What Do You Write?

I pause whenever I'm asked this question. If I know you read romance, I'll answer that I write humorous Regencies and contemporaries. For everyone else, I'll say I write romantic comedy.

But the more complete answer is this: I'm writing stories that will hopefully cancel out a craptastic day. Or month. Or a span when life is repeatedly kicking you in the tender spots.

Don't get me wrong. I truly value those books and movies that bring forth the big-time wails during rough times. (A bag of Hershey kisses, a box of tissues, and bawling through the thirtieth viewing of Somewhere in Time? Oh yeah, definitely therapeutic.)

Some days, though, I need a different way to make it through life's assorted aggravations.

Many years ago, I had such an awful day at work that I couldn't shake off the anger and irritation once I got home. I spent the entire commute plotting terrible things to the many recipients of my justifiable wrath. A glass of wine couldn't dislodge my ire. Chocolate knew better than to even try.

I decided to watch a movie a co-worker had lent me, before I misplaced it and had to buy a replacement copy. I had impossibly low expectations of this movie, and planned to grumble through it before returning it the next day with a shrug and a half-hearted thumbs up.

How could I hope to enjoy something called Ace Ventura: Pet Detective?

I don't remember much about it anymore, but I do recall the opening sequence where Jim Carrey is playing a delivery person. He gleefully does everything to that package that he should NOT be doing: kicking it, dropping it, you name it. It was over-the-top, but I started to chuckle. And then giggle. When he put the package inside the closing elevator doors, smashing and thrashing it repeatedly? I lost it. There might have been an unladlylike snort (or two). I had to rewatch that sequence even though I couldn't catch my breath from laughing so hard the first time. After a few minutes I couldn't remember why I was so out of sorts earlier.

And that's what I'm hoping to do with my books.

I want to divert you, for a little while, from the irritating moments in your day. If my humorously-ever-after romances can make you laugh, and fan your face during the smexy times. . .

I'll be as giddy as a delivery person squishing parcels in an elevator.

Comments

[Mae Clair]

Mission accomplished, Donna. You always leave me with grins, chuckles and a few fanning the face moments :) I'm especially fond of your Regency romps, but I'm prone to giggle over anything you put your pen too.

And thanks for the memories of Ace Ventura. I'd forgotten what a silly, fun, entertaining movie that was!

[Donna Cummings]

Thanks, Mae! I'm glad I can make you laugh and fan your face. I tend to see most things in a humorous light, so I'm lucky that I have characters that do too. :) Now Endora is another story. . . LOL

[Quantum]

Donna, that 'bad day at the office' sounds horrendous!

This sort of thing happens to the best of us though. I remember the Queen's Christmas talk to the nation in 1992 (I think), referring to an "annus horribilis" .... The Princess Royal and Captain Phillips were divorced, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York separated, and Windsor Castle went up in flames.

No idea whether the Queen writes fiction to unwind, but it sounds a great way to escape from some of the harsher realities around us.

Wishing you an Annus Magnificus for 2015!

Been kinda busy lately but I've missed you and your writing. :)

[Donna Cummings]

Q, it's so good to see you! I've missed you too. I was just thinking it had been so long since you'd been here, I figured you'd won the lottery and retired in Fiji. :)

I remember that "annus horribilis"! The Queen needed Ace Ventura to take her mind off things. LOL

And thanks for the "Annus Magnificus" wishes. I'm returning the same to you. :) Here's hoping you can stop by again soon. I'm going to try to blog a little more regularly again--all while trying to write a zillion books. LOL