Tuesday, September 19, 2006

I Love The Cliches

Someone wants to know exactly what is written on the 5th through 8th sentences on page 123 of the book nearest me. This random foray into the desk and the psyche of the blogger is called a meme. For lack of any other definition that I can even begin to comprehend, a meme is "an idea, project, statement or even a question that is posted on one blog and responded to by other blogs."

To reiterate, for the purposes of this particular meme: What is written on the 5th through 8th sentences on page 123 of the book nearest you?

Well, funny you should ask, Amy! I just happened to be looking for some hilarious blog fodder. I should've known I would find it on page 123 of The Romance Writer's Phrase Book, which happens to be sitting before me in a brown wicker basket filled with other accoutrements of the writing life. Please do not ask why I own The Romance Writer's Phrase Book, which purports to be "the essential source book" for all things romantic and novel, and which is "guaranteed to stimulate the imagination." It is filled with more than 3,000 embarrassing cliches arranged for "quick, easy reference" by any writer in love with all things formulaic.

I am happy to report that page 123 falls in the "Sex" chapter. Other chapters include "Physical Characteristics - Male," "Physical Characteristics - Female," "Emotions," "Eyes," and "Miscellaneous." Each one consists of distinct, relevant phrases that are sure to get your romance juices flowing.

Now, for your reading pleasure, I present sentences 5 through 8 of page 123:

5: "Her lips found their way instinctively to his."
6: "His kiss was as challenging as it was rewarding."
7: "Kissing her devouringly..."
8: "His lips parted hers in a soul reaching massage."

Are you inspired yet? I can keep going.

"Their lips met and she felt buffeted by the winds of a savage harmony."
"As he roused her passion, his own grew stronger."

And my favorite: "The kiss was like the soldering heat that joins metals."

Anyway, it's now my turn to pass along the memetic torch of literacy. I tag my Connecticut cronies, Lauren and Linda. As for the rest of you, please leave your favorite romantic cliche, or make up your own, in my comment section. It'll be funny. And as I laugh, I'll have to ask The Partner if he looks at me and thinks to himself that "the even whiteness of her smile is dazzling."

9 comments:

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Line 8 was my favorite. But I'm all about flowing locks and heaving bosoms and glistening chests. Not to read about but to throw into conversation willy nilly.

Her Bad Mother said...

This is probably the best response to this meme that I've seen yet. I'm with Mrs. Chicky, it's all about Line 8...

Anonymous said...

Whoa! That's the best meme response EVAH!

(So really, what are you doing with that handbook? Holding out on us? Writing some romance novels in your spare time eh?)

Redneck Mommy said...

I need me some #8.

Sadly, as there has been nary a romantic moment in my life since the darling hubs decided to chase money instead of me, I can't think about romantic cliches.

Because my imagination may run away with me...

Nadiah Alwi - Write at Home Mom said...

interesting lines :D

Anonymous said...

Nothing like a soldering iron analogy to really get a girl worked up.

Anonymous said...

well I feel dumb as a post, I thought a "meme" was because you wrote about yourself.

Bea said...

That is the funniest thing I've seen yet. I was gasping in horror, even though I actually have a long history of reading romance novels (it's been awhile, though).

That book of yours sounds priceless.

Linda said...

Thanks for passing on that torch - I was rather despairing of what on earth to write about this week! If nothing else, it does make one think about the books that we keep close at hand!