I'm infamous for how quickly I develop, and un-develop, a crush. Before the rest of the world realizes who I'm crushing on, the euphoria has fizzled, and I've moved on to some other lucky recipient.
So, before that happens here, I felt it was necessary to devote some blog space to the wondrousness known as Richard Armitage. Even though I do not have anyone else in my sights (just yet), I can feel the obsessive nature of my feelings starting to wane.
Now don't get me wrong. I still have a great deal of fondness for him. A rather large amount in fact.
I'm just acknowledging that I've probably peaked when it comes to RA, and it's my goal to let him down gradually, so he has time to become accustomed to me moving on to my next crush.
It's not you, Richard. It's moi.
However, I'm sure he will be gratified to learn how he assisted in the development of Hugh, the hero of my current WIP.
I happen to follow an RA fan site on Twitter, and they happened to link to a 2011 calendar they had created and posted online. Just so they wouldn't think their efforts were in vain, I moseyed on over and checked out the calendar.
Wouldn't you know it, November (yes, MY birthday month!) had this lovely pic. It's obvious it deserved more than just a cursory glance. I left it up on my computer, so I could look at it when my eyes needed a rest from staring at words on the screen.
I was working on Lord Wastrel, my NaNo book, and every few hundred words, I would switch over to see how Richard was doing. I didn't want him to feel neglected, but I had to make it clear that my writing has the highest priority. During one of my "visits", when my eyes landed on his rakishly long hair and penetrating gaze, I realized how perfectly he epitomized my hero Hugh.
Granted, we've got a 200 year disconnect, since Richard is wearing 21st century clothing in this pinup, er, I mean, picture. But something connected the wayward synapses in my brain, because all at once I saw him dressed in Regency-era attire, bantering with my heroine, Felicia, while falling helplessly in love.
Sigh.
But wait, there's more!
How would YOU like to hear The Divine Mr. Armitage reading from Georgette Heyer's work? Until I can purchase the entire audiobook, I can only offer a snippet for your aural pleasure. His voice is not only yummy, it is completely suited for a story from the Queen of Regency Romance. I can only hope he records more Heyer books before I have this particular sample memorized.
Even my muse Endora found plenty of reasons to hang around, and cooperate, when these audio and visual aids were in use. She also had a lot less criticism to offer than usual, which I guess is her way of saying she approved of my inspirational crush. Either that or she's plotting something, and I don't think it's my WIP.
You know, it's funny, but it seems my crush is not waning after all. In fact, I would say it's stronger than ever. It just needed a little refresh, a chance to remember why I fell in lust in the first place.
How could I not have a crush on the man who is inspiring me to dive back into my manuscript?
Have you had someone in real life inspire one or more of your characters? Tell us who it is, and why. Share all the juicy details!
Ah, well...Geoffrey rush inspired Captain Alan Silvestri, and after seeing "The Warrior's Way" yesterday, I feel even better I made the right choice! ;-)
Posted by: Maureen | December 17, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Oh! Loved this! I think I spent a perfect hour or so reading this blog...maybe those seamless diversions to the tempting Richard had something to do with it also! :) He is certainly hero worthy inspiration. I may have to borrow him since you are moving on to the next crush. Oh, that's right, you changed your mind. LOL
I should find a real person for inspiration for my hero because I realize my hero for my stories is the nearly the same person physically -- absolutely wonderful, but I might see more differences if I had that visual aid. :)
Posted by: Melissa | December 17, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Maureen, I can see where Geoffrey Rush would be the inspiration. :) I haven't seen "The Warrior's Way", so now I'll have to check that out, so I can do a comparison.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 17, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Melissa, I'm glad you got to enjoy this treat, especially since you're getting a well-deserved break from school right now!
And we can time-share. :) I'm certain our inspiration works different hours, so that should be a good solution!
I don't generally have a real-person inspiration, so this kind of surprised me. I usually combine personality aspects of the people I find appealing, and they somehow turn into something on the page that intrigues me.
But hey, nothing wrong with visual aids! LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 17, 2010 at 11:23 AM
I'm listening to this snippet even while I type. Could you imagine that voice whispering in your ear? *sigh*
Sorry, didn't mean to drool on your blog. *wipes up small puddle*
I don't typically find real people that inspire my heroes, but if I did, it would have to be some unknown I found on the net somewhere. I can't use actors as I'd feel like I was writing that person or herhaps a character they've played, instead of writing the person dancing around in my brain.
But as you say, nothing wrong with visual (or audible) aids.
Posted by: Terri Osburn | December 17, 2010 at 01:16 PM
*hands Terri a box of tissues*
Wait. I need one of those for myself now. LOL Yeah, I think I might go a little insane if that voice were whispering in my ear. But hey, wouldn't it be worth it? :)
I know exactly what you mean about not using actors. I typically don't either. And in fact, I'm not doing that here--I don't really visualize my hero as RA. But he definitely inspired something inside my brain. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 17, 2010 at 01:33 PM