Later still, I started applying some left-brain analysis to this particular form of right-brain silliness, and I discovered that romance novels represent a complete anomaly in the world of fiction. They have no "bad guys" to speak of, no real conflict, and readers can always count on a happy ending. Romance novels are the win-win genre of literature!

It isn't quite accurate, I suppose, to say that romance novels have no conflict at all. There is usually some internal conflict on the part of both hero and heroine - some inner worry or doubt to be overcome in order that the couple may finally embrace happiness (and each other) - but the conflict is unbelievably tame and predictable compared to the phenomena of mystery novels and suspense thrillers.

Any editor will tell you that conflict lies at the heart of every story. No conflict? No story. This is the most basic requirement of marketable literature according to Publishing 101. So how do romance novels sell so well? Why do people read them? I think the publishing industry has been missing something.

It isn't true that best-sellers have always embraced high-conflict plot lines. Do you remember the James Herriot novels? They're wonderful! Each one is a collection of scenes from the life of a rural veterinarian. There is no villain, no subterfuge, no betrayal, no conspiracy. There are just vets and farmers and animals - dozens of wonderful characters interacting in the simple context of daily life. Nonetheless, they are some of the most popular books ever written.

And what about Alexander McCall Smith's brilliant series about Mma Ramotswe and the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency of Botswana? Again, the popularity of these books hangs on the lovability of the characters rather than on any fast-paced, conflict-driven formula. But they're selling like hotcakes.

Modern literature is finally starting to embrace the conflict-free story. The publishing world is catching on to the fact that these novels aren't anomalies at all. People like lovable characters. People like light-hearted romps. People like win-win plots where there aren't any villains and everyone ends up happy. But this shouldn't be any surprise. Romance enthusiasts have known this all along. Publishers are just finally realizing that you don't have to be a romance reader to enjoy silliness and a happy ending.

And lest anyone out there is still poo-pooing the idea that light-hearted romps make good literature, let me remind you that the great Shakespeare himself was known to write a romp or two in his day. Just because high schools and colleges tend to assign the tragedies doesn't mean that's all the man wrote. I personally think that teenagers shouldn't be forced to read tragic stories. Teenagers have enough troubles. Better to embrace silliness than to idolize drama. I'd choose a silly world over a dramatic one any day.

So here's to the romance writers, the great unsung heroes and heroines of literature. Here's to silly romps and light-hearted affairs. Here's to predictably happy endings. What's wrong with having a little fun in life? What's wrong with believing in happy endings? What's wrong with a story that can always make you smile? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.