If you and your partner are one of those mature couples that reads fiction, it’s no surprise that you seldom encounter characters like yourselves. Certainly, you occasionally encouonter a loving couple like Joe and Mrs. Gargery in Dickens’ Great Expecations. But overwhelmingly, they serve as Non-Player Characters (NPCs) of classic fiction. For the most part, protagonists in these classic novels seek to escape their lot. Or, as in D. H. Lawrence‘s Sons and Lovers, the author depicts married life as sordid and insufferable.
Consequently, the question becomes: why is this? If fiction reflects society, why do authors denigrate, or ignore altogether, writing about mature happy couples? Isn’t the goal or end game for their protagonisis marriage and living happily ever after? Is the topic too sacharine or bourgeois for modern tastes? Or, is it because they adhere to Tolstoy’s pronouncement in Anna Karenina regarding the interchangeabilty of happy families “being all alike”? Or its contrary, “each unhappy f amily is unhappy in its own way.” To put it succinctly, unhappy families provide more fertile ground for character development.
Below are a few salient considerations to help you decide:
No Mature, Married Couples: Four Reasons
- Plot focus–Fiction involves the depiction of intense emotions or conflicts. Because they are mature, happy characters, authors regard such protagonists as unsuitable as the source bed for displays of passion or violence.
- Genre expectations–fiction has become ever more segmented into genres and sub-genres. For example, fiction has become more balkenized in today’s marketplace with sub-categories aimed at children learning to read and young adults. With much of the advertising aimed toward young readers, fewer monetary incentives remain for stories directed toward the experiences of mature individuals, let alone couples.
- Emotional depth–elaborating on the previous point: given publishers’ focus on reaching younger readers, publishers may feel that emotions of older characters and their situations are too complex and won’t resonate with young readers. If that’s true, older readers seeking escape in fiction may not wish to see their life concerns reflected in literature.
- Market Demand–as indicated above, economics to a certain extent, drives what authors wish to write and what publishers are willing to promote. The market appears to be growing for mature characters in niche categories such as Romance fiction. Howver, the number of people who read fiction (or nonfiction) dwindles rapidly beyond a certain age group. They are even less likely to want the vagaries of society depicted in what they choose to read.
More Mature Couples: Some Suggestions
However, all is not bleak for the mature couples appearing on the fiction horizon. Female readership has always provided the black ink of publishers’ spreadsheets. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that the characters they choose to read about have matured along with their readership. Author Carys Davies summarizes the situation well in her Literary Hub essay, “Romance Finely Aged: On the Unique Dynamic of Older Couples.” For her tastes, the best fiction “crackles with the jeopardy of two people who have less time in front of them than they have behind them.”
Similar to my top five list of Valentine poems, social media platforms such as Redditt and Maryse’s Book Blog contain informed discussions about the best fomance novels whose protagonists are mature, loving couples. And, for those who like to cover the waterfront on certain topics, Goodreads lists over 90 novels whose main characters are mature couples in loving relationships.
No Mature Couples Upshot
The above seems to undercut my argument. However, remember that the recommended titles in these online sources reflect a perceived real need. Of the all the books published each year, these hundred-plus novels represent a tiny fraction of them. Whether pigeon-holed in a niche genre or identified as lilterary fiction, these novels administer to the sophistication and discrimination of mature reading audiencea. Moreover, an audience who wishes to see their problems, their realities reflected in the culture they inhabit.
What do you think? Have you found literature about maature, loving couples difficult to find? Should their concerns and conflicts be shoved aside and ignored? Let us know in the Comments.
This throw-in is one of the finalists in my best of William Fietzer newsletter competition. My bias may be showing, but how could anyone resist showing a photo of these two tricksters?
Interestingly, the first approach came from an alleged reading group came from a library in Glasgow, Scotland. The scammer said all the right things, how much he admired my book, 
Many people, myself included, first heard the concept of plausible deniability in association with right-wing political activist, 
Although the concept may have existed throughout human history as the Wikipedia entry claims, it never received formal recognition until Charles Babbage described it in his Ninth Bridgwater Treatise. There he depicted it as a deceitful but common political process whereby committee members could maintain deniability regarding sensitive or unethical decisions. It required “a few simply honest men” on a committee who could be conveniently, and temporarily, dismissed when a “peculiarly delicate question” arose. In that way, one of those absent members could “declare truly, if necessary, that he “never was present at any meeting at which even a questionable course had been proposed.”
This abstract concept lay dormant until 1948. Then, a series of National Security Council (NSC) papers defined “covert operations” committed in behalf of the U.S. government “are so planned and executed that … if uncovered the US Government can plausibly disclaim any responsibility for them.” Later on In 1952, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA( Director 
Perhaps if the conceiver of the
That is what we have here. Originally, this blog post intended to deal with stressed individuals’ growing use of AI and Chatbots instead of human professionals for emotional and psychiatric treatment. (More on that below). However, in the process of developing that narrative, one thing became quite apparent. Despite my previous blog on the related topic of the
Yet, whatever the brilliance of Faukner’s Quentin Compson or King’s Carrie White characterizations, their fictional progenitor has to be 
The historical relevance of this literary correlation now seems more applicable. As in 17th-century Russia, the adoption of new ways of thinking and acting are seldom affable. In times of great cultural upheaval such as ours, adherence or reversion to the old ways is an inevitable expression of conscience for some. For others, it justifies the cruelty and persecution meted out to those who differ from themselves, whether culturally, ethnically, or intellectually.
These issues and more formed the basis of Culinary Institute of America food historian 
Prof. Forrest’s pre-dinner presentation provided an overview of the food items available to the average american’s palette. Sugar and salt were scare commodities at this time, so cooks emphasized the savory side through local herbs and animal fat. Sorghum, nuts, and berries formed the basis of most desserts.
