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| Long eyelashes needed for flirting? |
Someone flirted with
me the other day. That might not sound
like an earth-shattering event, but for an old married woman like me, it’s
pretty rare. In fact, I’ve almost
forgotten how to do it and felt unsure how to respond!
I used to love flirting. That tiny frisson that runs through you when
you notice that someone has noticed you. The frequent checking to see if they’re still
checking you out. Then eye contact,
perhaps an exchange of knowing looks or shared amusement at some joke. Finally, chatting, joking, talking in double entendres – saying one thing
while your eyes are telling him something else.
All very exciting and great fun, even if it doesn’t lead anywhere. (Although even better if it does, obviously!)
Yet, when you get
married, you’re not supposed to do that sort of thing any more, so you stop (at least with other people).
But although I may
have forgotten how to do it in real life, as a novelist, I love having my characters
flirting. In fact, it’s absolutely
essential! Because the best thing about
a romantic novel (IMO) is the “will-they-won’t-they” part, where you know
they’re probably going to get together in the end, but they have a lot of
verbal sparring and flirting to do first.
I love the kind of
hero who dares to gently tease the heroine, making her like him against her
better judgement. A hero who has a sense
of humour is always good, and if he can use it for flirting, so much the
better. Some of Georgette Heyer’s heroes
were superb at that, making the heroines flustered but excited. Absolutely perfect!
I also like the kind
of novel where the hero and heroine start off by being annoyed with something
the other did. This isn’t strictly
flirting, but nonetheless it has the same effect. As Def
Leppard say in their song, “when love
and hate collide”, that’s when the sparks fly. And that’s when you know these two characters
were actually made for each other, even if they can’t see it themselves.
When did you last enjoy
a flirt? If it was in the pages of a
book, please let me know the title so I can buy it!
I've been told I'm an incorrigible flirt when I'm on stage singing; I'm not conscious of doing it, which is a little worrying.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting listening to my nearly teenage daughter talking about the annoying boys at school - she doesn't believe me when I say they're flirting with her. I remember those days well.
I actually got chatted up this year at a music festival-my husband was standing right next to me at the time. I have to say it did my ego a power of good and the effect on my other half was quite good too. I think he looked at me in a 'new light'. : )
ReplyDeleteLaura - oh, yes, I remember that too! And flirting on stage is probably a good thing :)
ReplyDeleteJane - it does make you feel good, doesn't it? Good for the other half to have a "wake-up call" occasionally too!