Women's Fiction vs. Romance?
by Nikki Leigh

What is women's fiction? Sure you heard of romance, sci-fi, mystery, and so. But, what is this new type of book called women's fiction?

I consider my work to be women's fiction with elements of romance. This is not the same as a typical romance novel. My books focus more on the woman (the main character) and how her life changes. She will changed as she faces the problems that life brings to her. We all know that life isn't easy. Were would the challenge be in that?

In our personal lives, we all know people who let the tough times get them down and in many cases, it keeps them down. I want my heroines to show a woman who is strong or becomes stronger and faces life's crisis head on.

My main characters do not have easy lives. Its amazing how many problems you can create for a character when you put your mind to it. Actually that is part of the fun of writing. You cause problems, but you also need to help the character find solutions.

I don't want you to think that there is no romance in my books, because there are romantic elements and a desirable hero. In fact, many readers have fallen in "love" with the hero in Widow's Walk. The men in my heroine's lives support them and help them to grow stronger. These men are not intimidated by a strong woman and appreciate the strength the woman shows.

In a women's fiction story, the romance is not the main focus of the story. There are other main themes which feature women or subjects that are important to women. The heroine is the star of the book and the reader follows her as she grows and matures into a stronger woman.

I love the comment by Susan Elizabeth Phillips that "Women's fiction is about women's empowerment." And, Jane Heller's comment that women's fiction have any relationship at the center of the plot. This can be a relationship with other women, other men, family or friends. That does not need to be a romantic relationship, but it can be.

Many women's fiction books are longer and the authors can use that space to create more dimension to their characters and to give us a chance to see into the character and how she feels about things. The focus of the story may center on more things and people than a romance novel.

A word of comfort to romance readers, there will probably be a man for the heroine before the end of the book. It may or may not have your typical "happy ending", but it will contain a satisfying ending and resolution.

Women have hopes and dreams that may or may not revolve around a man. Even if she truly loves the man in her life, she could have other facets of her that are not centered around the man. This doesn't mean that their relationship means less, but there are other things that are also important to her. These are the things that would be the focus of a women's fiction novel, but the man in her life would be a part of the story. How big a part he plays depends on how the author crafts the story.

Men and women both write women's fiction. So, the gender of the writer doesn't make any difference in the genre. But, a good women's fiction novel will touch the reader deeper than a typical story. You understand the woman's emotions in the situations we present, and that will draw you into her heart and mind.

If you like family sagas, romance and other genres, why not try a women's fiction novel? You will get to know a woman and her situation in more detail. We will bring you along as she discovers what life demands of her. Chances are that you will be brought into her thoughts, hopes and dreams.

My books center around women. My first book, "Stormy View, centers around Kennalyn Jones. She was raised in a family with a domineering and chauvinistic father. On her tenth anniversary, life throws her a curve that she never expected and she could've given in and given up. Will she do what she must for her children? 

Widow's Walk, my second novel, is about Lizbeth Sullivan. She is in her early twenties and on the verge of marrying the "love of her life". But, when the October Gale of 1841 blows in Misty Cove, her world is turned upside down. She lost her mother at a young age, and has been a strong willed woman. Is that strong will enough to get her through the crisis that faces her? 

I'm not going to give you the answers, but you can read the stories of these woman and see what I mean. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts about my characters.

Nikki Leigh

Copyright 2005