If the Shoe Fits...

By A. Faris

My idea of perfect shoes is Dorothy’s red glitter shoes tarted up with nine-inch stilettos, comfortable enough to go dancing all night in without giving me blisters and foot ache.

The first part is doable as I discovered in trying to satisfy my yearning. Apparently, I’m not alone in the desire for red glitter heels. But the second… almost as difficult as finding your own real-life typical alpha male romance novel hero. Or is it?

Delving into hearsay and personal experiences, a charge often leveled at romance novels is the unrealistic expectations they set women up for. ‘Don’t be too picky’, ‘there’s no perfect man [like in romances]’ and ‘Life’s not a fairy-tale [like romance novels]’ are bits of well-meaning advice offered by friends and family.

Let’s start with over six-feet. How many men do you know are over six feet? Me, personally, I know 2. Of say, 100 male acquaintances.  That makes it a 2% chance.

Of those two, both are pretty fit. So, we are still at a 2% chance of meeting a fit, six-footer.

Then, we have nice/sympathetic/not a complete arse. All right, those two are rather nice blokes. We’re still at 2% to marry/settle down with a fit six-footer who is not a dick.

One I met when he was married (and not being a dick, was not interested in me). The other had made flirtatious remarks while single. Let’s count that as vague possible interest, never mind utter devotion/only have eyes for you, shall we?

So, we’ve gone down to 1% chance to getting a real-life typical alpha male romance novel hero.

Do women really stay single in hopes of that one in hundred chance? I think not; the world is still being populated, after all. For all that, enjoyable as it is to sigh over or dream about perfection, there is a last factor before the happily-ever after.

Love, which cannot be predicted, despite the ideal.

At the end of the shopping day, I fell for a pair of gold flat-soled sandals.

And that six-footer of mutual flirtage? I fell for a 5’6” softie instead whom I married and still love (in between arguments and ‘working things through’) after ten years. 

 Wings of a Butterfly

An escape to another place and time with better plumbing and brasserie? Away from a dominance contest one helped start? Sounds like a bloody good idea. 

Elizabeth Wentworth certainly thinks so when she goes on holiday to twenty-first century Madrid—in fact, it’s that very sort of thinking that leads her to sign up for 1NightStand’s matchmaking services. One night of pleasure, with no thought of duty, heartbreak or Pack law, just a pander to her desires.

But falling in love? Not an option.

Damien Chassange, carefree, unconventional, and Packless, is the perfect partner in her foray to self-indulgence.

If only he wasn’t her mate....

First Loves

by A. Faris

I still remember it - the pounding of the heart, the sleepless nights, the rustling of blood in the veins. I held the corner of the page, in preparation to turn it, willing my eyes, my brain to work faster so that I can get to the end quicker. I was thirteen, and reading Issac Asimov's Foundation.

You see, my earliest memories of books were decidedly not fond. Books for young children did not interest me even then. I'd thought Enid Blyton puerile when I was six. Things have changed since but back then, all I had were Malory Towers, St. Clare's and their ilk, whose characters with their holier-than-thou attitudes I detested (still do). They were invariably good, in the sickening, unbelievable 'Perfect Peter' (of Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry) good. What can I say? I was more Horrid Henry than Perfect Peter and no books reflected that reality. Not surprising then, I detested having to read especially since it was something mandated by 'the adults'. Then, on a school visit to the library (another dreary boring trip), I picked up a book that looked vaguely interesting. Little did I know then that that book would completely change my life.

From a book hater, I read everything....because no matter how unpromising the start, it could be another love. Could be. I am still searching for that elusive feeling, that first moment of dawning realization, of utter fascination and newness. A junkie always looking for a new high, I could say, but there are worse habits to pick up. I like a good many stories, but there are very few that make me feel that way. In the ensuing years, only five did : Foundation (Issac Asimov), Dumb Martian (John Wyndham), The Rocket Man (Ray Bradbury), Hamlet (Shakespeare) and A Precious Jewel (Mary Balogh). These are the ones that I feel deeply for, every time I re-read them, even while I admire and enjoy other narratives in their many forms.

I would love to know which stories have changed your life? Or made you feel so deeply as to leave a lasting impression? It may be a movie, a book, a poem, a short story, a biopic. Anything, really.

