#cramzydays

[maddie-grove]

Get to Know the Romance Reader tag

Tagged by @cramzydays!

1. What is your romance origin story? (How you came to read your first romance novel)

Back in 2008/2009 (my senior year of high school...), I was reading TV Tropes and learned about the site Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. Their reviews were so funny and they made the genre sound interesting. @erotiamat had already given me a copy of Jane Feather’s Vice for my seventeenth birthday, so I read that first. It was not great, but I tried Johanna Lindsay’s Gentle Rogue that summer (ugh) and Julia London’s A Courtesan’s Scandal that fall (yay!). 

2. If you could be the heroine in a romance novel, who would be the author and what’s one trope you’d insist be in the story?

I’d pick Sabrina Jeffries--her romances are so fun and her heroines tend to have a good time! I want a fake engagement and, if possible, a masked ball. Plus some random historical references. 

3. What is a romance you’ve read this year, that you want more people to read?

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole. Her entire Loyal League trilogy (about Union spies during the Civil War) is amazing, both as romance and as historical fiction.

5. Who is one of your auto-buy romance authors?

Mary Balogh. Her Dark Angel was what really solidified my love for romance, and I’ve read like fifty of her books over the past ten years.

6. How do you typically find romance recommendations? (Goodreads, Youtube, Podcasts, Instagram..)

I look at a few romance blogs, plus I’ve picked up some suggestions from Tumblr (especially for queer romance).

7. What is an upcoming romance release you’re excited for?

I have such a big backlog of romances to read that I had to search a bit to answer this one and, in the process, I found out about Alyssa Cole’s To Catch a Queen. The Njaza part of A Prince on Paper was fascinating, so I’m looking forward to a romance about its king and queen.

8. What is one misconception about romance you would like to lay to rest?

Maybe this is cheating, but I’d like people to realize that it’s a genre like any other--it can be well-written or poorly written, progressive or regressive, an intelligent examination of serious issues or pure fluff (not that there’s anything wrong with that). It has many different sub-genres, and it’s changed dramatically over time. There’s nothing wrong with criticizing an individual book or noting troubling trends, but I’m irritated by blanket statements (i.e., ”romance novels are sexist” or “romance novel heroes aren’t developed characters”) that most people wouldn’t make about sci-fi or fantasy or YA or literary fiction or fanfiction. 

(At least, people don’t usually make these statements 100% in earnest--I see posts about all fantasy being full of sexual violence, or YA being all about love triangles in the time of dystopia, or literary fiction being all about professors having extramarital affairs, but I think on some level people get that these are exaggerations made for laughs or to illustrate a point.)

9. Who is the most recent romance reading content creator you came across that you’d like to shoutout?

I’m honestly kind of out of the loop on this one! 

10. If someone had never read a romance before and asked you to recommend the first 3 romances that come to mind as places to start, what would those recommendations be?

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole (terrific historical/spy/war novel as well as an awesome romance).

Trade Me by Courtney Milan (it’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and--a big hurdle I face with contemporary romance--it doesn’t feel like the protagonists are a generation older than they’re supposed to be).

For My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale (this may seem counter-intuitive, given the use of Middle English and the daring-for-1993-but-hardly-woke-for-2019 politics, but if you’re a fan of historical fiction or politics-heavy fantasy, I think it’s a good fit).

My brain is too fired for me to tag people right now, but if this looks interesting to you please do it!

[angelacolsin]

4, 8, 12, 18, 28, 56, 95

Sorry I’m so late about answering this, it’s been a hectic week.  My birthday was Sunday and my friend was flying to Florida and everything else just sort of fell by the wayside.  Anyway!  Here goes ... :D

(4) Last Song You Listened To.

You know what?  I actually don’t know.  I haven’t listened to much music lately!

(8) Did You Wake Up Cranky?

Not today, thankfully!

(12) Take A Vitamin Daily?

Nope, but I should ... :\

(18) Do You Collect Anything?

