Yesterday I posted a note about picking a genre for The Path Chosen, trying to explain, in my clumsy way, why I picked the genre I did. I speak upon this matter again today because it seems I've offended someone with my choice. Although, in my understanding of the matter, it's not my choice that offends as much as why they think I chose it. So, with clarity this time -- I hope -- I would like to explain my decision and the heart behind it. I risk shooting myself in the other foot by touching upon things in The Path Chosen that may be spoilers. I was trying to avoid doing this ever since announcing TPC's existence, but it doesn't seem I can. *Fingers crossed* In explaining my choice, I'd like to say: Dear Romance Author and Reader, when I state I do not think of my novel as a romance, I am not belittling the romance genre in any way. I admire anyone who can and does write for this category. I love a good romance -- in a novel, and in movies and television series. God knows I wish I could, and have tried to, write romance. However, The Path Chosen is not what I would call a good romance. When I state The Path Chosen is not romance, I am honouring the romance genre, and giving romance readers the heads-up, as it were. I am not looking down my nose at the romance genre, or placing The Path Chosen above it -- not in any way. I may be wrong, but when I think romance, I think one couple going through a gamut of troubles and struggles until we, along with the main couple, arrive at happily-ever-after -- which is where I want to end up at the end of a romance. Without spoiling TPC for anyone who is yet to read it -- I hope -- I share that this is not the case in TPC. The main theme is about two women. Their hearts. Their journey. Their heartache, fears, and experiences. One reader captured it well when she wrote the following review on Amazon: "...It's also a fantastic story of two women Dear Friends, if you wish to class The Path Chosen as a romance, by all means do so, that does not offend me. In fact, that would thrill me because I would've nailed that category while believing I don't make the cut -- and that opens more doors to me, and gives me more hope and courage in writing a 6 - 7 part novella series that I have been plotting and would class as romance. But if you're looking for one couple who stay true to romance, even with their issues, then you may be disappointed by The Path Chosen when you realise this story is about the women, and you discover that one partner from the two couples in this story crosses what I feel is the romance line.
Also, I wouldn't class TPC as a Christian novel either, because, again, out of respect for the readers and writers of Christian novels, and Christian Romance, I have strayed way outside the lines. However, failing to class TPC as a Christian novel, even though there are Christian beliefs in it, does not mean I am anti-Christian. I am a Christian. But I coloured outside the genre lines, and I feel I owe it to the Christian reader to let them know it may not be as pure as they would expect to find in a Christian novel. I do this out of respect for reader and author, and for the genre itself, not out of haughtiness or any such thing. If you have been offended by my choice of genre, or the motive behind it, I apologise with all that I am. Please know that I declare "it's not this" in honour of you, not dishonour. I wasn't putting anyone or anything down. I pray you'll find it in your heart to forgive my inept way of explaining myself and my intent. <3 I have attempted to write romance. Here's a couple of short stories I wrote a long time ago -- in fact, I would class these as Christian Romance - one with supernatural themes: Love Beyond the Grave. The Scarecrow. (If you don't like evil/ugly images, don't open this one. The scarecrow is the first thing you'll see on opening it.) I also have a number of stories on my computer/s that are romance, which I have started but feel too inadequate to write. I have a photographer friend with whom I share these story ideas with, who joins with me in thinking about, searching for, and taking images for romance novels. You can see the Pinterest folders for them here: (Some were in hidden folders, but I've opened them for this blog.) Someone Else's Child It Should've Been Me Sister Series Book 1 Sister Series cover ideas and inspiration. Sister Series: Book 1, 3rd sister. Sister Series Book 7 "Mum". Inspiration for "The Wrong One". So, as you can see, I'm not anti-romance. I have a lot of ideas growing in my heart, some I've written down and "pinned". My short stories: Links on Pinterest. In some of my poetry you will find romance. Some of my poetry on photos. |
Donna Keevers DriverMy writing journey - and a few things I learned along the way. Archives
May 2016
Categories |