Leave your email address (e.g. farisDOTwritesATgmailDOTcom, to avoid bots) with your comment if you'd like to enter today's draw of one of my books (winner's choice).

A. Faris is the author of time-travel paranormal romances Out of Joint, Wings of a Butterfly and Last Christmas. The Golden Harp, a re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk, is her latest release.

Wings of a Butterfly Playlist

Writing my latest short for the 1NS series had seen a reconnect with some old loves, and discoveries of new. Here goes (part of) my playlist:

Baby - Justin Bieber feat Ludacris

 A constant staple, this bubblegum is laced with narcotic, I tell you. Funny thing, to date, I have not liked any other Bieber song.

Cuando Me Enamoro - Enrique Iglesias y Juan Luis Guerra

 Enrique returns from hiphop hell! Hurray for longtime fans who'd been there since his first eponymous album.

Si pudiera bajarte una estrella del cielo

Lo haría sin pensarlo dos veces, porque te quiero, ay

Y hasta un lucero, ay

If I could get a star from the sky for you
I would do it without second thoughts

[And] Because I love you
I would reach the stars

Niña Bonita - Chino y Nacho

A combination of upbeat tunes and sweet lyrics to keep this author amused.

Te queda pequeña la frase "Te quiero"

Por eso mis labios te dicen "Te amo"

The words "I like you" are not enough

That's why my lips say "I love you"

Nel blu di pinto di blu (Volare) - Domenico Modugno

Love this song in all its iterations from Gipsy Kings to Luciano Pavarotti, but Modugno's version suits the mood of Wings of a Butterfly.

Abhi Kuch Dino Se - Mohit Chauhan (from the movie Dil To Baccha Hai Ji)

Like Bieber's Baby, I need some pop to rein in sentimentality. A feel-good Bollywood pop number usually does the trick.

Amor Imposible - El Duo con Clase

Er, a song titled Impossible Love. How can it not be perfect for a story about two people meeting for a brief, perfect night and separated by time?

Loca - Shakira ft. El Cata

Dance, or die. Heh. 'Nuff said.

 If any of these intrigue you, they are all on YouTube. Have fun!

A hat tip to the master (and an apology)

Hamlet

Act 2, Scene 2

Polonius: What do you read, my lord?


Hamlet: Words, words, words.

            Out of Joint takes its title from Hamlet, is set in Victorian England, and involves time paradoxes. Not what you would call a typical romance, I guess, but that is the beauty of the internet age: atypical romances gets the chance to see the light of day with epublishing.

            Getting to the light, however, has taken some hair-pulling, cursing and a lot of wishing I had never thought of writing a time travel story in the first place. And I ended up with two (Wings of a Butterfly, part of the 1NS series). You know that bit where God laughs at you? Am feeling it.

            Much is made of inspiration, the muse(s; nine of them!) and originality (or lack thereof). While I'd like to think I came up with all this stuff all by my lonesome, let's face it, standing on the shoulders of giants here. I can certainly see bits of what I read and watch in my own writings. Let's take a peek into this author's favourites, then:

           

Movie: How to Marry a Millionaire

Book Adaptation: ITV's Northanger Abbey

TV series: Dr. Who (but of course.)

Comedy series: Gavin and Stacey

Book: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Book (Classics): North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Book (Romance): A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh

Book (Science Fiction): Foundation by Issac Asimov

Book (Crime Fiction): The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry

Book (Teen): The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Short Story: Dumb Martian by John Wyndham

            You can sort of guess what kind of person I am, ha ha.

            But just like Hamlet can be interpreted in many ways, all the things that I am influenced by gets filtered through my (somewhat dirty) mind and voila, a time travel, historical romance. At the end of the day, it's the ride that matters. And, damn, it has been a good ride for me. Hope you enjoy it, too.

            Oh, and Willsie, sorry, eh, if you'd rather not be associated with a romance of little acclaim.

            (Somehow, though, I do not think he'd mind.)

            So, what are some of your favourites? I love to read favourites lists, and read/watch the things on them, too. Do share!

A. Faris is the author of Out of Joint and the upcoming, Wings of a Butterfly. You can find her online at http://afariswrites.wordpress.com/, where she talks about books (usually not her own) and movies (no way her own).

