Hi everyone!
I hope you had a good week and a good weekend so far. This idea has been sitting in my head for a few months now, and I think I have it figured out. I think romance book characters have it better than we do, and not just because they’re fictional, but because of how they live life. And yes, I am aware they aren’t real people, but they are supposed to replicate real people so that we become emotionally invested. I think the way book characters live their lives is very telling to what a lot of people desire. We want to live, we don’t want to sit inside on our phones watching other people live, but the structures of society make it difficult to just go out and live in whatever way makes our hearts happy.
I think there are a few parts to this idea. For starters, romance book characters don’t spend hours doomscrolling which allows them to partake in the things they enjoy. Secondly, they say yes more which pushes them beyond their comfort zone. And thirdly, they make time for their people which allows for community.
No doomscrolling
When you think about it, we rarely read about a character doomscrolling. Maybe that’s because it feels unnecessary, but I think it shows that these characters actually spend their time living. Many of us struggle with phone addictions because they are designed to keep our attention, so I don’t blame us, but I think that’s part of why romance characters’ lives are so appealing. They go out and experience life firsthand as opposed to watching it happen on a screen. I find myself saying “in another life” a lot lately, and I’ve started to pay attention when I say it because maybe I can do it in this life. Sometimes this thought comes up when reading, and I realize that I could do so much more if I put my phone down. And yes, things cost money, but going for a picnic at a park is free and will make me feel happy. Can you tell I’m ready for summer? Anyways, my point is, book characters don’t spend hours on their phones, they actually do things which is what makes their stories happen.
Say yes
Another thing I find is that book characters do more because they say yes to more, even when they don’t want to. For example, how often do you read about a character who doesn’t want to do something, but when they do it, they end up feeling so grateful they did? Honestly, I read this quite often. It makes me think that I need to say yes to more things, especially when they are outside my comfort zone, because even if I don’t enjoy it at least I know I tried. A popular phrase as of recent years is “do it for the plot” and I think it’s more accurate than people realize. The reason authors put their characters through uncomfortable and new situations is because that is how the plot progresses. Saying yes allows us to live more, even if it’s uncomfortable at first.
Making time for their people
While this is especially true in small town romance books, fiction books from many genres place the main character within some sort of group of people. Whether it be the town, or a found family, characters spend time with their friends and family. Because of social media and technology many people have started living more isolated lives. While digital technology has opened up the opportunity to communicate with people in different geographic locations, humans still need face-to-face interaction. In lot’s of books (especially contemporary romance) the main character has people in their corner whether it be their best friend or a sibling. These relationships are important to the characters and they ensure they spend time together which is something I think we struggle with in real life sometimes. Life gets busy with work and school and our own responsibilities that we forget to make time for our loved ones.
These observations have given me some ideas as to how I can help myself live a fuller and happier life, and really, it’s not super complicated. Put the phone down, say yes, and spend time with the people I love. It sounds too simple to be true, but the reality is many of us don’t prioritize these things as much as we could. This isn’t supposed to be a Debbie downer post, rather it’s something I’ve been thinking about when reading. While happily ever after is key to the romance genre, that isn’t the only reason these books attract audiences. All the little ways that these characters live their lives contribute to a better quality of life.
I hope you enjoyed this article. If you’re looking for more check out my Instagram!
Hailey