Women's
Fiction vs. Romance?
by Nikki Leigh
What is women's fiction? Sure you heard of
romance, sci-fi, mystery, and so. But, what is this new type of book called
women's fiction?
I consider my work to be women's fiction
with elements of romance. This is not the same as a typical romance novel. My
books focus more on the woman (the main character) and how her life changes. She
will changed as she faces the problems that life brings to her. We all know that
life isn't easy. Were would the challenge be in that?
In our personal lives, we all know people
who let the tough times get them down and in many cases, it keeps them down. I
want my heroines to show a woman who is strong or becomes stronger and faces
life's crisis head on.
My main characters do not have easy lives.
Its amazing how many problems you can create for a character when you put your
mind to it. Actually that is part of the fun of writing. You cause problems, but
you also need to help the character find solutions.
I don't want you to think that there is no
romance in my books, because there are romantic elements and a desirable hero.
In fact, many readers have fallen in "love" with the hero in Widow's Walk. The
men in my heroine's lives support them and help them to grow stronger. These men
are not intimidated by a strong woman and appreciate the strength the woman
shows.
In a women's fiction story, the romance is
not the main focus of the story. There are other main themes which feature women
or subjects that are important to women. The heroine is the star of the book and
the reader follows her as she grows and matures into a stronger woman.
I love the comment by Susan Elizabeth
Phillips that "Women's fiction is about women's empowerment." And, Jane Heller's
comment that women's fiction have any relationship at the center of the plot.
This can be a relationship with other women, other men, family or friends. That
does not need to be a romantic relationship, but it can be.
Many women's fiction books are longer and the authors can use that space to
create more dimension to their characters and to give us a chance to see into
the character and how she feels about things. The focus of the story may center
on more things and people than a romance novel.
A word of comfort to romance readers, there will probably be a man for the
heroine before the end of the book. It may or may not have your typical "happy
ending", but it will contain a satisfying ending and resolution.
Women have hopes and dreams that may or may not revolve around a man. Even if
she truly loves the man in her life, she could have other facets of her that are
not centered around the man. This doesn't mean that their relationship means
less, but there are other things that are also important to her. These are the
things that would be the focus of a women's fiction novel, but the man in her
life would be a part of the story. How big a part he plays depends on how the
author crafts the story.
Men and women both write women's fiction.
So, the gender of the writer doesn't make any difference in the genre. But, a
good women's fiction novel will touch the reader deeper than a typical story.
You understand the woman's emotions in the situations we present, and that will
draw you into her heart and mind.
If you like family sagas, romance and other genres, why not try a women's
fiction novel? You will get to know a woman and her situation in more detail. We
will bring you along as she discovers what life demands of her. Chances are that
you will be brought into her thoughts, hopes and dreams.
My books center around women. My first
book, "Stormy View, centers around Kennalyn Jones. She was raised in a family
with a domineering and chauvinistic father. On her tenth anniversary, life
throws her a curve that she never expected and she could've given in and given
up. Will she do what she must for her children?
Widow's Walk, my second novel, is about
Lizbeth Sullivan. She is in her early twenties and on the verge of marrying the
"love of her life". But, when the October Gale of 1841 blows in Misty Cove, her
world is turned upside down. She lost her mother at a young age, and has been a
strong willed woman. Is that strong will enough to get her through the crisis
that faces her?
I'm not going to give you the answers, but
you can read the stories of these woman and see what I mean. I would be
interested in hearing your thoughts about my characters.
Nikki Leigh
Copyright 2005
Stormy View
- Available March 2006
Widow's Walk
