Sometimes I know what I'll blog about and just start writing, but there are other times when the inspiration comes from posting the picture first. I don't feel like writing tonight. I don't have to work, so I should take advantage of the time and get going on Hero again, but right now, I think I'd like a Corona and nice hunk to go with it.Funny how you never see men like this just lying about on the beach. Of course, when I'm at the beach, I have to take my glasses off to go in the water, which renders me effectively blind. Sometimes I just like to sit(with my glasses on!) and gaze out to sea, casually taking in the visions that walk by. Mostly I see older people and kids, but now and then, something worthy of note wanders past. Do they realize I'm watching? Most men probably don't because I rarely get caught at it, but I don't miss much. I'm always searching for inspiration. It used to be inspiration for fantasies, but now it's for books.
Not surprisingly, I'm rarely inspired by women I observe, but rather, women I know. Something in their lives or their looks or personality that makes me want to make them into one of my heroines. A lovely lady I work with has given me just such an inspiration; she is the template for Fugitive's heroine, Drusilla. Mainly it is her build and her hair color, but she is very quiet, only occasionally muttering some fascinating comments under her breath. She tells me I didn't speak to her for the first year or so, but then, she didn't say much to me, either.
I've been told that my silences are intimidating, but what I'm really doing is observing, evaluating, and deciding what sort of person you are when we first meet. I watch the way you interact with others before doing so myself. Over the years, this habit has had a lot of young nurses shaking in their shoes at the thought of working with me. I don't see myself as someone to be feared, and once I decide to break my silence, I'll tell you anything you want to know. Some people are surprised at just how frank I can be, but I've never been one to beat around the bush; I just tell it like it is.
Nuff said for now. Must write that novel. . . .
PS: I'm guest blogging today on Yankee Romance Reviewers. Come on over!
16 comments:
First of all, the man is very pretty. I want to lay next to him and help him remove the rest of his clothes. Ah I've gotten really bad lately. ^_^; And your post today really, really caught my attention. A big part to me, about being a writer, is the inspiration. You can find inspiration almost anywhere and what you can do with it has so many possibilities. Each writer is different and therefore we see so many different kinds of ideas and stories. I took a psychology class once and we were required to watch people one day and write down the different interactions between people. And now I do it because I enjoy it. I got to a few anime (Japanese cartoon) conventions and sometimes I'll sit myself by a pillar and just watch the different people walk by. Everyone is so different and it's fascinating to see that. At work I'm a cashier so I see many people come and go. We have our regular customers and I know how they will act. Then I have some new customers and some of them, the way they are, makes me angry sometimes because they have such a disrespect for books or tell me, "They never read" (Thankfully those people are rare) I'm strange when it comes to books but I've been at that bookstore for almost 4 years now. You learn to observe people if you know how to and some people, may they be strangers sometimes, can spark so much curiosity and inspiration. I want to write more one day, possibly even become a writer. So when I see a small child say or do something cute or funny, or when a customer brings my spirits up, I can't help but smile. Some of my friends are so amazing. When I put them in my stories I make their characters so full of life, so grand, because in my mind, in my heart, they are that great, that wonderful. When a friend or person I know uses me in a story or artwork I feel so uplifted and amazed. It's just amazing to be used as inspiration. To be honest you amaze me a lot Cheryl. You help so many people as a nurse and yet you help other people, in a completely different way, with your stories. Bam! Double the inspiration and fun and amazingness. Wow I went on a bit of a ramble. Sorry about that. XD I was a bit inspired myself.
Inspiration is good, Ana! So many people just blunder through life and don't take the opportunity to observe the lives around them. In my opinion, it's a waste of precious time.
Hey, are you looking at me? Yes Hot Beach Dude we are.
I'm a people person too. I love to watch people going about their daily lives. When I retire, I'll probably miss the challenge of the work. But I'll miss the people most. I love to watch neighbors do funny things. I have two retired neighbor guys that live in the houses across the county road from me. They have beautiful yards. They work on them all the time. A blade of grass nevers grows tall or a leaf doesn't fall without them noticing. And they rush out to cut it down or pick it up. The wives rarely come outside to enjoy the fresh air or enjoy the beautiful flowers or sit in their yards. What's so interesting in the house. Are they reading books or watching TV. I never see them. What does that tell you about these women.? And one of the 2 Guys s name is Roger. Remember, I live in a cold winter climate. He's still out in bermuda shorts and shirtless. 20 below or 90 degrees. So yesterday he was pushing the garbage cans to the curb in shorts, shirtless, sandals and a big furry hat.
