Monday, April 12, 2010

Calling All Men

Good morning gentle readers. Do you like my new lay-out? I thought it was highly appropriate since I'm a certified Coppertone Beach Baby. I only found it the other day and said, "Oh yes, this one is mine." I need to find an audio of a fog horn or ocean song to play while you read and then I'll be all set.

So onto other news. After my very unusual post on Saturday, Sunday I could barely move. I have to remember I'm not as young as I used to be and I can't do all the things that I used to. And that's so sad because I still think of myself as 32. Which I'm not. And with the birthday coming in 2 weeks, I'm reminded how old I will be and I don't want to be. You're only as young as you feel. Yesterday I felt 105. Today, maybe in my early 60's. Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll be good as new.

Also, it was brought to my attention thrice, that I need to show pictures of all my hard work however I don't have a digital camera. Hopefully the birthday fairy will buy me one. We'll see what happens.

Any-hoo, it was also brought to my attention that Tony (my character from REMEMBERING YOU) would not cry in front of Genna when she tells him all she needed to tell him. I maintain,
1) Tony is Italian, and as we have all watched the Godfather numerous times, Italian men DO cry,
and 2) I think Tony would cry anyway just from the sheer exhaustion of finally relieving himself from the burden of carrying all that guilt around for the last ten years.

So, MEN, tell me, (and for those of you who haven't been following the entire story, I'll break it down for you) -- Your high school girlfriend whom you SAY you love more than life goes to Italy for a college graduation present for 6 weeks and when she comes back she finds out you've married someone else (because you're stupid and married this other girl for her money) and she (girlfriend) runs away for ten years. She finally comes back and you have the opportunity to tell her why you did what you did. You empty your heart and tell her everything, all your insecurities back then, your dreams, your love, and why you married this other woman (only for the money). And what happened to this other woman, she died of breast cancer. Would you cry when you told her?

After you tell her, she (ex-girlfriend) drops a bomb on you, saying she was pregnant when she ran away. You ask what happened to the baby, she tells you, "It didn't make it, just like us." Would you cry?

I know this isn't the best set-up and I'm sorry, I'm not going to re-run the scene (because I'm paranoid that way) but dig deep and think about it. Being stupid in our teenage years can cause untold grief and heartache (I know I've had my share but I'm a girl. I cry all the time.) Would you sob uncontrollably or would you let tears trickle down your face or your throat feel like you've swallowed acid? Be honest, I won't hold it against you. I happen to like men who cry. Makes them more human.

And okay, the women can chime in on this too. Do you think Tony should bawl like a baby, or be a man and suck it up?


I also have to start Act 2. I need to find something to post for Thursday. In Act 2 we find out a little bit more of Fortuna's illness, and Sally's surprise. We still have to deal with Angie's hysteria and Nana Rocco's bombshell (which you guys don't know about yet) and the working up to the 4th of July party. How much fun is that going to be? Oh and Genna meets a new man, actually an old friend from the neighborhood...what will happen at the Beach Bar I wonder????

If you don't hear from me over the course of the next couple of days, you'll know what I'm doing. However, you know how much I love you and can't stay away so I'll probably be around. Have a lovely week.

28 comments:

Matthew MacNish said...

Anne, first of all, love the new layout!

As to your post I would have to admit that in that situation I would definitely cry. Probably not sobbing and snotting on the floor, but definitely hot tears running down my cheek. I made some foolish mistakes as a teenager that I still pay for so I can only imagine finding out about them years later.

I have also read some of these scenes, I recall you posting some of them last week and the week before, I think. The thing is (as you well know) what would happen in real life doesn't necessarily mean it will work in writing.

I have character in my WIP that is a Jamaican Rastafarian. In real life I'm pretty familiar with the accent/patois dialect so I can write it rather accurately. That doesn't mean that 100% accurate is the way to go in the writing.

I hope that makes sense. Just my two cents.

Unknown said...

I think not - not at first. That is a lot to process he needs to go through a good many stages of understanding and acceptance to get to grief. All the shock and self recrimination stuff has to come first. Physical reaction before the emotional one (Remember, I have six brothers - one of them faints when the going gets emotionally tough.)

Christine Danek said...

Love your new look!

I agree with Elaine. I think he would not cry at first and most likely would go through some emotional stages before letting it out.

Keep going and happy writing!

Unknown said...

I'm with Christine & Elaine on this one as well... no crying at first emotional stages would be first!!!

Happy Monday! Happy Writing!

Laurel Garver said...

I agree with Elaine. I have three brothers, and in the face of highly charged emotions are more likely to shake with rage than cry. Many of my close guy friends also go through some version of frustration/anger first when things go wrong. Missteps, mistakes and tragedy are in their minds something one should have prevented or they're caused by a hurtful universe/deity at which one should first shake a fist.

BTW, I have an award for you on my blog.

Stina said...

Congrats on your blog award from Laurel.

I write YA. Sometimes I think I'm still 17!

Suck it up! I meant Tony not you. ;)

Have a great day!

Terry Towery said...

Well, I probably wouldn't cry because I don't usually cry "in the moment." Instead, if I do, it's later on when I am alone and have time to think abut things more deeply.

That said, the editor who read my manuscript commented that I had WAY TOO MANY men crying throughout, something I hadn't noticed while writing it. Hmmm. Perhaps something subliminal going on there? :)

Sarah Ahiers said...

i have no idea. I mean, i adree with laurel Jen Christine and Elaine, but also, when i read your description, it made sense to me that he would cry.
Guess i'm no help

Stephanie Thornton said...

