In yesterday’s post about sappy endings a couple of people mentioned the believability associated with an HEA ‘coming out’ scene and its time frame.
As I was responding to the comments, I kept wondering about which HEA I would think was more ‘real’; one at five pages or one five hours into the relationship.
My answer: Actually, I could believe both.
You see, no matter how many times I take the piss (translation from Oz: make fun of) romantic tropes I am a reader who is pretty willing to be convinced by anything an author wants to dream up.
For example, if an author established a background story about a character in which he was on the cusp of telling everyone he was gay and just needed the impetus – in this case, stumbling across the man of his dreams – to do so why couldn’t there be a mushy, coming out scene five hours after the destined meet?
A skilled writer could pull that off, don’t you think? Or is it still too ridiculous a notion for some of you to even contemplate?
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
I always enter into a story with a willingness to suspend disbelief. BUT the author must convince me is was a good idea.
So, yes!
I'm willing to believe anything the author can convince me of. I go into the story -wanting- to buy into the happiness.
On a different note I was complaining about insta-love to a friend of mine and he laughed. He said he falls in love instantly with all his boyfriends if the sex is good. He said it's so hard finding someone compatible that you tend to cling to those you want.
I guess it's really true that dick can cure all.
What Kassa said, the fist paragraph anyway. I'm always open to anything the author can dream up but some can convince me it was a good idea better than others.
So do you think girls are more cynical Kassa? Or just us who hang out together, birds of a feather and all that jazz? 🙂 I hope I'm teaching my kid that good sex does NOT equal love because good sex burns out, except in romance novels. Unfortunately, we don't live in one.
I guess a skilled writer could make me believe it. It just borders so much on the insta-love thing that I hate, hate.
How old is your friend, Kassa? Maybe I've just become cynical as I've gotten older.:P
Miranda: Yup. Sometimes my mood or the trope or theme itself will mean that the author will really need to work hard to convince me, but… willing and able, baby! 😛
Kassa: ” I go into the story -wanting- to buy into the happiness.”
I think romance readers as a whole are that way otherwise why they hell would any of us continue to read the genre.
“I guess it's really true that dick can cure all.”
Well, fuck. There goes at least half of the posts I've prepared about the subject.
Tam: “… because good sex burns out, except in romance novels…”
WHAT?! No, it can't be… *clutches pearls*
All my dreams… dashed by one comment…
Richelle: “I guess a skilled writer could make me believe it.”
For me, a skilled writer can convince me pretty much of anything… except bestiality and Boston Steamers.
Erm, no.
Icky.
I have to admit I'm a complete cynic about these things, but if an author does it well then I can be convinced about anything.
I hate insta-love generally, but I've read stories where I've totally bought into it because the author has me hooked through the writing.
Jenre: “I have to admit I'm a complete cynic about these things, but if an author does it well then I can be convinced about anything.”
Cynic is the last thing I think of when I think of you, Jen, which is always why your hatred of instaluv and sugary sappiness when it comes to romance makes me gigglesnort.
Five hours after meeting someone? For the first time? I'm afraid I don't see that as a believable “impetus.”
Being on the cusp of coming out, yeah; all outed gays have, at some point, obviously been on the cusp of leaving the closet. But being provoked into doing so by a five-hour acquaintance? Uh…no. I don't care how damned good the sex is; it doesn't equate with trust or devotion.
But five pages — now that's different. A lot can happen in five pages, especially in short fiction, and that's when a writer's skill comes into play.
KZ: Devil's advocate, but what if the five hours happened in those five pages? Don't you think that a skilled writer would have a chance of pulling that off?
I might believe it…if I'd been drinking 🙂 (Yes, on occasion I've been known to have some wine and settle in my jammies and a good book, lol – I live a wild life!)
Five hours? Gonna take a REALLY skillful writer to convince me. 🙂
Patti: *snort* We're thinking of starting an intervention for you so watch yourself. ;P
Chris: That goes without saying. LOL.
Kris: No.
I was thinking five pages in which a longer timeline is very adroitly compressed. But five hours is five hours, whether it's covered in five paragraphs or fifty-five pages. It just isn't enough time for any kind of meaningful bond to develop. (A writer could do something really hokey, like putting the closeted guy on the brink of death and having him crush on his gay doctor or EMT, but that would be tres stupid.)
and Boston Steamers.
Jesus Christ! Did you have to go there? Really? Did you?
I love how KZ is getting all cosmopolitan on us with using french adjectives. 🙂 I agree with her completely though, as a rule.
KZ: *shrugs* Fair enough.
Tam: “Did you have to go there? Really? Did you?”
Apparently. *g*
If it's done well I can believe just about anything. lol I'm a very forgiving reader too, that helps.
Yeah, we all know how easy you are, Tracy. 😛
I too, can believe the insta-love if the writer is skilled. But they have to be pretty skilled.
er, what's a Boston steamer? (and do I really want to know?)
Kaetrin: No, you probably don't want to know, but since you asked: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=boston+steamer
You're welcome.
@ Kris. I can only be grateful there were no pictures. *searches for the brain bleach*
HA! Made you look!
How is that romance story ever going to be over 200 pages Kris??
I want my pages *poutmope*
I'm not sure if women are cynical or we just don't buy into insta-love. My friend (who's in his 30s which you can take as mature or not – you decide) may fall in love like that but remember he's still single lol.
Ingrid: “How is that romance story ever going to be over 200 pages Kris?”
It could happen! Cynics the lot of you!
Kassa: *points up* In his 30s and still single? Oh, he definitely believes in instaluv. Trust me on this. 😉