If Life Were A Romance Novel

crossposted on www.themodernmythmakers.com

Reality stinks. It really stinks. You wake up in the morning and think about how much you don’t want to go to work. Then, you look at the ceiling and realize that if you want to keep the ceiling over your head, you have to go. Sigh. Next, you arrive at work and sit in a boring meeting or listen to your boss talk about things that give you heartburn for eight hours, working between interruptions. If you’re single, you go home to an empty house or a houseful of roommates that you would really like to avoid. If you’re married, you go home to a husband and his dirty socks or to your kids and their litany of complaints. See reality stinks. Ok, ok….this might not be an everyday experience, but it is one that happens way too often for most people’s comfort.

Life would be better if it were a romance novel.

Every girl would have a hero and a happily ever after. Money wouldn’t be an issue. Small business owners wouldn’t have to worry about payroll or health insurance for their employees. Good looking, protective, honorable, single CEOs would be all over the place like autumn leaves. Ranchers and farmers would always have plenty of money. Women would always look like a million bucks and if they didn’t, the good looking CEO wouldn’t care. Love and marriage means forever.

Life would be better if it were a romance novel….or would it?

Every girl would have a major problem. A malicious stalker. A kidnapped child. A business about to be taken over. A fiancé who isn’t what he seems. An evil mother or sister that wants to cause problems. The world would be in constant peril from unseen forces, sometimes supernatural unseen forces. Every hero would have had a troubled childhood or been scarred forever by a woman. Yes, he has a successful career, but he doesn’t have anything that matters. He’s sworn off marriage, but he doesn’t really mean it. He’s just waiting for the right woman. Doesn’t that sound like a barrel of laughs for the poor unsuspecting heroine to deal with? Doesn’t she have enough problems with the malicious stalker, kidnapped child, failing business, and evil mother?

Suddenly, reality doesn’t seem to be quite that bad….

The First Installment of Vikki's Movie List

As a writer, I love old movies. The dialogue is often very crisp and flows well. Sure the special effects are nothing compared to the special effects of today, but the writing and plot are usually awesome. These are must-see movies and are listed in no particular order.

1. The Sound of Music - I love Julie Andrews. My dad introduced me to this one. I came home from church one Sunday night and he told me there was a movie on that he really thought I would enjoy. He wasn't wrong. I still love the song 16 going on 17 even though it has been years since I was 16 years old.

2. Singing In the Rain - The best ever Gene Kelly movie and I've seen a lot of them. The dancing by all three of the movie stars was spectacular. "Good morning! Good morning! Its great to stay up late! Good morning....."

3. Casablanca - As Time Goes by...Rick and Ilsa...Here's looking at you, kid. There are no words to describe this one.

4. I Was A Male War Bride - Actually, anything with Cary Grant. This one is my favorite by him though because of the spectacular humor. Not everyone can look dashing and handsome dressed as a very ugly woman.

5. It Happened One Night - Clark Gable's best movie (even better than Gone with the Wind). Claudette Colbert's way of hitchhiking was much better than Clark Gable's. The dialogue is spectacular.

I'll be adding to the list later....