My world hasn't been the same since.
Another favorite romance author switched to suspense, and in the process actually denied ever having written a romance novel.
Notice I am not using names, but these are real authors.
However, now that I am on the writing side of the aisle, I understand the desire to write something different.
As of now, I do write western romance and contemporary romance which is much more like women's fiction.
Note One: My internet sales have always leaned heavily toward western romance. This category is how I make my money. (Notice I did not say "fortune.")
Note Two: I have written a few contemporary romances/women's fiction which are not big internet sellers, but the prints were well received here at home.
My fan base here in town is a wonderful faithful group, and they will read anything I write.
If I publish a Western Historical Romance, they'll buy it and make very nice comments, and ask when will I have the next book available.
If I publish a Contemporary Romance/Women's Fiction, they'll buy it, too, and still give me compliments and ask the same question.
Now, here's the interesting part.
Recently, I took a poll from my reader friends.
"Do you prefer Western Historical Romance, or do you prefer Contemporary Romance which is closer to Women's Fiction than pure romance?"
More replied they liked the contemporary/women's fiction for a particular reason.
Want to know what that reason ? They feel as though they're reading about "real people."
And they like that.
So do I. I've enjoyed writing all the western romances, long and short, but after a while I almost feel as though I'm writing "by the book," or "by a specified outline."
I've also enjoyed writing the contemporary novels, because I feel "freer." My story doesn't need the "Boy meets Girl; Boy loses Girl; Boy gets girl" specifics.
Although these always have love stories, they are not the focus of the story.
Am I making sense?
Here is one example:
Making the Turn: 39 year old Sara Daniels loses her luxurious lifestyle in Dallas overnight. To survive, she must go home to Del Rey, Texas and move in with her mother in the old farm house where she was born and grew up.
Sara is the main character and how she will redefine herself.
Her mother, Dorothy, is cantankerous and argumentative which confuses Sara.
Her college-age daughter, Laney, moves in for part of the summer because her mother no longer has the big house in Dallas where Laney grew up.
The story revolves around Sara and her relationship with her mother, her daughter, and the handsome physicist who is occupying a nearby farm house with his motherless young boy.
(I have the rights back to this novel and it has been filed in my computer over a year. I will re-write a little and rename it "Return to Del Rey."
The novels I've loved to write are my "Texas" romance books:
Texas Blue
Texas Promise
Texas True
Texas Dreamer
A little danger, some adventure, and of course, a romance. These somewhat follow characters from two families who helped settle Texas.
As difficult as it is to say, I've decided these four novels will be all of the "Texas" books.
Time to begin something new.
But what? Time will tell. So far, I've been fortunate that an idea appeared in some fashion that led me on to my next story.
Oh, never fear. I'll never give up Western Romance.
