I write local history books as well as romance novels; and although I write contemporary rather than historical romances, I do find that things I uncover in my non-fiction research end up sparking ideas for my fiction.
Originally, I was going to write a blog about the lure of the Mediterranean man (and this is where my fellow authors start groaning: ‘Kate’s going to bang on about how wonderful Antonio Banderas is…’ – well, yeah, he is), or about sexy archaeologists (my September UK release, Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded – out in Australia next month and as a Presents in the US in Jan 09 – stars a gorgeous archaeologist), or about how I’m trying to sneak a reindeer past my editor in my current book. (Yes, I did say ‘reindeer’. Setting for me is important because it reflects the conflicts in the relationship. So I really do need this reindeer!)
But then I spent Saturday with my non-fiction hat on, doing location research. And I discovered this incredible brass, dating from 1384, in a tiny country church.
It’s very similar to the tomb that inspired poet Philip Larkin to write An Arundel Tomb. The line I’m thinking about is the one describing the earl with an empty glove, because he’s removed it so he can hold his wife’s hand.
The last line of that poem is incredibly moving: What will survive of us is love.
And it got me thinking: this is what romance novels are about. Why we read them. Why we write them.
Love.
How do you know it’s love? Sometimes – as Nicola Marsh put it, in her post – it’s a matter of opposites being attracted and completing each other. (I love those kind of stories. Possibly because I’m married to a man that many would say is my complete opposite. Actually, we have similar viewpoints on the important things, so it works. It doesn’t matter that I’m the nerdy, clumsy academic and he’s the practical one who’s good at sport: together, we’re a team.)
Sometimes it’s something that creeps up on you unawares: the best-friend-to-lovers story (also a favourite of mine – in Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded, Alex and Bel are great friends. They just take a while to realise that their previous relationships all went wrong because nobody matched up to… well, each other).
Sometimes it’s the tall, dark, handsome stranger whose smile makes your heart turn over and then you find yourself acting completely out of character – as Becky does when she meets Leandro in The Spanish Doctor’s Love Child.
And then something happens. Something that makes the hero and heroine realise how much they love each other. I absolutely hate writing the end of a book, because it means I have to say goodbye to the characters; but I know that, after the book finishes, their love will continue. So really, it’s a happy ending rather than a sad one (and I can always sneak favourite characters in to future books: another bad habit of mine!).
My question is: what would make you realise it’s love?
I’ll choose a winner from the commenters – the prize is a signed copy of my latest US release, The Spanish Doctor’s Love Child (though it will be a UK edition, as I haven’t had my US copies through yet!).
Kate’s current release, The Spanish Doctor’s Love Child by Kate Hardy, is available in the US as a Presents Extra (and is also still available as a Medical Romance from the Mills and Boon website in the UK). You can find out more on her website on http://www.katehardy.com or her blog http://katehardy.blogspot.com – there’s an excerpt on the eHarlequin website as well as her own website. Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded is available next month in Australia and in January 09 in the US; it’s also still available from the Mills and Boon website in the UK.)
October 13th, 2008
What an amazing brass – incredibly touching and relevant. You must have been thrilled to find it.
‘what would make you realise it’s love?’- that is such a personal and unique thing, isn’t it? Beyond the physical attraction. I would say that for me it is recognising that this other person is your best friend, the person you want to wake up with every morning and share your life with. Nobody else.
It is self-realisation of the deepest kind.
Thanks again for this lovely post -R
October 13th, 2008
How do you know it’s love?
“I love you but am not in love with you…” this is used all the time and I think it should be said ” I love you but don’t lust after you…” (either that or I like you but am too much of a wimp to say it is only like!).
Love is an all consuming feeling – the greatest love I think is that of parent and child.
Of love in a relationship, well I am so fond of the friends to partners scenario because to me if you’ve got the friendship first and then realise the ‘lust’ part of it all you’ve got the basis of a lasting relationship.
As opposed to the hot guy you meet at a party who makes your palms sweat and your pulse race, he may be great in some aspects but when the honeymoon period is over are you still going to want to wash his socks? It’s a risk!
Lori x
http://lorrainepowell.blogspot.com/
October 13th, 2008
Thank you, Ray-Anne. Yes, I was thrilled to find it – and it was a tiny, tiny village church being done up for harvest festival. Just lovely.
