I just uploaded this slideshow for The Art and Craft of Romance.
After seeing this, one reader wrote to tell me that he was inspired and bought his wife a dozen roses when he was doing some errands around town. Now, that's the spirit.
This goes to show that true romance is still very much alive and well when people are receptive to it.
Gentlemen, master the Art and Craft of Romance. The book is available at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Craft-Romance-Gentlemans-Romancing-ebook/dp/B00PMCLHJO
Monday, July 18, 2016
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Strong Minds Discuss Ideas
Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people. ~Socrates
One of the great secrets of courtship and long-lasting relationships is enjoying good conversation. Like the crafting of love letters, conversation is the life-blood of a loving romance.
If you want to stay together, discuss your dreams and ideas together. A good rule is to share your thoughts and feelings without dominating the conversation. You have two ears and one mouth... so, speak half as much as you listen.
Did you know that the average woman says 10,000 words in a day? Did you know that the average man says only 3,000 words in a day?
These averages mean something.
I do know some lonely guys who speak as much as the average woman and guess what-- their conversation is all about them. I even know a few guys who dominate every conversation. They just don't quite get it.
Men and women are wired differently.
There is a cool teaching in Buddhism about understanding the world around you. What you will SEE when you truly observe things for what they are is that everything has its own nature.
Seek to understand the nature of things and you will be in harmony with them. Seek to understand your partner and the two of you will be in harmony.
One of the great secrets of courtship and long-lasting relationships is enjoying good conversation. Like the crafting of love letters, conversation is the life-blood of a loving romance.
If you want to stay together, discuss your dreams and ideas together. A good rule is to share your thoughts and feelings without dominating the conversation. You have two ears and one mouth... so, speak half as much as you listen.
Did you know that the average woman says 10,000 words in a day? Did you know that the average man says only 3,000 words in a day?
These averages mean something.
I do know some lonely guys who speak as much as the average woman and guess what-- their conversation is all about them. I even know a few guys who dominate every conversation. They just don't quite get it.
Men and women are wired differently.
There is a cool teaching in Buddhism about understanding the world around you. What you will SEE when you truly observe things for what they are is that everything has its own nature.
Seek to understand the nature of things and you will be in harmony with them. Seek to understand your partner and the two of you will be in harmony.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
It's the Little Things...
It's the little things that mean so much.
There are lots of times when my wife and I are busy, but, I take a minute and write a simple little note to say "I love you" and leave it on her computer keyboard or some place where I know she'll find it and it will make her smile.
When relationships fall apart, most of the time, it can be attributed to a lack of romance.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that romance and sex are the same thing. Lots of relationships grow weak because they are not romantic even though sex is frequent.
You have to remember that love is a combination of these three things (See the Greek words to the right).
The first is translated "passion" and is the real power of love.
The second is translated as physical intimacy.
The third is translated "The Love of God" and refers to genuine caring for another person. It is often called "Brotherly Love" and includes things like putting another person's feelings before your own. It is sharing, caring, consideration, generosity, etc... A truly loving relationship is built on these three things.
Passion is that thing which puts power in the written word. If you want to win the heart of a lady, passion is the magic ingredient. To keep the lady of your dreams, you need all three types of love in full measure.
Now, put your heart into it.
There are lots of times when my wife and I are busy, but, I take a minute and write a simple little note to say "I love you" and leave it on her computer keyboard or some place where I know she'll find it and it will make her smile.
When relationships fall apart, most of the time, it can be attributed to a lack of romance.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that romance and sex are the same thing. Lots of relationships grow weak because they are not romantic even though sex is frequent.
You have to remember that love is a combination of these three things (See the Greek words to the right).The first is translated "passion" and is the real power of love.
The second is translated as physical intimacy.
The third is translated "The Love of God" and refers to genuine caring for another person. It is often called "Brotherly Love" and includes things like putting another person's feelings before your own. It is sharing, caring, consideration, generosity, etc... A truly loving relationship is built on these three things.
Passion is that thing which puts power in the written word. If you want to win the heart of a lady, passion is the magic ingredient. To keep the lady of your dreams, you need all three types of love in full measure.
Now, put your heart into it.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Genuine Love is Like Fine Wine
When it comes to love, treat it like fine wine. Love should be better with age. The more time you take to cultivate it, the stronger and more savory it becomes. True love casts out fear and doubt.
The pickup artist wants sex. The pickup artist wants a fast score. The pickup
artist is in the relationship game only for the fast-track. Anything that takes too
long is no longer worthy or pursuit. Some of them will wait longer than others,
but, the more people they have been with previously, the less likely they are to
wait. Although, some of them will be playing multiple ladies at the same time.
