Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "novellas"
The Unexpected Joy of Writing Romance Novels
My journey as a writer began with a fervent interest in science fiction, fantasy, and mystery novels. With their boundless imagination and intricate plots, these genres seemed like the perfect medium to explore the vast expanses of human creativity and curiosity. While deeply in love with my wife, I have never felt very romantic. Romance, with its stereotypical associations, didn't initially catch my interest and is not something I thought I would write about. It felt too distant from the speculative and enigmatic worlds I was drawn to. However, an unexpected revelation changed my perspective entirely.
I realized that the universal theme of human connection lies at the core of every narrative, whether set in a distant galaxy, a fantastical realm, or a mysterious setting. This epiphany led me to venture into romance writing, integrating it with historical contexts that I found fascinating. Romance, I discovered, offered a structured yet flexible foundation that allowed me to weave intricate tales of love and passion against the backdrop of significant historical events. This approach not only made history more accessible but also added a rich, emotional depth to the narrative, making the stories resonate more deeply with readers.
In retrospect, my journey from skepticism about romance novels to embracing them as a vital part of my writing repertoire has been a lesson in keeping an open mind. It has shown me that genres are not limitations, but rather, gateways to new possibilities. Romance, far from being narrow or trivial, is a genre that offers endless opportunities for creativity, for exploring the human condition, and for making history come alive in the most engaging and meaningful ways.
As I continue to write, I am grateful for this unexpected turn in my career. Romance novels have not only expanded my horizons as a writer but have also enriched my understanding of the past and the endless ways in which love can shape and be shaped by the tides of history. It gives me an excuse to write about areas of history I want to explore more and a framework that makes that possible. Moreover, writing romance novels turned out to be a lot of fun. The process of developing characters, of imagining their encounters and the blossoming of their love, is creatively fulfilling.
Finding my inner romantic,
Samuel DenHartog
I realized that the universal theme of human connection lies at the core of every narrative, whether set in a distant galaxy, a fantastical realm, or a mysterious setting. This epiphany led me to venture into romance writing, integrating it with historical contexts that I found fascinating. Romance, I discovered, offered a structured yet flexible foundation that allowed me to weave intricate tales of love and passion against the backdrop of significant historical events. This approach not only made history more accessible but also added a rich, emotional depth to the narrative, making the stories resonate more deeply with readers.
In retrospect, my journey from skepticism about romance novels to embracing them as a vital part of my writing repertoire has been a lesson in keeping an open mind. It has shown me that genres are not limitations, but rather, gateways to new possibilities. Romance, far from being narrow or trivial, is a genre that offers endless opportunities for creativity, for exploring the human condition, and for making history come alive in the most engaging and meaningful ways.
As I continue to write, I am grateful for this unexpected turn in my career. Romance novels have not only expanded my horizons as a writer but have also enriched my understanding of the past and the endless ways in which love can shape and be shaped by the tides of history. It gives me an excuse to write about areas of history I want to explore more and a framework that makes that possible. Moreover, writing romance novels turned out to be a lot of fun. The process of developing characters, of imagining their encounters and the blossoming of their love, is creatively fulfilling.
Finding my inner romantic,
Samuel DenHartog
The Road to 1,440
I'm Samuel DenHartog, and at 51, at the end of November of 2023, I've embarked on a remarkable journey as a writer. My diverse background in computer programming, video game development, and film prod
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