Dear Friend,
If someone tells you that you’ve taken something to heart, they realize you really care about the matter you’ve discussed. You may even have changed your mind or behavior.
Which led me to wonder how the heart came to be the symbol of love, especially romantic love. After a bit of research, it appears everyone agrees the heart as a symbol of love was first found in the Middle Ages. However, with several sources using the same wording, it appears massive plagiarism is to blame, or it’s AI cloning previous authors.
Time to try a different approach!
However, and whenever the “heart” became the symbol for love, the word is pervasive in common phrases like:
My heart isn’t in it. The meaning you’re not enthusiastic about something, taken literally, conjures images of a heart left somewhere outside the body.
Having a heart to heart talk. This phrase creates a hilarious image of two hearts seated, talking earnestly with each other.
Knowing something so well you know it by heart. Again, an image humorously comes up of a heart reciting a fact, poem, or a short story.
When you have a heart as big as all outdoors, meaning you’re generous, a very weird image comes to mind of someone’s heart floating, taking up the sky as far as the eye can see.
I could go on and on. Instead, besides my love of romance, why my preoccupation with matters of the heart? That’s simple. My doctor referred me to a cardiologist for the first time. I’d never been to one, so I asked the internist I see for general medical needs, why?
When you have too much of things like cholesterol (the LDL variety, anyway), blood pressure, etc., doctors start thinking of heart issues. And not in a romantic way at all!
What is ironic about the idea is that I’ve been going to the gym three times a week for months. I walk one-half to a full mile, and work on equipment that includes weights to add. I started with about twenty pounds and now work out with sixty pounds of weights on several scary-looking contraptions.
My cardiologist, new to me, but not new as a cardiologist, is a cheery male who actually said we’d consider whether I’d use various meds once I’d performed several tests and maneuvers. I liked that. Too many doctors prescribe medicines that may not be necessary. I avoid medicines as much as possible, preferring to stick to natural supplements, like Vitamin D3.
In the next few weeks, I’ll be trudging along on a treadmill, taking an echocardiogram, and having a CT scan. I’ll need the results explained, but I’ll likely spend the next two weeks researching these tests and what they show. I like to be prepared! Yes, I was a Scout! Wish me luck on the testing—I should know something right before the next blog goes up!
Meanwhile, I’m in the throes of writing The Greatest Thing and having my characters earn their reward–LOVE! One scene I wrote recently had me laughing. My female lead, or FMC, Louisa, is giving dating advice to a widower who wants to win the heart of a wonderful woman. Everything she tells him makes sense, but he’s so afraid he’ll scare his potential love interest off, that he pays close attention like she’s a previous generation’s “Dear Abby.”
INTRODUCING JESSIE CUNNIFFE
And speaking of love, I’d love to tell you about our guest author who’ll be joining us in the next blog on September 11th. Jessie Cunniffe, who I consider the “Blurb Lady,” will tell us how to write productive emails. She’s witty, and economical with words. You’ll love her!
I’ve known Jessie for a couple of years now, as I’ve listened to her in various webinars, participated in a blurb course she offered, and received her clever emails, almost daily. Her approach to writing is refreshing, so I think you’ll enjoy her as our guest for next time.
For the uninitiated, a blurb is the term used for the catchy, short phrases or sentences used on the back cover of a paperback or hardcover book to excite a potential reader. How many times have you flipped over a book to see what it’s about? It’s critical to helping a potential reader become a reader. Jessie’s been assisting writers in their blurb-writing efforts for several years.
With her guest column next time, she’ll be wowing you with her ability to write emails that get to the point and keep you reading. And she’ll tell you valuable ideas to make your writing attract readers to sample your writing and stick around. (And this could be for non-authors who need to write those odious complaint letters, or responses to Homeowners Associations who are accusing you of the heinous crime of having piles of leaves among your plants after a major windy day.)
Here’s Jessie —
Jessie Cunniffe* is a professional blurb writer and book blurb coach from Sydney, Australia. A passionate advocate of the indie author community, Jessie has dedicated herself to taking the pain out of blurb-writing with her custom blurb services and two signature courses: Book Blurb Magic and The Spicy Blurb Playbook. When she’s not writing or dreaming up the next BBM product, Jessie can be found journaling, exploring new ocean pools, and playing her guitar. On the occasion that Jessie manages to snatch some reading time, she’s probably buried in P. G. Wodehouse or Agatha Christie.
Her website is: www.bookblurbmagic.com
*Pronounced ‘k-NIFF’
PROGRESS ON BOOK 4, THE GREATEST THING
Still making progress on The Greatest Thing, the continued love story of Louisa and Will at college, coping with life-challenging and career-threatening problems. A couple of “threads” to tie together, and it’ll be a wrap! Fun surprises at the end. I’ll keep you posted!
Before we launch, I’ll give you an insider’s look at the cover reveal.
Still hot in Arizona!–Stay cool!
P.S. In September, I’ll be the guest of author Paula Judith Johnson, who hosts “Spotlight on Romance” each month. She requested I speak about “Banishing Writer’s Block.” The talk, scheduled for September 11th, is the day my next blog comes out. Paula Judith also posts the blog on YouTube.