Fairytales are not just for kids...

by A. Faris

Re-reading fairytales as an adult, now that I am a mom, I realize that many fairytales have dark subtexts. If one goes back to the original stories – not the cleaned up 'It's a wonderful world' Disney-esque versions, you'd quickly realize that fairytales are not just happily-ever-afters. They are rich and complex, with much to mine from them.

Good does not always win...and heroes and heroines are not always perfect beings. The Little Mermaid killed herself for love, Goldilocks was a housebreaker, and the list goes on.

I can appreciate why adults feel compelled to wash out such dark themes for children – I, for one, do not want to explain to my three year old why The Little Mermaid killed herself - but they become pale imitations of their selves. The only danger in that, however, is if the orginal stories are lost to us and only the children's versions survive.

What fairytales leave us is, thankfully, a gold mine of ideas and themes that can be re-visted. Obeserve the Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner, the reiterations of 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Red Riding Hood', 'Cinderella', to name a few, in romances, and the fairytale-like stories of AS Byatt (with decidedly adult themes). There is a reason why these stories remain with us through the times, to be enjoyed over lifetimes.

A. Faris is the author of 'The Golden Harp', a retelling of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and 'Out of Joint', a historical paranormal, soon to be released by Decadent Publishing!

7 Not-So-Deadly Facts about A. Faris

Just the Facts? Here's a confessional:

1. Wrath – Nothing gets on my nerves more easily than a bad movie adaptation of a good book. Worst offender thus far, Jumper. The book by Steven Gould was butchered.

2. Greed – No matter how many perfumes I have (a lot!), there is always room for more, I say. I dress that up as 'perfumista', but we all know what that really means, right? Why have a signature scent when you can have one for every occasion? And weather. And dress....

3. Sloth – A cold winter's day and I turn into Jabba the Hutt. Without Boba Fett hanging around my skip, sadly.

4. Pride – I am actually quite proud of being disciplined enough to finish a book! And that it is about to be published!

5. Lust – Adrien Brody, Shahid Kapoor, Eric Bana, James Franco, Orlando Bloom, Gael Garcia Bernal...For the longest time I have denied my weakness for dark-haired men. I liked to think I am an equal opportunist. But when even Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio leaves me cold, I think it is time to admit defeat. Now I say, give me tall, dark and handsome, any day. :)

6. Envy – Shoe envy, bag envy...is there such a thing as book envy? Book envy is a book of utter resonance and, to you, anyway, brilliance that you wish you have written it. The book I wish I could write is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

7. Gluttony – Chocolates are my weakness. Once, I had gone from a 24-inch waist to a 32 in a year because of chocolates (and stress). Glad those days are behind me! Still, the occasional Green & Black's will not hurt anyone, right? So I keep telling myself.

Spotlight Sunday with A. Faris

How did you start writing? When did you start?

When I was a little girl, I read somewhere (Boy, I think) that Roald Dahl had a little red notebook where he jotted down all his ideas. Thinking this was a smashing idea, I adopted the practice, although my notebooks usually featured self-made covers of interests du jour. These notebooks piled up and over the years, amassed to indecent proportions. Each reflected changing interests, and, after puberty hit, a definate leaning towards romance. I would not say that there was a particular time when I started writing, because it has always been something fun and necessary, at the same time, but certainly the red notebook idea had been the start of a semblance of organization in my writing.

When in the day/night do you write? How long per day?

Definately nights, after my son goes to bed. I get a solid five hours, on a good night. On bad nights, I fall asleep at the computer.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Waking up the next morning.

Where do you research for your books?

A variety of sources. I am a major fan of the library, and have been lucky enough to have access to great ones where I live. The internet can be a pretty good resource, especially online courses run by the universities, which also give me access to databases.

What is your favorite color?

Ultramarine. Most specifically, the natural pigment used in painting, such as, in (a favourite of mine) Sassoferrato's, The Virgin in Prayer

If you could be an animal, what would it be?

My first instinct was monkey, because of the opposable thumbs (very important!) but I balked at the bum scratching. Final answer will be koala. Eat, sleep, with little chance of getting shot at, fished, or poisoned.

What question do you wish was on this list? Your answer?

What is the best writing tip you have found?

Set yourself an achievable daily word target and meet them. It is easier to write 500 words a day than to write 2500 words over a weekend. I read this a long time ago on the eHarlequin (on Writing) website, and it is a rule I write by.