When I was younger, I devoured romance clichés, especially in historical romances. There was something comforting about knowing how the story was going to go, and the journey was different in each book, even if the destination wasn’t. There was a long stretch quite a few years back in which I read everything written by certain authors as well as a ton of Harlequin and Silhouette novels. Then, as I often do when I focus too much on one thing, I burned myself out on many of the common storylines and decided I hated romance clichés.
Lately I’ve revised my opinion once again. Romance clichés don’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, I have used them in my own writing—with a twist! I’m sure most romance readers are familiar with the good old “rich boy (or girl) pretends to be a regular person to get away for a while” story. Though I’ve read and enjoyed many books with that plotline, I never expected to use it in one of my books. Then I started writing Fantasies: Independence Day. Rich, stifled Will runs away to the Fantasies resort to find himself. Wanting to experience a different life, he works as a waiter. When he begins to have feelings for his roommate, he has a lot of tough choices to make.
Sound familiar? It should. At its core, Independence Day is a very traditional story. At the same time, it’s also very different. When the two principal characters are men, the “poor little rich boy” has a whole new set of problems to face. I enjoyed taking a common romance conflict and turning it into something new, and I hope readers will enjoy it as well.
So, what do you all think? Do you love romance clichés, or hate them? Which ones would you like to see reinvented or re-imagined?
Just released: Fantasies: Independence Day, available now from Red Rose Publishing!
Blurb-- Tired of his rich, controlling father running his life, William Wesley Barrington IV temporarily escapes by "running away" to the Fantasies resort. At Fantasies, he’s just Will Archer, a waiter who shares an apartment with surf instructor Ryan Steele.
Being free to live his life however he wants to is great. The strange feelings he’s beginning to have for his roommate are not.
Can Will figure out his feelings before the lies he’s spun come unraveled?
Click here for an excerpt.
8 comments:
Sounds great, Cassandra.
Oh yeah...and I love that book cover. Whooooo hoooooo
I love that cover, too! Great post!
*hugs*
Paige
I like romantic cliches when I am in the mood for some comfort. The ride may be different with each book, but the end result - the heroine getting the guy, or in your case, the guy getting the guy :) - is always the same, and that's what I want.
what a clever topic and just in time since I'm plotting a new novel *g&
This probably won't make a lick of sense after I type it, but I don't like the obvious cliche's. What I mean is, I won't pick up a novel titled, The Greek Billionaire's Secret Baby. :) But like anyone else, I love the comfort of a familiar story line. I just like it camouflaged a little. And I do love a HEA ending.
Wendi Darlin
what a great blog, cliches can be a good thing but not always. I guess it depends on how they are used...
By the way love the book.....
Wow Cassandra, that's a fabulous twist on an old plot scheme. I think the most important thing when a tried and true plot line like that one is used again is whether or not the story is fresh and different, and I totally trust you to be able to do that ~ I have absolutely loved your writing ever since I "met" Bat Boy and the Wolfman and I'm thrilled that you're part of Midnight Seductions!
Adriana
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