Why? by Christine Bush

 

This past weekend, I had the joy of attending a very interesting writing conference.  It’s a yearly conference called “Deadly Ink”, focusing on the mystery genre.  I, like several other attendees, write in several different genres. Many of my stories are “romantic mysteries”.

The conference was thought provoking on many levels.  Hearing the voices and ideas of writers from so many different niches led to a lot of fascinating discussions. One was addressing “reader motive”.

This seems to vary among genres.  Why do readers select a certain kind of book? Beyond the details of a favorite author, location, or theme, what is the reader looking for?

I’m an avid reader as well as a writer. I DO choose to read stories in many different genres. And this weekend I came to see that my motives vary in choice according to my emotional needs at times.

I like cozy mysteries because unraveling the clues and facts to “solve the crime” is a mental challenge, and the format (no graphic crime details or sex scenes) is comfortable to me.

I read “thrillers” and “suspense” when I am ready to be more “charged up” by the high concepts of the books.

Noir mysteries and true crime fiction explore the darker side of life.

I’m generally not a reader of paranormal books, but in our discussions, escape to a different “world” came in high on the list.

 

Why do I read romance? Especially sweet romance?  These stories bring me hope, remind me that love is alive and well, and that problems can be conquered. 

 

 To me, these are not just inspiring stories, they are “comforting” stories.  There’s no violence to gross me out, and no gratuitous sex scenes to divert from the emotional side of romance.  Sometimes I need that.  It’s not a spoiler to know there’s going to be a happy and satisfying ending.

 

Whether I’m tired, overwhelmed, struggling with grief, or facing tough life issues, the time in the pages of a good romance gives my mind a needed rest.  From short novellas, to long multifaceted novels, romance brings me escape, hope, comfort, and peace.

How about you? What do you read and why? I’d love to hear!

 

 

Christine Bush is a USA Today Bestselling author of romance, romantic mystery, and suspense.  She can be found living in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 lazy cats, and spending time with her 13 grandchildren.   When she’s not writing, she’s teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to hear from readers and writers!

Christine's  “Sunny Smile” is a sweet romantic mystery set on the Navajo reservation!

https://www.amazon.com/Sunnys-Smile-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B071NS96NP/

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