Romance Newsletter

September 26,2005

About this Newsletter

Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart. ~ Robert Sexton


Letter to the Editor

         Romance is one of those things that is hard to define, yet you know it when you see it. For example, in the TV series Monk, "bread and butter" were the star's wife's last words. Detective Monk explains that they used to hold hands every time they walked together. Whenever an object passed between them (like a telephone pole) and their hands temporarily parted, his wife would say those words. Thus when dying, her last words were "bread and butter." The idea there is quite simple, yet very touching and unforgettable.

         As writers we search for different ways to make romance seem less ordinary in our writing, but sometimes what we write can turn out too extreme which makes the events artificial. Normally, everyday romances aren't filled with extravagant details. We get the best responses when our readers can relate to the characters as well as the things happening to them.

         Whatever we write, we want it to touch the readers personally. We want the romantic moments to be sweet but not sappy. How can we tell the difference? We sit there and try to think of what would be romantic, but the things that come to mind first are inevitably too common and overused. If only we could think up unusual things like Monk's "bread and butter" which endears the reader to our story instantly.

         Since romance is hard to define, please share the most romantic thing you've heard, said, or done for someone. The more extraordinary, the better. I'll feature some of my favorite responses in my next newsletter.


Romantic Tip of the Day: Teach your children to give foot massages! When you children grow up, they'll have that massage skill to use in their relationships. In the meantime, you get to reap the benefits while they practice on you!


Editor's Picks

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" The Depths"  [E] #940580 A poem about how far this person will go. by T.L.Finch

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A Midnight Stroll  [E] #768648 A man wanders away from a party only to find his love calling him back... by Maxwell Reese

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Ask and Answer

Vivian : Interesing concept, a romantic triangle, and one that is used to some extent in most romances. The challenge is making the "triangle" the writer's own rather than a cliché, but a real writer manages to do just that. Thanks for bringing the information to us.

scribbler : In my opinion the best love triangle ever written is between the characters of Shakespeare's "12th Night". Orsino loves Lady Olivia (and somewhat Cesario/Viola) and Lady Olivia is in love with Cesario who is really Viola who is in love with Orsion. It is a true love "triangle".

billwilcox: Love triangles can be very complex, and should never be tackled without first taking a Geometry Class of somekind

Lexi : I agree, just take a look at the complex triangle that scribbler commented on

Any comments or suggestions you have for this newsletter are welcome!

Until Next Time,

~Lexi