Colonial Foodstuffs and the Columbian Exchange
Last Saturdaky, Journalism won the Preakness Stakes. Almost immediately, racing touts wondered whether he and Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, would have a rematch in the Belmont Stakes, the last leg of thoroughbred racing’s 
The treatament of horses in thoroughbred racing long has been subsumed under the rubric of animal welfare in this country.
Did you know the British poet 
Are there any perks associated with being a grandparent?At first glance, It seemed doubtful to this Baby Boomer. Oh sure, everybody says they welcome taking care of the grandkids in hopes of witnessing their first smiles. But as they grow up, those moments dwindle in significance compared to our expressions of relief when our babysitting obligaations are over.
Memories come in many forms and provoke a variety of emotions. As instanced above, not all of them need be sentimental or heart-warming. A recent study by researchers from the University of Buffalo and Kyoto University found that nostalgic people may be more inclined to strengthen and maintain long-term relationships than those who aren’t. The reason why: when people reminisce about the good times spent with loved ones, they appreciate them more and strive to maintain those relationships. According to study co-author Kuan Ju-Huang, this means that those positive attachments “may be more likely to last, even as our lives, interests, and responsibilities change.”
Perks of Grandparenting: Acquisition
Since the presidential inauguration, Trump 2.0 has proven as threatening and dangerous to our values and freedoms as he promised. Political pundits categorize it as a hostile takeover, government readjustment, or a coup. Whatever one calls it, the times are not a-changing for the better. Rather, they are provoking people’s flight-or-fight responses. In short, they evoke all the symptoms of W. H. Auden‘s 
Get Involved
These observations arise from the convictions of a confirmed Baby Boomer who experienced the divisiveness caused by the Viet Nam War. My rebelliousness then stemmed from my countercultural attitude toward the social mores of the political establishment. The irony is not lost on me that despite my convicitions remaining the same, I now must defend that culture’s values, constraints, and instituions. That’s how instutionally powerful conservative America has become over the past 60 years.
This tip elaborates on what appears above. Just as writers slant their stories to the values, interests, and expectations of their readerships, power panelists direct their responses toward the topic at hand with their audience in mind. Does it consist primarily of writers or academics? Or is it composed primarily of readers and fantasy fans?
For some panel members, this tip may contradict the concept of a panel discussion, i.e. a discussion among the members of a panel. Regardless of that, some of the best discussions I’ve witnessed resulted from questions or observations contributed by the audience. If a topic is provocative enough in itself, or if the panel discussion of it is sufficiently free-flowing and involving, such discussion conduces a dialog between the panel and its listeners. Not only does such involvement measure a power panelist and a panel’s success as entertainers, it liberates creative ideas panel members may never have considered.
This point may be in the convention guidelines, but it bears repeating. Power panelists respect the ideas and beliefs of all participants, panelists and audience members alike. To facilitate that respect, the moderator should lay out the ground rules before the start of discussion. Most often, that means reigning in those individuals whose enthusiasm for a particular topic overwhelms their inhibitions and consideration for others.
Like other film goers of the Boomer generation, I cut my movie-going teeth on adventure films like the Star Wars trilogy and (especially) Indiana Jones. Though they basically contain B-movie plots given A-list treatments, their over-the-top audacity and sheer enthusiasm made up for any shortcomings in probability or plot construction.
But is this “
Artificial Intelligence (AI) already affects writers and the publishing industry. However, the recent release of ChatGPT threatens authors’ livelihoods on a whole new level. In a 
itemizes the opportunities AI offers in terms of acquisitiion, production, and marketing. In his view, AI could depose Amazon, the over-charging, 800-pound gorilla in the publishing industry. While independent publishers like him might welcome the overthrow of their competition, individual entrepreneurs, writers, and artists could find themselves shoved further down down the publicity and marketing chain. McElroy’s analysis is astute, but relies heavily on his approach of book publishing being an information-dispensing industry.
As individuals, people respond to differIent stimuli differently. 
binder for my proposed work, Black Phantom. The binder remained empty for years, however, because I had no access to horses of any kind. Finally, when the chance to ride one did happen, I clung to the saddle horn for all I was worth while the horse galloped back to its stall for a fresh bucket of oats. However, the action, the adventure, the thrill of that incident stayed with me. Like Farley’s narrative of a boy’s enduring love for his horse, these qualities inspired the path I’ve chosen these many decades later.
For these individuals and the people inspired by them, “good enough” is not acceptable. Publishing information remains limited to the 
Melungeon–a particular yet ominous-sounding word which happens to rhyme with dungeon in English. Sometimes spelled malungeon or melongeon, the term has several meanings. The broadest of these, according to 
The reason for my interest in the appelation is two-fold. First, my father’s side of the family perpetuated the notion that our dark complections and brown eyes stemmed from our Cherokee heritage. Second, my research into the background of country-western singer 
In your reading, did you discover media you can trust? Do they cite their sources and check their facts? Or do such constraints seem to get in the way of a good story, convincing opinion, or solid argument?
Down the Rabbit Hole
OK. At this point, case closed. Or is it? One instance appears on the BBC News web page, the other on the web page of a “leading free market think tank.” Both sources for these links appear reliable, but consider the context in which these articles appear. The BBC is government-owned entity renowned for being “the world’s oldest newscaster” according to Wikipedia; MI or the Manhattan Institute, formerly the 
objective evaluation of the issue? My procedure: when in doubt in the 21st century, conduct a Google search. The first result of a “media bias” search turned up 
MBFC is only one of several sites devoted to information objectivity and bias-identification. Many media experts regard 
What Is the Rule of Three?
Examples
Expressions and Catchphrases: 
What It All Comes Down To
#1 