No, actually LoL Now I feel like all I’m saying is no, no, no XD

(28) What Makes You Happy?

A lot of stuff?  Uh ... writing, graphic design, Tim Tams ... you know, just basic things LoL :D

(56) What Are You Craving Right Now?

Tim Tams.  LOL!  Actually, I’m just craving food in general, I haven’t eaten yet today =|

(95) Name Something That Relaxes You.

Ugh, this is a hard question for someone with an anxiety disorder...It just depends on the reason I’m upset and so on but generally speaking, rainy dreary days and storms soothe me a lot of times!  :D

[pen-for-sword]

What's your current fixation (for a lack of a better word! xD)/active interest at the moment? :3

Right now? Probably Good Omens, LOL. I binged watched that show a couple days ago and now I can’t stop thinking about it. David Tennant and Michael Sheen did an amazing job... and of course there was some excellent storytelling on Neil Gaiman’s part too. 10/10 would watch again.

[starjeweled-alpenglow]

For @cramzydays <3

Reading romance novels makes me feel like I’m not the only person who just wants something romantic and sweet and cute!!!

I of course, love being able to meet and fall in love with the characters, and live their sweet sweet romance, but I think the most important thing is knowing that people, real people, want that. They want that sweet romance. It’s a wonderful feeling~

I like fantasy, and light novels (I hope they count?) so of course, there’s parts that wouldn’t be possible to have in reality, but that’s why reading is important, right? Because then you Can live those things.

And in any case, the romance part (which is the important part ;p) is something that, I can attest, can very much be lived in person <3

[pollyssecretlibrary]

cramzydays replied to your post: cramzydays replied to your photoset: ...

I definitely agree the anime is incomplete!! My twin bought the DVD volumes that came with the manga (hot spring, haha!) and the music from the anime is amazing! /fans self Ahh, you’re welcome (⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡

They're publishing it here now... book 5 was out last week... I can't wait to read what happens after the anime!

Yona and Hak OTP!

[msfehrwight]

End of the year Asks: 11, 12, 20, 22, 23 💕

11. Something you want to do again next year?

I want to go back to London and Hyde Park. It made me so happy, just wandering around, even though I wrecked my foot completely doing so. But it was lovely. 

12. Talk about a new friend you made this year

I’m taking this opportunity to talk about the cute boy. Friend was so right, we met and got on like a house on fire. He is VERY smart, and well-spoken, and polite, and unaffected, and easily approachable. You all know I crushed massively – I’m working on deconstructing that so that we can be friends, because I think we’d make really good friends. We’re having lunch tomorrow and I look forward to it a lot, I’ve got some stuff I want to hear his opinion on. He’s so entertaining when he has an Opinion. It’s such a delight. Just, a really cool guy.(I’m also going to mention two ladies I met at a conference, one Spanish and one Greek – we sort of gravitated together and I found myself opening up to the Greek lady who is SO KICKASS. I love them both and they are such incredible people. I miss them. And I only spent one day with them.)

22. Favorite place you visited this year?

Answered this previously <3

23. If you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be?

Stick it out. I know the turn of the year is tough on you, but look at the cool things you got to do. Conferment is going to be the best thing you ever do. You’re going to be so proud of your GBS presentation, and it’s going to bring you good things. You met aforementioned cute boy, which brought you some sadness but also confidence and joy. The good things come unexpectedly. So you see how staying alive was a good thing.

[angelacolsin]

cramzydays replied to your post “cramzydays replied to your post “I think, with how long it’s taking...”

Yesssss - and just a thought, you can queue/schedule your previous excerpts so it'll pop up on the dashboard every once in a while! Cheering you on! ♥

mariaslozak replied to your post “mariaslozak replied to your post “I think, with how long it’s taking...”

