The Bachelor revisited 2/19/2013

For those who don't like The Bachelor consider that total emersion 24/7 for 2 months on one subject is not unlike the Stockholm syndrome. In this case, you can't help but fall in love. A useful tool for a romance writer to know. IMO

On THE BACHELOR last night (Monday – 2/18/2013) my wife and I discovered that Catherine is half Filipina. My two daughters are half-Filipina, so we’ll root for Catherine.

BUT:

When Sean visited Catherine’s family it went really well, except Sean worried because he didn’t get Catherine’s mom’s permission to marry her (she’s 1 of 4 remaining). I asked my Filipina wife Del if that was cultural. She said that it was. So, Sean should figure that out or Catherine needs to explain. My wife also said that the sisters telling Sean she wasn’t ready for children yet was a correct assessment (“sisters know”). I being the romantic disagreed. I said maybe the show changed her. She got on the show originally to see what would happen, have some fun. But eating, drinking, living ‘love’ 24/7 tends to change people.

Sean is like a puppy dog. He loves everybody more or less. He is also trying to be mature and make decisions. I hope he finds happiness. Hot off the presses: Sean, although he has had sex long before the show, is dedicating himself to waiting for marriage. Better do that with a Filipina, Sean.

Sean considered sending Catherine home but sent Desiree instead. Desiree’s brother ruined it for Desiree by calling Sean a playboy and overall just giving him a hard time. Sean couldn’t see how he’d get along in a family situation. Once again logic: if her brother felt that way, then why not talk to his sister about why she went on the show and what her experiences were there. He’d never accuse her of being part of a harem (or would he). Instead he accused a guy, without really knowing him. Before people are married they tend to date more than one person until they make their choice. It’s unlikely Catherine will be picked (I don’t look at spoilers).

Ashlee’s backstory is heart rending. She is also gorgeous and the most eloquent and mature of the three remaining.

Lindsey is so funny. She stepped out of the limo on night one wearing a wedding gown. She followed that up with a string of one-liners.

 

One of the lines from a novel of mine goes, ". . . those flaming heterosexuals."

Catherine and Sean:

 

 

Elementary CBS is anything but 2/18/2013

Our stories have scene, story, character, and maybe even Act arcs.

I enjoy Castle on ABC Mondays at ten because it is about a writer who tags along with the NYPD (my favorite city for fiction & in life) and there's a love interest which develops. Nearly every episode follows a predictable pattern, although lately the writing has stepped up every week. In the past they would interview a number of suspects until around 10:50PM when they arrest the right one. I became hooked on the characters or I woudln't watch all the time. However, they sometimes have a unique plot spanning more than one episode.And most episodes start with an unusual and thought provoking scene. I see the writers using a formulaic approach.

Elementary is a different matter all together. Of course the crime has to be solved in the end, but each episode takes a more creative path. Not only are the complexities and subtleties of both Doctor Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) and Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) incredible, their arcs, romantic or not, are difficult to pin down and enjoyable to see unfold. Part of solving the mystery for me is how they develop with each other. Their relationship is changing, with many pitfalls, but they're heading in the right direction.

If you are a fan of the famous detective team, the mysteries, the methods used in problem solving, you won't be disappointed. You'll be amazed.

Okay, about the male point of view. If the whole show were about Lucy Liu sipping tea in short shorts, I'd still watch. Perhaps you feel the same about Jonny Lee Miller?

Here's a approx 3 min. statement of the show's double intent by its producers. Included on the video are promotional shorts from the show.

I dropped this in for my own record, because I enjoy the way Lucy handles this interview.

I highly recommend catching the episode presented on 2/14/2103 because it really focuses on change in Watson's and Holmes' relationship, which is what we romance writers are definitely into. This can be done on the internet by visiting CBS using Bing: "Elementary CBS." 

A love poem for writers? 2/14/2013

A love poem by Mark O'Brien

No-one in Particular

Let me touch you with my words.
For my hands lie limp as empty
gloves.
Let my words stroke your hair,
Slide down your back and tickle
your belly.
For my hands, light and free-flying
as bricks,
Ignore my wishes and stubbornly
refuse to carry out my quietest
desires.
Let my words enter your mind,
bearing torches.
Admit them willingly into your
being
So they may caress you gently
within.

This poem, “Love Poem for No-one in Particular”, was written by Mark O’Brien. Mark was born in 1949 in the USA, and six years later contracted polio. Through his determination, humour and honesty, he became an influential activist and a powerful writer, until his death in 1999. He is now most known as the inspiration behind the recent film starring John Hawkes and Helen Hunt, “The Sessions”.

My blog's commentary on the above: I found something in these words that could be taken to heart by anybody who writes romance or uses love as a writerly tool.

We pound out black marks on a white background, trying through words to communicate love.
We picture our heroine's or hero's hair, back, belly, but the author and reader can't touch their imagination.
We transmit our quietest desires by letting our words create life.
We light a torch that becomes real to so many seeking love, inspiration or the satisfaction that comes from reading a great story.
We ask our readers to journey with us, to let our words gently caress their being.

The following is a short scene from the movie, "The Sessions," 2012.
 

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

A guy's Muse 2/10/13

I don't know how I ended up with her as a muse. I always loved her. When I was a boy I watched Green Mansions and wished she would be mine. I eventually watched all her movies. She was older. She was taken. I was in love with the idea of a magical, mystical women who lived in the rain forest and like St. Francis of Assisi had a connection to animals. I was in love with all her characters.

So, my muse, is Audrey Hepburn or the many fanciful, impossible, incredible characters she has portrayed.

This short clip is from her screen test for Roman Holiday.

 

I'm also writing to thank Jill Badonsky, our RWASD January speaker (on muses) for reminding me  of Audrey.

Do women romance authors employ guy muses or is musing strickly a lady's profession?

Who says men can't write love scenes 2/3/2013

Take the love scene challenge. It'll satisfy.

I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.

Of course, you might want to talk about it afterwards. Be yourself.

But, can a guy write love scenes, in this case, in the heroine’s POV?

No Takers? Oh come on. I've heard people say guys can’t write love scenes. They’ll focus on the mechanics. Remember, I was once an engineer. insert A into B, increase the harmonic motion and frequency until the integrity of two  once separate systems is compromised. Wow, that was hot.

Still no takers? There is always value in critique.

We'll use email because I don't believe we can post love scenes in blogger. (rwrichard@ymail.com).

 

Let's listen to some guy authorities on the subject. Data seems correct.