It All
Started With Barbie Cathryn Cade
My first memories of reading are such good ones—carrying
home books from the public library in a pile so high I had to balance them
under my chin. And then devouring them as fast as I could. Being read aloud to
by my teacher after lunch every day. (My mother says she and my dad read to us
every night, but darn it, I can’t remember that, even when I look at the family
photos.)
Dr. Seuss was a favorite—Bartholomew and the Oobleck. Then
on to The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Black Stallion, Tarzan of the Apes.
Hey, I didn’t say I was into great literature, just good stories.
So much so that when I grew up and went off to college, I
fell in love with a career. That’s when I knew I wanted to be not just a
teacher, but a librarian. And for many years I loved the job. Stayed home with
my two boys in the middle, then went back to it.
I still love a good adventure with some mystery, suspense, a
character who learns something important about herself, and a happy ending. Which
is why I find it so very satisfying to read romance. I think Jayne Ann Krentz said
it best in an interview with the Seattle Times.
“While the (popular) fictional
landscape may change, the players remain consistent. At the core of all the
genres are the archetypes. We know what a hero's supposed to act like. He's
still gotta have the classic heroic values—courage, honor, and determination.”
And
of course many of our favorite heroes are heroines!
With the same qualities as the male hero, but tempered with the best of
femininity—compassion, tenderness and a strong belief in family.
And that’s why, when it was time to move on to a new career, it
was romance writing that attracted me. Did I mention I’ve been writing stories
since I was old enough to draw those big, crooked letters on wide-ruled paper?
My stories sort of continued the wild adventures had by my Barbie and Ken
dolls.
So in a weird way, I have Barbie to thank for my career. No wonder
I write erotic romance with a muse like that—boobs like a stripper and
eye-makeup to match! Add the fact that she and Ken hung around naked in the
dark a lot, and there you have it. (In their Barbie carrying case, what did you
think I meant?)
What’s your favorite genre of romance? And can you remember the
reading path that brought you here? I’d love to know. Leave a comment!
Happy New
Year,
Cathryn Cade
... red hot romance!
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Continue the blog party!
Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade - Get Organized
Paty Jager - Volunteerism
Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet
