Me? A Romance Novelist? I Don’t Think So.

Published February 20, 2012 |

February is Romance Novel Month at Austen Authors. Although I have written a modern romance, The Second Date, I think of my story as more of a light comedy than a romance. In my Pride and Prejudice re-imaginings, Darcy and Elizabeth always fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. The plot of a classic romance, right? So why am I reluctant to call my stories romances? Because in my head, it’s just not me.

In my marriage, my husband is the romantic. During our courtship some thirty-six years ago, I was royally wooed: flowers, chocolate, wine, little gifts, almost on a daily basis. He would tell me I was sexy, and I would tell him he needed glasses. The only reason I had a sexy nightgown on our wedding night was because my mother bought one for me, but I wasn’t comfortable in it because I’ve never seen myself as “hot.” The second night of our honeymoon I was back to wearing a tee shirt that said “Property of the Athletic Department of Rutgers University.”

Over the years, the gifts have changed because Paul understands me. When he comes home and tells me he has “something” for me, I can’t wait to see what it is. What item screamed “Mary must have this” when he was in the store (usually The Home Depot)? In the past, I have received a video re-winder, cloth napkins (I’m big on reduce, reuse, recycle), a snake light to wrap around my neck for reading in bed, a purse organizer, and my very own easy-pump pesticide sprayer (he has his own). Just last week he bought pruning shears made for people with arthritis. Honestly, can the guy get any sweeter? Having said that, the man is not perfect. He will not ask for directions. He will not drive through an amber light (makes me crazy). The architect/engineer in him requires that we must always look at every possible decision from a “worst case scenario” point of view, very often taking all the air out of my balloon. Even so, we get along great. Why? Because we accept each other for who we are.

Acceptance is the theme of my Pride and Prejudice re-imagining, Mr. Darcy’s Bite. In this novel, Fitzwilliam Darcy has fallen in love with Elizabeth Bennet, but the question is: Can she accept a man who turns into a werewolf every four weeks at the rising of the full moon? In doing so, Darcy is asking a lot of her. The lunar cycle must be factored into everything they do. Not only will he disappear for two days every month, but danger is always lurking. Will she say or do something that will put him at risk of discovery? But if Elizabeth can do these things, then Darcy has promised to love her for all the days of his life. Because of the theme of acceptance, Mr. Darcy’s Bite is my most romantic novel. While writing it, all I had to do was substitute my own dear husband and his quirks, and the words flowed. I’ve been told it’s my sexiest novel as well. Maybe I’m evolving. Is it possible there is a sexy nightgown in my future? Nah! Just kidding!

P.S. The Second Date is available on Nook and Kindle for .99. It is adorable, cute, and a little bit sexy, just like me.

How do you see yourself? Are you a romantic? Practical? A practical romantic? Please share.

Posted in Austen Authors

35 Responses to Me? A Romance Novelist? I Don’t Think So.

Nina Benneton says:

February 20, 2012 at 8:04 AM

Mary,

You crack me up. Your mother bought you wedding nightgown– that’s very endearing and funny. It’s much better than his mother buying you a wedding nightgown, that’s for sure.

I’m a romantic gal, I thought your Mr. Darcy werewolf was quite sexy! And the romance between him and Elizabeth have this aching sweetness to it, because you made it very real her struggle to love and accept him.

PS: I think my husband and yours must shop for our presents at the same places.
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 12:55 PM
  
  Nina, We had our reception in my aunt’s backyard. When we were leaving to go to the motel, I changed into jeans, and my mother was horrified b/c I didn’t have “traveling clothes!”
Jakki L. says:

February 20, 2012 at 8:57 AM

Love this post, Mary! Oh, I am totally romantic but have been trained to be a bit more practical by my much-too-practical husband. But, like you said, it is all about acceptance and loving each other where we are.
You look so beautiful in your wedding picture above! I love the dress!! Oh, and I love that your hubby buys you such thoughtful gifts.
And I am with you on the cloth napkins. I am always looking for them on clearance and at the thrift stores!
Oh, and, I loved the scenes between Darcy & Elizabeth in Mr. Darcy’s Bite. Especially when she waits for him in the library (or was it his study)!
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 12:56 PM
  
