Do you roll your eyes when someone says they read or write romance novels? Do you find yourself thinking or saying that romance novels are second rate? That they’re nothing but fantasy, that they have nothing to do with the “real world”, that writers who write them are second rate and readers who read them have boring, unimaginative lives?
Unfortunately, those thoughts/judgments are all too common. And they’re rife with ignorance.
As a writer of lesbian romance novels, it bugs me when people don’t take my genre seriously. Insults me, to be specific. Because you know what? I’m not a second rate writer. I can and do write fiction other than lesbian romance. Nor do I have a boring, unimaginative life. And hey, why would a romance novel be any more unrealistic or predictable than a mystery or suspense novel, never mind fantasy or sci-fi?
Romance novels are a great genre for developing characters if that’s what you’re into. They’re also uplifting escapism that isn’t full of violence every other page. They’re about human beings, they’re about relationships and life. And who hasn’t had at least one great romantic relationship in their life? I’d argue most of us have, even if the happily ever after didn’t, well, quite make it to the ever after part.
Aside from providing escapism and entertainment, romance novels have saved lives. Don’t laugh, it’s true. At least, 
queer romance novels have. I’ve had many readers of my books over the years tell me that lesbian romance novels made them feel “normal”, “hopeful”, “less alone”, that there were other people out there just like them. Queer fiction has been a lifeline for many lonely, fearful people. Queer fiction has helped crack open that closet door.
Romance novels are the workhorse of the publishing industry. It’s a billion-dollar industry, to be exact. So when you insult the genre, you’re taking a swipe at the backbone of the industry. Romance novels, quite frankly, financially prop up a lot of other genres that publishers could never otherwise afford to publish (biography and memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry, anthologies and so forth).
When you malign romance novels, you’re also being sexist. The romance genre financially supports an awful lot of women writers (thank you very much!), since most romance writers happen to be women. And you’re maligning writers. Because you know what? If you’re a good writer, you will write good books, no matter the genre.
My work as a writer of lesbian romance is important. It matters. It’s not inferior. It’s not a copout. But you know the biggest reason I choose to write this genre? Because I enjoy it. And really, that’s all that matters.
Lesfic Romance is my go to genre. I found in it women who were strong and independent and were able to rise above adversity to live a life where they could be happy.
Thanks for being a person who writes books that give others joy.