Why a romance writer could use the bachelorette

DESIREE HARTSOCK, July 28, 2013

I know, it's that time again and some of you hate or love the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. I'm a romantic. I love the show. I know you can hate the show and be a romantic or write romance. I'm just suggesting, that watching it can become a window into the way guys think. That's why I write this blog. I know if I were on the show and the woman was right for me, I'd fall in love whether or not some other guy ended up with her. If you don't try to love or put your heart on the line you would never know for sure. Right?

Some reality shows are so closely contrived by the producers, but the B/B doesn't need it (in fact, it would ruin the show). Sure, the producers choose their cuts wisely for maximize the emotional impact (just like we do with our writing). If you are immersed 24/7/8 weeks or whatever with love the only question to ponder, and if you have a heart, you'll become invested. Sometimes people play the system, not really being ready, but there fairly easy to spot.

I'll go out on a limb and predict Desiree Hartsock (like a name from a romance novel) will find love.

I have been inspired by their dialogue and asides (interior monologue) in my own writing. Of one contestant no longer on the show, Juan Pablo, Desiree had said, "he's like a dream of a man." This simple sentence had a huge impact on me, to the point I felt compelled to repeat it in my last completed novel.

My predictions for the finale tomorrow:

Drew will either be eliminated or eliminate himself. Why? Because Desiree has previously said she was falling in love with these two remaining men:

Brooks. He is sitting on the fence about whether he can make a lifelong commitment to Desiree and this should ruin his chances. Although, at this point, I can see how Desiree could make a mmistake. She's crazy about him. But she's also crazy about:

Chris. Chris is also in love with Desiree and has said so. He write her poems and she writes back. They have similar interests. The list is long for them. She should pick Chris.

Funny thing about the ABC web site bios. They list shoes sizes (snick). Chris's is a size 12, which means he has the biggest (feet). Funnier still, when Desiree was asked by her grilfirends from the previous season who she thought might be the best lover, she in a multi-bleeped response said Chris.

Now come on girls. Do you carry rulers in your purses?

Here's a clip, courtesy ABC of tomorrow's finale.

 

 

 

Chastised by unknown forces

CHASTISED BY UNKNOWN FORCES, July 21, 2013

I'm running off to my brother-in-law's funeral tomorrow, so I'll make this quick.

Last week there were a number of excuses for not writing: Comic-Con & RWA Nationals. I went to neither.

My current TV/internet/phone supplier sent me a note about the dangers of peer to peer networks (whatever that is). I assumed my use of Youtube was what they were wanting me to stop. I checked what was allowed and not allowed by typing in "fair use" on Bing. Apparently, if the blog is tutorial or educational primarily and the video is specifically stated as used for this purpose, I'm okay. One must also site the artist etc. Which I often do but now will always.

We are exploring the male POV here. Sometimes I run out of ideas and comment on something else related to writing.

I don't want to write about funerals. My brother-in-law was and is a great guy. He loved my sister and helped raise great kids.

However, I looked on Youtube, for something related to funerals and studied a clip from "Four Weddings and a Funeral."

Hugh Grant stumbles all over his first "I love you," to Andie Macdowell in the scene below. Is his character trying to cope with a new emotion? Many of us learn how to deal with love in high school and act accordingly later in life. However, I find this different take interesting and writerly. Maybe when you finally meet that one true love, you become love's fool.

Clip from "Four Weddings and a Funeral." 1994

 

Before Sunset

Before Sunset, July 7, 2013

I just watched the romantic comedy “Before Sunset” 2004. It’s about two people tormented by a one night stand they had years before. They couldn’t forget each other. Not until nine years later did they meet again. For reasons not explained but fairly obvious they loved each other, and never stopped.

To my mind, this brings up the notion of romantic love. Is it real? Is it something we foster, to complete a void in our lives? Is it insurance against a sense of loss or incompletion in life? From this guy’s POV, I see meaning in life. We our endowed with this spirit or empowered by the eternal for a reason no one can completely undertsand. yet it is within us.

True love, whether successfully realized for a lifetime or a moment makes life complete.

Before Sunset, 2004 is a bit different in its approach to moviemakiing. I can niether recommend or pan it. I enjoyed it, but i feel it is entirely personal to the viewer. This is if you think about it unusaul for a movie meant for the mass marketplace.

 

Yankee Doodle Boy

James Cagney was great serious actor as well as song and dance man. July 4th, 2013!!!

I don't have to say much about this scene below from Yankee Doodle. It either hits you like it does me or perhaps you're a foreign spy or have eaten too many hotdogs. Well, even spies enjoy a patriotic tune, even tummies recover. Think about it. It's the spies passion for their work that often turns them, when handled properly. (I watch too many movies).

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July. Witness the great Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy (a biographical musical film about George M. Cohan) 1942 (3 minutes):

 

 

For a clearer video and for those who can't get enough, below is the official trailer for the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy: