Monday, July 9, 2007

NEVER Judge a Book By Its Cover...

In this post, I'll refer to my title both metaphorically and literally. I'll start off with the former. A few months ago, I donated some clothes to a local organization that collects clothing for the poor and underprivileged. They do not charge one red cent, which is what I like about them. It's not located in the best neighborhood, and you have to park in an alley to get there. As I was taking the clothes out of my car (on my lunch break), I noticed two highly inebriated gentleman walking towards me. Of course I thought that I was going to be robbed, but instead, they both said, practically in unison, "Ma'am, do you need some help with those bags?" At that point, I felt like a huge pile of turds. "Why yes, yes, of course," I said. They helped me take all of the clothes I donated into the building, and they did not ask me for anything. I graciously thanked them before they went on their way. NEVER judge a book by its cover.

Now to the literal. I only read romance novels in middle school. I picked it back up a few years ago. I frowned when my best friend introduced me to paranormal romance. She insisted that I read DARK PRINCE by Cristine Feehan, and MINE TO TAKE by Dara Joy. I absolutely love both books and went on to read the series provided by both authors. I judged those books before I read them, and it was a mistake on my part. Both of those books remain favorites of mine. People judge what I write without having ever read a page. What? You write horror? Do you believe in God? Why would you write that? That's horrible! Uh, yeah. Well, my best ideas come from the evening news---ahem. Just because a writer specializes in a particular genre, it says nothing of their character. I often hear that romance writers are desperate, horny women (which I DO NOT agree with, by the way). Well, they make up about half the market, so someone really loves what they write. I, being one of those fans! Romance writers pen stories that speak to the heart. What's wrong with that? What's wrong with writing about monsters? The supernatural and the human kind? What's wrong with writing in any genre? Absolutely, nothing. Some people need to get their panties out of a bunch, or just buy a thong! ;*) Keep writing, keep reading, in any genre you will! I love it all, dear writers! :*)