We only deal with the work. Well, I was in a slump, and until I got out of it, I wasn't doing any work. After the meeting I called Laurin Wittig, my friend and Washington Romance Writers critique partner. Laurin waited until I finished my tirade. That's the difference between romance writing and literary writing.
Romance is about emotion.
She was right. Some literary fiction I've read had phrases so soulful they melted in my mouth like chocolate. But my heart remained untouched and I put the book down. I write for the same reasons. I left the group.