Writing Romance For Today's Latina

by Lupe Gonzales

Today's Latina wants romance, too, however, we need a few extra variables.

How many times do we, as romance writers, hear that romance stories are written by formula? I take that statement to mean that most people think that since it's written by formula, then it's easy. I wonder. Have these people ever tried to figure out an algebraic formula?

Sandy Blair, who spoke to SARA, some months back, said that the romance author writes for the following: "for the virgin who has never known love," "for the knocked around, cynical woman who barely believes in love anymore," for the woman in a slam, bam, thank you ma'am relationship" and "for the woman who knew rapturous love, but has now settled into a comfortable relationship with her partner."

From tender and sweet to steamy and hot, Latinas yearn for that same love and romance. The thing is we want our man to whisper soft Spanish love words in our ear, "Mi amor," instead of "My love". We want out man to hire Mariachis to serenade us outside our window. A bouquet of poinsettias would suit as better than a dozen red roses. A crispy sopapilla is infinitely tastier than a box of Whitman chocolates (well, maybe not).

To continue the compare and contrast, in romances written primarily for non-Latina readers, we usually encounter the following:

heroine is an orphan,
two-drink minimum,
rare mention of God and religion,
rare anger and loss of control.

Romances written for Latinas and by Latinas will include the following:

The heroine is NOT an orphan. In the usual romances written nowadays, the heroine is an orphan, alone in the world and has to learn to live by her wits. Not only are Latinas not orphans, but everyone from Tio Louie to' El Baby Junior' to fourth cousin Paco is around. Family doesn't usually have the answer to the Latina heroine's problem, however, they do add to the problem.
Someone gets roaring drunk. Two drink minimum is politically correct and responsibly adhered to in the usual romance. However, Latino men drink. A party isn't a party without at least one barrel of beer--and a barbecue. Tio Chuco always gets drunk. Cousin Ida likes her margaritas or tequila shots. Admittedly, this is a stereotype. However, a story that doesn't include at least one drunk is not truly Latino.

God and religion

Santitos en la casa - saint figurines and lighted candles in the home is customary in a Latina home. Most Latinas are Catholic. They have their altars set up - in a corner, the mantel ora small closet. How is God going to find a praying Latina in the dark? We must light the way! Not only do Latina households have a crucifix above the sofa in the living room, but they also have an image of El Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart of Jesus) and of la Virgen de Guadalupe(Virgin Mary). Faith in God for the Latinas is a constant part of their lives. To take this reference out of Latina stories is tantamount to taking the heart out of them.

Rare anger and loss of control

Latinas don't just want to read romances with heroes and heroines with Spanish surnames.We want to read emotional passionate stories of the heroine screaming at the hero in anger, of the hero getting roaring drunk, and/ or of the heroine's mother slapping some sense into her. Latino heroes sometimes cheat on the heroine. Latina heroines wear too much makeup and jeans that aretoo tight. That's a real Latina story.

The Latina heroine is not a doormat, but she's flesh and bone. If the hero stands her up, she's not understanding, "Oh that's okay, honey." No, she flies into a rage and makes him feel as low as she can make him feel. After all, he has to atone for his sin. She's not peacefully sedate; she's stormy, but the right Latino lover can calm her. With the right "formula," the right Latino romance can find a wide readership.

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