Jul
Wicked and Wild with Teresa Medeiros
Since I’m celebrating my return to the classic historical romance with my new Avon release SOME LIKE IT WICKED this month, I thought I’d share some of my techniques for dealing with those who just don’t “get” our genre and aren’t shy about revealing their prejudices. You can use these techniques with readers and reporters.
Several times I’ve had readers cruising a signing or bookfair lean over my table and say something like, “Oh, I just love trashy novels!” or “Sorry. I don’t read smut.” I lean across the table, make eye contact
(and it’s very important that you look earnest and genuinely interested in their reply here) and say something like, “I’m fascinated by that label.” (Note: You NEVER repeat the word itself. Never let the words trash, smut, pornography, etc., come out of your mouth and that’s doubly true if you’re doing an interview with the media because they can and WILL misquote you.) Then continue with, “Why do you think society uses a word like that to describe novels about two people falling in love and forming a family?” This puts THEM on the spot instead of you. People love attention and if it looks like you’re genuinely interested, they’ll probably stick around and try to stammer out some sort of reply. Occasionally, they’ll even buy your book.
Another question you’re likely to get is, “Aren’t all romances written to formula?” or “Aren’t these books all alike?” My reply (given very gently) is that: “The only formula necessary to make a book a romance is that it contain a romance, just as a mystery novel must contain a mystery.” I might go on to 
explain that, “Within the genre itself, you can find a vast variety of sub-genres–historical, contemporary, suspense, inspirational, vampire books, ghost stories, medical thrillers. In some ways, we have far more creative freedom than the authors of any other type of book. We also provide a positive world view to counteract the cynicism of post-modernism. We give our readers the satisfaction of knowing the good guys are going to win in the end.”
And if you have some really pushy and annoying pseudo-intellectual insulting you, you should try reciting the mantra taught me by fellow romance author Valerie Kane: “What romances are REALLY all about is the archetypal human struggle to integrate the masculine and feminine aspects of our psyches.” This generally makes their eyes glaze over and they’ll go away believing you’re actually much smarter than you are!
(SOME LIKE IT WICKED will hit the bookstores on July 29th with the sequel SOME LIKE IT WILD to follow in April 2009. You can visit Teresa’s website for all the details at www.teresamedeiros.com.)
Thanks for joining us today!
Great comebacks! The good part about being unpublished is I haven’t been hit with these kinds of questions. (hey, I guess there is something good in all things!)
Congrats on the release! Can you tell us a little about your story?
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:52 amWelcome, Teresa. That is some fantastic advice. I love the archetypal comment. *Diligently takes notes*
Can’t wait to get my hands on your latest. Congrats on the release!
Sandy
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 amhttp://www.sandra.barkevich.com
I have three words for you.
You. Go. Girl. LOL!
I love these responses. I’m not published either, but I get silly questions every once in a while about what I read. Since I could care less, I’ve never let it bother me. I carried this books around my HS (many moons ago), carried them with me on the bus as an adult, and don’t care who sees them.
I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book on the Eloisa James/Julia Quinn Bulletin Board Auction and I have to say, that opening scene had me cracking up. And this hero is totally delicious. Could you tell us what made you decide to come back to the traditional Historical Romance genre?
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:23 amI am SO delighted to be here with you guys today! Thanks for the welcome, Keri and Sandra! You can find a plot description and excerpt of SOME LIKE IT WICKED over at my website at http://www.teresamedeiros.com. It’s a classic tale of a bad boy who needs the love of a good woman
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 amHi Terrio! It’s good to see you again. I’m so glad you enjoyed the ARC. I really enjoyed writing that opening scene because I think it’s fun to get a glimpse into the hero and heroine’s first meeting, especially if it happened when they were “younger”. For those of you who haven’t read it, Simon is attempting to seduce Catriona’s cousin when Catriona (who has been spying on them) falls out of the hayloft right onto his back. Needless to say, it’s a meeting neither one of them will ever forget!
And Terrio, I never really feel like I left the traditional historical romance because my vamp books (AFTER MIDNIGHT and THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME) were at their heart still very much historical romances. I’d already dipped my toe into the paranormal market when I wrote BREATH OF MAGIC and TOUCH OF ENCHANTMENT in ‘96 and ‘97. For me, it’s all about “story” and “character” and the lush historical setting of SOME LIKE IT WICKED provided the perfect “frame” for Simon and Catriona’s story.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 amTeresa - to be fair, Catriona wasn’t technically spying, she was there first.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:59 amOMG, I love the last response best! I have to use that on my next bad date! But I admit…I love the “I’m fascinated by that label” response…oh, that’s so wicked!–and hilarious. I’d get such unadulterated glee out of watching them stammer out a response.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 pmTeresa,
I love those responses!!
I am so very much looking forward to this book. I am always happy to have a new Teresa Medeiros book. I have your entire backlist, and I often re-read them. One reason I love your stories is that they hold up over time. They are just as good on the fifth reading as the first.
