When I was younger, before I was rescued from ill-fated romance by my husband of eight years, I changed my hair after every break-up. I don't know what it is exactly that makes a woman want to do it. Perhaps it's the symbolic idea of cutting off part of you that grew while you were with the person. Or, maybe it's the hope that a new hairstyle will instantly turn you hot and if you happen to run into said former boyfriend, he'll want to gnaw off his left arm in remorse.
I have an appointment with my hair stylist this afternoon and all afternoon I've been toying with the idea of doing something drastic. I suspect this has something to do with finishing my novel. It feels a bit like I'm going through a break-up. I've been wandering aimlessly around my house, staring at the stack of laundry that needs folding and a dozen other household and mommy duties that wait for my attention. Instead of attending to these things, I'm dreaming about a new love - a new book with fictional characters who want their story told, while mourning for my old love (Falling Star, in case you want to know the title) at the same time.
When you write fiction, particularly long works, you start to think your characters are real. After writing thousands of words about them, you feel like they stand across the room, dictating their story to you. I miss them now that they're all tucked into their proverbial beds within the pages of my novel, or their novel, I should say.
Sort of like a break-up.
I feel a little guilty to say this but I especially miss my heroine's romantic interest. Tommy's a sensitive musician with a "lean, hairless stomach," and dear reader, he'll never let us down. For one thing, I left out all the parts where he leaves his socks on the floor, or the toilet seat up, or forgets a birthday. Some famous writer once said that fiction is like life only with the boring parts left out. I can't remember who said it, and if he or she is still living, my sincerest apologies.
Our sexy hot blooded hero, he's madly in love with my lead and it makes him crazy and sad because circumstances keep their future uncertain, but he fights for her and takes a stand for love.
Just like the men in our lives do when they take the kids to the park on Saturday morning so we can sleep in, or put in a load of laundry without asking, or leave a note on the kitchen table that says simply, "I'm picking up take-out so you won't have to cook." Only in my novel, the stand is super sized because otherwise, it wouldn't be as interesting. You'll have to wait for the book to come out to find out the details.
Remind me to post pics, maybe a hairstyle photo album on Facebook one of these days...you could probably name the year and the boyfriend just by looking!
Posted by: Katherine | November 21, 2008 at 02:26 PM