I'm so sorry you've had to struggle uphill for such a long while now. I imagine it must be especially hard to maintain focus on productive creativity under such stress and hardship. I admire you for sticking with what you feel is best and right for your story. Sending lots of wishes for the kind of support that helps you most at this time <3

@cramzydays I’ve thought of this!  I’m just so lazy I haven’t gotten around to queuing up any posts D: LoL  Actually, I think it’s a mix of laziness and more recently just dealing with mental illness more than usual D:  (Keep reading to see what I’m talking about :P)

@mariaslozak  Thank you sooo much <3  (I’m also sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to these messages, I’ve just been having a helluva week lol)  I have been experiencing trouble just getting myself motivated to write anything or finding interest in it, and I think a big reason is that my OCD has exploded here lately and I’ve been having issues with anxiety.  I’m also thinking this is, in part, a result of quitting smoking (and pardon me for giving a long winded story lol).

There’s been very little study done on the effects smoking has on people’s mental health, but I have some personal reasons to believe that the chemicals/toxins in cigarette smoke lends a hand to worsening preexisting chemical imbalances that attribute to mental disorders from the start.  So, on the flip side, when a person quits, the body starts a process of recovery, which also applies to mental health issues.  Sadly, my OCD has always been moderate to severe, to the point of hindering my ability to work a normal job, so the way I’ve been feeling lately has definitely put a damper on my writing.  But I’m taking things a day at a time, and I’m definitely adjusting.  Aside from the mental health part of it, it was hard to write simply because that’s a trigger for me to smoke (I was a heavy smoker, let me tell you), so this really caused some issues with adapting during July-September.

But it’s been two months (as of Monday) since I smoked a cigarette, and thankfully, I’ve had several writing sessions where I didn’t even consider picking up a cigarette.  This is another reason I’m not beating myself up for falling behind with Tempting Eternity.  I think that, if I can get over this hurdle and come out of it having kicked a bad habit, it’s definitely worth it to have taken some personal time without getting as much done as I would’ve preferred.

Anyway (and again, I’m sorry I’m being so chatty about this, but I honestly don’t think I’ve really talked to a lot of people about it, and it’s nice to just get it off my chest) thanks so much guys!  I’ll try to find a good, non-confusing excerpt to share soon!  :)

[starjeweled-alpenglow]

RULES: bold the statements that apply to you, italicize your aspirations, then tag nine people.

AIR: I have small hands • I love the night sky • I watch small animals and birds when I pass them by • I drink herbal tea • I wake to see dawn • The smell of dust is comforting • I’m valued for being wise • I prefer books to music • I meditate • I find joy in learning new truths from the world around me

FIRE: I don’t have straight hair • I like to wear ripped jeans and overalls • I play an organized sport • I love dogs • I am not afraid of adventure • I love to talk to strangers • I always try new foods • I enjoy road trips • Summer is my favorite season • My radio is always playing

WATER: I wear bracelets on my wrists • I love the bustle of the city • I have more than one set of piercings • I read poetry • I love the sound of a thunderstorm • I want to travel the world • I sleep past midday most days • I love dimly lit diners and fluorescent signs • I rewatch kids’ shows out of nostalgia • I see emotions in colors, not words

EARTH: I wear glasses/contacts • I enjoy doing the laundry • I am a vegetarian or vegan • I have an excellent sense of time • My humor is very cheerful • I am a valued adviser to my friends • I believe in true love • I love the chill of mountain air • I’m always listening to music • I am highly trusted by the people in my life

AETHER: I go without makeup in my daily life • I make my own artwork • I keep on track of my tasks and time • I always know true north • I see beauty in everything • I can always smell flowers • I smile at everyone I pass by • I always fear history repeating itself • I have am recovered-ing from a mental disorder • I can love unconditionally.

Welp, guess I’m aether? :3 This was lovely, thatks for tagging me @cramzydays <3

I’m unsure of who to tag, lets see.... @arathergrimreaper @sappholasagna @seashells-and-bookshelves @spottythelefthandedunicorn @kaleidoscope-borg @nowitchesheresir @lightningkissed-blog @diamoricnymphia @thedepressedweasel

Please feel free to ignore if you’ve been tagged, please feel free to self tag on my behalf if you wanna try this <3