On Saturday I attended the local romance writers meeting and speaker was talking about writing humor in your books which isn’t something I’m known for, but while she gave her speech I realized how many of the things that are used to make things funny are also things that are used to make the writing real. She talked about using humor in the characters we all know and understands. In one example she used sisters and in another she used grandparents. Those quirky things that all grandparents do.
Of course, mine didn’t do any of the things that hers did but that just reaffirmed to me what she was saying and some writing thoughts I’ve had in my head for a while now. Writers get together and talk about craft and voice and story ideas we all come at it from a different angle. From a different place. Those differences are what gives us our unique voice. Our world-view influences the stories we tell. I’d never have an unfashionable grandmother who thought of comfort first because my grandmother was a tall redhead who was bigger than life and the life of every party.
From a very young age I can remember wanting to be with her. Just sit near her and listen to her laughter and see her smile. She could captivate you with just a look. In a crowded room she’d still have a crowd of people around her.
I have a point here and it is that all despite the fact that my grandmother wasn’t the same type as the speakers neither was her grandmother a stereotype. There were very real things about the women she read in the description that I could relate to. Things like unwavering devotions to her grandchildren.
So even in our differences there is that common middle ground. That place where all great genre fiction is born. The fact that you can believe the author and her story world because it either reflects your own world or gives you a glimpse into the world of someone you know.
I’m in the middle of writing a story for right now about a woman who had a reversal of fortune(not the Claus von Bulow type!) right in the middle of her teenaged years. I think we can all relate to that type of experience because at one time or another most people feel alienated from the crowd.
What story have you read that is removed from your life but you still related completely to it?
I’ll give out one copies of any title in my back list to three random participants today.
Kathy 
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Most stories I have read have been totally removed from my life and even though there have been many stories I have liked, I can’t think a single one that I could have related to even a little.
by Minna
on June 26th, 2006 at 10:15 am
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I read one a couple of weeks ago that reminded me of when my husband propsed. He was very nervous and the way the hero in the book proposed was just very like the way my husband did, wanted to be romantic, but very nervous. It was soooo cute to me.:wink:
by Kris
on June 26th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
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Minna,
Usually there’s some kind of self-confidence issue with someone that I can relate to!
Kathy
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Kris;
My husband asked me to marry him while we were at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at a show they used to have called Broadway at the Top. And my favorite song from Phantom was being performed, but when he leaned over and said to me, I have something to ask you, I was like What?! This is my favorite song. He asked despite that snotty remark!
Kathy
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I too have enjoyed many a story and none really have related to me my.
by Pat
on June 26th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
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I think that many of the stories that I have read have been very far removed from my own life, but I was able to relate on some level to all of them. Almost every heroine that I have been able to relate to has self-confidence issues, wishes for that happy ending, and has trouble believing in herself and that a guy would like her.
by Jennifer Y.
on June 26th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
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I wish I had a story about when my boyfriend proposed to me, but considering I don’t even have a boyfriend at the moment that would be a lie 
I have not found a story that truely related to me. I like heroines that are self-conscience about themselves(b/c in reality who isn’t in some way) and are just looking to find their place in the world.
by Kathleen
on June 26th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
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I have not read a book yet that relates to my life. Usually I find books that have heroines w/ lives that I would rather be living…especially is I get the hero:D
by Patricia J
on June 26th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
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There are two books that are–thankfully!–far from my life experience but that have resonated with me for years. Probably because they bring to life two of my deepest fears: Cry No More, by Linda Howard; and Flowers from the Storm, by Laura Kinsale.
by azteclady
on June 26th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
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I relate to any characters that are just out of college and are looking for a job…an employer that will take a chance on college grad w/o 5 to 10 years of experience !!!
Usually in books, however, the girl get the job and of course a wedding ring to go with it to the sexy man she meets along the way.
by Maureen
on June 26th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
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I like action/suspense stories. None of which are in my life. I lead a quiet uneventful life but I have been happily married for 35 years.
by Joyce
on June 26th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
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Reading about women who are single in their thirties is completely removed from my life but I enjoy them very much. Although my life is different I can relate to the emotions in many books that I read.
by Maureen E
on June 26th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
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AFTERNOON DELIGHT by Mia Zachary
by Melissa
on June 26th, 2006 at 2:39 pm
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I can relate to a heroine who is a disappointment to her family. I just turned 25 yesterday and I haven’t graduated from college yet or gotten married. Boss/secretary romances are my favorites because I enjoy the fantasy of a working class girl that gets the handsome millionaire.
by Nichole
on June 26th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
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I don’t really relate to the books I read. I like reading the medieval & time travel romance novals the best and they really don’t relate to my life. I guess thats why I like them. I sort of get lost in the story.
by Tammy G.
on June 26th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
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books with a sports theme i just read on saturday. it was great. men and their uniforms and out of them:lol:
by KIM H
on June 26th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
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Most of the books I read do not relate ro my life at all. I read a lot of romantic suspense and I wouldn’t want any of those to relate to my life.
by Estella Kissell
on June 26th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
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Most of the stories are removed from my life but I certainly do relate to them.
Thanks for offering a book. Looks like lots of good ones.
by Karen T
on June 26th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
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Most books don’t relate to my life but at times I can relate to some of the emotional issues that the heroine is having.
by Crystal B.
on June 26th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me today! The randomly selected winners are:
Karen T., Kris, and Estella.
Drop me an email at Kathy@katherinegarbera.com with your snailmail address and the title of the book you want.
Kathy
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The J D Robb “In Death” series is totally and completely removed from my life. But
reading about Eve Dallas and her emotional struggles reminds me that no matter how physically strong and emotionally removed we try to make overselves, we still crave a connection with others. I can relate to that, because for years I struggled to
remove similar “walls” from my emotions. I tried not to become too attached in relationships because I went into them knowing they were bound to fail. Thankfully, I worked past those issues!!! 
by Angie
on June 26th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
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I can relate to ‘An Accidental Woman’ by Barbara Delinsky.
by Susan
on June 26th, 2006 at 5:21 pm
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wtg ladies
by KIM H
on June 27th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
