If you're a romance reader or author, especially one who enjoys romantic suspense, human trafficking is not only a timely topic, but one that lends itself well to heart-stopping stories, like EYE OF THE EAGLE. Here's What's In It For Me (WIFM) as a writer and reader.
Characters
Victims:
children, women, men, families
Perpetrators:
fathers, mothers, families, women (madams were frequently trafficked
themselves), organized crime, disorganized crime, corrupt politicians, police,
border guards.
Heroes and Heroines:
Governmental agents (FBI, ICE, DHHS); police; non-corrupt politicians, police
border guards; Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs) (religious organizations,
not-for-profits)
Plots
1. Secret Baby (Adoption
Trafficking)
2. Cinderella (rags to riches) (Madams; Organs)
3. Opposites Attract (FBI agent, Crime boss)
4. Bodyguard (Protecting rich woman, nearly dies)
5. Second chance/First love rekindled (Oryx & Crake; children/teens torn apart)
6. Reunion (Woman/child reunited w/family)
7. Stranded (Lost and Trafficked)
8. Love Triangle (Pimp/Prostitute/John)
9. Marriage of Convenience (Mail-order Brides)
10. Beauty and the Beast (Captor/captive or C/c
2. Cinderella (rags to riches) (Madams; Organs)
3. Opposites Attract (FBI agent, Crime boss)
4. Bodyguard (Protecting rich woman, nearly dies)
5. Second chance/First love rekindled (Oryx & Crake; children/teens torn apart)
6. Reunion (Woman/child reunited w/family)
7. Stranded (Lost and Trafficked)
8. Love Triangle (Pimp/Prostitute/John)
9. Marriage of Convenience (Mail-order Brides)
10. Beauty and the Beast (Captor/captive or C/c
11. Sleeping
Beauty/Ugly duckling (Drugged women/Awakened by Hero)
12. Amnesia (Head Injury & Trafficked)
13. Fish out of water (Abducted on vacation)
14. Blackmail/Revenge (Unfaithful lover)
15. Forbidden love (“Good”C/c)
16. Mentor/protégé (boss/employee)
17. Princess/Pauper; King/Beggar maid (Beggar children)
18. Bad boy/good girl; Bad girl/good boy (C/c)
19. Best Friends (One seeks trafficked friend)
20. The Road to Adventure (Boy soldiers/Captive “brides”)
12. Amnesia (Head Injury & Trafficked)
13. Fish out of water (Abducted on vacation)
14. Blackmail/Revenge (Unfaithful lover)
15. Forbidden love (“Good”C/c)
16. Mentor/protégé (boss/employee)
17. Princess/Pauper; King/Beggar maid (Beggar children)
18. Bad boy/good girl; Bad girl/good boy (C/c)
19. Best Friends (One seeks trafficked friend)
20. The Road to Adventure (Boy soldiers/Captive “brides”)
Adapted from Jana Richards 20
Classic Romance Plots
What We Can Do As Readers and Citizens
Become informed and raise awareness;
Buy only Fair Trade goods (e.g., flowers,
chocolate)
Demand that laws against human trafficking be
created and enforced (only 5/31 Mexican states have anti-trafficking laws)
Reduce demand: John’s schools, corporate
policies, zero tolerance in tourism, real estate, advertising & related industries who
benefit indirectly from human trafficking.
What We Can Do As Romance Writers
·
Romance writers have long tackled difficult
women’s issues, such as domestic violence and addiction.
·
Romance writers can tell a fictional story that
is less threatening to readers to expose the world of trafficking.
·
Romance writers can show readers what
individuals can do.
·
Romance writers can make a difference.
On the last day of Human Trafficking month, I will provide a list of resources on Human Trafficking. Meantime, where do you think the best place is to find information on what to do about human trafficking as a reader, writer, and citizen?
Comment below for an opportunity to be selected for an ecopy of EYE OF THE EAGLE.
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