Ode to Urban Fiction and Romance Novels

Ok, so I'm not going to actually do an ode to urban fiction and romance novels. I will however, poke fun at it. Urban fiction, to those who have not had the pleasure of reading one of these priceless gems, is basically erotica that happens to border on some sort of actual plot (but usually a half baked one). Wikipedia defines urban fiction much better than I can, "the name implies, in a city landscape; however, the genre is as much defined by the race and culture of its characters as the urban setting. The tone for urban fiction is usually dark, focusing on the underside. Profanity, sex, and violence are usually explicit, with the writer not shying away from or watering-down the material". Wikipedia defines romance novels as, "novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending".

There really isn't a huge gap between the two genres. When I say romance novels, I'm mainly talking about are your Danielle Steele types. The plot is consistently the same, boy finds girl, they have a very sexual relationship, girl gets mad at boy or vice versa or some obstacle disables their love, and in the end they make up and everything is grand once again. Did I mention that there are a myriad of sex scenes and cheesy innuendos? Like: "It was a dark and horny night..." No, I'm not joking either.

The plot for Sex in the Hood 2: "Sex in the Hood 2 is an inner-city version of My Fair Lady. A beautiful, pampered biracial girl is thrown into poverty when her wealthy white father dies. Forced to live with her black grandmother in one of Detroit's toughest neighborhoods, Victoria is lost until Duke Johnson takes interest in her. To Duke, Victoria is the most beautiful woman in the world, and he wants her more than any woma n he's ever met. The only problem is he's the leader of the most notorious gang in Detroit and everyone is scared of him, especially Victoria's grandmother. But his kind, warm hidden personality is the only thing Victoria can see as she lets Duke take her virtue. Together they begin to rule the mean streets of Detroit." 

Sounds like a winner!

There was a game I used to love to play in high school (that I still play occasionally if I'm bored) when I would be in a bookstore or at work. I'd get a romance novel, flip to a random page, and in seconds I could find a promiscuous line. You win almost every time. There isn't much room for disappointment with these novels, if you're looking to poke fun or to escape reality for a moment. I'm not trying to bash romance writers or readers. If that is your cup of tea, more power to you. I'm an aspiring writer, I can't imagine writing a sex scene for many reasons:

1)      I'd probably laugh the entire time while trying to write.

2)      If my parents would see it, even when I'm 40, I'd die of embarrassment.

3)      I'd be bashful of any reader actually reading those scenes.

4)      I went to Catholic school for 12 years, I'm still ingrained to think that writing/reading/being involved in/ watching a movie about fornicating is wrong.

If I could pick a favorite romance novel genre, it'd probably be supernatural romance. Supernatural romance wasn't even really a popular genre until five or six years ago.... Ah Twilight. I won't even start there because it would take up entirely too much time but I will say that I'm ashamed to have read the whole series.... and sort of enjoyed them until teeny boppers went all crazy. 

I will admit that Twilight did spark a whole new phase. It wasn't the first of its kind (Interview with a Vampire is much better) but now romance novels practically reek of supernatural beings. Though I love the show "True Blood" and the Sookie Stackhouse Novels, I can't help but grimace whenever I see a vampire or a werewolf on the cover of a novel. Unfortunately, supernatural romance gets more check out action than probably any other romance genre. Though, Amish romance is making a huge comeback recently. 

Sincerely,
Your Non-Stereotypical Librarian