As you may know, I’ve spent the last few weeks, from 23 July to 6 August in the USA, for a couple of writing conferences and a short holiday. I had a wonderful time and I have to say that America is full of friendly and happy people, even if things are a bit tough economically. The weather was wonderful, the food was incredibly cheap compared to NZ, and the shopping was to die for—every store had a sale on, with 30 – 70% off. No wonder my luggage weighed 45kgs coming home!

But one of the reasons I love travelling is because you meet really interesting people. You meet them waiting at airports, on planes, on buses, in restaurants and in hotels and, well, just about everywhere. Especially if you have an accent, which of course I do—a good ‘kiwiana’ accent.

It’s a great ice-breaker as people always ask me where I’m from. Usually, sorry to my English readers, but in the USA they assume I’m English. Close but no cigar. I’m from New Zealand.

That’s always followed by a startled surprised, oh!

I’m not sure if it’s because they don’t know where NZ is, or if it’s because they haven’t meet anyone from my tiny country before. However, since Lord of the Rings (which I got quite a lot—I loved Lord of the Rings the scenery was amazing, you have a beautiful country) most Americans at least know we are not part of Australia!

Once the initial introductions had been made and we’d started chatting, the next question was inevitably, “what brought you to the USA? Are you on holiday?” When I explained I was there for two writing conferences, they always followed with, “What do you write?” When I replied romance novels, 100% of the people I spoke with said, “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Wow, that book has put romance writing and novels on the map.

During my travels I met, lawyers, accountants, housewives, nurses, athletes, company directors, people from all walks of life, male and female and every single one had heard, or read, Fifty Shades of Grey. I wish I could say that about my books!

To my horror I had to say I hadn’t read it. And I’m not going to. Not because it’s not well written, which even the author says it isn’t, nor just to be different, but because I know the heroine will piss me off. I can’t be bothered reading a book I know will make my blood boil.

However, it was a fabulous way to get talking to these strangers and to educate them about the romance market and why they should check out other romance books. For once, no one was making fun of, or mocking romance novels. How could they when EL James has taken the book market by storm and made an absolute fortune. Suddenly writing romance is sexy and dollar signs are everywhere.

So, even though I won’t read Fifty Shades of Grey, I have to thank EJ James for making ‘romance novels’ a household name. Perhaps the stigma attached to romance writing is no more.

What do you think? Has Fifty Shades of Grey put the spotlight on romance and is it a positive thing?

PS: Pictures from top left

1. LA Farmers Market - I could have stayed there all day!!!

2. Las Vegas MGM Wedding Chapel

3. My writing friend and travel companion, Toni Kenyon, with Hugh Jackman's hands and feet inprint, Hollywood Boulevard, LA.