In honor of Valentine’s Day next week, I thought I’d post about kissing. I enjoy sharing kisses (with my DH, of course), reading about kisses, and watching kisses. But I am NOT a fan of writing kisses. And yes, this is ironic, given that I write historical romances.
I like writing the scene the kiss takes place in, but for some reason, I dread/stumble through penning the actual kiss itself. If only I could convey the emotion and sweet passion of my favorite of all fictional kisses from the BBC miniseries North and South, based on the book by Elizabeth Gaskell.
The hero and the heroine are very much opposed to each other throughout the story. Then, at the very end, they are reunited at a train station – he’s just been to her old house and she’s on her way to go see him about a business proposition. They sit down on a train bench and talk, while the hero stares tenderly at the heroine. Filled with equal tenderness, the heroine lifts his hand to her lips and kisses it. Then the hero leans in, cups her face between his hands, and hallelujah, they kiss at last.
So what’s your favorite fictional kiss? What makes it good? Is it the emotion, the actual words, the characters or something else?
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Ahhh! I don't know. But I think you did a great job right then Stacie! Um, I think it's the build-up to the kiss, and maybe the emotion. I'm pretty sure I suck at kisses. So why are you asking me anyway? YOU'RE the romance writer!
I think it's the history the characters have. If they come right in the first couple pages and start kissing I don't get a chance for the awwww factor (usually). I'm not a fan of writing kisses either, I usually send them straight to my writing buddy to make sure they aren't awkward and cheese filled.
maybe i'm totally off.. but i think a lot of it is the wait/build-up. in a relationship- guys need a chase, and we need the build up and anticipation. it makes things so much more worth while. you almost have to tease the reader, make them in a sense 'work for it'. does that sound right? lol well now that i feel ridiculous.. have a lovely day!
That is my favorite fictional kiss ever!! I LOVE that movie! I think what makes it work for me is all the build up to get them to that point. There is so much tension between the two of them through the whole movie–all the little looks and everything. And I love the heartbroken look on his face in his reflection when he thinks she's left to go back to London. Ah. Sigh. But not only that, there is also the fact that over the course of the movie, I've come to care about the characters and I want them to be together and to be happy. Anyway, there's my opinion, for what it's worth. 🙂
Thank you all for your insights! I'm definitely feeling less stressed about writing future kissing scenes. 🙂