YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT, April 28, 2013

Rolling Stones:

 

"No, you can't always get what you want

But if you try sometime, you just might find

You get what you need"

Maybe it's a guy thing. I enjoy a romance in which either the hero or heroine start out looking for (or with) one person and end up with someone else (or perhaps both). The mystery is in who (he)she'll pick.

I'd like the names of romance novels which have this type of twist. Is it simply a compromise of values or an enlightenment. An enlightenment is easier to write (the hero/heroine discovers he/she has made an error in thinking). A compromise borders on breaking the rules of the romance writing game (the hero/heroine settles for a percieved less than what he/she wanted). Any examples would be appreciated.

Getting back to the lyrics above. You try to get what you want and then through some twist you get what you need. What the hell did Mick Jagger mean? This need and want they sing of might not be exclusive of each other. Our heroine could try to get the hero (her want) and discover he's not who she thought he was, but she gets what she needs anyway. There's any number of ways of playing this, but I need your help with good examples.

I'll offer one example: Linda Randall Wisdom wrote Free Spirits (1991). The heroine wants  marriage to a very successful business man but changes direction to someone else about half way through the book.

In real life we sometimes want things that we don't get, but since we are all happy with writing for others (our need) we're doing very well, right?

 

LOL: Sometimes what you want, you shouldn't have.
 

And now for the more entertaining portion of our program:

ROLLING STONES - YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

 

 

FANTASY IN ROMANCE, April 21, 2013

FANTASY IN ROMANCE, March 13th, 1194

I’ve invited Sir Robert of Loxley as a guest blogger today. He’s accomplished in swordplay, and considered the deadliest archer in all of England and is a Saxon Knight loyal to the good King Richard.

RW: How did you earn your spurs and become a knight at such a young age?

Sir Robert: With many away on Crusade, Sir Guy and I were recruited by Sir William Marshall, Defender of the Realm, in the King’s absence and taught well, indeed.

RW: How is it to practice with Sir Guy?

Sir Robert: But for a mere trifle, the boy now man aggravates me. He seeks Lady Marian’s hand. I’ll have none of this. If he persists, I’ll run him through.

RW: But isn’t Lady Marian about Prince John’s business these days, anno Domini 1194?

Sir Robert: The lady is but days away from becoming mine forever. She must simply thread a needle and find me in Sherwood.

RW: You have a home in the shire, why Sherwood?

Sir Robert: Marian is both my best friend and my eternal flame. Our friendship was forged in Sherwood when we were boy and girl. She shall renew our love by recalling happier times with me at our secret place.

RW: But the forest is overrun by wolves.

Sir Robert: Do you, sir, suggest Marian cannot find a way to me? Are we not fated? I am not happy with your tone. Remember this, scribe. The wolves of Sherwood are my friends and will treat the Lady properly.

I had to end the interview at this point, because Sir Robert (later known as Robin Hood) was sharpening his sword and tongue. I thought it best to mount my stead and visit Will Scarlet for a calmer and merrier interview.

Off, Geneviere. To Nottingham make thy way.

Witness one of the greatest kisses and love stories ever presented on the silver screen.
Olivia De Havilland and Errol Flynn declare their love in The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938. The end of this YouTube snipet is spliced badly and then cut. It is picked up just before the splice in the trailer below. For those in a rush, you can move the raster in the second scene until you see the love scene and then back off a tad and release the mouse.

 

 

 

 

This is one of my top ten movies.

 

WRITING UPSIDE DOWN, April 14, 2013

WRITING UPSIDE DOWN

I’m forever amazed by the talented and many published authors we have at RWASD. I’m currently reading Twist of Fate by Linda Randall Wisdom (1996). Linda did two remarkable things (so far) besides writing a great story.

1.      She was inspired by the, no longer on the air TV show, Quantum Leap. I learned I could be inspired by a TV show to write something similar (with a twist or two). Twisting a known story and doing it well guarantees an audience and readers already in love with your characters.

2.      She reversed one of the most hallowed tropes in romance writing: the guy is rich and rescues the down-and-out heroine. Here, the heroine rescues the failing hero with her check book.

I was going to write this blog post about how guys don’t see tropes the same way as ladies, but because of Linda, I know twisting a common theme makes for a good story and I can't find any evidence to support my idea.

When you construct your next story, consider changing any or every role to the opposite sex, no matter the age. It will challenge you, but would the story be just as good?  Since most romance readers are women and they often want the fantasy, are you writing in a way to fulfil them?

Isn't romance writing a good deal about the woman's heart, anyway?

NOTTING HILL: "But don't forget . . . I'm also just a girl . . . standing in front of a boy . . . asking him to love her."

 

 

p.s. Was doing taxes last week, hence no post on 4/7/13.