  Jakki, I got married in the ’70s, the era of polyester! Even so, I don’t think we look too bad.
SuzeJA says:

February 20, 2012 at 9:33 AM

I am practical and realist except when I am reading. My husband was never the flower buying and since I usually gave the flowers to my mom I never minded but I did tell him if he ever bought them I would know he cheated or did something he was not suppose too. When V day comes I never get flower and I told him I saved him a fortune… ) lol
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 12:57 PM
  
  Sharon Lathan is really big on Valentine’s Day, but Paul and I don’t observe it at all. We save everything for our anniversary in June. Don’t tell Sharon.
Susan Mason-Milks says:

February 20, 2012 at 10:12 AM

I seem to recall you’ve said that when you get stuck in your writing, you get out the vacuum. Did your husband buy you a new vacuum cleaner when your books started to sell? Just kidding! I thought of you recently when my spouse bought me a hand-held, rechargeable Dyson vacuum for my birthday. The “romantic” part of this story is that I had mentioned this vacuum only once in a conversation more than six months before, and he remembered. I guess I’m odd – or I’ve been married too long – but any time I know he’s been listening to me, I find that very romantic. (I should also mention I also got tickets to Madame Butterfly.)
- AngieK says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 11:56 AM
  
  Dyson’s are the best vacuums ever!!! I want a hand held one, too!
  - Mary Simonsen says:
    
    February 20, 2012 at 12:59 PM
    
    Angie, My Dyson sucks the veneer off the floor. It’s amazing.
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 12:59 PM
  
  Susan, this is too funny. I mentioned a Dyson once, and I got it for Christmas. I love it. It sucks up enough fur to make a dog every time I use it. You’re right about cleaning when I write, but I use my Shark steam cleaner. A lot less noisy than a Dyson.
Margaret says:

February 20, 2012 at 1:18 PM

I’m a romantic. My Mom was too so I’m sure she passed on the gene. I loved Mr. Darcy’s Bite and Second Date sounds wonderful! So does .99 cents thanks for letting us know!
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 4:04 PM
  
  Thanks, Margaret, for stopping by.
Deborah/BookishDame says:

February 20, 2012 at 3:56 PM

Surprise, surprise! I’m surprised to hear this about you, Mary. I thought “Darcy’s Bite” was very sweet and romantic. However, I will say that I’m a romantic around the edges, myself. I love to be “wined and dined” but I’m not a romance novel reader and I don’t like “syrupy shows of affection.” What I love about your writing is that it’s not steamy and drippy…thank God!! A small bit of true love is good for the soul especially if there’s good natured teasing involved. The happiest times I’ve shared with my sweetheart have been when we’ve been laughing together! :]
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 4:05 PM
  
  Deborah, It sounds as if we have a lot in common. I agree with you about laughing. It’s the glue in a marriage.
  - Mary Simonsen says:
    
    February 20, 2012 at 4:06 PM
    
    P.S. Thank you for your comment about Mr. Darcy’s Bite. So glad you liked it.
Candy M says:

February 20, 2012 at 6:30 PM

Mary, you’re so funny! When you first told me you don’t read romantic stories I almost fell on the floor. You write them beautifully! I have to tell everyone, The Second Date is a great book. I loved it! It is one of my favorites of yours! Those Italian mommas crack me up!

Beautiful picture of you and Paul!
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 20, 2012 at 7:25 PM
  
  Candy, Thanks for the shout out on The Second Date. I love that book b/c I knew so many of the characters when I was growing up in North Jersey. Angie had the same reaction to my comment about not reading romances. I know it’s goofy. On the other hand, I’m a sucker for a good film romance. Casablanca is still #1 for me.
Stephanie L says:

February 20, 2012 at 11:15 PM

I’m brutally practical in everything but what I read. I read romance and classical lit a lot but in real life, I don’t have a romantic thread in me. I ask for things like Viking mixers, Hoover FloorMate, knives, stoves, pots and pans, LOL…Hubby doesn’t get me flowers, or any of that stuff. I just don’t have any need for it. He jokes that people think he’s a terrible husband for not buying me flowers/jewelery/chocolates. I didn’t even want a wedding but HIS FAMILY actually talked me into it. Looks like I need to ask for a Dyson…
Vera Nazarian says:

February 21, 2012 at 1:49 AM

Love your post, Mary! And Mr Darcy’s Bite sounds right up my alley, not to mention there are some similarities with my own Pride and Platypus: Mr. Darcy’s Dreadful Secret, down to the moon and transformations… Hehehe!