And I know exactly what you mean about wanting to wake up with that person every morning.
October 13th, 2008
Morning!
What a lovely sentiment to have first thing this morning. The immortal look of love.
The brass is just wonderful. And I believe the touch of the heart you see on the depicted woman is ultimately what makes you believe it’s love…am I right?
I think some of the old warriors aren’t shown as being sentimental, but the easy holding of hands is strong. It inspires on so many levels.
Thank you for sharing!
October 13th, 2008
As I have not yet discovered the sentiment myself, I have no idea what is love. However, my friends tell me you feel it inside, a sort of comprehension or awareness.
October 13th, 2008
‘how do you know it’s love?’
when he still wants to get to know you even after you’ve spent the last two hours expelling the contents of your stomach into the sea. (basically, seeing past the surface and seeing the beauty within)
i was sea sick on my first dive trip and he was crew on the boat. his kindness and care for me made my embarrassing situation less so. i’ve since discovered he is always this way with customers – which shows his kind heart. it’s the beauty within him that i fell in love with first.
October 13th, 2008
Hi, Kate!
What a great brass! The question of one is something that I question sometimes when I hear friends or friends of friends that are having a difficult time with their relationships (cheating, abuse, etc.) and wonder if TRUE love is really out there any more…
But I like to think it is. I also like to dream and escape into a novel (especially yours!) and find it within the characters who aren’t always so perfect but turn out to be perfect for each other.
I say ditto to what Larissa said, “thanks for sharing” with us!
Oh, and Raye-Ann, how did you get that lovely flower beside your name. I want something like that!
I’ll try back in a day or two!
October 13th, 2008
Lori – mmm, know what you mean: the first time you look into your child’s eyes… And friends to lovers definitely works for me!
October 13th, 2008
Larissa – absolutely. This made me melt. So many times the pose is formal and they’re praying or just side by side, forever not touching. Holding her hand like this… that’s special. Something little that’s so easily taken for granted.
October 13th, 2008
Nathalie – yes, it’s definitely easier to describe when you’ve felt it!
October 13th, 2008
Deb – the beauty inside: that’s a lovely way of putting it. (And you’re very brave. I might get a hero or heroine to dive, but actually doing it myself… that’d be a bit too courageous for me!)
October 13th, 2008
Casey – I definitely believe that true love is out there. Sometimes life and problems get in the way: but it’s worth finding and hanging on to.
October 14th, 2008
Kate,
Your post is awesome! Thank you for visiting with us! I hope you’ll stop back in when your next release comes up so we can be sure to buy it! =)
And I love the brass. You’re in such a glorious country to have so many unique antiques that remind us of how the past was chivalrous. I often wonder what love is myself, but then I look at my dh or my kids and I know while the feelings are different on many levels, they’re the same warm rush of emotion…
I get that same related feeling when I read something that moves me…like the heroine and hero’s final revelations. :-)
October 14th, 2008
Kate,
Do you normally find inspiration for your stories through images/antiques like these? Looking at the brass, what kind of story would you weave? Antique Dealer or Historian and a …????
I’m always interested to see where people get their ideas. :-)
October 15th, 2008
Heather – thank you, I’d love to come back :)
That warm rush of emotion is so special. I get it when I hear my littlest one giggle, or my eldest gives me a grin and I can suddenly see the man he’s going to be. And sometimes I just catch my husband’s glance and I remember the very first time my eyes met his and my heart turned over… (OK, I’m just incredibly soppy!)
October 15th, 2008
Larissa – I get ideas from all over the place. I have to admit, I did go to see this on purpose as I’m writing a couple of nonfiction books where this would fit; but my historical research throws up so many fantastic ideas that make me think ‘what if…?’
As this is in a church, what comes to mind is either it’s a family brass (his – and he’s very, very cynical about love because all the marriages in his family have been dynastic) and she’s maybe a historian; or maybe she restores medieval wallpaintings (and perhaps his branch was disinherited and he’s super-rich and wants to buy them out so people won’t look down on his mum any more – he’s kind of brash and she teaches him to appreciate the past).
My poor ed :D Just when she thought she’d managed to get me off completely nerdy heroes… (And thank you for the lightbulb!)