It's Sunday, it's Edith, and I have a question for you.
Now, I've heard people say that readers and writers of Romance fiction are really readers and writers of Science Fiction/Fantasy, because of Happy Endings, Perfect Love, the whole "Ever After" concept, and….
those heroes of ours. Strong. Handsome, (or if not conventionally so, then wildly attractive anyway.) Smart. Rich, or about to be so. And Perceptive. Able to know what a woman feels, and wants. (and able to deliver it.)
We all have our favorites, going back to Sir Lancelot (though I always thought he was a bit too good for his own good) Romeo (So young! So impulsive! Oh, grow up!) Mr. Darcy (Sure, he falls for Our Heroine, but catch him at a PTA meeting? I don't think so.) Mr. Rochester (Wonderful in fiction, but all that sulking?) and on and on and etcetera.
But pray let us get real. We have our heroes in Fiction, whether they be novelistic or cinematic. Here's the poser: Did you ever meet anyone in real life who reminded you of someone you secretly adored in fictional life? Not only the heroic guys, but even someone you knew was unsuitable for the long term? A Captain Sparrow? An Indy Jones? The gorgeous dolt in "Cold Comfort Farm"?
Confession: Once, in my impetuous youth, I went out with a ringer for young Brando in "Streetcar." A real-life Stanley Kowalski. Thrilling. Until I realized he wasn't kidding. He wasn't amusing us both by putting me on. He really was that dumb. Ah me.
So: Did you go out with a Hero? Did you eventually decide to ditch him? Or did you marry one? Mind, not a fella who acted like a hero after you knew him, but one that immediately reminded you of one. In short, were your romantic choices ever influenced by what you read and saw in the movies?
Really? What happened? Do tell!