As far as being romantic, I am more of a daily life slob, and love romance in my literature more than my real life. I think the sexiest gift I’d imagine receiving will be… electronics and gadgets! So, yeah, very romantic.
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 21, 2012 at 12:21 PM
  
  Hi Vera. You sound like a girl after my own heart.
Lúthien84 says:

February 21, 2012 at 4:21 AM

Thanks for sharing a bit of yourself and your novels. It cracks me up to think that your husband is a romantic and not you. Usually I read and heard that girls are the ones who are more into romance.

If you were to ask me whether I’m a romantic, practical or both, I wouldn’t know the answer because I’ve not fallen in love yet. In my mind, I think I’ll be a bit of both. I’m hoping I would find someone like Paul (hopefully without any major flaws) and have a fruitful marriage like yours, Mary.
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 21, 2012 at 12:22 PM
  
  Hi Luthien. I was thinking about you just the other day. So glad to hear from you. I am so blessed with my marriage. I couldn’t ask for a better husband. I wish everyone the same.
  - Lúthien84 says:
    
    February 22, 2012 at 3:57 AM
    
    Thanks for thinking about me. I haven’t been regularly visiting AuAu as I did last year because of work. Good to know that I’ve been missed.
    - Mary Simonsen says:
      
      February 23, 2012 at 3:18 PM
      
      Good to have you back.
Kara Louise says:

February 21, 2012 at 7:56 AM

What a fun post about you, Mary! I think all the things that make authors different are all the reasons people prefer one book over another — all the readers are different, too!
Mary Simonsen says:

February 21, 2012 at 12:22 PM

Kara, Ain’t that the truth! Hope all is well.
Abigail Reynolds says:

February 21, 2012 at 2:37 PM

I think a story about acceptance is about true romance. It’s not the gifts of flowers that make the love story, but the thoughtfulness and acceptance. I wonder sometimes, though, why it’s vaguely embarrassing to say that we write romance novels – after all, why should it be any different than writing thrillers or murder mysteries?
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 23, 2012 at 3:21 PM
  
  Being labeled a “romance writer” is not embarrassing, but for me, it would be a poor fit. When it comes to sewing and arts and crafts, I’m all thumbs. Whenever I go into Joanne’s or Michael’s, I expect an alarm to go off. “You don’t know how to sew or do crafts. Out!”
Regina Jeffers says:

February 21, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Although I cannot say that I have ever known the kind of love I would like to have in my life, I admit to being a hopeless romantic.
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 23, 2012 at 3:19 PM
  
  Regina, I suspected you were a romantic. It comes through in your generosity to others.
Sophia Rose says:

February 22, 2012 at 1:00 AM

Ah, I really enjoyed your post. Sweet hubby you have, but I’m not envious because I have one of those too. He’s the romantic and I’m the practical one.

I have Second Date, but haven’t read it yet. *hangs head*, but I have read and adored Mr. Darcy’s Bite. Truly a good love story!
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 23, 2012 at 3:18 PM
  
  Hi Sophia. Thank you for the compliment on Mr. Darcy’s Bite. Also, I hope you enjoy The Second Date when you have time. It’s a quick read. Lots of dialog.
Alyssa Goodnight says:

February 22, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Loved this post! I would say I’m a practical romantic. But my husband is waaay more romantic than I am, which is lovely!
- Mary Simonsen says:
  
  February 23, 2012 at 3:17 PM
  
  Thanks, Alyssa. It is wonderful having a romantic spouse.
Susan Adriani says:

February 27, 2012 at 2:50 PM

Mary, I think all of us have a little bit of sexy hiding beneath the layers (and sometimes there are a lot of layers, lol). I have a drawer full of ‘sexy’ nighties, yet I always manage to wear yoga pants and tee shirts to bed…the snug-fitting ones, but still… My husband doesn’t complain – he knows me well after 18 years.

I think Mr. Darcy’s Bite is your sexiest, too, and I love it. I’m always on the look out for more from you.

Best,
Susan