January 22, 2007
Iconoclasts
Written by Jenna Petersen in Writers and WritingRecently I’ve been watching a terrific show on the Sundance channel called Iconoclasts. The premise is that two icons sit down for a conversation. The first show involved Robert Redford and Paul Newman (since Sundance is Redford’s channel) at Newman’s home. They talked philanthropy and food and theatre and life. Since then, there have been some wonderful shows. The one we watched last week was Maya Angelou and Dave Chappell (of all people). And it was utterly fascinating from an artistic point of view and a human point of view.
Anyway, so I have been thinking about this idea since then. Who do you think are the iconoclasts of romance? I’m not talking about authors you like or even love. I’m talking about authors who defined and redefined the genre.
I have a short list of my own and I invite you to add to it:
Nora Roberts
Jayne Ann Krentz
Maggie Osborn
Julia Quinn
Teresa Medeiros
Lisa Kleypas
Carly Philips
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Maggie Robinson Says:
I’d put Eloisa James on that list. Apart from putting in “literature” elements, she makes un-standarly (is that a word?) flawed heroes and heroines believable and redeemable. I think she’s taken risks creating her characters, and I admire her for it.
And I’d also add Loretta Chase and Jo Beverley, just because.
And then there’s Mary Jo Putney. This list could be a long one!
Maggie Robinson Says:
That would be “un-standardly.” Even I know unstandarly is not a word, LOL.
Julie K Says:
I would like to add:
Marsha Canham
Diana Gabaldon
Karen Ranney
Shana Says:
Definitely Nora Roberts. I’d also add Julie Garwood and Kathleen Woodiwiss. I agree with Julie K about Marsha Canham and Diana Gabaldon, too.
Buffie Says:
I too would add Julie Garwood as I think she has brought many, many people to read romance.
Robyn DeHart Says:
What an interesting post, Jenna, I’ll have to look for that show.
I’d add Pamela Morsi - she might not be writing romance any more, but she started an entire subgenre of historicals back when she was.
I’d also suggest LaVyrle Spencer and Susan Elizabeth Phillips (who single-handedly created the single title contemporary, not to mention broke every rule while doing it), Judith McNaught, and Catherine Anderson. Sandra Brown probably should go on the list too - I think she’s even still a member of RWA.
Linda Says:
I’d definately add Johanna Lindsey.
Robyn DeHart Says:
Duh, Linda, of course, Johanna Lindsey! Thanks.
Pat L. Says:
Robyn, we think alike.
SEP, Catherine Anderson, Sandra Brown, LaVyrle Spencer and Linda Howard.
Also would like to add Susan Mallery and Barbara Delinsky.
Joy Says:
Must add the wonderful Mary Balogh and Elizabeth Thornton to the list.
Jenna Petersen Says:
Wow, you guys have made some great suggestions!
Robyn, Iconoclasts is awesome. Sundance channel. They usually play each episode multiple times.
Helen Sibbritt Says:
I would add Shirlee Busbee and Rosemary Rogers to the list.
Have Fun
Helen
Lois Says:
Well, I’ve only personally read one from each, but people have mentioned Georgette Heyer and Kathleen Woodiwiss as other really big ones as well. . . and since everyone else took my initial ideas before looking at the comments, I’ll go with these! LOL
Lois
Shana Says:
These are great additions, and I’m going to have to check out that show as well.
spherissa Says:
I would deifnitely say Georgette Heyer, but it would depend on your defnition of iconoclast ie should they still ie should they still be alive?
And Jennifer Crusie.
And most of what was mentioned above
Dena Says:
All the authors above would be great also I think Bertrice Small, Fern Michaels,Susan Wiggs,Debbie Macomber and Heather Graham.
Meredith Says:
I would definitely add Kathleen Woodiwiss to the list. The flame and the flower is still number one on many romance readers favorites list. My personal favorite was tie between A Rose In Winter and Ashes in the Wind. I think every romance reader should read each of those atleast once.