I ran across in interesting article recently at ew.com by Maureen Lee Lenker called Romancing the Screen: Could a Bridgerton effect give the romance genre a Hollywood ending?
I love where this is going. Possibly because, like 82 million other households, mine streamed the first season of Bridgerton on Netflix as well.
At the same time, I also want to throw my hands in the air and say , “What took so freaking long?”
How many versions of Pride and Prejudice do people need to see before they get the idea that their might be something to this romance genre? The answer is, apparently, a lot. I mean, I can think of three off the top of my head and not all of them go by that title.
Now I’m left to fervently hope they don’t screw it up. There are just some things you have to have in a romance that can’t be compromised on. I won’t even got in to happy endings since those look different for everyone these days. I’d settle for a happy right now as opposed to an ever after.
What I’m talking about is more insidious and hard to pin down that how the story ends. I’m talking about chemistry.
Yes, it’s the science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances, but it’s also the harmonious interaction between two people working together. Chemistry between the leads is a must. Yes, we know they’re artists and they should be able to convincingly sell us on the potential of a relationship between them, but the audience will know. Two people either have it or they don’t. Don’t bank on trying to fool the audience if they don’t. We’ve all sat through enough films where something about the character turned us off before we even found out they were part of a romantic duo. Then the film becomes a train wreck we can’t turn away from.
I’ve also read somewhere (can’t remember where, sorry) that the future of the romantic genre is queer and let me tell you, I am here for it. Heteronormative couples shouldn’t hold the market on romance. However, the previous sentiment remains. Our protagonists need to have chemistry.
*puts soapbox away. brushed off hands*
In other news, I’ve cracked 40k words on my latest work in progress. It’s a sequel/follow up to a novel coming out next February from GenZ Publishing called Second Nature. In fact, I’m currently chewing my fingernails to the nub waiting on the line edits for that manuscript. They should be here any day now. Any day.
In addition, I’ll write about it here but I won’t post it anywhere else unless asked. I received my second shot of the COVID vaccine, and am a week away from having it be in full effect. The first 12 hours after the injection weren’t bad but the next 24 had me revaluating life. Still glad I did it. Would do it again. Probably will when I get my flu shot next fall.
That’s all for now. I look forward to catching up with you all next time. Be safe. Be healthy. Watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix when you get a chance. Then read Six of Crows. You’re welcome,
Boudreau Blog 