tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post8100816529579573663..comments2023-12-07T10:05:28.591-05:00Comments on <b><i><center>Kimberly Nee </center></i></b>: Bodice-Ripper & Other Romance StereotypesKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06481162819559141780noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post-68328845004580533812008-06-23T22:45:00.000-04:002008-06-23T22:45:00.000-04:00Unfortunately, I don't think the old "bodice-rippe...Unfortunately, I don't think the old "bodice-ripper" tag is going to ever go away completely. How sad, because there really is so much more to romance that those clinch covers and dated plotlines...Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481162819559141780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post-75864558608180626792008-06-23T01:27:00.000-04:002008-06-23T01:27:00.000-04:00I'm just thinking about writing a short paranormal...I'm just thinking about writing a short paranormal for Harlequin, so good to hear some of the stereotypes laid out. Bodice Ripper--I like that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post-57069832704588809602008-06-22T10:46:00.000-04:002008-06-22T10:46:00.000-04:00I think there are people who are dismissive of ANY...I think there are people who are dismissive of ANYTHING that tends to appeal to women. Take movies..."chick-flick" is often meant as a put-down as well. <BR/><BR/>It doesn't surprise me that MSNBC did this particular poll -- several of their commentators are of the He-Man-Woman-Hating variety. <BR/><BR/>I also was put off by the YES! YES! YES! option if you wanted to choose that you liked romances. Kind of orgasmic, no?WendyCinNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15548500219172368038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post-69362945086895445082008-06-21T21:35:00.000-04:002008-06-21T21:35:00.000-04:00I've been there - the backpedaling is pretty much ...I've been there - the backpedaling is pretty much worth the insults. For the most part, people seem more fascinated by the fact that I'm a Real Live Writer, than they are dismissive of what I write - so it's all good in the end.<BR/><BR/>Oh, I'm almost 37 and I still dream of knights in shining armor - it's just that the knight is a little older, and maybe has a little gray mixed in with his sinfully dark hair =)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481162819559141780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post-18141312680641493252008-06-21T17:10:00.000-04:002008-06-21T17:10:00.000-04:00I have to say that I started reading romance novel...I have to say that I started reading romance novels, Harlequin, when I was 15 or 16 (now I'm 41). But anyway, I expected my night in shining armor to ride up on a white horse and just take me away, but of course I grew up in the 'hood and the only horses you saw back then were the ones ridden by cops. <BR/><BR/>A few years ago, I read Ties that Bind by Brenda Jackson and I have to say that I raved about the book. I do have to say that I'm not a romance gal. I just don't pick them up anymore. <BR/><BR/>Don't all girls dream of romance, etc.? What happens when you get older?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26753693.post-25988208380253434192008-06-21T14:13:00.000-04:002008-06-21T14:13:00.000-04:00That reminds me of when I used to post on a discus...That reminds me of when I used to post on a discussion board devoted to debates about religion, atheism, creation, evolution, etc. As you can imagine, things got a bit heated at times, and I loved it. I had a reputation for being a bit of a badass. Well, OK, more than a bit.<BR/><BR/>Each time the discussions touched on romance novels, someone would call them "mindless fluff" and someone else would refer to Fabio. And at that point I'd post something like, "You know, my manuscript is a romantic fantasy."<BR/><BR/>"Oh, we didn't mean <I>you</I>," they'd reply quickly.<BR/><BR/>Then I'd post a little to describe how far the genre has come. Sure, there's stuff that's permanently mired in 1970, but there's plenty of great romance novels that don't deserve to be tarred with the bodice-ripper brush. Pamela Morsi and Lorraine Heath come to mind right away, for instance. <BR/><BR/>I think romance is like any other genre that way. It's just that romance is easier to bash than others, perhaps because of the covers. Some of them can be quite, er, striking. Each year I participate in the Cover Contest that used to be run by All About Romance, so I've seen quite a few which might inadvertently help to bolster the bodice-ripper stereotype.Marian Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15700524210146863718noreply@blogger.com