Three Things Thursday

From Cheryl Van Eck

If you’re a Dancing with the Stars fan, you’ll know that this season there were two couples that ignited rumors of backstage romance.

One couple talked about how much they liked each other, dressed in sexy outfits, and kissed during a dance.

The other couple insisted they just had an amazing connection, blushed when asked about what would happen after the show, and flat out refused to answer any direct question.

Guess which one I believed.

The first couple told us they were attracted to each other. The second showed it in every expression and every touch. Their behind-the-scenes conversations showed how their personalities balanced each other.

She challenged him and brought out the sweet, nurturing side of a teacher that had always been strict. And at his touch, a childlike girl transformed into a sensual, feminine woman.

Now, who’s to say how much was scripted. But if both romances were scripted, one writer did a much better job.

Looking at the romance in your novel, which story does it resemble?

My point is, you can’t rely on declarations of adoration and steamy love scenes to build a romance. True love is based much deeper than that.

And since the show is over now, let’s all cross our fingers for those big, beautiful, ice-skating Russian babies nicknamed Bear.

#2 from me

Finish this sentence:

If I could change one thing about my writing, it would be . . .

#3 from Brenda Bensch

Do you think about Monsters a lot? And I don’t just mean the little ones you have at home. At LTUE (Life, the Universe and Everything), I heard a panel talk about Monsters. They highly recommended reading many other ethnic versions of folk- and fairy-tales.

I grew up in Hawaii, enjoying stories of the Hawaiian hero, Maui — the Polynesian version of Hercules, and Pele the goddess of volcanoes. I loved a Loki-like imp and the adventures (and troubles!) he got into and the funny Menehune – a Polynesian version of Irish leprechauns.

What stories did YOU grow up with?

And if you want to write about monsters or other mythological creatures, how about making up some of your own? Larry Correia, one of the panelists, said his wife made up a store monster that roamed around looking for children — to eat, probably. THAT kept them close to Mom & Dad.

Make up a monster or mythological character and write a short, short children’s story about your new character.