Current Project: Derby book
Status: In progress
I just realized last night that it's been about a month since I've read a romance novel. Many of you will understand how crazy that is, and may possibly want to have my head examined. I guess it's that I'm spending all of my extra time reading nonfiction for my thesis. My brain is so wiped by the end of each day that I can't get myself to pick up a novel for pleasure.
GASP.
But, when I was pondering this, I also noticed that I have watched a ton of chick flicks lately. I like to have the TV going when I'm doing homework. I swear I've seen "You've Got Mail" three or four times in the past few weeks. I don't dislike chick flicks, but they are rarely my first choice in movie watching. I go toward comedy or horror movies first most of the time. However, I have probably watched at least a dozen chick flicks since I last read a romance novel.
This tells me that I've programmed myself to crazy all that is romance. I need the elements found in a (cheerful) romantic story to maintain my equilibrium. I need to see the conflict, how the characters move past it, the drama that ensues, all leading ot a happily ever after. Yes - it needs a happily ever after. Ones that exclude that element don't do it for me.
I'm hoping to spend some time with a novel this weekend, if I can get a good chunk of my school reading done. But I'm sure there's going to be a few chick flicks between now and then *eyes the Netflix envelopes that came in the mail.*
Have you ever noticed a trend like this? I'm refusing to acknowledge or investigate possible links to my state of my in regards to the topic of, gulp, dating. So, for now, I'm making the connection that I've veered away from a major part of my life so my brain has found another way to get its fix.
10 comments:
This is interesting, Lisa.
I find when I'm reading for research, like I've been doing the last month, I tend to watch more lighthearted shows or romantic comedies.
I'm looking forward to getting on with the writing this week.
Hmm...I have no idea. Though my CP told me after reading my latest proposal that I need to stop watching movies like LOTR and Narnia and Gladiator. (Actually, she said I was blood thirsty but that may be a topic for another blog).
I go in reading waves though, I know that for sure. Some weeks all I do is read. And others...nuthin'. Depends on my mood. I'm currently staring at my RITA stack wondering when I'm going to get all those read.
I watch movies and read books in waves. Something catches my attention and I go with it until I've watched or read everything in that genre for weeks. Then I also get food binges. Right now it's chocolate flavored coffee and deli pickles. Not together, and flim noir.
Linda, I'm glad you included the info that you DO NOT sit down on the couch with a big fat garlic dill and a hot mug of mocha (shudder). LOL.
I haven't been reading romance or RS for months. I've been barely been reading any fiction. I don't know why. It's weird and I don't appreciate it. Right now I am reading John Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie as before bed reading material and sometimes I look at a magazine. I hope this siege stops SOON.
I love I've Got Mail. I never thought of it as a chick flick, but of course, you're right, it is. I guess we read or watch whatever our brains are capable of absorbing and a movie you can listen to like music on the stereo and look up at only occasionally when a favorite part comes along (I love the elevator scene) makes perfect sense to me as a homework companion.
The last food thing I went on was martinis. I drank them for about six months and then stopped. What was that all about? (I figure maybe it was the olives. There was a line in an old TV show where an actress tells the waiter to bring her a martini with lots of olives, "Just go blackhawk down with the toothpick," she admonished, and I think it's what got me started. Monster in Law, where Jane Fonda swills martinis may have been what got me stopped!)
As a fellow student, I too am forced to read only sometimes. It's so wrong! The schools try to be all promote-y about reading, but then they load you up with homework, leaving you standing with a pile of crap going "What the heck did I do?" It's so stupid. And evil.
I seem to have a good balance of genre, but almost everything I read or watch has romance in it. It's just something I love so much, and so strongly believe in. And I have to have happy endings, too! Otherwise I feel cheated and get upset. I mean, what's the point of the journey if you don't triumph and gain your ultimate dream?
Elisabeth, I'm surprised it took your editor this long to realize you were blood-thirsty. She just could've asked my mom. ;) ROFL!
Alice, the word "swill" is enough to make me not want to eat anything. :P
Oh, by the way... Am I the only one not grossed out by the idea of drinking some yummy cocoa and eating a super awesome pickle at the same time? Hmm... Must be the teen in me. :D
I love the idea of pickles and hot chocolate!!!
Right now, I am in a serious phase of the past several months where I don't want to read new stuff that isn't a grand-slam-out-of-the-park and I've been re-reading my top favorite books. It feels weird to be going so long between new stuff. I think this is a signal that I'm craving comfort and familiarity. Also that I have gotten darn picky.
When I was in grad school I used to starve myself--no books during the term, and then gorge like crazy on the breaks. Now, I look back and I think, "You could have just kept a book next the bed . . . "
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I'm sort of craving a dill pickle and some cocoa right now...
I hear ya, Lisa. I go through spurts too. Lately, all I've been reading are health books and websites. It's fun and I'm learning a lot, but it's also put me off from reading or writing right now. I go through this sort of thing all the time. I'll get my fill of educational material soon and pop open a romance again I'm sure. Until then, I'm soaking up the brain food.
Eli-- Yes, you are a blood thirsty wench. But, that's why we love you and find you so interesting. Life would be boring without you, my dear. ;)
Linda-- I LOVE pickles with anything. I could totally eat pickles and chocolate or pickles and cheese. Same difference to me. It's all YUM! LOL
Alice-- It's not the gin, it's the olives. Just like pickles, they satisfy. YUM!
Katie--ROFLMAO, you are soooo my daughter! Let's have hot cocoa and pickles when you get home from school and talk about Elisabeth's thirst for blood. ;)
Wavy-- Of course you love the idea of pickles and chocolate; you're PREGGERS!!! LOL
Lisa-- I'll see if I can bring pickles and chocolate to the retreat. *snort!*
Well, it sounds like a plan, Pipermom! ;) LOL Let's also have broccoli and BBQ sauce. EEWW! XD
Katie-- Okay, um-- yeah ewww. I guess I need to get off my butt and actually teach you how to cook if you think broccoli and BBQ sauce is a possible food combo LOL. Now, pass the chocolate covered pickles! ;)
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