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| Photo by Stuart Miles at freedigitalphoto.net |
And there are so many different kinds - love between adults, love between parents and children, love between siblings, love between friends, love for nature, love for pets, romantic love, puppy love, the list can go on and on.
I've had some comments on Finding Meara from people dismayed that there are relationships included in the story line. Because the romance aspect is a sub-plot, I don't mention it in the blurb (it's hard enough to explain the plot) and so the readers were surprised to find some romance in the adventure promised. I've contemplated adding something like "Warning: Contains Romance" at the bottom of the blurb.
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What do you think? Is love a basic part of the human condition? Do you find relationships in stories that are not romances to be distracting or a pleasant addition? What do you think love is? Inquiring minds want to know!
I've read some really great, taut thrillers and other genres that included a love aspect. It can add to the tension ie the threat of separation etc. I do think it is a basic part of the human condition and natural, so it's only natural it would find its way into most stories. I don't write romances, but for my part, I think I could do with fleshing out the romance aspects of my stories more.
ReplyDeleteI love reading James Rollins and the Sigma Force series. It's one of my most favorite series right now. In the more recent books he has included a little romance/relationships and for me, it only deepened the MC's character. I totally don't think it takes away from the story at all!
DeleteLove, sex and the tension it contains has been a part of stories almost as long as stories have been around. Like death, it's a theme that seems inevitable in life.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree, Julie. :)
DeleteI like a little love thrown in. As long as it's well done. The tension of a budding love affair can add interest to a story.
ReplyDeleteHi, Karen! Thanks for commenting. You're right about it having to be done well. A badly written love affair can be laughable!
DeleteIt's too bad some people don't appreciate the human relationships of love. But I don't think you need to offer any disclaimers on your book. How many movies and books are out there that have love relationships in them? Plenty. Love is everywhere, in all shapes and forms. It's a huge part of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't think of a movie where there wasn't at least sexual tension - which may or may not be a good thing. But it seems to me that when movie or book characters have relationships that connect them to others, they seem more relatable and approachable.
DeleteThe Greeks had three different words for love. Agape is the totally undeserved, unselfish and unconditional love God has for us. I believe we love Him in response to His loving us. Similarly, (normal) parents agape their children, who love them back in response to their love. In both cases, the responding love falls short of the depth and strength of the original love, but it is real and sometimes comes close to the original quality.
ReplyDeletePhileo is the love brothers and sisters have for each other. I think the love shared by two friends would be of this type also. It is not as deep or strong as agape, but it is genuine and can be unconditional, although it's usually not.
Eros is the love shared by two lovers. It involves, but is not limited to, a sexual attraction. In a strong, mature marriage, agape grows out of this eros over time, forming a much stronger bond than the eros by itself.
You didn't really ask for long-winded pontification, did you? So I'll stop here.
I feel more comfortable if I'm reading a book with a bit of romance in it. Of my favorite authors, King doesn't include it, Rice goes overboard with it, but Koontz has just the right amount for me. You definitely shouldn't have to apologize for including romance in your adventure novel. My book's horror, but because it's YA (and aimed at teen girls) it has a LOT of romance in it. The adults who beta'd it for me loved that, but who knows what'll happen once it releases. :-/
ReplyDeleteLove is the most fundamental of all relationships. I don't know how you have a story without it--but I love that you asked the question because you're sure to get lots of deep perspective, especially for how does one recognize it. My answer is that we were created to love and be loved so the knowing is intrinsic. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I can define love. As you said, there are so many different kinds, and so many different ways to feel and express love. I do know it is an absolute essential in life, so why shouldn't it be in stories? It doesn't have to be romantic love (though there's nothing wrong with that being a part of a sci-fi or fantasy adventure), but without love, or recognition of that need in others, what reason would our characters have to move on? We're talking a lot at work about relationships being the most critical part of any interaction with co-workers, families, and children. One thing we've discussed is that people will forgive bad content (if there are good relationships) but people will not forgive bad relationships. This is in reference to work stuff, but I think it fits everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I can define love. As you said, there are so many different kinds, and so many different ways to feel and express love. I do know it is an absolute essential in life, so why shouldn't it be in stories? It doesn't have to be romantic love (though there's nothing wrong with that being a part of a sci-fi or fantasy adventure), but without love, or recognition of that need in others, what reason would our characters have to move on? We're talking a lot at work about relationships being the most critical part of any interaction with co-workers, families, and children. One thing we've discussed is that people will forgive bad content (if there are good relationships) but people will not forgive bad relationships. This is in reference to work stuff, but I think it fits everywhere.
ReplyDelete