He sure did it up big time this year.
But I plan to as well.
I was asked by my RWA Contemporary Romance Writer's Group to guest blog for the Valentine's Day holiday. Today's blog is being published here and also on our blog at
http://contemporaryromance.org/blog.
I just loved working on this post.I hope you like it as well. The video clips will bring both tears and laughter!Please note all you have to do is copy and paste the video links to your website browser then sit back and enjoy!
This day is truly the
best holiday for the romance writer!
I
just read a fantastic article about the definition of the Romance genre by bestselling
author Shannon Donnelly. It resonated with me (by golly maybe I’m getting it)
and I’ll be touching upon it in this blog. There’s also a three-part series
going on now in Writers of the Storm Called “What’s Love Got to do with it?”
It’s got some helpful tips on the construction of a romance book. Check it out:
The article mentions that the best romances
are when the external and internal conflicts of the main character, usually the
heroine, collide and resolve at the same time bringing the heroine and hero
together. The central plot question in any romance novel is if the characters
are going to make it as a couple. So, the entire story is concerned with why
they aren’t together. Then they
resolve those conflicts so they can be
together.
So
what’s that got to do with love? Our romance books are not about all the lovey-dovey
mushy stuff you read in Valentine’s Day cards or love poems or love songs. However,
we want that HEA or HFN ending in our books. Life doesn’t quite work out that
way though because problems continue to crop up. A romantic relationship is
sometimes challenged daily with numerous problems most notably finances, job
change, children issues, aging parents, you name it. I don’t understand why
after our H & H get together we can’t have sequel showing how they are
managing with life’s challenges. What if, in the sequel, that love is at risk
of loss and the new book concentrates on how they get it back. Hey, I might be
on to something, huh? But … I digress.
Let’s
examine the origin of Valentine’s Day.
The
story of St. Valentine is rather sad because he was a martyr. A popular account
says that he was thrown in prison for conducting marriages of soldiers who were
forbidden to marry. I suppose the rulers of the time wanted them to be
emotionless fighting machines. Obviously the plan didn’t work. According to legend,
Valentine miraculously healed the daughter of his jailor and later fell in love
with her. He penned the first Valentine message in his own blood. That was the
length to he chose to let her know how he felt.
During
the High Middle Ages (the period
of European history c. 1001–1300), the
theme of courtly love flourished. Then in 18th Century, England
exchanges between lovers of flowers, cards and confectionery became popular. In case you didn’t know, food items
rich in sugar
are referred to as a confection.
By the way I was in line early at Kilwins in downtown Stuart to get my honey some!
The
figure of Cupid arose. He was credited for bringing lovers together. At least
that’s what I remember. When he’d arrive, he’d spear the hearts of the two
lovers binding them forevermore. According to classic mythology, Cupid (Latin Cupido, means desire) is the god of
desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. He is often portrayed as the son
of the love goddess Venus, and is known in Latin as Amor ("Love").In
contemporary culture; Cupid is shown drawing his bow to inspire romantic love,
often as an icon of Valentine's Day.
But enough of the history. Let’s discuss how the holiday can be tied
in to your WIPs.
To
what lengths will your hero or heroine go to make them come together as a
couple? Hopefully it doesn’t involve drawing blood. Unless they’re vampires, of
course. Number one we’re writing fiction, and to make it interesting the theme
has to story-worthy. Typically, the character(s) must be intrinsically flawed.
Once they resolve their issues, it’s hopefully not too late and that haven’t lost
their chance with their potential partner. Now they can come to the realization
that the hero or heroine is the one for them.
How
can you tie-in a Valentine’s Day theme to your WIP? Might the holiday be the
day when your hero finally realizes that his begotten ways, emotionally damaged
past, and his second chance at love is indeed with the heroine thus deciding to
pop the question? Okay so maybe that’s too cliché. Yet Valentine’s night could
be the first time they make love. Or kiss. Or come to the mutual realization
that they are in love with one
another. That they are going to do whatever it takes to stay together as a
couple despite whatever circumstances stand in their way.
Or
the heroine no longer uses her career as an escape from her unresolved
emotional woes and realizes that her guy pal, the one who she’s sparred with
throughout the book might just be the one for her. She decides to surprise her
hero by throwing together a home cooked meal. Yet she burns the roast. The hero
saves the day, or night, when arrives with an expensive bottle of French wine
and basket of goodies. He’d already planned to lay a blanket by the lake in
Central Park on this unusually spring-like day. He’d procured hard-to-get
reservations on this special night for dinner at the Tavern on the Green. Hmmm
… wish I could date him!
The
possibilities are endless for a Valentine’s Day themed romance story.
And now for a little fun! Below you’ll find a
couple of You Tube clips from a few of my favorite movies.
Of
course, the first one is my ALL TIME VERY FAVORITE!!!
.When my Having Fun with
Mr. Wrong comes out you’ll KNOW why. Chic Lit is NOT dead!
And Attention girls, girls, girls ---I cry every time I see this.
I’m XX years old and still dream of this moment. Well, uh, had it once, too bad
the marriage only lasted two years.
My wedding reception would be held at my all-time most favorite
place in the whole wide world: the South Florida Fairgrounds:
And finally, because we are indeed a modern bunch it would only fair
to give exposure to all persuasions and BTW I cried at this one and I’m not
even PMS’ing!
So enough of SNC now for an old classic that I have to have to
remember somehow!
I did, I did! :
I shall close with another classic, not so mushy, but definitely
holding promise for these two potential lovebirds. Hey, you might get a laugh:
OMG! I had as much fun writing this blog! Now let me throw out this
pile of tissues I used.
I
hope you spend your holiday with your special someone. And if you’re single (don’t worry…I’ve had numerous dry spells in my
life) treat yourself to a great night out with your best friends! Regardless,
enjoy, eat chocolate and drink wine, without guilt, and inhale the scent of
some wonderful roses! Until we meet again, I am truly yours,
Celia T. Rose (my romance pen name :).
Last years
Valentine’s Day celebration by the St. Lucie River:
