Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A lovely turn of phrase or simply pretty words without a story?

Only a weak man and a woman who has never had to rely on another for her livelihood are able to find contemptible a woman who seeks to better her lot by marrying well.

This seems the sort of thing my grandmother would say, only I can’t remember her saying it and I don’t feel I have the right to it, but it’s with me so I aught to do something with it.

There is a practical widow in my first novel Ellesmere that I feel is well suited to these words, only I don’t know if she is the sort to give into the folly of love after burying two husbands. Besides, she has three little girls and a teenaged sister she must launch into society.

Maybe, I’ll have a man say it. Only what sort of creature would he be, to have such a statement assigned to him besides, progressive and quite possibly, my absolute favourite person in the world?

I like the idea that a man would be the one to say these words. It even has a base in my line of consciousness for it makes me think of a Sydney Pollack film or that hybrid fellow George Clooney made of the good men in his Goodnight and Good Luck.

You know, the sort of male to whom I’m referring... Someone reminiscent of Robert Redford in Three Days of the Condor. A man who is well aware of his role and the weight of words. I’ll make a genuine attempt now to cast the parts and see if I can’t flush out a story worthy of these words.

I hope you're having a lovely week,
Simone

19 comments:

  1. Hm, yes a man could say this, I could see him. Of course that widow you talked about sure sounds interesting too

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  2. Yes, I think the hero should say this phrase. I think heroes of romance novels should be more progressive than their fellows. That's what makes them heroes.

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  3. my 2 cents...

    I would think that, in addition to the qualities you've already mentioned, that this would be a man to whom nothing has been handed, but who understands that one must do what one must do in order to survive and survive well in the world. A man who is pragmatic without being superfluously cruel, and a man who has compassion, without being sloppy.

    In a word, Cyrus MacNaughton-Filligree, scion of the famous Filligree firearms family. Okay, I made that last up. I couldn't stop myself.

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  4. A man who could pull off that line and that thinking would be a worthy man :)

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  5. Simone, your book sounds intriguing! Especially if there is a Robert Redford/George Clooney in the mix.

    Hope your new year is going well.

    xo Naomi

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  6. Oh, definitely a man. Perhaps a wealthy one who is trying to convince a woman whom Society sees as better than him to marry him...

    Whichever way you decide to go with it, I'm sure it will be lovely. I look forward to hearing where it goes. :)

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  7. ;-)
    I'm hooked! Great words, and I can't wait to find out who they belong to.
    xoxo

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  8. Robert Redford looks mighty fine in that photograph I have to say! He sounds perfect! By the way, i have something for you on my blog. I have your award coming up soon, thank you again for it. Oh where is the time flying?

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  9. The right man could easily say it.

    I haven't seen Three Days of the Condor in years. It may be high time to give it a spin again.

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  10. That is such an honest phrase and insightful observation. It's well suited for a period piece, and yet I'm want to think that it holds true in modern societies. And therein lies the key to a timeless work! I'm confident that you'll find the proper place and person to fit it in!

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  11. I agree, Robert is tasty, umhmmm. The phrase is interesting, I had to read it twice. I see a slightly cocky man saying this, perhaps with a glint of humor in his eye.

    You have such a great way with words!

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  12. I can see you putting this phrase to good use with the proper gentleman saying it at just the right moment. Good luck.

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  13. Don't feel obliged to make this man super progressive; he need only be a realist. Reason can come from surprising sources.

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  14. Yes, I know the sort of man you are referring too.
    Have a great week Simone, I hope all is well.

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  15. Beautiful words, no matter who says them. They ring so true even today.

    ann

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  16. That is a really difficult question you pose with your text. I almost felt I should judge but then I thought no one deserves to be judged - I am not perfect either.

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  17. I definitely like the idea of a man saying that - but in what context, I don't know. There are a few scenarios that would work but all with a different resulting tone.

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  18. I'm grateful to each of you for your advice and kind encouragement. I'll be sure to let you know what becomes of the words.
    All my very best,
    Simone

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