True. Mine certainly haven't been. I've been perhaps veering further off balance, I think, in the past few years. I need to figure out what balance I'm comfortable with, I think.

I get that. And yes, tastes obviously vary. That said, it does feel like a bit of a shift. Similar to first plot points happening a LOT faster (attention spans), I feel like I'm going to want that percentage shifted up to closer to 70% to hit the mark. (But that's me!)

That is coming up as the clearest benchmark in my (very informal!) poll. I'm sort of creating a Bechdel-styled "test" for myself on this next book, double checking how focused I'm staying. "Is romance driving the scene here? Why not?" Wouldn't need to be all, but I'd need reasons.

Hard agree on that one. That's at least a clear distinction (and hopefully not to common.)

Some people on Threads have suggested a lot of today's romance is more women's fic than actual, classic romance. Posted about it myself, got great responses, but still curious. What do you think makes something romance (beyond genre standards, HEA, etc.) vs. wom fic and why?

Last day for this great sale!

Re-introduction (since I've been buried in writing cave!) I'm Cathy Yardley, Viet-Irish-American rom com writer, Gen X neurodivergent rogue, Noonaracha Staytiny, menopausal bogwitch, foodie in the boonies. LFG! (Also, this is my brand new author photo... what do you think?)