"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" That’s what my teenage daughter and I chant when we’re watching a scene on television or a DVD where the build up of romantic tension between a guy and a gal becomes too much for us. We sigh when they kiss, moan when they miss. (At the moment we’re loving Downton Abbey and getting great enjoyment from both the Lady Mary & Matthew, and Bates & Anna relationships. Come on Bates and Anna—kiss!)
That first kiss is so vital in a romance—once they kiss everything changes for ever between them. Be it in a book or a movie, I adore a good first kiss scene. So why do I find them so darn difficult to write?
I can be heard muttering away at my computer that I hate writing kissing scenes! Yet I’m told I write them well. The thing is, a memorable first kiss isn’t just about the meeting of lips and tongues, the placing of hands and bodies. It’s about how my hero and heroine feel about the kiss—it’s about love and fear and joy and worry as well as physical sensations. It can be sexy, sweet, passionate, funny , awkward or deeply romantic. And, like all kisses it’s about the people doing the kissi
ng—the unique characters I have created for my story who bring their own personalities to the kiss. Every kiss I write is different—because my characters are different.Do you remember your first kiss? My first kiss with a boy was when I was six years old and came with a proposal! The first “proper kiss” was when I was fourteen at a school dance, it was sweet and tender and utterly thrilling. I was so excited I told my mother all about it when I got home—and so earned the unrelenting mockery of my friends! Funny thing is, though, when my daughter got her first kiss she came home and told me all about it and it was a very sweet moment.
I’d love to hear about your first kiss—or a screen kiss you found memorable. Please leave a comment for a chance to win a signed trade paperback copy of either HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS or LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD and include your email address and which book you
would prefer if you want to be in the draw.http://www.kandyshepherd.com
38 comments:
Hi Kandy,
I don't need to be the drawing! I feel like I've been lucky so many times I don't want to take someone else's chance.
I love movie kisses, especially old movie kisses b/c they had to convey so much of the romantic tension.
It's hard to narrow it down to an absolute favorite, but one of my top three comes from a semi-obscure romantic comedy from the '60s, "Walk, Don't Run." The leads are riding in a cab after spending a day together, but without a moment alone. The heroine is talking about all the reasons they can't be together. The hero takes her hand and starts kissing it. She jerks it away and keeps talking, not looking at him the whole time. The hero rubs his pinkie finger slowly up and down her neck, agreeing with her all the time that they're all wrong for each other. She keeps on talking but her voice gets breathier. Then he starts to kiss her neck and she ducks away. Her hat flies off. At first you think she's going to try and stop him, but then they look into each other's eyes and it's all over. They kiss. And the camera pulls back and you see them kissing in the cab till they get to the apartment. The apartment that they're sharing. With no chaperone. Whew. The movie's very G rated by today's standards, but I saw it at a young age and it made an impression in a big way. :-)
I guess my first real kiss was at a teen party when we were playing kissing games. I got to kiss the guy I was struck on and I thought it was awesome. My favorite movie kiss was between Scarlett and Rhett in Gone With the Wind. Your book sounds fab, thanks for sharing.
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
I think the most memorable screen kiss was the beach kiss in From Here To Eternity.
Would love to have Home Is Where The Bark Is.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Kandy, what a lovely post. And I love the photo from Breakfast at Tiffany's that you've got at the top. Actually the first kiss in that is pretty memorable too when they're wearing the animal masks. Yummy! Actually my fave kiss would have to be the LONG kiss in Last of the Mohicans. Hubba, hubba!
Jill, I love your description of the kiss in Walk, Don't Run. I must look that one up!
Virginia, isn't Gone With the Wind divine? I just love it and the whole thing between Scarlett and Rhett.
Hi, Kandy! I've earmarked Downton Abbey as a reward for myself when I finish the two big projects I'm working on now. :) It looks juicy!
I agree with Estella on the Burt Lancaster/Deborah Kerr kiss in From Here to Eternity. For me it shows two people who are completely focused on one another--I love kisses that make the rest of the world fall away. They're not thinking about the gritty sand, the saltwater, the sunburn, that's for sure!
Oh yes, Estella, that kiss in From Here to Eternity--the sand, the beach, those surging waves! Passionate and romantic!
Awww, Jill, I missed that you were talking about Walk, Don't Run! I love that movie but nobody I know has seen it. It's SOOOO sexy in that cute sorta 60s way. Did you know that it was Cary Grant's last film? And no, he's not the guy doing the kissing in that scene you're talking about, Kandy!
Hey Anna, so nice to see you here! The scene from Breakfast at Tiffany's is wonderfully romantic isn't it?(And of course I loved those last scenes because the cat was also part of them!)
When it comes to writing love scenes you are brilliant--there are some beautiful moments in your latest novel MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION.
Hey Vanessa, I think most people would recount that the reality of kissing on the sand doesn't quite match up to the wonderfulness that is the From Here to Eternity Scene!
Daughter and I just finished watching the DVD of the first series of Downton Abbey--I'll put you on the "to borrow" list if you like!
Looks like I am going to have to seek out Walk, Don't Run! after reading both Jill and Anna's posts. I love Cary Grant!
While the classics are legendary (Scarlett and Rhett, Cary Grant in anything), I'm going with the kiss in Never Been Kissed.
When Michael Vartan marches onto the field--be still my heart :)
Margie
wishwryter@comcast.net, either book, they both sound fantastic. Love your play on words in the titles.
