I hope you all had a delightful weekend.
Saturday I helped out my friend and then shared a nice evening with the hubby. Sunday proved quiet too. Until dinner that is.
Hubby and I had a casual dinner and I was thinking of my hero's motivations for going along with the scheme that is going to bring he and the heroine together. So I decided to do something I haven't ever done before... Ask my hubby what he thought. My hero is an athlete and I wanted his opinion on if it made sense from a man's sporting stand point.
He listened-actually first he got a glazed look in his eyes, but then I assured him it was a quick question and then he listened-and asked questions and we ended up discussing the whole plot despite my assurances otherwise.
THEN, he dropped the bomb. He said he thought my hero's motivation to get involved wasn't very strong or realistic. I of course got defensive. I said it's romantic FICTION, it doesn't have to be perfectly realistic! Then, he did something I will admit still has my head spinning. He said, "What about this instead..." And he proceeded to not completely rip my plot to shreds, but to twist it into a similar, but altered story.
I sat there, asking questions, wishing his words would sound like dribble, refusing to admit that my HUSBAND had just come up with a stronger plot than me. Then, I finally gave in and smiled.
Presuming the worst of me, he said, "Let me guess... You think I'm an idiot and you're going to do it your way. That's fine. You asked, I shared that's all I can do."
So I called him a Turkey and said, very begrudgingly, "actually, I really like it."
He then of course demanded 50% of the profit if I sell it. I reminded him we're married and what's mine is his and his mine.
I have no idea how that happened. But I'll tell you what. I'm really impressed.
Who would have guessed?
I would say he even surprised himself, but he's too busy thinking he's "da bomb" so it would be a lie.
Either way, he didn't act like he was going to collapse due to boredom from listening to me talk about my story and he actually took the time to hear what I said and do something way beyond my expectations.
Of course, the last thing he said was, "This doesn't mean you're going to tell me EVERY idea you get does it?"
Men.
So I'm wondering... Was this an aberration or do other hubbies help out on the writing front?
April
PS Thanks to my hubby's insight, I erased 1200 words, but added another 3500 or so. Now I'm at 5750! Woo Hoo!!
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9 comments:
My hubby tries very hard to find something else really important to do when I start talking plot (not that I plot a whole lot anyway).
He is slightly more helpful when I'm writing paranormal or something - he reads a lot more fantasy than I do so sometimes he can stear me in different directions - or at least give me book suggestions that might help!
But really, your hubby deserves extra hugs for that!
I guess I'm lucky that my husband actually seems interested when I discuss plot with him. He even reads some of my work, although it must have the requisite love scene or I can't get him to the computer. He did help me sort out a kink in the plot a few months ago. I was soooooooo impressed.
My husband is proud of my writing, he encourages me, he's thrilled when I tell him the good stuff, sympathetic when I tell him the bad stuff.
But he doesn't read my work and we really don't talk about the actual books I write. I think he feels better that he DOESN'T know exactly what kind of naughty stuff I write. LOL
I think it's great your husband helped you! Maybe you two could be a writing duo. ;)
How awesome! My husband never wants to talk about my writing except to say stop spending so much money on books. :-)
I have several friends whose husbands do help though.
That's great he helped you out - nothing like a team effort!
My DH is a pretty creative guy, so when I ask for help he usually has some ideas. I consider him to be a good resource.
DH is very supportive, but he usually gets the glaze-over when I start talking! :) I once read my first chapter outloud onto a voice recorder, and he liked listening to that.
Sometimes we'll talk about my stories... and he'll offer an idea... and I'm usually like, "hmmm... maybe in another book." lol
My hubby is supportive of my writing, but he could never plot with me like that. It isn't his thing at all. He doesn't even like to read. I think thats really great your hubby helped with your idea!!
Ah April this made me smile the first time you told me and does once again! I love it! I can't imagine opening my plots up to my hubby's ... comments! Way to go! And way to go to the hubby, though it sounds like he's still patting himself on the back. ;)
Oh and just so you know, I'm dancing on the word count!!!! :)
Cole
My dh usually makes stupid comments when I talk about my books - his way of telling me to shut up about it, I guess. The ds has come up with a couple of good ideas, though.
Lest you think the dh is a jerk, he's taken me to 5 conferences and not complained.
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