Is Romance dead?

[Thorpress]

Ok well l know l am new to this site....l just posted my first story..romance/how l would make love to you ( plug plug) l just wondered which section is most read...and why?...any comments?

 

[Whispersecret]

I don't read many of the stories here. But I've written some. People, when they read my "opus" "Hostile Takeover," are usually pleased with the surprising romantic aspect the story takes on by the end.

Incest is the most popular genre, I think because of its taboo status.

I think many people want to experience something outside of their own lives when they read erotica, and so, because "romance" can be seen as something they can easily create for themselves, they won't necessarily go there to read about it. Whereas, a slutty wife is probably not a possibility, so therefore, reading about is as close as you're gonna get.

That's just a theory, though.

I am an avid romance reader, outside of this site, though.

 

[Guest]

and so, because "romance" can be seen as something they can easily create for themselves, they won't necessarily go there to read about it. Whereas, a slutty wife is probably not a possibility, so therefore, reading about is as close as you're gonna get.

Wow, you are so 180 degrees away from my experience!

 

[ronde]

I've tried four times to vote in the poll, and it won't let me, so I'll do my voting the old fashioned way.

Romance is not dead. It may have changed it's shape a little, as it does with each generation, but it's still alive and doing quite well in it's old age. The words might be different, but I think the guys are just as sappy as they always were, and the women blush just as deeply as they always have. Both sexes still feel the same old thrill.

I think it's true that some of us let the hectic pace of our lives put romance in the back seat once in a while, but with just a little bit of breathing space, it will bloom again. Romance is why couples are, and that's why it's so popular in paperback and movies.

I don't really read much romance, but I love writing it. Most of my work in any genre has a bit of romance.

 

[Uther_Pendragon]

Kipling wrote a great poem called, IIRC, "Farewell Romance."
The "romance in the poem was a little different from what
we mean by the word. Still, I would give his answer.
Hell, no.
Romance isn't dead.

 

[Lilfuckslut]

I heard that it was Professor Plum in the Kitchen with a Candlestick.

Assuming romance is really dead

 

[Guest]

I have to agree with ronde. I think the need for romance is stronger than ever, actually. You only have to look at the titles on the Video Rentals to know that romance not only is alive, but sells well too!

 

[Whispersecret]

I disagree, Josh. In fact, you won't find that many romances out there. Hollywood likes to insert a token romance plotline, to lure those ladies in there. (Think Titanic and Pearl Harbor.) But, as far as pure romance movies? There just are not that many made.

 

[Ulyssa]

On the other hand

Romance movies may be exactly what We..*****time...and Oxygen are really all about.

On another thread I said that nobody buys a sensual romance just for Fabio's picture, but WS is correct in assuming that the average one-handed reader isn't foraging deep into Lit's romance category for the exquisite penmanship and bittersweet sighs of a Harlequin release. Even I don't come here for that.

Just my three cents.

 

[NoJo]

(Ulyssa I'm not stalking you)

I guess my definition of a romance movie is anything where no more than two people get killed. So I guess it is dead. Bummer. Time for a beer and to put the old "Top Hat" video into the VCR. <snuffle>

Hey, whats wrong with romance and really filthy, dirty sex at the same time? They're not mutually exclusive!

(Expletives deleted after sobering up)

 

[spankableBelle]

this is my first time posting on this particular board...

Do i think romance is dead? No. i think it's up to each individuals interpretation of what is romantic, just like it is for what is sexy, erotic, sensual, taboo, disgusting, out of the question, etc... i do think it takes work to create romance, to keep it alive, to keep it fresh and sparkling...Romance can be created alone or with another. Romance can be simple, or elegant, or decadent. It can take on so many facets and shimmer in so many ways. It isn't dead, but it could stand to be revived...~smile~

By the way, hello!

belle

 

[NoJo]

Hi, Spank

Welcome Spank, always nice to meet a spankable romantic person here

 

[KillerMuffin]

Romance is far from dead. Understanding one's audience is what's necessary.

Ask this, why do readers come to Literotica?

The answer is very simple. The average reader comes here to get off. It's true that some come just to read erotic stories without seeking the orgasm, but they would probably be the exception rather than the rule.

So, with this information in mind, how well does the romance category stack up in terms of reads-to-cum ratio? You know, the number of stories you must read in order to cum? I've gotten enough mail from readers who get angry because a story has wasted their time. It didn't get them aroused and therefore wasn't what they were looking for. That's a read. The more of these you have to sift through, the more you're going to get frustrated, you being the average reader. This isn't a good cum-climate.

Romance stories can be hot and arousing and make ya get off. Most, I think, don't. They're too character conscious and less sex concious, on the average, I think. They don't have the ready-made arousal factor that a lot of other categories have. Taboo. Not to mention the romance stories will have more story and less play-by-play of the sex. It's a romance story, the love the characters feel is more important than the bump and grind. And rightly so.

