The Memory of Romance

"Anybody can write one of those!"

We all have projects we've started that have stalled, for one reason or another. Some, like myself, probably have several. They stall for different reasons, but share one thing in common: once that forward momentum is stopped, it's all but impossible to get it moving again. I have a couple of sci-fi projects in that state, and also a western. But the one that nags at me and begs to be continued is my romance novel.

Several years ago, I scoffed at all the romances on our bookshelf. "They're all the same; anybody can write this trash!" My commentary on my wife's reading choices was less than welcome, but I had sown a seed in my own mind: "...anybody can write this..." To prove my point, at least to myself, I sat down at the computer, opened a blank word document, and began to type— the end of the story. Writing 101: don't do that!

The first chapter flowed out smoothly and quickly: a young lady flees a marriage she doesn't want, hits her head, winds up wedded to a cruel seaman, adventures follow... well, I'm not giving away the ending. I did have to admit the books could be more than "trash;" my story was pretty good. Things quickly became confused, though, and I realized some reorganization was required. It was then I felt something was missing. Hmm... What are those things called? Oh yes: an outline! I was shooting entirely from the hip trying to write a novel!

So I wrote the outline and put the project on the shelf for a while. I do write from the hip, stem to stern, and even a short pause can break the process and orphan a story. Thus, the whole project was virtually abandoned.

I've visited this orphan a few times since. It's good enough that I'm intimidated and don't know if I can add anything as good. That's one reason it stays stalled. The other reason is kind of a two-faced coin: laziness and lack of inspiration. A novel is work, but I write for fun. It's hard for me to force something when the muse is not present, and no fun to slog through the work of writing when I'm not in the mood.

But these are excuses, and I know it. I also know WdC can help me with this. It really comes down to discipline. If I make myself to do the work, even if it's not fun, the work will progress. Challenges such as The Writer's Cramp, which force me to write outside my own inspiration, are exceptional tools for this must-write-this-much discipline. Combined with the dozens of wonderful reviewers on this site, I can get both the critique and encouragement that brings the joy to the job.

I fell out of love with romance, I'll admit. But I think it's time to reengage, to make room and make time. After all, like they say in the movies: "There's always time... for one last kiss!"

NOTES ▶︎

Word Count: 500
Written for "26 Paychecks " 
Task 2 - 1/16/2026