I always have humor
in my romance novels.
However, I also
always ensure
there are sad moments,
scenes that will make readers cry.
Why?
Because humor is very subjective.
You might think
the physical humor
of The Three Stooges
is funny.
I don’t.
I love puns and word play.
Many readers don’t.
What you find funny
says a lot about you.
You can be judged on this.
So readers are very hesitant
to recommend a funny book.
Sadness, however, is universal.
The heroine’s beloved dog dies.
Almost every reader will think
this is sad.
She can safely say to a buddy
that she found the book sad.
The buddy won’t judge her
because she’s supposed to find it sad.
So well written sad books,
in the romance world,
are more likely to be recommended
and go viral.
Remember this
when crafting marketing campaigns.