As I
get older (and hopefully wiser) I have come to the realisation that it’s the
small moments in life that make for contentment, joy and happiness, not the
big, splashy ones. Weddings, awards, lottery wins…they’re all well and good,
but for me it’s the small moments in the days and weeks that make my life rich
and full of laughter and love. My husband doing his version of the moonwalk in
the kitchen. My dog looking at me from under his eyelashes (yes, he has
eyelashes, and they are diabolically long and gorgeous!). My Mum fumbling
around with Skype and making me laugh so hard I nearly lose a lung.
These
are all small, insignificant, fleeting moments, but if you string enough of
them together, I reckon you have a good chance at happiness. As a writer, I spend
a lot of time thinking about the small moments in my hero and heroine’s
relationship that will allow them to connect with each other and fall in love.
I try to show that they “get” one another. That they enjoy one another. It’s
not just about sex and lust and desire. It’s about connecting. Understanding.
Kindness. Humour. I want my readers to believe in the relationship between my
hero and heroine, to walk in their shoes as they get to know each other, and to
yearn for their Happy Ever After.
My
recent Super Romance, Her Kind of Trouble, has a small moment where the
heroine, Vivian, helps the hero, Seth, blow up pink balloons to celebrate his
infant daughter’s homecoming from the hospital. Seth’s gone to the trouble of
sourcing the balloons, but he has no idea where to hang them to decorate his
home. Fortunately for him, Vivian is a stylist, and she takes him in hand. It’s
a small, very domestic moment, but he’s touched and grateful for her interest
and skill and she’s moved by all the trouble and effort he’s gone to to
celebrate his daughter’s homecoming.
In
my new novella for Montana Born Books, Almost a Bride, I took my hero
and heroine paddle boarding on one of Montana’s amazing mountain lakes. The day
is warm, and Tara and Reid share a picnic - and heartfelt conversation - on the
shore of the lake. There are no flashy gowns, paparazzi, fast cars or
billionaires in sight - just two people who like each other, enjoying a
summer’s day.
And
in Satisfaction, my recently self published book, Maggie and Rafel lie
in his bed after making love and discuss curricles and perch phaetons, inspired
by the Georgette Heyer novel the hero has read because it’s one of the
heroine’s favourite books.
As
I’m sure you’ll agree, none of these moments are going to set the world on fire
- but they might just help two people understand each other. What about you? Do
you crave the fireworks and dazzle of big displays? Or are you a small moments
person, too, like me? Or do you prefer a mixture of both in your romance novels
(and maybe your life?) Do tell! I’d love to hear your stories.
I’ll
be giving away e-book two sets of a copy each of Satisfaction and Almost
a Bride today - all you need to do is comment win. I’ll pop back in
after a week to announce the winner, so stay posted!
*** Sarah's winner is Catherine Scott! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing info.***
9 comments:
I enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer: walks outside, bike rides, picnics, small get-togethers in the backyard, babysitting my grandchildren. Vacations away from the crowds, camping in the woods, walking on a beach, visits to national parks, concerts in the park, sitting under the stars, listening to music, visits to a museum...
In books I also don't need the extreme wealthy restaurants , concerts ect. I prefer the simple relationships too.
Oh I totally agree! It's the "small" moments that seem to bring the most happiness. I love reading about significant "small" moments. Makes the couple seem more real and relaetable. Congrats on the new release and thanks for such a thoughftul post :)
The big moments are fine & they can be a lot of fun, in real life & in books, but it's the small intimate moments that are most revealing. They are thoughtful & full of love.
Congrats on your release.. and I agree with your thoughts about the 'small' moments are those filled with love and commitment..
I enjoyed Almost A Bride!
One of the things that I enjoy most about your books is the fact the the characters seem to be living real lives. Those real lives include all the little aggravations, as well as those wonderful small moments of sharing and happiness. This is why I always say that your characters are the ones that I'd most like to hang out with. They feel like real people.
I think that the things that really "tickle" me most are the wonderful quirky things. For example, the shared laughter about the silly things children say sometimes or the strange habits people have like sniffing their food before they eat it; clumsy moments when you end up on your ass, and even sad moments like helping your partner through a health scare are galvanizing. I guess we all wish life could be a bit more glamorous from time to time but its the mundane putting together a garden shed in the rain because your too stubborn to pack it in that stays with you.
It really is the small moments in life that are precious :-)
I have to say that while grand gestures can be exciting, it's the little things that hold life together and make up the fabric of our days. LOVE your writing, Sarah--thanks for a lovely post!
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