“Essentially, a romance is a courtship story. And if you think about it, courtship stories are part of the foundation of human storytelling” --Sarah Wendell

Sarah Wendell (@SmartBitches) is an author and blogger whose work primarily focuses on the romance fiction genre. She is co-author of the book, Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels.

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Sarah discuss the elements of a romance novel book cover (13:00); plot and structure of a romance novel (24:00); the history the romance genre (34:00); and the evolution of romance fiction characters and tropes (46:00).

For more from Sarah, check out her website: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Notable Links:

RT Booklovers Convention
"Where no Travel Writer has Gone Before", by Rolf Potts (article)
Elements of Surprise: Our Mental Limits and the Satisfactions of Plot, by Vera Tobin (book)
Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell (novel and film)
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn (novel)
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (novel)
Turducken (novelty dish)
Fabio (romance cover model)
Mullet (hairstyle)
#MeToo movement
The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (viral video)
Asexuality
Demisexuality
Black Panther (film)
Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle (novel and film)
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda , by Becky Albertalli (novel)
Highlander (film)

Romance novels, novelists, and genres mentioned:

Prowl the Night, by Crystal Jordan (romance novel)
The Raider, by Jude Deveraux (romance novel)
Jude Deveraux the Raider Barbie & Ken Set (collectible toy)
Sharon Shinn (romance novelist)
Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series
Kate Duffy, editor at Kensington
The Flame and the Flower, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (romance novel)
Carina Press Romance Promise
Paranormal romance (genre)
Amish Vampires in Space, by Kerry Nietz (romance novel)
Tamed: A Menage Dinosaur Shifter Romance, by Jenny Clemens (romance novel)
Hot and Badgered, by Shelly Laurenston (romance novel)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel's 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we're happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.