This week, we’ve persuaded Harlequin American and Harlequin Blaze Editor Adrienne Macintosh onto the SOLD blog to ‘fess all – enjoy!
Hi! My name is Adrienne Macintosh, and I’m an editor for Harlequin American and Harlequin Blaze, primarily. I’ve been with Harlequin for ten years, and have gained something of a reputation for my ability to kill plants and find free food. But there are a few things people may not know about me, so here it goes, my confessions….
Things I Love
My first TV crushes were Detective Peter Caine from Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and Constable Benton Fraser from Due South. I know what you’re thinking—this girl clearly has a thing for police guys (and cheesy Canadian dramas). And yeah, guilty (on both counts). But apart from their professions, these two were quite different. Peter was a hot-shot detective and a ladies’ man; while Fraser was a straight-laced, extremely polite Mountie who was wonderfully inept when it came to women. And I think that’s an important thing to remember—a romance with a cop hero (or heroine) can have a lot of variation within it. And the same is true for cowboy romances, military romances, firefighter romances, etc. So to make me fall in love, remember to be creative within the genre or subgenre.
Things I Don’t Love
A few years ago, I went to see The Adjustment Bureau with a friend of mine. She loved it. I hated it because the film reminded me of problems I frequently encounter in romance manuscripts. Matt Damon’s character, David, is given a glimpse into his future with beautiful ballerina Elise and discovers that by being with him, Elise will lose the thing that she loves most and end up a teacher. Oh, and he’ll be lobotomized for not following “the plan”. So he decides to leave her. He doesn’t ask her whether she might actually like to be a teacher, or whether being with him might be worth it. No, he just leaves her (in the hospital!).
Yes, he is saving her and himself, but the exciting thing about romance is the risk. And aside from that, he doesn’t give Elise a voice in the decision making, showing a lack of respect for her. And how can you love someone you don’t respect? Once he finally decides to defy the Adjustment Bureau and fight for their future together (months after he leaves her and just as she’s about to marry another man, by the way), she goes with him blindly with very little show of her own agency (grow a backbone, Elise!).
So to win me over, remember that risk is exciting and that women are kickass and can make their own decisions. I could say more about the movie, but this is not called Editor Rants….
Things You Can Make Me Love
Here’s where you may get confused. Because you can make me like a romance where the conflict is mostly external. You can make me agree with a hero who leaves his love because it’s the best thing for her. You can even make me fall for the most unlikeable man in the universe (hello, Don Draper?). And the key to that is to motivate your characters well. And that’s the final key to my heart…at least that I’ll confess to.
So, those are my confessions, and, as Fraser would do, I’ll thank you kindly for reading them.
Are you a closet Due South fan too? Do you have any questions for Adrienne? Tweet @AdrienneApple or leave a comment below!
3 replies on “Confessions of a Harlequin Editor: Adrienne Macintosh”
I’ve never heard of Due South, but it sounds like something I’d love. Now I’ll have to look for it. Thanks for the tip.
I stopped watching the Adjustment Bureau after the first 15 mins. There was no spark between the couple in that first meeting scene–in the bathroom. It was gosh-awful to think I had another hour or so to deal with the plot. So I jumped ship early and I never regretted it.
Thanks for those insights, Adrienne.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!