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As I have freely admitted on this blog before…okay, just those words alone have my sister Quills wincing. Last time I made an honest confession, one of them politely suggested that our readers don’t need to know everything about my process. I believe this was in reference to the blog in which I admitted to making out with my hand in order to get the first kiss scene just right. Well, too bad, girls! Here we go again!
I recently moved my office. Up until a few weeks ago, my office was a ten-foot square room in our basement…no heat, no windows, more than its fair share of mold, despite my best efforts. I had a space heater, a bookcase and a bowl of Hershey Nuggets with almonds. But no more! I said a fond(ish) farewell to the Pit of Despair, as I called it, and moved above ground.
Now I get to work in daylight, gang! I have windows—plural! And not just that…it’s an entire, if very tiny, apartment. Little bitty kitchen, bathroom, and a nice sunny room with two skylights. Right now, it’s furnished with a chair, a table and a lamp…oh, and yes, a bowl of Hershey Nuggets with almonds. I have no phone and no wifi, which cuts down on the distractibility factor, not to mention no laundry beckoning, no weeds taunting me. And it’s just down the street a little bit, so the commute is on a woodsy path through the lovely back yard of my neighbor’s house.
But the best feature is the absolute privacy. Previously, if I was (just for an example) making out with my hand, I had to worry that McIrish might wander in and give that puzzled, disappointed stare he’s mastered over the years. Now, though, I have a whole apartment in which to walk, talk, laugh, cry, etc. I can stand in a doorway. Sit on a counter. Roll on the carpet if I want to.
This makes it much easier to get into the spirit of my latest book. In fact, I sort of feel like I’m single again. And not just single…sort of like I’m dating someone who very much resembles this guy. Froooww! My character’s name is Liam. I know! Do you love it? The first thing I do when arriving at the apartment is gaze upon a few photos of Mr. Hottie here. Okay, okay. More than a few. More like…fourteen. At any rate, Liam and I talk, bicker, exchange insults. We may even kiss pretty soon (well…you know what I mean). Am I forty-five years old, married for nearly 20 years? Yep. So?
Recently, McIrish came over to check in. He heard voices (well, a voice, anyway). “Hey, hon,” he said. “How’s it going?”
“I’m terribly busy and very important,” I answered.
“Who are you talking to?” he asked.
“My boyfriend,” I replied. “Leave us. We’re in love.”
“Do you want lunch?” my sainted husband asked, clearly unfazed.
“Okay,” I said. Because, as wonderful as Liam may be, he has yet to make me a sandwich.
Too Good To Be True, my fourth novel and winner of the 2010 Romance Writers of America RITA Award, is about a woman who pretends to be in a relationship. I can totally see where she gets it. 
Have you ever made up a boyfriend? Imagined yourself in a scene from a book? Come on…be honest. Haven’t we all been Scarlett on the road to Tara, listening to Rhett ask for a kiss? Which scene in a book or movie really made you want to be that woman in that particular moment? Do tell!
Filed in: Kristan Higgins
Sep 27th
2010
6:18 am
Carolyn Rosewood Said:
Thanks for sharing the process with us, Kristan! I really enjoyed your post.
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Sep 27th
2010
6:51 am
Vanessa Said:
Oh you crack me up! Yes I always envision myself in every book I read. That’s what’s so great about reading. I get to step out of my crazy chaotic stressful but great life for a little bit to be Lady Beautiful about to be ravished by Lord Gorgeous.
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Sep 27th
2010
7:08 am
Karen Pinco Said:
I think I’d like to be (temporarily) in a historical so I could wear one of those fancy ball gowns and let the hero lead me down the garden path…
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Sep 27th
2010
7:16 am
Aisa Said:
Hahaha. I love that previous blog, the one where you’re making out with your hand. It’s so funny (and this one too). *Sigh* Yeah, you’re right. Imagination can run wild.
I always love that scene in “While You Were Sleeping” where Lucy had that long walk with Jack that snowy night. It’s the most important part in the movie where (I think) they fell in love with each other. So nice.
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Sep 27th
2010
7:30 am
Lois B Said:
Well, there was this one time in 7th grade that I told everyone about my boyfriend “Eric.” Eric was a real person, however, he lived in Hampden MA next door to my aunt and uncle, and he was a very safe boyfriend to have … because no one knew him. I had a major crush on him (I was 13 and he was 17) so he conveniently became my boyfriend and all the girls were jealous because I had an “older man.” I even had a tattered picture of him somewhere, probably pilfered from my aunt’s house, but we were obviously not in the photo together! I remember writing little hearts all over my covered textbooks with our names entwined. Oh, the imagined love of a 13 year-old.