Lovely post, Kandy! And isn't Jill's description of the kiss in Walk, Don't Run excellent - I haven't seen it but I surely do want to now!
I think one of the first screen kisses that made a big impact on me was in Ryan's Daughter. The kiss is between the Major and Rosy after she reaches out to him while he's caught in an episode of shell shock. It's full of desperation and passion! Very intense! And I just thought Christopher Jones was the best thing since sliced bread!
:)
Sharon
Hi Kandy,
What a great subject to discuss! I loved the kiss near the end of 'North and South'. After all the emotional highs and lows, the moment Richard Armitage finally gets the girl is just terrific! Sigh.
Don't enter me in your draw. I've already got your books (and love them!). Hope you're writing a great kiss scene for your next book...
Oh, yes, please, Kandy! I'd love to borrow your Downtown Abbey episodes. Thank you!
Er, I mean Downton Abbey, of course. Downtown Abbey sounds a bit too urban.
Annie, how could I forget the kiss in North and South? Sigh, sigh, sigh! Gorgeous!
Kandy, thanks for saying that about MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION!
I remember my first kiss well. I can tell you I was 15,we were at the door of my dad's apartment, his mom was waiting downstairs, and all I could think was "This is it. I'm going to get my first kiss.", "OMG I'm having my first kiss, we're really kissing.", to "Aww, do we really have to stop now?".
I LOVE 'Downton Abbey'. It's wonderful viewing. There are a few stole kisses in 'Gone With the Wind' that I adore. All with Scarlet, but some with Rhett & some with Ashley. She got around did our Scarlett.
marypres@gmail.com
Hi Margie
I haven't seen Never Been Kissed--but I love Drew Barrymore so must get it out and see.
OMG, Ryan's Daughter! Sharon, I absolutely adored that movie!
I must have been quite young when I saw it but it made a big impression. Must try and see it again.
You're another author who writes a wonderful kiss scene. I just read your latest THE MAN BEHIND THE BADGE--so sweet and romantic!
Hi Annie, I'm feeling embarrassed that here is another screen kiss I haven't seen! I actually haven't seen North and South, even though so many people I know rave about it. Must see it!
Thanks for your kind words about my books. You know I am a great fan of yours too--especially your wonderful sheik books. (Another author who writes marvelous love scenes!)
Okay Vanessa you are high on the Downton Abbey borrowing list!
"Aww, do we really have to stop now?"
Lolarific, I absolutely love your first kiss story!
Hey Marybelle, Scarlett did get around, didn't she? I loved the movie and saw it a few times before I read the book. I was quite shocked to discover that she got married several more times in the book than in the movie. Didn't stop me from enjoying the book, though, and didn't diminish my passion for the movie.
Love Downton Abbey!
My first kiss was unwanted. The boy in question and I where friends. Sitting in my backyard talking.... Then he leans in, drools a bit, grabs my arms roughly and kisses me on the lips. It all happened fast (and was over soon thank goodness) but I didn't like it! He did not have my permission & so I don't like to think about it as my first.
Your very first kiss should be wanted, anticipated not forced upon you by the guy who is supposed to be your friend.
Would like to read : LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD
devapajo at gmail dot com
A delightful and nostalgic post which I enjoyed greatly. Movie and screen kisses are the best ever. I loved them all but my favorite has to be in Cinema Paradiso, at the end when they show all the kisses throughout the movie that were deleted. Best. I would enjoy Love is a Four Letter Word. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Hey there, Kandy.
Just loved HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS. Liked how your tempo/tension increases, making me turn the pages faster and faster; smiled a lot, especially with the great ending; and liked how realistic both humans and dogs were (at least to me).
Haven't read the other book yet, so would love to take this "Minute to Win It" (like the TV show).
My first kisses were from a boy who only wanted to kiss me in private (and I don't think he was shy). Too bad. I grew up thinking he was "the one", but he wasn't. Instead, I have been very happily married for 30 years next month to someone I met a few years after high school.
Kisses that resound, that are emotional and beautiful are unforgettable especially in the film, Roman Holiday. Thanks for this giveaway. Love is a Four Letter Word would be great. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Some kisses are truly unforgettable and all for varying reasons. I love them all though, whether in movies or books. There are so many kinds...
The Accidental Kiss - when two people are talking and find themselves just leaning closer until it happens.
The I Hate You Kiss - when two people are arguing and just kiss each other in the heat of the moment, sometimes followed by a resounding slap to the face.
The All Consuming Passionate Kiss - yes, the epic kiss, the ground shaking moment we all dream about.
Gosh, so many but the key is that they have to fit with the stories and the character's personalities.
A standout movie kiss for me is TITANIC.
I would love to win HOME IS WHERE THE BACK IS.
Cambonified{at}yahoo{dot}com
Just realized I neglected to add my email address. So sorry.
seytype at hotmail dot com
Hey, Jo's daughter, I'm sorry to hear your first kiss was such an unpleasant experience! Drooling and roughness--no way! I hope some beautiful kisses have come your way since!
Hey Laney4, thanks so much for your lovely comments about HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS. So glad you enjoyed it!
Petite, isn't Roman Holiday the most wonderfully romantic movie? One of my very favorites, and all the more special because honor prevailed in the end. Love it!
Na, I love the way you classify kisses! I so enjoyed reading your post.
Thank you everyone for your comments, they've been fun to read.
The winner of the book is Na--please send me your snail mail address so I can mail HOME IS WHERE THE BARK IS off to you!
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