Post-it Note #25
In which I explore romantic fiction in my daily notes.
Well I hope you had a fantastic Valentine’s, Galentine’s, Palentine’s or Friday Day yesterday. I couldn’t help noticing that Galentine’s is often also spelt Galantine’s, why? And is it possible to mis-spell a made-up word?
Anyway, here are my LOVE-ly notes from last week:
In case you can’t guess, Romantasy is a mixture of Romance and Fantasy but not like me and Harry Styles. More like a blend of castles, dragons and frocks made of gossamer.
My drawing, (in fine-liner and watercolour) which was originally from a photo I took of a dancer at Montserrat, is how I imagine a character from a Romantasy might look.
My fine liner and watercolour painting of a dancer at Montserrat.
Romance is the biggest genre in publishing, says Goodhousekeeping.com and their current favourite is Bridgerton.
If you’re looking for the best-selling romance of all time, then Bing says it’s Pride and Prejudice. Hooray! I don’t want to be prejudiced but I prefer that one.
Here’s a romantic flower painting I created of a primrose, that I’m quite proud of, to keep you in the mood for love.
My drawing of a pink peony in bic biro
Is there still a stigma about reading romantic fiction? Do people still read it secretly?
Jennifer Safrey says Anything that girls and women love — a lot of people want to make fun of it or denigrate it, in an article that I found here:
WLP’s Safrey on Stigma of Romance Novels: The Boston Globe - Emerson Today
Maybe there will be further revelations of this nature in the much-anticipated latest instalment of Bridget Jones’ Diary which is released today. Will you be going to see it?
My illustration today is a fine liner sketch of a romantic-looking character who could be writing her diary, concocting fantasy heroes or maybe it’s her shopping list.
My fine liner drawing of a romantic character at her writing table.
So why is romance the best-selling category of fictional writing? Maybe because it promises something wonderful that might not actually happen to you in real life, but could. Romance novels keep that glimmer of hope alive.
My illustration today is my biro drawing of a fabulous pair of Vivienne Westwood shoes. Something wonderful that you might want to wear all day long, but in real life probably won’t happen.
Studded patent leather platform shoes by Vivienne Westwood, drawn in Bic Biro
Who is the best-selling contemporary romance writer? I asked the internet.
This website responded first:
And, because they used the word swoonworthy I will believe everything they say.
My illustration today is my watercolour drawing of 3 swoonworthy gentlemen, ripe for romance.
My watercolour sketch of 3 eligible gentlemen.
Have a wonderful Saturday, and take care if you do any swooning- check for a soft-landing first.
I’ll be back tomorrow with a brand new topic to explore for the coming week.