I just laughed myself silly.
We must find joy and inspiration evrywhere we can. And Roger today is my inspiration. It's hot and sunny in his mind everyday.
I love this hunk, Cheryl. He's delicious. But I swear these men are either androids or completely fictional, because all I ever seem to see at the beach are women who shouldn't be wearing bikinis (but are) and men who shouldn't be wearing speedos (but are). That said, they are fairly fascinating to watch.
I'm with you. The key to writing believable and sympathetic characters, I think, is having a genuine interest in observing real people doing real things. It's never boring, and provides plenty of inspirational fodder. You keep on watching, and we'll keep reaping the rewards, okay?:-) I found some lovely pictures the other night, speaking of...I believe they belong on the blog this week. I have an awful time finding guys who look even remotely like the ones I imagine in my books, but occasionally I stumble across a good one. I've got a redhead needing to be written at some point, though, and THAT'S going to be tough. For whatever reasons, redheads do not get enough love in the world of hot men who like to take their shirts off for pictures. *sigh*
LOL, Roger totally needs to be a character in a book!
Hi Donna,
I'm with Kendra on this one. Roger sounds like a great character! Keep watching and reporting. Who knows what I'll do with them!
I can't wait to see your redhead, Kendra. I've got a redheaded heroine coming up in Fugitive, but except for the orange streak in Trag's hair in Rogue, I haven't done a redheaded hero. I just love Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter movies, maybe I'll do something with him when he grows up a little!
I'll be happy to show off my findings, Cheryl! I love redheads. My current heroine is another redhead, and I'm using Isla Fisher as a model because she's adorable. Why is it so much harder to find pictures of the guys?! Just saw the kid who plays Ron on the cover of some British magazing...Blag, maybe? I was surprised by how much he's grown up! The cover's online somewhere.
Thanks, Kendra. I'll have to look for that.
And with time going by so quickly? You gotta do fun stuff with your life! Observation is one of the ways. The other is escaping to yummy worlds to eat yummy guys up XD
Guess what Ladies?
Roger was a Redhead. Now he has a Bald head with a small amount of Red still showing at the back of his head. He's in his late 60's.
Looks like Homer Simpson. So not hunky.
Picture this. Roger's on top of his roof in early November in about 20 degrees in his Santa Hat and nothing else except a pair of Red Bermuda shorts, he's stringing christmas lights and putting Santa and sleigh and reindeers on his roof.
Traffic is backing up on the street with Gawkers about 5 deep.
I was laughing so hard. I was crying.
I have asked him when he's outside in the cold. Roger where's your coat and long pants.
He's says, I'm hot blooded.
I've gone over to bring him and his wife Linda, Christmas Cookies.
I always have ask. is Roger dressed? He runs around in his Naked.
I don't think his wife notices.
but I do. I have my Binoculars ready. Hah!!! just kidding.
Ha! A hot-blooded redhead. You should have taken a picture of him putting up his Christmas decorations.
Donna, LMAO...this is hilarious just to visualize. I wonder what "hot-blooded" Roger was like in his youth! His wife musta been a wild one too, I bet:-) Sounds like you wouldn't even NEED binoculars, if you were voyeuristically inclined. Roger seems more than happy to share teh sexy!
Ladies,
I have 2 redhead guys for you to go search for pictures.
Prince Harry or actor Damian Lewis might just fit your book Kendra.
Thanks, Donna! I actually think Prince Harry is adorable. Then I remember how much older I am than him and I feel like a dirty old woman (even though I am all of 31). Which I probably am, LOL. Good call on Damian Lewis...I'd seen the previews for Life, though I haven't watched it. But he is DEFINITELY a cute redhead!
I'm even worse than you are, Kendra. I'm almost the same age as your mother, but I'm afraid I like the young redheads best. Rupert Grint and Prince Harry are both just too cute!
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