Must there be romance?

... Continuing with my intent to post Malice Domestic tidbits this week, here's an interesting one from author Kate Collins from the panel "Wine, Flowers and Murder: The Role Romance Plays in Mysteries" (paraphrased ... so I hope I've got the essence of it here):
"You can't build a normal well-rounded character without romance."

At first, I thought, hold on there ... you can't? But then, I started thinking about it. Perhaps the operative words here are normal and well-rounded. There are certainly plenty of damaged, loner-type characters wandering through crime fiction that seem unable to form romantic attachments.

In most mystery series that I can think of (cozy series in particular), romance creeps in sooner or later, to add tension, interest, character development.

So, what do you think? Can you have a normal, well-rounded character without romance? Do you like romance in the mysteries you read?

BCP

BCP is not "bizarre charged particles" (a la science) nor "booze, crime, [and] politics" (a la Leaden Skies) but

Blatant Chocolate Promotion

You see, I give away chocolate when I promote my books (if there's any left over after a signing, they often don't make it home!). So, I'm wondering what kind people like.

Hence, the survey. Over there, to the left. No, further to the left, under my photo. (If you're like me, you probably focused on the chocolate photo and went no further .... :-) ).

Yes, yes, I know, this is a lightweight post. But it's the weekend, and I'd love to see the numbers.

For tomorrow, I have an Absolutely Marvelous Map (AMM) to share with everyone. So be sure to check back then ...

All the potential of the day . . .

Well, folks, the potential energy I started with in the early part of the day has long since been converted to kinetic energy. At this point in the evening, I haven't much energy left for words. Happens sometimes. Heck, happens often, actually.

In any case, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes by physicist/engineer Werner von Braun:

Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing.

So true, whether it's science or writing. A lot of wonderful "a-ha" moments occur during the thrashing around that one can call basic research/the creative process/etc.


Hmmmm. I like this quote. I sense there's much more to say about the subject (!... it has potential ...!).

I shall return to it when I have more energy.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this lovely photograph of both potential and kinetic energy to contemplate.

(courtesy of travelblog.org)