Nice layout!

I'm not sure about the crying- I always have a heck of a time writing men and I don't think I've ever had one of my male characters cry. But I'm sure the events you described could cause a few tears.

Shelley Sly said...

Beautiful new layout. I meant to tell you before.

I'd say I could picture tears in his eyes, but not full-out crying based on the situation. Then again, it's all in how well you know Tony. If you think he'd cry, you're the writer, and you'll convince us.

Anne Gallagher said...

Hmmmm....interesting. I thought for sure the women would say cry, but it's the men. Hmmmm.... I guess I have to take another look at all that and see what I come up with.

Tony is one of those men who really keeps his emotions close to the vest but I think in a situation which he's been waiting to happen for ten years he would cry. But I don't know. I'll have to read it again.

Let's see what the rest of the crowd has to say.

And thanks you guys for your comments. It's definately given me something to think about.

JournoMich said...

Wow. I haven't been following these posts but I'm hooked now! Are you sure this is a romance? Sounds more like a literary drama. But it sounds great!

I don't think he'd cry. I really don't. Is he still in love with her? I don't think he'd cry, unless he's very self-absorbed.

Hmmm...Gonna think some more on it.

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Tara said...

Anne, I feel ya. I'm 2 days away from way to close to 40 for my liking and, I'm not liking it :(

As for Tony, I'm with Elaine et al.

Crystal Cook said...

I'm not sure what to tell you about the crying thing. Only that I've ever known a few men who actually cried. But my gut says no. I hold nothing against guys that cry, and you know your character best, that's just what my pesky gut says :)

Love the new layout too :)

Davin Malasarn said...

This is heavy stuff. I can definitely see myself crying in this situation.

And, please, no fog horn. I check your blog at work. :)

Lola Sharp said...

Anne, I like the new blog decor. :o)

Well, I have loved and lived with my share of men, and I've see every one of them cry.

My point is, you know your character, and their history, if he would cry, let him cry. Just know that it will be your job as an author to make sure the reader believes the authenticity of the meltdown.

Happy Monday, young whipper snapper!

Talli Roland said...

Like the new look!

I think Tony's chin should quiver and his eyes should get watery, but as for bawling... NOOOOO! :) No American Idol-style crying, please!

Anonymous said...

I like the new layout! I'm a Coppertone Beach Baby, too. *Hands you certificate of authenticity*

I don't know if he should bawl but I definitely think there would be a visual response in the form of lip-quivering or eye-welling.

Creepy Query Girl said...

I'm not familiar with your work (yet) but after reading everyone else's comments, I'd say maybe you could find a grey zone- like turning red, shaking, jaw clenching, and glossy eyes (but no real tears)

Julie Dao said...

I love your layout, Anne! It's beautiful and peaceful :) And speaking as a woman, I think the man would definitely cry. Maybe not full-out sobbing, but a quivering jaw ... a tearful eye... a crumpled expression would do very well to show his heartbreak and agony.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Ah, good questions. I had Nick cry in Monarch all the time, and so many readers complained about it. One reader told me something I'll never forgot - sometimes tears just need to happen off screen, especially for male characters who are supposed to appear tough.

I don't have Nick cry in Monarch at all now, but he comes close, and it's implied that he cries at other times for things that really matter.

I always try to remember that if the character cries, the reader probably won't. If you give every reason for the character to cry, and they don't, then your reader probably will.

sarahjayne smythe said...

I like the new layout. And I have to say, that I don't think Tony would cry. None of the guys I know are criers.

They get mad, they get sad, they shake with rage, they get loud, they get quiet, they might even punch a wall, but I don't think they cry. Unless maybe their mom or dad or wife wife died.

So I guess that last line means I'm no help to you at all. I'm sorry.

Unknown said...

Love your new layout, Anne! It's so summery, and very you!!

I don't think a blubbering Tony would win my sympathy. I don't think I've ever seen a man in the midst of the ugly cry; you know, hysterical with hiccups and snot. However, a man that shows emotions is far better than one that sits there all stoic and robotic. Remember that old commercial with the Native American standing on the trash-strewn riverbank? That single tear running down his weathered cheek got to everyone. That's a reaction I can envision on Tony. So hurt, so full of regret, so defeated. But still masculine, not come-apart-at-the-seams sobbing.

Good luck with getting Act Two underway!!

Susan Fields said...

I do love the layout - very nice! My hubby's not Italian, but I doubt he would cry in this situation. If he did, it would be later on when he's alone (and even that I'm not sure about).

DL Hammons said...

I agree with some of the others, I think tears in the eyes would be the max, full out cry or blubbering shouldn't be expected, even a quivering lip would be stretching it, not with their relationship as it is now.

Love the layout also!! :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

Hmmm...I think it kind of depends on the character and maybe the emotional burden he felt he was carrying, but I think he would be too shocked to really all out cry--tears in the eyes for sure, though.

Portia said...

First off, I love the need layout--so pretty!

Hmm, I think he would cry (or at least, I would want him to, in a very manly way that said he was moved more than he'd ever been in his life). I'm so intrigued.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I can see this happening : "The moonlight did strange things to Tony's eyes. Was he crying? No, he wasn't crying. Not exactly. But his eyes glistened wet in the starlight. He turned his head away from me for a long moment. When he turned it back, his eyes were dry ... and hollow."

But then, I could be wrong. No, what am I saying? We manly men are never wrong. And we never cry. Except at the end of OLD YELLER and at the thought of being forced to go dress shopping with our girlfriends.

Heal before you go back to being Hercules, hear? Roland