Yes, and they are often of the same body type (tall, muscular) and are the alphaest of the alphas. It becomes boring after a while. I have this vague idea of a few non-conventional couples in a fantasy setting, but I don't really have a story around them yet.
Sometimes it gets to the point where I prefer f/f romances simply because there’s more variety in the couples. Plus you completely avoid the alphaholes.
If, in fact, there are actually stories that might be considered bro-rom's, I suspect they would entail guns, and fast cars. LOL! Yes, I'm a guy...
I think this one sums up how I perceive the genre best. It's clearly a romance genre novel (and not the archaic version), but it bends to a more tempered and realistic version of the male perspective. This would, of course, bar the inclusion of fantasy and science fiction novels that bare a more romantic nature, but those tend to lean toward the male gaze aspect rather than something actually in the romance genre.
(OP) I hope so, cause mine is a (not so) common lout terrified of sex, and horrified with himself when he gets it. His dearest wish is for a wife and family. "Why can't I be 'normal?" Of course, he loves the sex because he loves his girlfriends (the ones that finally get him) and they all enjoy each other. He still doesn't lose his anxiety when he finds love. He ironically crashes straight into everything he runs away from. maybe the title should be, The Misadventures Of A Phallocentric Moron, but the story is all about the feelings and emotions in his experience (and visceral sex).
My writing is rarely without some fantasy, at least. But I want more romance in what I write. And I would try having further sexuality shown in it. I don't choose to aim at having what corresponds to erotica, I would just have incidents where there is suggestion of involvement in some way, without any descriptiveness, which can have readers fill in scenes in their own imagination to the extent that they would want.
I am going to try an introduction to a love interest being seen first by the male hero in this one story through a dream, before they yet meet. I hope this works for a good device in the writing.
I suspect the traditional hero's journey story, with romance sub-plot, is the male equivalent of the female romance. The stereotypical romance has one or more alpha men decide that a woman is the one they love, romance her, then she gets to pick between them. The hero's journey has the male become the alpha that women want. At the end, when he's finally worthy of her, he gets his love interest (unless he was blocked by the writer throwing in a twist that she's his sister). So maybe we could consider the romance as a sequel to the hero's journey.
Excellent. They're essentially the same story, but seen from different sides. Only the male has to become a hero before he can win the hand of maiden fair. The romance story usually begins after that part is already accomplished. She merely chooses from the available pool of heroes who have completed their journey/arc. And the men who haven't completed their hero's arc, or who have rejected the call, are the nerds, wusses and weenies she scoffs at along the way or shows some sympathy for but rejects as not worthy. Maybe the guy-friend who's more like one of the girls.
Aren’t romance novels just pornography adapted to women’s tastes? (That’s what I’ve heard, anyway.) If so, it’s clear what the male version would be.
As I understand it, the male myth is the hero's journey and the female myth is something like Cinderella, a tale of finding love and romance and marrying into wealth and royalty. Of course there are many modern variations, and today the more traditional aspects of it would be removed.
And then there's the modern Hollywood female myth, which is the Mary Sue journey, and stealing glory from some poor wretched man while denigrating him (and all men) horribly. But I think we're talking more about the traditional myths, that movies and stories were based on a few decades ago.
Personally, I like a romance story. I just need it disguised as a sci-fi drama, like The Time-Traveler's Wife or woven into the right fantasy, like Stardust.
No. Literary pornography would be erotica, much of which is tailored toward women—more women than men read for pleasure—but the genre’s readership is significantly more evenly split than romance. Romance as a genre is driven by the development of a romantic relationship between the main characters; sex isn’t a requirement, though many books include at least one scene—implied or explicit—as a way to draw the main characters closer together. Yeah, most contemporary romances don’t hold my attention, but romance intertwined with speculative elements is a whole different story. One of my favorites is T. Kingfisher’s Saint of Steel series, which revolves around seven traumatized paladins picking up the pieces after the death of their god…and finding love along the way. -Come to think of it, His Secret Illuminations by Scarlett Gale is really close to what I imagine a “for-men” romance novel might look like: focus on the male lead, male fears, struggles, and insecurities forming the basis of the romantic conflict, the male lead receiving validation and support from the female lead, etc. I doubt it was originally aimed at male readers, but it has definitely found an audience with them.
^ All that said, I now see it something like this: This is romance with some other elements mixed in so men will watch and increase the viewership (or readership). And: Are aimed primarily at men, with some romance thrown in to put some female bums in seats and increase the viewership. Except for I suppose 10 Things I Hate About You, which is primarily a romantic comedy. Maybe in Romancing the Stone and Crocodile Dundee the romance is just about balanced with the elements aimed at a male audience. Maybe also in Time After Time.
I think most men find romance, on its own, boring. There is a reason mostly women watch romantic flicks and dudes watch them because of their gf/wife. I guess that is because romance novels tend to appeal to female fantasy mostly; she gets to choose between tall, muscular, handsome, charming men who fall for her and swoon her with romantic gestures, ecth, etch The male equivalent is the space commando shooting aliens, saving Earth, and getting the girl; or the knight saving the princess from the dragon; or the protagonist shooting the gangsters and then getting the girl. Guy does something heroic, is recognized as a badass, impresses the cute/hot girl, and ends up with her. Bonus points if the guy starts as a wimp or nerd or lowly peasant and works his way to the top.
A man finds an old bottle on the beach. He picks it up and rubs it to read the label. Smoke billows from the bottom and a genie appears. "I will great you one wish, what do you want?" Said the genie. "Don't you mean three wishes?" The man asks. "After thousands of years, no. It's one to a customer. So what will it be?" The man thinks for a bit. "I have always wanted to see Hawaii, but I am afraid to fly, and get horrible sea sick. So build me a bridge, so I can drive to Hawaii." "Are you crazy? Do you have any idea how difficult that would be? Think of something else." The man thinks for a bit again. "Okay, I have always wanted to understand women." The genie looks at the man for a long minute. "Do you want that bridge two lanes or four?"
On a more serious note. Men and women think differently. Men are more visual, which is likely an evolutionary adaptation from hunting, and trying to spot prey in the wild. Women tended to stay in or near whatever camp there was, watching over children and gathering food, so became more talkative with the communication needs of their roles in the primitive society. Neither approach is bad, just a different adaptation. Those differences alter the world views of each group. The main reason I can see for Men to read romance genre, is an attempt to understand the female perspective, rather than enjoyment of that genre.
Romance novels tailored for a male audience do exist. They often fall under the category of "men's romance" or "romantic fiction." These novels explore love and relationships from a perspective that resonates with men, depicting protagonists who embark on romantic journeys, plan dreamy dates, and navigate the complexities of love. Authors like Nicholas Sparks and Richard Paul Evans often delve into themes that appeal to both male and female readers. It's a wonderful genre that captures the universal experience of seeking and celebrating love, regardless of gender. If you're interested, I can recommend some titles to get you started.