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Sep 27th
2010
7:37 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
Lois, I am so telling!
I too have imagined being tossed over the shoulder of some brawny Scot…completely willing, mind you. Historicals are so much fun that way! Aisa, While You Were Sleeping is one of my favorite movies! I love that scene, too.
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Sep 27th
2010
8:17 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
I just remembered a rather fantastic kiss scene…was it Ashes in the Wind, when the heroine whips off her necklace (proof that the hero did her when he thought she was, ahem, a ho or something), and they kiss. That one had my teenage hormones quite inflamed. I probably reread that scene 100 times.
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Sep 27th
2010
8:18 am
Gail C. Said:
The kiss in the rain from The Notebook… if I close my eyes it’s no longer Rachel McAdams in that very romantic moment.
Loved your blog. Enjoy your new office!
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Sep 27th
2010
8:22 am
Emily McKay Said:
You know … I had a very nice imaginary relationship with Matt Damon just last night in my dreams. Funny thing, it wasn’t sexy at all. He and I were collaborating on a movie idea together. But he was obviously in love with me. I mean, why wouldn’t he be?
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Sep 27th
2010
8:31 am
Jude Bown Said:
The scene that comes to mind I would very much like to be involved in is: on the floor naked with Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal…but the scene I envision has a bit of a different ending. Mine has more exploration of his finely-tuned muscles for starters!
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Sep 27th
2010
8:46 am
Lorelei Said:
From movies, other than the ones mentioned above: Cold Mountain with Nicole Kidman and Jude Law, loved the romance in that movie, Walk in the Clouds with Keanu Reeves, don’t remember the gals name, A walk to Remember with Mandy Moore and that cutie… But I have to say ALL the first kiss scenes in your books have me sighing with romanticism. And they are all with different feelings. Still can’t decide which is my favorite, though… That’s why I’m hooked on your books! Can’t wait to see with what you come up next!
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Sep 27th
2010
8:46 am
cindy gerard Said:
Woo Woo. congratulations on the new office, Kristan!
You must share pictures. It sounds like heaven.
No go kiss your hand!
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Sep 27th
2010
10:02 am
Kristen Said:
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who gets “that look of crazy” from her husband. I love “While You Were Sleeping”. That is one of my favorites. I also love “When Harry Met Sally. I love that he looks at her with such adoration even though she’s a bit nutty.
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Sep 27th
2010
10:31 am
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
In the A&E production of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth there’s a scene where Mr. Darcy gazes across the room at Elizabeth Bennet as she plays the piano (or harpsichord?? It’s some kind of keyboard. I’ve never really paid attention to the instrument because I was too busy swooning over the smoldering way he was looking at her). When that scene comes on, I go weak in the knees, the whole world goes away and he is looking at ME. Once, I cued the DVD and played the scene for my husband (who would NOT watch P&P is you tied him to a chair – like it’s a threat to his manhood or something). Afterward, my DH shot me one of those looks you were talking about, Kristan (not the Darcy look, the are-you-crazy variety). As he walked away, I said, “That’s fine. You just go in the other room, mister, because that look was for me. That’s right. He was looking at ME.”
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Sep 27th
2010
11:24 am
Romantic Girl Said:
Your new office sounds heavenly. I’ve often thought that an apartment would be perfect for me as I don’t write well at home. I also thought that renting an office space with a group of writers so I actually have an office to go to would be great. If only I had an endless supply of money, oh and a publishing contract.
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Sep 27th
2010
11:43 am
Sophie Gunn Said:
Yes–I agree! We want pictures!
Congrats on the new office.
(Right now, I’m imagining myself in your life, in an office w/ no Internet…)
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Sep 27th
2010
11:52 am
Shana Said:
Oh, Kristan! I’m laughing so hard! Thank you. It’s been a horrible day. I needed a laugh.
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Sep 27th
2010
12:13 pm
Kristan Higgins Said:
Nancy, I hear you. That is one SMOLDERING look! I may have conceived Mr. Darcy’s love child at that very moment…Emily, Matt Damon and I were just talking about you, and it’s true. He’s crazy in love!…Lorelei, Cold Mountain and Walk in the Clouds have two of the best kisses ever! Same with that rainy kiss in the Notebook.
So much to choose from! Now…must heed Cindy’s advice! Liam awaits!
