboro and Washington, DC at the same time. I'm hoping that as the day draws closer and the excitement about hearing who finaled increases, the sting of not being able to see my favorite performer will lessen. Right now I feel like I'm in a tug of war. The RITAS vs. Elton John/Billy Joel. 365 days in a year and my two favorite things are happening on the same night...

Until next time, many blessings. Lisa Mondello