Does the World Need Another Rom-Com? By Becca Kinzer
Ever notice how “nursing” and “shortage” always seem to go together? Growing up, I constantly heard that the world needed more nurses, which is part of the reason I became one. The other part? A 1980s Civil War miniseries where a nurse marries the hero. But that’s a story for another day.
Today, I’m talking about two words that never seem to pair up: “rom-com” and “shortage.” When was the last time you heard someone say there’s a dearth of romance stories? Probably never. In fact, with both self-publishing and traditional publishing, thousands of books are released daily, and romance leads in sales.
So, I often wondered if the world really needed my book, “Dear Henry, Love Edith.” With so many romance novels already out there, did people even want another one?
By the end of 2020, as I tried to get the book published, I couldn’t help but question its relevance. With pressing global issues like the pandemic, a lighthearted rom-com about quirky characters in a small fictional town seemed perhaps out of touch. Shouldn’t we focus on more serious matters?
Sure, serious issues are important. But thriving amid these stressors is crucial too. And you know what helps us cope? Humor.
Romance is wonderful, but let’s not forget the importance of comedy in rom-com. Laughter, clichéd as it may sound, really is good for our health. It boosts immune responses, lowers blood sugar, and improves sleep. Plus, researchers suggest that humor might make us smarter and even more attractive.
So, when romance and comedy combine, they offer something the world always needs: hope.
Hope that challenges aren’t insurmountable. Hope that we won’t end up alone. Hope that things will work out. Hope that love conquers all. Hope that dreams come true, even if they change along the way. For me, offering that hope means writing another rom-com.
About the Author: Becca Kinzer
Becca Kinzer lives in Springfield, Illinois, and works as a critical care nurse. When she’s not caring for patients or reminding her family that frozen chicken nuggets are a gourmet meal, she loves crafting lighthearted stories with plenty of laughs. She has won multiple fiction contests, enjoys drinking coffee, and “Dear Henry, Love Edith” is her debut novel.
Official Book Description of “Dear Henry, Love Edith”
He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.
Recently widowed Edith Sherman, after a brief and tough marriage, is done with love and marriage. She’s looking for adventure in her thirties. While waiting for paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she takes a short-term nursing job in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a local man catching her eye.
Henry Hobbes isn’t thrilled about hosting Edith, whom he believes is an elderly widow, for the summer. But he’ll do almost anything for his niece. With Edith working nights and Henry working days, they start leaving notes for each other, which grow into deeper letters.
When Henry finally realizes Edith isn’t who he thought, their bond is strong, but with her planned departure and his roots firmly planted, Edith must decide if her dream adventure is closer than she thought.
