| Advancing Brain, Diminishing Brawn: Trends in Romance Fiction April 2006 issue by Ann Durand copyright 2006 |
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Find out about Ann's latest book: FLIGHT OF THE GRYPHON A SCI FI ROMANCE |
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| HEART BEAT ARTICLES by ANN DURAND APRIL 2006 |
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So what’s been happening in the romance market now that the “bodice-ripping” days
are behind us? Some of us even remember those macho, alpha male types from the 70’
s who don’t like to ask and often make their women cry. They are largely a thing of the
past, and for most of us, that’s good news. Perhaps a fantasy or two may be lurking up
there on the shelf that says “don’t use except on New Year’s Eve when prepped with
wine and lots of coaxing,” but they’re not part of the daily diet that rocks the world for
most contemporary romance readers.
Today, readers of romance fiction are looking for smart heroines who can hold their
own with the heroes, including the alpha ones. For example, demand for romantic
suspense is on the rise; readers are now eating up novels where hero and heroine are
partnered in danger and displays of courage are divvied between them. No longer do
women swoon into their heroes’ arms. Now, they pick up arms and lash out to defend
themselves. Yes, the hero may still swoop down to save the heroine in the nick of time,
but not before she has demonstrated integrity, bravery and a valiant defense.
The trend that started in the 80’s toward more assertive and stronger females continues
unabated. And as for the men, Beta males and sensitive types grew in popularity, laying
the groundwork for the 90’s when females held their own against the males in power
and wit. Humor, for example, became very popular, and sophisticated repartee
between protagonists provided an interesting new balance between males and
females. I mean, let’s face it, when a woman can exercise a full opportunity to speak her
mind, it’s no contest.
These trends mirror real life. Women from the sixties and seventies broadened career
choices for all women when they burned their bras and participated in collective
protests. They paved the way for today’s working women, who do not feel they must
relegate themselves exclusively to jobs or careers that demand supportive or nurturing
roles, as their predecessors did. Secretaries, teachers and nurses now yield to
corporate positions such as CEOs, presidents and vice presidents. Women become
doctors, lawyers and accountants. They often compete with men for jobs that wield a lot
of money and power. And for the first time in history, more women are enrolled in
college courses than men, and more of them are majoring in science and engineering.
The mystique of power and strength formerly exercised in relationships by men alone is
steadily eroding. Women now understand power. They exercise it daily in negotiations
with their colleagues, subordinates and bosses. Power for the sake of power alone has
lost much of its appeal. Women today are interested in how that power gets used. The
trend is toward heroes as smart negotiators with well-developed people skills. A man
who understands emotions is no longer seen as weak. For many women, he’s just plain
sexy. As a result, brain power plays a more active role than brawn in romantic fiction
today. Don’t get me wrong…muscles and brute strength have their place--women still
know how to drool over a good hard body, however, Herculean heroes with thick skulls
now constitute a diminishing role.
For the writer of romance fiction, it pays to keep an eye peeled on reader predilections.
Great characterization is at the heart of great romance stories, and character profiles
been changing over the past half-century. Unless a writer is interested in a niche
market, it helps to consider where romance fiction has been and, more importantly,
where it’s going.
are behind us? Some of us even remember those macho, alpha male types from the 70’
s who don’t like to ask and often make their women cry. They are largely a thing of the
past, and for most of us, that’s good news. Perhaps a fantasy or two may be lurking up
there on the shelf that says “don’t use except on New Year’s Eve when prepped with
wine and lots of coaxing,” but they’re not part of the daily diet that rocks the world for
most contemporary romance readers.
Today, readers of romance fiction are looking for smart heroines who can hold their
own with the heroes, including the alpha ones. For example, demand for romantic
suspense is on the rise; readers are now eating up novels where hero and heroine are
partnered in danger and displays of courage are divvied between them. No longer do
women swoon into their heroes’ arms. Now, they pick up arms and lash out to defend
themselves. Yes, the hero may still swoop down to save the heroine in the nick of time,
but not before she has demonstrated integrity, bravery and a valiant defense.
The trend that started in the 80’s toward more assertive and stronger females continues
unabated. And as for the men, Beta males and sensitive types grew in popularity, laying
the groundwork for the 90’s when females held their own against the males in power
and wit. Humor, for example, became very popular, and sophisticated repartee
between protagonists provided an interesting new balance between males and
females. I mean, let’s face it, when a woman can exercise a full opportunity to speak her
mind, it’s no contest.
These trends mirror real life. Women from the sixties and seventies broadened career
choices for all women when they burned their bras and participated in collective
protests. They paved the way for today’s working women, who do not feel they must
relegate themselves exclusively to jobs or careers that demand supportive or nurturing
roles, as their predecessors did. Secretaries, teachers and nurses now yield to
corporate positions such as CEOs, presidents and vice presidents. Women become
doctors, lawyers and accountants. They often compete with men for jobs that wield a lot
of money and power. And for the first time in history, more women are enrolled in
college courses than men, and more of them are majoring in science and engineering.
The mystique of power and strength formerly exercised in relationships by men alone is
steadily eroding. Women now understand power. They exercise it daily in negotiations
with their colleagues, subordinates and bosses. Power for the sake of power alone has
lost much of its appeal. Women today are interested in how that power gets used. The
trend is toward heroes as smart negotiators with well-developed people skills. A man
who understands emotions is no longer seen as weak. For many women, he’s just plain
sexy. As a result, brain power plays a more active role than brawn in romantic fiction
today. Don’t get me wrong…muscles and brute strength have their place--women still
know how to drool over a good hard body, however, Herculean heroes with thick skulls
now constitute a diminishing role.
For the writer of romance fiction, it pays to keep an eye peeled on reader predilections.
Great characterization is at the heart of great romance stories, and character profiles
been changing over the past half-century. Unless a writer is interested in a niche
market, it helps to consider where romance fiction has been and, more importantly,
where it’s going.