tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post3385562616336380976..comments2023-11-03T05:49:10.841-04:00Comments on Storytelling Rules: Destined to be togetherMaureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-63862429442278128052009-01-30T08:39:00.000-05:002009-01-30T08:39:00.000-05:00I don't believe in love at first sight. I do think...I don't believe in love at first sight. I do think there can be this spark, some initial attraction, and then if it blossoms into love, you can look back and go, oh, it was love at first sight. <BR/><BR/>However, I've had lots of conversations with one paranormal writer friend (who uses the "soulmates" construction in her bestselling books) about how I think that "soulmates" in paranormal romance is the equivalent of "arranged marriages" in historical romances. You can recognize that you have some "bond" with that person and then the rest of the book deals with your heart and mind catching up to this metaphysical (or physical) connection. Much like the way the arranged marriage books work that you have to marry this person that you aren't particularly into, but then over the course of the book, you fall in love.<BR/><BR/>I ADORE arranged marriage books, and I love the soulmate books that work that way, like CL Wilson's.Diana Peterfreundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03681841474717604660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-34504275990497651842009-01-29T09:03:00.000-05:002009-01-29T09:03:00.000-05:00Ditto what Molly said... Got to get onto the Wire....Ditto what Molly said... <BR/><BR/>Got to get onto the Wire... my husband and that stupid Wii is ruining my lifeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-40457558516341694572009-01-28T15:17:00.000-05:002009-01-28T15:17:00.000-05:00I think if you are going to do the predestined thi...I think if you are going to do the predestined thing - which I agree can be hot. When we were talking about it and you referenced Vicious and Jane - I totally agreed, and in fact JR Ward uses it a lot - but if you are going to use it than the obstacles in the way have got to be huge. Both external and especially internal - like to the point that if these two are actually going to be togethe the only way it's possible is for one to die - or whatever. It's gotta be big.<BR/><BR/>But if it's done right it can make the black moment even more bitter and the tension even hotter. Done wrong -- it's pretty lame and yes, Maureen I totally agree - it's old. It's a device that's been done so many times and like all those devices you have to make it stand out somehow. <BR/><BR/>Side note - DOYLE!!! THE WIRE!!! I have the finale of season two tonight -- this show! THIS SHOW!!!<BR/><BR/>The handling of subplots in this show is the best - THE BEST - I have ever ever seen.Molly O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15171236688541657736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-24258964572917683152009-01-28T10:43:00.000-05:002009-01-28T10:43:00.000-05:00Great post, Maureen! I am a love at first sight be...Great post, Maureen! I am a love at first sight believer, I must say. I have a very mushy, romantic heart (which is strange, because I write thrillers...). Anyway, I do love the whole destined to be together business if it's done well - but I also love the destined NOT to be together (a la Romeo and Juliet).Alli Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363202163419352155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-30642073519912663502009-01-28T10:42:00.000-05:002009-01-28T10:42:00.000-05:00Kresely Cole uses this device in all her books and...Kresely Cole uses this device in all her books and I love it. Maureen you're right - it's probably the execution but for me it has the same feel of the "marriage of convenience turning into love" thing. <BR/><BR/>In her world there is only ONE true mate and once you find it - that's it. Then of course she turns everything on its head by making the hero/heroine complete opposites/enemies whatever. <BR/><BR/>The device doesn't bypass the romantic tension at all it just starts you off with a situation where you know this is the person you're going to be with.. okay now how do you fall in love?<BR/><BR/>Good stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-13668229078792091302009-01-28T10:07:00.000-05:002009-01-28T10:07:00.000-05:00"A man saying he has to have you and only you no m..."A man saying he has to have you and only you no matter what? Hot."<BR/><BR/>I totally agree with this statement. In fact, those are the kinds of books I love the most. The guy with a dark background who never has really committed himself to one woman, finally discovering the ONE woman he MUST be with.<BR/><BR/>I think that it comes more from the man side of things--the love at first sight bit. I really do. A lot of men will floundering around in life, and then they meet that one woman for whom they will bend over backwards to keep her. <BR/><BR/>My husband tells me it was 'love at first sight' when he met me. I was more of the idea, 'hey, this guy is kinda cute!' I wasn't convinced he was 'the one' until after a few dates. (still pretty quick) But, as many women will say, you just *know* when you've met a guy who truly LOVES you vs. just wants to DATE you. There is a difference.<BR/><BR/>So I'm a big believer in falling in love quickly. Of course, there are obstacles to overcome...and some relationships have more than others. But I can totally believe that two people can be in love quickly and stay in love for a long time. We all know that 'love' changes over time. That the honeymood phase is only one phase of any serious relationship. So I can believe that in a fictional world, too.<BR/><BR/>Those who 'hate' insta-love clearly have never experienced it.K J Gillenwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12023089365553324315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-39335094355397274762009-01-28T09:49:00.000-05:002009-01-28T09:49:00.000-05:00I was a love at first sight gal.I haven't read a l...I was a love at first sight gal.<BR/><BR/>I haven't read a lot of predestined books. I can't think of any, but I totally agree when we write about characters we have predetermined them to be together.Amy Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02212879406999128140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-33548097164098968082009-01-28T09:06:00.000-05:002009-01-28T09:06:00.000-05:00Totally agree!I lump the destiny idea in with phys...Totally agree!<BR/><BR/>I lump the destiny idea in with physical attraction. If there's nothing else, I start to wonder how long the relationship will last. <BR/><BR/>As for love at first sight...<BR/>I fell in love at first sight (I didn't believe in it until it happened - and yeah, I always feel goofy telling people I fell in love at first sight) but it then took me 5 years of getting to know the now hubby before we got married. I had to ensure we had more of a base.<BR/><BR/>There simply has to be more.Kimber Chinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13658012405712901099noreply@blogger.com