 On this week’s edition of Romance Writers Weekly blog, Jeanne McDonald asks: “What is one of your favorite quotes from your book(s). Explain the reason why it's your favorite and its significance to the story and characters.” If you’ve joined me from Fiona Riplee, welcome! When I first read this topic I was like pffft – easy peasy! I’ll use the opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice. I think it is one of the most perfect sentences ever written in the English language, and so beautifully encapsulates, in an ironic way, the entire theme of the book. Excellent! Then I re-read the topic and saw the word your. A favourite quote from one of my own books? This easy task now became almost impossible. And not for a good reason. Not because I have so many favourite quotes that I don’t know where to start. But because I cannot think of one off the top of my head. Not a single one. So now I’m scrambling. How to fulfill this week’s assignment? I start off by decided which of my two published works I will chose from. While MOUNTAIN FIRE is close to my heart because it was my first book baby, from a distance of years it is easy to see things I should have done differently. So that leaves CHEF D’AMOUR. My next step was to think of my favourite scene in that book. This is a bit easier. Jemma has just had a disastrous first day on the job, including an accident with a tray full of squid that end up draped all over her. Then her car won’t start. The only person who offers to help is Paul, the sexy chef and reality TV star she’s already had the displeasure of meeting. He insists on driving her home, and despite her sour mood he finds her intriguing and different. At the end of the chapter he drops her off and heads on his way. The last sentences are: “The car seemed oddly empty without her prickly presence. The smell of squid kept him company the rest of the way home.” Now, these words should not be immortalized in bronze and mounted in Westminster Abbey. But I can remember writing them, and thinking how they were the perfect way to introduce Paul’s attraction to Jemma. She is not going to be an easy woman to love, and yet he misses her only moments after he leaves her. And describing the unpleasant odour of squid keeping him company gives a unique sensory image of the difficulties she will bring him, while showing that he will greet these troubles with cheerful good humour. I don’t know – am I crazy? What do you think? But don't stop here! Be sure to visit, Carolyn Spear, as she's the next stop on our hop today. Enjoy, and be sure to leave a comment.
16 Comments
9/1/2015 04:14:40 am
Well I for one loved it! And totally giggled at the thought of him smelling squid all the way home. LOL ;)
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 06:34:46 am
I thought it was funny, too, but sometimes that's just a personal thing - I'm glad you "got it". :)
SCMitchell
9/1/2015 04:34:53 am
I think you said a lot in those two sentences. Nicely done.
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 06:35:19 am
Thanks, Steven!
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 06:36:03 am
My mother-in-law makes a fabulous Portuguese squid dish, which was part of the inspiration for the scene. Love the smell of it cooked - raw, not so much! Glad you enjoyed the snippet. 9/1/2015 07:01:52 am
The squid at the end, fabulous. Along with 'prickly presence'
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 07:40:22 am
I tend to let alliteration get the best of me sometimes, but I couldn't cut that. :) 9/1/2015 07:16:28 am
Great fun scene and quote! I haven't smelled squid, but I can imagine a strong fishy smell. Love the humor, too!
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 07:40:45 am
Yes, Betty - a very fishy smell!
Carolyn Spear
9/1/2015 09:38:36 am
Ugh, squid. I love an awkward, involuntary attraction. Makes for interesting conflicts.
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 12:35:17 pm
Opposites do make for fun relationships! 9/1/2015 12:03:04 pm
What a fun quote. I laughed because it sounds like the start of a very interesting relationship. Paul is going to have a time of it. Great quote.
Brenda Margriet
9/1/2015 12:36:20 pm
Jemma certainly does give him some tough times - but I like to think she was worth it! ;) 9/8/2015 03:21:23 pm
I have this craft book, too, Brenda, and I love it. I can remember snickering through half of it and nodding agreement with the other. Great choice for a dinner guest. Leave a Reply. |