Di
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pmHi Teresa! Love those comebacks. I could have used them the other day when a cyber-friend asked what kind of book I was reviewing. When I answered “a historical romance novel” she said, “Oh, I don’t read dirty books”. I was floored! This is a woman who owns all of the seasons of Sex and the City on dvd, has seen the movie three times but has never read romance novels because she considers them “dirty books”. I haven’t convinced her that she’s wrong - yet - but I’m working on it!
You already know how much I love SOME LIKE IT WICKED. Simon is such a bad boy but he’s so delicious and perfect for Catriona. Thanks for taking us back to the historic Highlands with this beautiful story. I’m looking forward to Connor’s book next spring!
~PJ
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pmHi Teresa! Congratulations on your new release!
Your responses are terrific and that’s why you’re the writer.
I can tell a non-romance reader right off the bat - because if they’d read two or three they’d know that each book/story/plot is as different as night and day. And anyone who has tried to write an e-mail, a memo, or even sometimes a response to a blog, knows that writing is a skill…
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmGood point, Terrio! What I should have said was that Simon interrupted Catriona’s reading by trying to seduce her cousin in the barn below the hayloft where she was innocently relaxing!
And yes, Hellion, what you’re trying to gently imply when people approach you with these kinds of questions is, “Why are YOU the one with the dirty mind when I’m just writing tender love stories?”
Thank you, Di! I’m deeply honored that you consider my books to be “keepers”.
Yes, P.J., I understand what you’re saying. These are also the same people who will read serial killer novels but think our books are “dirty”. And I’m thrilled that you loved the book!
Hi Maria! It’s so good to see all my old “friends” here
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:21 pmI can’t wait for Some Like it Wicked to hit the shelves here! I’ve been reading Yours Until Dawn this weekend and enjoying it so very much.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pmWelcome Teresa! Love all your replies. I will have to remember a few of them.
Some Like It Wicked was fantastic…..loved Catriona, Simon and the Highlanders…..SPOILER favorite scene: the ball with Simon and the Clansmen. I just cried.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 pmThank you, Gillian! I was SO in love with Gabriel after I finished YOURS UNTIL DAWN. I had to take off a month just to get over him!
Hi Elsie! I’m sorry I made you cry. I hope I didn’t ruin your make-up
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pmWhat absolutely fantastic comebacks, Teresa. I hope you don’t mind if I borrow them on occasion! My mind always goes blank when I come across someone making these sorts of comments, and then an hour or so later I think of the perfect thing I should have said. Now I will have the right thing to say all ready to go!
Really looking forward to getting a copy of your new book.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:07 pmOf course you’re welcome to “borrow” them, Morna. Every time one of us makes a positive impression on a potential reader/book buyer, it’s good for all of us and our beloved genre
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 pmWhat a fantastic post! I heart you for your spunk in those answers. (I’m taking notes too!) But I adore you as well for your work, and the fact you’re an Avon author. (almost said avon girl. you don’t sell makeup.)
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:17 pmThose are some wonderful ways of dealing with some real *stumbling block* issues. Thanks for the fab advice!
BTW, I’m so happy to see you’re back to your old tricks. *Grin* Can’t wait to run out and buy the new book (though at the rate I’m going it will have to be at the literacy signing, LOL!).
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pmHi Teresa!
I had the pleasure of meeting you at Nationals last year. You were very sweet and supportive when you learned I was writing my first novel, even though you probably met a hundred other ladies in a similar situation as mine.
I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to San Francisco. The schedule looks fantastic.
It’s good to see another historical on the shelf by you. Don’t get me wrong - I love your paranormals, but historical romance is my first love.
Good luck on your new release. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for many sales!
Take care and I hope to see you again in the future!
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:46 pmOh Teresa, this is such a great post! I personally like the first tid-bit. It’s always great to think on your feet and being clever while doing it.
My luck, I’d fumble with some “Yeah, what’s it to ya?” comment.
Sorry I’ll not see you at this years conference but perhaps next year.
Also looking forward to your new releases! Of course I’m always excited when you have a release. I will miss the vampires though. They have a special place in my heart.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pmI want to thank you guys so much for having me as a guest here at Romantic Inks! When I can’t see you in person, it’s so much fun to “chat” on-line.
Leigh, we get that “Avon Lady” thing a lot so don’t worry. Maybe I should start knocking on doors to sell my books
Kalen, Avon is doing their best to try to get SOME LIKE IT WICKED to the literacy signing. It actually hits the bookstore shelves the day before the signing.
Tracey, we’ll miss you at National! And I’m excited to have another historical on the shelves too. With the explosion of paranormal in the past few years, I’m beginning to feel like historicals are in the minority and I’m thrilled to be keeping the genre alive.
And yes, Haven, my vamps loved you too, honey!
Well, goodbye to all! I’ll be seeing you at the bookstores, on the net and someday perhaps at a town near you.
Hugs,
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 amTeresa
Congrats on the upcoming release!!! It sounds yummy!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:13 amTeresa, I love your books.
I also love this post! I’m going to print it out and save it for when and if I ever become successful enough to do book signings.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:02 am