April 17, 2008
Lisa Plumley Blogs About Opposites
Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty PostHello, Jaunties! Thanks a million for having me here.
It’s a pretty safe bet to say that men and women are the ultimate opposites. For instance, women excel at multitasking. We’re capable of compiling a datasheet, making a PB&J, phoning a friend to make plans for the weekend, and prying bubblegum out of a four-year-old’s hair…all at the same time. Men excel at focusing and making sense of spatial relationships. So if you need an IKEA bookcase assembled during a chaotic family reunion brunch, a man is your man. The typical male is unfazed by relatives arriving, children dropping water balloons, sweet-potato casseroles burning, and the very real possibility that Uncle Joe just parked his SUV in the neighbor’s prizewinning hydrangeas, sparking a block-wide feud. Until the job at hand is accomplished, everything else can wait.
I envy men their ability to focus. I also envy their confidence in their athletic prowess (even if their last slam dunk was in third grade), their fearlessness when hoisting little kids on their shoulders (it’s the only way to watch a parade), and their ability to pee standing up (face it, it’s convenient). Men are brave, protective, and willing to sit on the stadium bleacher with the caramel corn glued to it (so I don’t have to). They squash bugs. They work hard to be good providers, good boyfriends/husbands/friends, and good people. The world is a better place because men and women share it, and no one can convince me otherwise.
However, once you put men and women together, the results can be…hilarious! I mean, with two such divergent viewpoints, how can they not be? Maybe that’s why, in my books, I often pair up a hero and heroine who are *totally* different. After all, why not make the most of the possibilities? I love a good “opposites attract” story. It gets me every time.
So how about you? Do you believe opposites attract?
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Shana Says:
Hi Lisa, thanks for blogging with us today! Oh, yes! I do believe opposites attract. My husband and I are complete opposites, but that’s the greatest thing about him (and the worst). I’d go crazy being married to a Type-A personality like me. I need someone to help me slow down and relax.
Mary M Says:
I read somewhere that Sandra Brown said if he’s a fireman, she should be an arsonist.
AndreaW Says:
Hi, Lisa!
I believe it works for some people, but not for me. I dated several opposites and none of them lasted. I married a guy who I have a lot in common with and we couldn’t be happier.
But, I do so love to read stories about opposites! So much tension and conflict. Love it!!
Lisa Plumley Says:
Hi everybody! Thanks for having me here.
Shana, I hear you! My husband and I are the same way. He’s a lot more laid back than I am, which is *perfect*. If I had to live with me, I’d drive myself crazy.
On the other hand, I agree with Andrea too. Because my husband and I *also* have a ton of things in common. After being married for (almost) nineteen years, we practically share a brain.
And being able to approach things with that kind of understanding is great.
Mary, I’ve heard that Sandra Brown quote too. It’s a perfect way to kick off some conflict, right?
Which is why I really like to maximize the differences between my characters. In Let’s Misbehave, Marisol is a shopaholic heiress-turned-nanny; Cash is a macho NFL quarterback/single dad. The two of them *definitely* come from different worlds!
limecello Says:
Hi Lisa,
I do agree that at times, opposites attract. If nothing else, it’s great hearing about their hilarious stories! I can take some “opposite” things - but not everything!
Ashley Elizabeth Says:
I do. My mom and dad are. I read your Book Let’s Misbehave. It was my first book by you and I have to say I fell in love with your wrighting. I read it in three hours. I can’t wait to read more of your Books. Hope you have a great weekend
Virginia H. Says:
Yes I do think opposite do a attract. It seems like me and my hubby were a lot a like at first, but over the years we don’t even like the same things anymore is this possible?
Crystal B. Says:
Yes, I do believe opposites attract. My husband and I are complete opposites.
catslady Says:
I too married an opposite - it’s been 38 years. It sure isn’t easy but never boring lol.
Lisa Plumley Says:
Hi limecello! You’re right — I’m scared to think what a pair of *total* opposites would be like together.
Hi Ashley Elizabeth! Thanks for reading Let’s Misbehave! I’m so glad you liked the story. I read about an *actual* shopaholic rehab center in Italy, and knew I *had* to get a story out of it. I hope you have a great weekend too!
Virginia, I think that’s totally possible. After all, people grow and change over time, right? Life would be boring if everybody stayed the same!
Hi Crystal and catslady! It’s cool that there are real-life “opposites-attract” couples. LOL on “never boring!”
Shirley Karr Says:
Hi Lisa!
Married life became *much* less frustrating once I made peace with the fact my dh cannot, under any circumstances, multitask. It’s just not in him, like it’s just not in me to give our ‘65 Pontiac a tune-up.
Love reading (and writing) stories about opposites but like true Alpha Males, I definitely think they’re more fun to read about in fiction than to live with in reality.
Lisa Plumley Says:
Hi Shirley! You know, that’s very wise of you. Good for you! Also, LOL — I can’t manage a tune-up either.
Fedora Says:
Hi, Lisa, I love to read about opposites in books, but I’m not sure how much I could take in reality! Just a dash is enough, really! My DH and I are pretty similar in many ways, but our one point of contention (I’m the worst packrat, EVER, and he longs for a clean counter–he’d hope for a clutter-free house, but he’ll settle for just the counter) is an ongoing source of tension. Maybe someone could re-write some of our scenes so it could be more entertaining
Laura Says:
Love the cover AND the story premise.
As for opposites…for me it’s more about how they treat people. If they are respectful and compassionate, I’m good. If it’s ALL about them, not so much.
Lisa Plumley Says:
Hi Fedora! LOL. There’s always something, isn’t there? I wish *I* had rewrite abilities for real life. That would be awesome.
Hi Laura! Thanks! Those puppies are pretty cute, right? I have to warn you — they aren’t in the story. (Boo!) But there *is* a dog who’s important. He’s based on my dog, Cid. I blogged about Cid a while ago at lisaplumley.wordpress.com if you’re interested in the backstory.
Also, you’re so right! People can disagree about things and still be nice about it.
THANKS AGAIN to everyone for having me here. It’s been fun!