As a teenager, I always loved when an author described the heroine as having tendrils of hair that had come loose from whatever updo she was wearing, be it a braid or a chignon or ponytail, etc. As I’ve gotten older, though, and had my own hair have those loose pieces more and more, I find it not so romantic.
Do the girls in books not have the problem of those hairs sticking to the back of their necks or tickling their cheeks or being an out-and-out nuisance?
I got to thinking about this more, so I began to make a list of other things that sounded romantic in the books, but I didn’t really enjoy in real life. I bet you can think of a few, too. And some of my other author friends chipped in a couple more ideas to add to mine. See if you agree with any of these (in no particular order).
- When a man digs his hands into a girl’s thick curly hair while they kiss, it sounds like something that would be nice. However, even with my mostly straight hair, sometimes when my husbands fingers burrow in, all I get is tangles and knots. Not so sweet, despite the kiss that went with it.
- I’ve noticed a lot of characters licking their lips before a kiss. Have you ever kissed someone with wet lips? Maybe my four-year-old son has ruined the image of this one for me. Ha!
- Rose petals scattered in a path through the house or all over a bed for a romantic proposal scene sounds amazing. But, now that I’m the one who has to clean my house, all it sounds like is a mess. And those things tend to leave tiny pieces you’d be finding forever.
- In college, my husband and I would go for walks even when it was freezing outside. And while the idea sounded romantic, the reality of it wasn’t because we were shivering so hard our teeth chattered. And our noses started running. And in books, that never happens, for some reason. Even when it’s below zero in the books, the characters go out for a romantic walk.
- In a similar manner, let’s talk about walks in the summer. Because, I don’t know where you live, but where I am, it’s HOT. And being outside for any length of time, including the early mornings or late evenings, if the heat doesn’t get you, the mosquitoes will. My husband hates the fourth of July for that very reason, although I always considered fireworks scenes romantic.
- In a lot of books, the man likes to use his finger to draw circles or hearts or whatever on the girl’s hand or shoulder. Having that done in real actually gives me a case of the heebie jeebies. There’s something about it that makes me cringe and I have to jerk away and ask my husband to stop. Maybe that’s just me.
- One more pet peeve of mine: electricity. In so many books now, every time the man and woman touch, electrical currents zap through their hands or arms or whatever. And all I can think about is static in the winter time. Ha! I’m actually glad that one doesn’t normally happen in real life.
Don’t get me wrong. None of this is going to keep me from reading more romance novels. I’ll probably even include a few of these in the ones I write. Because even if it’s not as romantic in real life as it is in a book, it doesn’t keep us from going back for more. ;-)
So, what do you think? Have you ever thought of any of these before? Got any to add to the list? What sounds romantic to you in fiction that doesn’t come across quite so heavenly in real life?
Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.
Never thought of most of those. Morning breath is something that rarely occurs in books either. Have a great week :)
I think walking in the summer really does depend on where you live. The think that surprised me about America was the humidity. I expected it on the coastal areas but not inland. Here early or later in the day besides the real hot days is comfortable as we don’t have much humidity. I think in books there are places where there isn’t the humidity or mozzies. or would have a location like Hawaii where a walk at sunset is beautiful.
I agree with the electricity. I get zapped from lots of cars. I don’t want that when touching someone. The tracing is not what I want either and the hair I tangle my own hair with fingers in it. Also so many women spend so much time fixing their hair that for someone to run their fingers through it would drive them mad.
Fun post and makes me think. The rose petals would be a pain to clean up and you never hear of anyone allergic to the scent. The other is the strawberries so many books mention eating strawberries or sharing them. I for one think yuck as I dislike them and cant eat them.
Lol. This post is so good. Mossies — oh horror!! And hair blowing every which way. I can’t stand hair around my face, which is why I wear it tied back. Poor guys, there’s not much romance in these scenarios. They’re gonna have to stick to chocolates and roses and opening doors….
Such a fun list.
I’ll add walks along the beach in the moonlight. It’s actually kind of unsettling.
Thanks for your reply, Dianne! I can’t think of a way to even make morning breath sound romantic! LOL!
Whew! The humidity in Tennessee this summer has been fierce! My kids don’t even want to go out and play, and it makes my hair all frizzy. :)
I love strawberries, so that one doesn’t bother me as much, but I know my husband doesn’t like them for the texture. Thanks for adding to my list.
My hair is pulled back a lot, too. I hate having it on my neck, so I understand. :)
Yikes! Sounds like a story there. :)
Oh my, I loved this and laughed out loud several times! Our family spent last Sunday on a pontoon boat. Both my daughter and I had slapped our hair up. At the end of the day, I commented that hers still looked effortless and chic, with those pretty tendrils just so, and mine…well, I definitely looked like I’d been on a boat all day in the wind…or stuck my finger in a light socket!
