July 11, 2008
True Romance?
The photos you are about to witness are real.
Only the participants
in the unfortunate relationships
have been damaged
in the making of these…
DIVORCE CAKES
Yes, gentle reader…this is what happens when the Happily Ever After turns out not to be so happy after all. 
And I must add that, sad to say, I think I’ve seen more of the above in my circle of acquaintances than evidence of what I would consider “True Romance”.
The question, then?
Do you have to believe in True Romance to read/write it?
Or do you have to believe in the idea of True Romance to read/write it?
Or can you read/write it while believing it’s a crock, but not care because it’s fiction anyway?
Those are a hoot!
In answer to your questions, I suppose some people can and some people can’t.
‘Do you have to believe in True Romance to read/write it?’
If we’re human, we believe in it.
‘Or do you have to believe in the idea of True Romance to read/write it?’
It would be better to have experienced it. If you write about True Romance, in it’s idyllic form, without the bittersweet first hand knowledge, the writing will be hollow.
‘Or can you read/write it while believing it’s a crock, but not care because it’s fiction anyway?’
Only if you’re a sociopath.
I think it’s either or. Whatever works. I’ve known couples the got divorced, know couples that I think should get divorced (seems only their mutual disdain for each and fear of being alone, or the kids is keeping them together). On the other hand I know peeps who’ve been married 20 - 40yrs old and their eyes still sparkle or they giggle/blush when they talk about each other.
I LOVE that “FINALLY” cake!
>>Only if you’re a sociopath.
I dunno i think i gotta go with VJ on this one. My head/eyes hurt too badly to think
I think if some part of you doesn’t believe then it would be a sad day after day existance. Not to say you need a partner to fullfuill you, but that whatever your ideal is, you’re ever hopefull it really exists.
I dunno–hard to really think of happy happy when you have two pissed off kids starring at you and two others nagging the hell out of you! You kinda wanna find the dh and bi*atch-slap him!
I love these cakes.
But isn’t there a difference between believing in it, and WANTING to believe in it?
Probably me, ever over-analyzing…but I must confess that I’ve known very few couples who remained happy after more than a few years.
And sometimes I’ll get to the “HEA” part of a book and sort of roll my eyes–but that’s what I consistently write!
No, you don’t have to believe in true romance. I don’t believe in vampires, werewolves, immortals or aliens yet I write about them.
I will say, I think it would be fun to be a divorce planner (or at least make a fun book to write). Imagine all the crazy things you could do!
You know I absolutely believe in it. It’s just not the kind you find in romance novels, but it exist. It’s not perfect nor beautiful ALL THE TIME. Romance novels HEA is really about being with someone who isn’t perfect and loving them anyway. I think that’s where people get it mixed up, because most endings focus on the “I love you. No, I love you more. gag. gag.” But if you look at it a few feet back that’s (loving the flaws) is what Romance is really about.
What is true romance to one person is probably the exact opposite to another. I like romances that are true to life, not fairytales, because I prefer truth over fantasy. But for other readers who want the escapist experience, the standard issue HEA is a must. I don’t think anyone is wrong in wanting either or anything in between.
To write convincing romance of any variety, I think you have to believe in people, and study them, and have great affection for them. They inspire your characters, and everything else in the writing blooms (or withers) from the fertility and endurance of those characterizations.
Tanya—you don’t believe in vampires??
Oh gawd—a divorce planner?!
Sounds dangerous…
“I love you. No, I love you more. gag. gag.”
There it is, lol.
To write convincing romance of any variety, I think you have to believe in people, and study them, and have great affection for them.
Very good point, Lynn, with emphasis on the word “convincing”. And the characterization is all-important.
Can I just have the cake- without the wedding or the divorce? (I like the bottom one).
>>You kinda wanna find the dh and bi*atch-slap him!
I think you meant hit him in the balls didn’t you?
I think some of us are supposed to find it and some of us aren’t–I think that’s a part of what keeps me believing is knowing there are folks out there like my aunt and uncle (who fell in love with her and KNEW she was the one the minute he saw her)
Ann I’m totally craving some cake too!
>I don’t believe in vampires, werewolves, immortals or aliens yet I write about them.