Romance will get less reads because the average reader is looking to make a sticky keyboard and the average romance tale will not deliver the money shot. This does not make them bad stories. I generally like the work put into them better than other categories because there is more effort to develop characters and plot. Incest, for example, has a ready made plot. No, I can't, it's wrong! You're so hot, let's fuck anway! Fuck. Lazy writing.

Romance is no where near dead. If you think it is, trot down to your nearest used bookstore. Romance is alive, thriving, and out-performing most other genres. But, if you take a moment to understand your readership here, and if you even look at your own reading patterns when you're looking for something to get you off, then you'll see why romance isn't the strongest category here and things like Incest are.

Anyway, that's what I think.

 

[spankableBelle]

Re: Hi, Spank

Welcome Spank, always nice to meet a spankable romantic person here

<giggles> Thank you very much

 

[For_Valentine]

bumpety

 

[oggbashan]

bumpety

Why? The question was answered 4 years ago.

The Romance category gets a boost with every Valentine's Day contest.

Og

 

[Guest]

Valentine -

Please don't start unearthing ancient threads.

It's confusing and annoying.

 

[3113]

Not at all!

My Valentine's Day story was just on this very subject. The story of a romantic man who has his romantic soul pretty much killed, and then gets it ressurected by way of a secret Valentine.

I asked around before I wrote it. I wanted to make sure there were romantic guys out there. Folk think Romance is only for girls, but there are a surprising number of men out there who really want to sweep a woman off her feet--who want to be dramatic and romantic; they just need to find a woman who will give them the opportunity.

In short, no, Romance is not dead. Romantic Comedies do amazingly well at the theaters; dramas as well. Consider Pride and Prejudice and even Brokeback Mountain--romance.

Romantic t.v. shows do well (witness Sex in the City, which was as much about romance and looking for Love as sex), Soap Opera is still popular, and websites for dramas are filled with threads from people wanting this character and that character to get together.

And Romance novels are still one of the largest genre sections at the bookstores.

I don't see love of Romance or the desire for Romance slowing down in the least--in fact, I think people want it as old fashioned and traditional as possible. Women want the candlelit dinner, rose petals on the bed, soft music, poetry. Men want to open doors, carry a girl over a rain puddle, put their coat about her shoulders when its cold.

Now, of course, if the question is: do men and women get what they want? Well...then maybe Romance isn't as alive and kicking as people want. When 5 gays guys on television have to include lessons in romance as part of the make-over, then I'd say that Romance, while not dead, could probably use a shot in the arm and a work out at the gym.

The problem, I guess, is that teenagers get plenty of lessons in making out and experimenting with sex...and none in the art of romance...outside of the romantic comedies. For all that, it's still around.

 

[Evil Alpaca]

Of course it's dead. After the quadruped mafia put two bullets in it's head, Love stopped twitching.

 

[hugo_sam]

...and buried deep.

JMHO
Hugo

 

[Guest]

Of course it's dead. After the quadruped mafia put two bullets in it's head, Love stopped twitching.

BWAH!

Now STOP THAT!

You know when you discuss the quadruped mafia it always gets me squirmy.

 

[Evil Alpaca]

BWAH!

Now STOP THAT!

You know when you discuss the quadruped mafia it always gets me squirmy.

And your point is . . . ?

 

[Guest]

And your point is . . . ?

Um. . . .More?

 

[Evil Alpaca]

Um. . . .More?

Hmm . . .
The Quadruped Mafia has been around since the days when the Federal government tried to ban honey flavored oats and force all non-bipeds to wear diapers. So we started gathering in stalls called "Spit Easys" where we consumed contraband oats and crapped wherever we chose . . . usually in the bathroom, complete with bidet. It spawned a seedy underworld of violence and crime. Well, not really. It spawned a cheesy sub-culture of bitterness and beatnik-ness, with occassionally non-violent, non-obvious protests. Finally, the new laws were repealed and . . . we stuck around because, quite frankly, we already had the matching jackets.

 

[Guest]

Hmm . . .
The Quadruped Mafia has been around since the days when the Federal government tried to ban honey flavored oats and force all non-bipeds to wear diapers. So we started gathering in stalls called "Spit Easys" where we consumed contraband oats and crapped wherever we chose . . . usually in the bathroom, complete with bidet. It spawned a seedy underworld of violence and crime. Well, not really. It spawned a cheesy sub-culture of bitterness and beatnik-ness, with occassionally non-violent, non-obvious protests. Finally, the new laws were repealed and . . . we stuck around because, quite frankly, we already had the matching jackets.

Oooh.

Spit-easys

Bidets

Matching jackets?