As far as romance writing goes, I’m somewhat of an anomaly. I love creating stories with original heroines and romantic heroes … but they do tend to be real people. Some have – or have had - fascinating careers as herpetologists, archaeologists, country music singers, relief workers and translators - but money, expensive cars and designer clothes have no part in their lives. My men and women tend to be socially responsible, concerned about our planet and its wellbeing. Some are vegetarian; none would ever drive fast cars, or fly to Cambodia for sunbathing holidays. But that doesn’t make them any less romantic: it’s a question of how we see ourselves. If we care about and love our environment, we want to do as little damage as possible.
I also write stories with an older audience in mind: those forty and over - and that includes baby boomers. There are no unexpected pregnancies in my tales, and no hidden babies. When love comes knocking on the door, it is ageless. Take my father’s crony: he married his mistress of forty years when he was 90 years old and she was 89. A week later, they departed on a long voyage across the Great Lakes in his new yacht.
And, no matter how old they are, my heroes and heroines are comfortable with their age. They never resort to hair dye, Botox or plastic surgery. They do, however, take care of themselves; and they accept their bodies, their wrinkles and their beautiful silver hair when it appears. They also know that, along with age, they’ve gained experience, character and ideas. And interesting pasts. And great futures. And passion. And originality. So why are there so few romance books being published about this age group?
Other characters pop up in my stories too, humorous and cranky ones: old timers who live in a sea of collected junk, cantankerous rotgut brewers who stalk around with rifles, short order cooks who see camouflaged flies, strange and sleepy waitresses, and many small town busybodies. I can’t keep these folks out: as soon as I begin to write, here they come, bursting through the door. And because I enjoy them all so much, they’re here to stay.
About J.Arlene Culiner
Great Romance and Engaging Stories!