Keeping the Love Alive...

Well, dear readers, today is a special day for this writer. Nine years ago, the man and I met, in person, for the first time. We'd met online and in phone calls for a few weeks before our first date but you know - as much as I love my online pals - meeting each other in our earthly forms is the date we remember!

The odd thing was that we weren't all that keen on first meeting. Both of us had a sort of 'lunch bag letdown' feeling. As in ' oh dang, nice person but no real fizz there - ah well, back to the drawing board'. Of course we didn't say that to each other - this came out later. We liked each other - don't get me wrong. I thought the future Sweet Patootie was a nice guy. He had a red truck and he liked to get out on the ocean and he read books but...no fireworks. 

Luckily, after years of looking, I didn't immediately give in to my feeling of ho humness. I had a little talk with myself, like I do, or like I did - now I have you all! I said to myself, 'Self - what has happened to the relationships where you did feel the immediate frisson? The fireworks? The flat out lust?' and then I answered myself, 'Self - those relationships were neurotic minefields of disaster. Fireworks are bright shiny and insubstantial. Their light doesn't warm it merely dazzles.'  And like that. So...me and the man had another date - one where we spent hours out in the bay in the canoe. I brought a lunch that he though pretty special and he made coffee on a rocky island about four feet wide and six feet long. I was duly impressed. We talked for a long time, him staring at my back and me at the view (the canoe!)  Even then, neither of us was over the moon. Just a wee bit more interested. And so it went. By August we were in love. And that seemed a long time.  Now, nine years have flown by and I am as mad for him as a gal could be. And we work to keep that love happening. So that is our sweet story.

But now for the Friday Challenge. How do you keep the love alive with your manuscript? I'll start this game off and then I want everyone who comments to add to the list.

1. Give it some attention. Your wip can sometimes be shy, nervous, or lacking in confidence. It is your job as the writer wooer to coax it out into the limelight. You can do that by paying it attention. Doesn't have to be a big deal - just spend some special time with it everyday. Ask it how it is going? What does it need?

2. Ignore it once in awhile. Seems like the opposite of #1 but it isn't really. Sometimes our wips get overwhelmed and need a little alone time. Let it sit by itself and ruminate on how lonely and unfulfilled it was before you waltzed into its life. Also, by giving it some time without you, you will begin to see its beauty and appreciate little details about it that you didn't before.

3. Surprise your wip from time to time by doing something it doesn't expect. Take another point of view or introduce a new character to its story-line. It will thank you for the zest and punch that will give it.

4. Be proud of your wip when you talk to others about it. Oh you don't have to give anything private away but speak kindly about it. Tell your friends that you are so glad to be in this relationship with it and that even though you have the occasional kinks to iron out, for the most part you are really happy with your wip. After all, you two chose each other - and it doesn't hurt to remember that when things get tough. And they will. Get. Tough.

5. Even though everyone has told you for years that writing is spontaneous and wild, remember that in a real long-term relationship, like the one you and your wip will have, the rituals and daily exchanges are the bedrock. And you have to plan to get together and spend that quality time. Make it a steady habit. Your love for each other will grow if you do. Trust me.

Now it is your turn...