Like lots of women, romance beckoned after one night too many spent slogging through women's fiction sturm-und-drang fests. But when taking time to think on it, the timing of my defection to the happily-ever-after side of the literary street pretty closely correlates with those first few tumultuous years following 9/11.
My tastes in entertainment changed when the towers fell. Gone was my need to be glued to NPR to learn what injustice was being meted out in distant lands; suddenly, even foreign politics was local, and trouble with a capital T lay on the doorstep.
So I chose not to spend leisure time - those infrequent, precious moments of escape from worrying about job, kids and country - paying to be stressed, reading about some fictional woman's terrible life that wasn't likely to get much better. Instead, I found romance, which may have conflict and heartache, but like real life, is filled with hope -- and mercifully, unlike reality, guarantees a pleasurable outcome.
Folks read lots of "escapist" genre fiction like romance, science fiction, fantasy, etc., in times of personal and, interestingly, world conflict. And those reads often reflect or respond to what's doing sociopolitically.
Since 9/11, romance authors have developed characters representing the best and most heroic qualities - and exhibiting the deepest fears and flaws - of Americans and folks world-wide trying to make our lives safer. And romance readers who truly do understand that perfect outcomes really only happen on the page, appreciate the chance to honor the rather imperfect nature of heroism - and the indomitable spirit of the hero.
What changes have you noticed in romance since 9/11? Share some novels with characters affected by or responding to 9/11. How has your reading changed since 9/11?
Gather and Commemorate Online:
-- The words of a Holocaust survivor inspire Jo Davis as she invites you to remember 9/11 heroes, those in your life...or to become one. Take part here.
-- Twitter: Follow romance author @CaridadPineiro as she shares her memories of life in NYC 9/11/01.
