My newest short story, and theatre piece is a Romance, a love story which celebrates love. This is a bit of a departure for me. I’m feeling rather sheepish about it as I’ve always written about misfits and misanthropes, lame ducks and lushes, the crazed and the confused – set in bizarre situations, where there is rarely a happy ending, but everyone has a great time before they all die in the end. And no one every falls in love outside some sort of sexually confused stalking type thing…
But since August, I’ve written two love stories with, well, I’m not going to say ‘happy’ but certainly satisfying endings. My new stories are not, I hope, clichés and they deal with meaty issues (infertility, instinct etc…) So, I haven’t begun to wear pink chiffon or whatever. Still, they are love stories. So, what is happening to me?
I’m thinking it’s a sign of maturity at a writer. I avoided romance before as I felt the darker side was the deeper, the more intellectual and philosophical.
However, I’ve found that recently my writing has become more comfortable portraying real people in everyday events, which includes falling in love. And I’m enjoying exploring this soft, sensitive territory and I’m hoping I’m doing it justice. And I believe this is a sign of me progressing as a writer.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go feed caviar to my poodle who’s just pee-d on my pink satin cushion.
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About suehealy
I am a native of Waterford, Ireland and a journalist and editor since 1992. I am also an alumna of the UEA’s MA in Creative Writing. Since graduating in 2009, my short stories and drama have won the Molly Keane Memorial Award, the HISSAC Prize, the Sussex Playwrights’ Prize, the Meridian Prize, the Waterford-Annaghmakerrig Award and the Ted O’Regan Arts Award. I have also been short-listed for numerous other prizes including the Fish Short Story Competition and the BBC International Playwriting Award. I produced my own Broadcasting Authority of Ireland funded radio drama 'Cow', which was directed by Aosdana member Jim Nolan and broadcast on KCLR 96fm, April , 2013. My stageplay, 'Shellakybooky' was one of five plays selected for performance for the Contemporary European Drama Review at UEA, Norwich, April 13th, 2013. I playedn'Mar' in this production. To date, my prose has been anthologized /published in seven respected literary publications across the UK, Ireland, Hungary and Australia. I was artist-in-residence on Inis Oirr throughout January 2013 and am a 2013 Escalator Literature Artist. I currently teach creative writing to offenders, tutor online and run a creative writing consultation service. Additionally, I am an Associate member of the U.K.'s Institute for Learning, the further education professional body and am a qualified TEFL teacher. I am currently working on a novel and a screenplay.
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December 1st, 2012 at 14:06
Hmm, maybe I can take some inspiration from this. There are many things I avoid writing about which could be hampering me. Thanks.
December 1st, 2012 at 17:40
Sometimes we just have to do what the muse asks of us. Good luck with your new genre. I’m looking forward to hearing more.
December 2nd, 2012 at 02:58
Love is a wonderful thing and can reveal many emotions including a rewarding happy ending! I look forward to reading.
December 4th, 2012 at 01:23
Haha! Love it. The photo too.
December 4th, 2012 at 01:59
Sue,
I don’t know about over the pond, but here in the Colonies, Romance is the best selling genre in fiction. When economic times are down, sales of Romance goes up.
Follow your heart and stand tall, like me, when you say you write Romance. I just signed my second contract.
Smiles,
Linda Joyce
December 6th, 2012 at 09:33
Love the last line…lucky poodle:-) Poor cushion:-(