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Sep 27th
2010
1:21 pm
Serenissima Said:
Ladies,
I have so many times imagined myself to the railway station somewhere in Britain as in the end of BBC´s North and South. Mr Thornton is looking at me while I babble on about money… I kiss his hand and then He kisses me…Oh-my, I may have to watch it once again. That look and that kiss; they are pure magic. IMO the best kiss ever.
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Sep 27th
2010
1:41 pm
Jayshree Said:
Hey, Kristan – for books I really like, I imagine that I meet the characters, but I don’t interfere with their romance because they’re too perfect for each other. Like in “Ashes in the Wind,” I imagined that I strike up a friendship with Alaina and Cole when they are married but withholding from each other, and I sing them the song “Ghost” by the Indigo Girls, which seems to be perfect for their story. Also, sometimes I imagine that when the hero has been really mean to the leading lady, that she is somehow “lost” and then he’s sorry because he thinks she might be dead and he really didn’t mean it, so when she is restored he is repentant and suitably loving. A little melodramatic, eh?
Looking forward to the new book with Liam in it! JXS
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Sep 27th
2010
2:08 pm
Karyn Gerrard Said:
I imagine myself in just about every romance I read, LOL! And Liam?? I love Irish heroes, wish there were more!
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Sep 27th
2010
2:16 pm
Jayshree Said:
Oh, yeah, forgot a great kiss: At the end of “Little Women” when Professor Baehr kisses Jo in the rain, when he’s so sad because he thinks she’s married Laurie and then they drop the umbrella and the tears and rain mingle, that’s just fabulous. It’s great in any film version – 1994 was Gabriel Byrne and Winona Ryder, or 1978 with Susan Dey and (wouldja believe it!) William Shatner, or 1949 with June Allyson and Rossano Brozzi. Sigh…
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Sep 27th
2010
3:49 pm
kris Said:
Great blog! I do imagine myself in the place of the heroine in almost every book I read. Makes for great TV in my head!!!!
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Sep 27th
2010
4:00 pm
catslady Said:
Oh that place sounds ideal. Personally, the title seems to fit your husband lol. My husband has nothing to do with food preparation and I’ve made him lunches for over 41 years. yep, I fantasy and hearing, “do you want lunch” would knock my socks off lol.
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Sep 27th
2010
4:19 pm
Lorelei Said:
OMG! How could I forget Pride and Prejudice! I love the one with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Mac Fadyen (sigh), the part towards the end when he declares his love to her in the meadows and at the end when he kisses her over and over,ahh… love.
(since you love Herseys Nuggets WITH almonds)
Congrats on your new space! Now that you moved out of the “Pit of Dispair”, you should find a new name for your new place, how about a Nugget of Heaven?
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Sep 27th
2010
5:01 pm
Lorelei Said:
Well, I think you have a new idea for another blog…naming your new office, but I guess you’re the one who has the feel of the place your in…
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Sep 27th
2010
4:56 pm
Rainy Said:
The scenea in Bridges of Madison County where Francesca succombed to photographer Robert Kincaid just carried me away. And then when Clint Eastwood portrayed him………Heaven!
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Sep 27th
2010
5:19 pm
Kristan Higgins Said:
Well, since I’ve left the Pit of Despair, maybe…the Aerie of Despairy? The Despairie?
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Sep 27th
2010
5:34 pm
Lorelei Said:
Cute! the Aerie of Despairy
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Sep 27th
2010
5:35 pm
Mary M Said:
I think the name Muse’s Love Nest may suit your office. There’s a memorable kiss with Al Pacino in the beginning of the movie, Heat.
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Sep 27th
2010
7:33 pm
Mary Lynn Said:
Congratulations on your new office! McIrish sounds wonderful.
Kisses? One of the best on screen kisses ever: Closing scene in Bridget Jones Diary — Kiss between Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger (sp)Scene: Snowfall; Soundtrack: Van Morrison’s “Someone Exactly Like You”
Memorable lines:
BJ (RZ): “Wait a minute Nice boys don’t kiss like that.”
MD (CF) “Oh yes they f_cking do.”
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Sep 27th
2010
10:04 pm
Maya M. Said:
Hee on the Bridget Jones reference on busy importance.
Just watched First Knight for the nth time, so clearly have to vote for Richard Gere saving Julia Ormond singlehanded and unarmed from the midst of the villain’s crumbling castle stronghold *sigh*
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Sep 28th
2010
12:03 am
Christina Hollis Said:
Brilliant! Yes, I always get drawn into every book I read – as long as the hero is dark and dynamic!
I love the sound of your new workplace, btw.
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