Christina right here. You know that saying, “It’s not the winning but the taking part that counts”? That’s a tough lesson to be taught whenever you’re little. How many instances have we mentioned it to ourselves, our kids or our pals when somebody misplaced at one thing or didn’t win some competitors or sport? I do know I repeated it to my daughters till I used to be blue within the face, but it surely didn’t cease the frustration on their faces as they got here away emptyhanded from yet one more college sports activities day.
“Mummy, can’t we buy a medal?” my oldest requested as soon as, clearly not having grasped the entire idea of such competitions in any respect. And clearly, she had already realized that loads of issues in life will be purchased, which wasn’t a lesson I needed her to soak up at such a younger age. Thankfully, we ultimately start to grasp the saying as we develop up and it makes excellent sense.
A few days in the past I attended the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Assocations’ (RNA) annual awards occasion, which was very fulfilling. Drinks, a buffet, and assembly up with pals and colleagues in a stunning setting in central London – excellent! (The venue is near the Tower which is certainly one of my favorite locations to go to within the capital.) The awards themselves comprise plenty of totally different classes and I used to be fortunate sufficient to be shortlisted within the Fantasy Romance one. I got here with out expectations – simply being a finalist is a big increase to an writer’s morale and I actually didn’t care whether or not I gained or not. As it occurred, the award went to another person, but it surely was simply enjoyable to be part of the proceedings and to have my story chosen as a finalist by the readers. Their approval is what actually counts for me. (And the primary upside of NOT profitable is that I didn’t should make a speech, one thing I at all times dread.)
(You can discover the total checklist of winners right here).
Me with fellow authors Jeevani Charika and Jane Lovering
As we’ve most likely talked about earlier than, authors will be very crucial of their very own work and I, for one, normally really feel that what I’ve written is full and utter drivel. Self-confidence will be at an all-time low, particularly in the midst of a narrative when the whole lot feels as if it’ll by no means work out. So to be shortlisted for something is precisely what an writer wants! It offers us an amazing increase and helps us to hold on writing.
Of course, profitable is the icing on the cake and can make you’re feeling further particular, but it surely isn’t obligatory or as essential as whenever you have been youthful. I don’t have that feeling of failure I did after I was the clumsy baby who was extremely un-sporty, by no means gained something, and was at all times the final particular person to be picked for the rounders group. These days it doesn’t matter.
Awards occasions just like the one I attended even have one other, extra essential, perform – they hopefully elevate the profile of romantic fiction as a complete. It is sadly a style that’s typically derided or regarded down upon, which could be very unfair contemplating what number of readers across the globe adore it! And additionally how a lot earnings it generates for publishers worldwide and the way giant a share of the ebook market is taken up by romance. (More than 25% of all fiction, I imagine). To be half of a complete night devoted to the style I like was fantastic!
Last month the RNA additionally celebrated romance in all its numerous guises by holding a Romance Reading Month with plenty of totally different actions. This was impressed by Sara-Jade Virtue, Brand Development Director, Fiction, at Simon & Schuster UK who has just lately been main a marketing campaign throughout publishing to demand respect for the style. As authors of romance, we have been inspired to hitch in through the use of the hashtags #RespectRomFic and #ProudToWriteRomFic at any time when we posted on social media – one thing most of us have been fairly blissful to do. There have been different actions all through the month, and I hope that they have been loved by many and raised the profile of romantic fiction as meant.
Romance is an extremely broad spectrum and all of us have our personal preferences, however the detractors appear to forged shade on your entire style, typically with out having learn a single one. Love is in all places and is the factor most individuals need of their lives, so what’s fallacious with studying about it? Absolutely nothing!
I very a lot loved my night in a room filled with romantic fiction authors, readers and publishing professionals, and it doesn’t matter what, I shall proceed to learn romance for so long as I dwell.
How about you? What would you say to those that look down upon romance? We can at all times do with a very nice come-back or two and I stay up for listening to yours!
