You know what's irritating?

[kristy]

Having all these ideas for stories I want to write, but they all are about love and romance. I love the ideas, but for some reason I can't seem to find away around a romance. I need to though, and soon, if not it's really going to make me mad. Just saying.

[Julie]

It's hard to avoid romance once you get a female character in there. At least if you're a hopeless romantic at heart. If you're not, maybe it's easier. Maybe you could go for something dramatic or suspenseful with no female leads needed. It's hard to just manufacture an idea, though; they have to just come. But I find it helpful to read in the genre I want to write in; that usually sparks some inspiration. So maybe avoid romance in your reading for awhile and read other things to see what might inspire you. There's nothing wrong with romance, though, especially when it's a subplot to something else. I love stories that have romance, but aren't JUST romance.

[kristy]

I just SAW this...thanks, Julie. I finally did get an idea, since reading all these supernatural/paranormal type stories, it has really got my mind going. I just hope it doesn't suck.

[kristy]

I still have several romance ideas going on. I really loved the ideas, so I just couldn't give up on them. These songs right here gave me a lot of inspiration for one story.

"Colder Weather" Zac Brown Band

She'd trade Colorado if he'd take her with him
Closes the door before the winter lets the cold in,
And wonders if her love is strong enough to make him stay,
She's answered by the tail lights
Shining through the window pane

[Chorus:]
He said I wanna see you again
But I'm stuck in colder weather
Maybe tomorrow will be better
Can I call you then
She said you're a ramblin' man
And you ain't ever gonna change
You gotta gypsy soul to blame
And you were born for leavin'

At a truck stop diner just outside of Lincoln,
The night is black as the coffee he was drinkin',
And in the waitress' eyes he sees the same 'ol light a shinin',
He thinks of Colorado
And the girl he left behind him

[Chorus:]
He said I wanna see you again
But I'm stuck in colder weather
Maybe tomorrow will be better
Can I call you then
She said you're ramblin' man
[From: www.elyrics.net/read/z/zac-brown-band-lyrics/colder-weather-lyrics.html ]
And you ain't ever gonna change
You got a gypsy soul to blame
And you were born for leavin' (born for leavin')

Well it's a windin road
When you're in the lost and found
You're a lover I'm a runner
And we go 'round 'n 'round
And I love you but I leave you
I don't want you but I need you
You know it's you who calls me back here, Baby

Oh I wanna see you again
But I'm stuck in colder weather
Maybe tomorrow will be better
Can I call you then
Cause I'm a ramblin' man
I ain't ever gonna change
I gotta gypsy soul to blame
And I was born for leavin' (born for leavin')

When I close my eyes I see you
No matter where I am
I can smell your perfume through these whispering pines
I'm with your ghost again
It's a shame about the weather
But I know soon we'll be together
And I can't wait till then
I can't wait till then

"Better as a Memory" Kenny Chesney


I Move on like a sinner's prayer
Lettin' go like a levee brakes
Walk away as if I don’t care
Learn to shoulder my mistakes
I'm built to fade like your favorite song
Get reckless when there’s no need
Laugh as your stories ramble on
Break my heart, but it won’t bleed

My only friends are pirates
It’s just who I am
I’m better as a memory
Than as your man

Never sure when the truth won’t do
I'm pretty good on a lonely night
I move on the way the storm blows through
I never stay but then again I might
I struggle sometimes to find the words
Always sure until I doubt
Walk a line until it blurs
Build walls too high to clime out
But I'M HONEST TO A FAULT
( From: www.elyrics.net/read/k/kenny-chesney-lyrics/better-as-a-memory-lyrics.html )
It’s just who I am
I'm better as a memory
Than as you man

I see you leaning
You’re bound to fall
I don’t want to be that mistake
I’m just a dreamer
Nothing more
You should know it before it gets too late

'Cause Goodbyes are like a ROULETTE wheel
You never know where they're gonna land
First you're spinning then your standin' still
Left holdin' A losing hand
One day your gonna find someone
Right away you'll know it’s true
That all of your seekin's done
It’s just a part of the passing through
Right there in that moment
You'll finally understand
That I was better as a memory than as your man
Better as a memory than as your man

[kristy]

That last song...wow it just touches me.