I am so glad I could make you laugh! And I know what you mean about the hair. I see teenagers and think, “I have never looked that put together!” :-)
What a fun post! I have naturally curly hair, so I get tangles from looking at it wrong in the mirror! I live in FL, and for the majority of the time, my hair is frizzy. Sometimes, conditions are really good, and it looks good. However, if it’s windy, forget it! I can’t stand having headbands on for very long, they will actually give me a headache, so putting my hair in a ponytail or up, is not a good thing. I can use combs to pull it back, but they don’t always stay in. Florida is HOT, and we usually have thunderstorms every afternoon, so walking after is a bit tricky, unless you like to walk in kinda deep puddles!
I understand the frizz problem. And my hair has been giving me more headaches when pulled back, too.
But I can imagine a rather romantic scene with a walk full of puddles. :-)
Hi, Amy! Fun post!
I am so with you on the “electricity” thing. Excitement is certainly a good emotional description but NOT electricity! They’ve got the wrong E word. I can understand about trying to describe the feeling in your gut from a nervous rush of adrenaline. Butterflies, flips, I’ve even seen “bats at rush hour” (or something similar) but no Spidey-sense from a simple touch.
From a man’s perspective, while I do think an up do with the curls framing the face LOOKS pretty for a lot of women, I’ve also had the experience of having long hair (and beard for that matter) and I fully understand that tangles and tickles are no fun at all.
It’s been years since I qualified for the senior discount at McDonald’s so I may be a bit jaded, but my wife and I have long had the agreement that, when it comes to grooming, we should do what’s comfortable. I may get to look at it but you have to live with it :-).
Finally, I think the rain thing is overrated. The Notebook may have conditioned us to connect passionate kisses with being soggy, but my vote is for enjoying the rain (and the kisses) from the shelter of a nice, dry porch.
I agree with all of these but like you will continue to read.
I never thought of a few of these, but I’m with you on the whole “loose tendrils of hair” thing. It sounds romantic but its really irritating in real life.
This is hilarious—and true. The runny nose one is tremendously funny. What about kissing on the beach, sitting in the sand–even on a blanket–oh, no. The sand is messy and gets everywhere!!
I always love hearing a man’s perspective. Thanks so much for chiming in. :)
Sounds like a great plan! Thanks for commenting.
I’m so glad to not be alone. ;)
Sand has to be the most annoying substance on earth! It took me two years to finally get rid of all of it the last time we went. :)
Hi Amy! Interesting blog and posts. This retiree has lived in SW Michigan within a few miles of our pristine sandy gorgeous sunset beaches. Outside of tourist season (Memorial Dat to Labor Day) walking along the shore or along the Bluff Park is romantic. Eating Pizza or ice cream or watching kids play in our splash fountain! Weddings are held at the beach. There is beauty regardless of season. Michiganders are a touch lot, especially when it comes to love! We have options for when it is too hot, too cold, or too humid. One think I also find weird is electricity when touching. Best wishes.
Thanks for commenting Renate. One day, I am going to get up there and see Michigan. It sounds lovely. Although, this sissy little southern girl may avoid it during the winter. Ha!
For the girl to fall asleep on the boy’s shoulder … it’s supposed to be nice that she uses her shoulder as a pillow and he leaves her, in books or movies she always looks pretty while she sleeps.
In real life the shoulders are hard and when you sleep there are high chances of looking unattractive: snoring, drooling or as in my case sleeping with my eyes half open … not cute hahaha.
This is so very interesting thank you for sharing with us.
I have to say that as I am reading a scene in a book, I am so absorbed into the story that I do not think of the practial issues with the the scene. When you break it down, it does make me think about it. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I have curly hair–don’t touch it. Seriously, don’t touch the curls.
Flower petals–I think of the stains left behind and what a pain it would be to remove.
Static electricity–ouch. I always seem to get the shock that hurts.
This is very interesting. I love a lot of things especially in summer no matter the time of day but it’s also due to the area I live in.
I will have to look & see if I’ve seen some of these in books I’ve read.
I am glad you enjoyed it.
Oh, that’s a great one! Yes, those shoulders seem to get harder the longer we rest 9n them, don’t they?
I am the same way. I am also, however, one of these people who see the irony in everything. It’s a blessing and a Curse!;)
I love the look of curls, but am rather glad for straight when it comes to tangles. :)
Yes. Location definitely makes a difference.
Enjoy!
Fun post, Amy. I’m with you on most of those. I always cringe in historicals when they’ve been riding the trail for days and they kiss. They must be sweaty, and stinky, and dusty.
For things that aren’t romantic, but real: I notice how no puppies ever have an accident on the floor, or chew up the heroine’s shoes or couch, or need to be walked to relieve themselves. And people too. Book people never go to the bathroom. I know that’s not something you really want to read about, but just saying they had to go and then they come back a few minutes later would make them more real :)
Very true!
Lol Amy, you made me laugh 😂
Now that you made me think about it…not so romantic any more…
I’m glad I made you laugh, but I hope I didn’t ruin the romance of it for you. That wasn’t my goal. I just wanted to have a fun/funny post. ;-)
I’ve thought of some of those, but mostly after I’ve finished the book. That’s when I realize the absurdity of certain scenes, and have a good chuckle. Great list though!
Sounds like a great time to notice things like that! Thanks for your comment. :)