The genuine romantic is very unlikely to be interested in more than one woman
at a time, unless all are kept at a distance while he searches for a genuinely
romantic lady.
At one time, I had been seeing four different women in casual situations. I was
looking for a life-long relationship. Of the four, two of the ladies might have
become a life-long thing if certain circumstances did not exist. In both cases, I
had plans to spend my son's teen years with him and that meant I had to relocate and take the lady with me. Neither of those two possible mates would be easily convinced to move. Therefore, I did not try to take the relationships to the next level.
In the same situation, the pickup artist would have taken the ladies to bed with
him and not cared a thing about it.
The goal of the romantic is finding someone with whom to spend the rest of your life. Remember, like a fine wine, love gets better with age. Your attachment to each other, and your commitment to each other should be stronger with the passing of seasons, of years, of decades.
The pickup artist wants sex. The pickup artist wants a fast score. The pickup
artist is in the relationship game only for the fast-track. Anything that takes too
long is no longer worthy or pursuit. Some of them will wait longer than others,
but, the more people they have been with previously, the less likely they are to
wait. Although, some of them will be playing multiple ladies at the same time.
The genuine romantic is very unlikely to be interested in more than one woman
at a time, unless all are kept at a distance while he searches for a genuinely
romantic lady.
At one time, I had been seeing four different women in casual situations. I was
looking for a life-long relationship. Of the four, two of the ladies might have
become a life-long thing if certain circumstances did not exist. In both cases, I
had plans to spend my son's teen years with him and that meant I had to relocate and take the lady with me. Neither of those two possible mates would be easily convinced to move. Therefore, I did not try to take the relationships to the next level.
In the same situation, the pickup artist would have taken the ladies to bed with
him and not cared a thing about it.
The goal of the romantic is finding someone with whom to spend the rest of your life. Remember, like a fine wine, love gets better with age. Your attachment to each other, and your commitment to each other should be stronger with the passing of seasons, of years, of decades.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Love Songs
Being a true romantic at heart, I wrote a song for the woman I would marry before we even met. When the time came, I played it for her at our wedding.
This is that song:
Loving You
By Michael W. (Mickey) Maguire
In the morning when I open my eyes
I see you there and I realize,
what a blessing to have you here with me.
You always know exactly what to say.
Only you can make me feel this way.
I know there's nowhere on Earth that I'd rather be.
[chorus]
One lifetime's not enough, so, how's eternity sound?
We'll walk together in heaven hand-in-hand.
Praising God everyday for the kind of love that we have found,
and His trail of foot steps in the sand.
In the quiet of the evening chill
I know I love you, I always will.
We'll sit together arm and arm by the fire.
I'll softly, whisper, what's in my heart.
No force on Earth could ever keep us apart,
and I confess to you you're my one desire.
[chorus]
I thank God everyday for the way he brought you into my life,
how we came to meet was more than chance.
I thank God everyday for giving me a wonderful wife,
and His trail of foot steps in the sand
and His trail of foot steps in the sand
Here is a link to the song online:
Loving You
I am a professional songwriter, among other things, so writing a song was not difficult for me. I wrote both the lyrics and melody.
If you want to express your love in a song and all you write are lyrics, there are lots of melody makers out there. It is just a matter of finding someone who can put a melody to your words.
When I wrote "Loving You" I had written the melody while sitting in a cubicle on my lunch break (I was working in the computer industry at the time). The melody is the same one you'll hear in the link above. I built a mood and then I finally wrote the lyrics about six months later.
Normally, I write a song, both lyrics and melody, in about five minutes. That is just the way inspiration takes me. In this case, perhaps it was because I will writing for someone I had not even met, yet, but I built the mood and just played the tune on a regular basis until I figured out what I wanted to say.
Like love poems and letters, a love song must come from the heart. True love is the most powerful emotion in the universe... and music is the universal language.
This is that song:
Loving You
By Michael W. (Mickey) Maguire
In the morning when I open my eyes
I see you there and I realize,
what a blessing to have you here with me.
You always know exactly what to say.
Only you can make me feel this way.
I know there's nowhere on Earth that I'd rather be.
[chorus]
One lifetime's not enough, so, how's eternity sound?
We'll walk together in heaven hand-in-hand.
Praising God everyday for the kind of love that we have found,
and His trail of foot steps in the sand.
In the quiet of the evening chill
I know I love you, I always will.
We'll sit together arm and arm by the fire.
I'll softly, whisper, what's in my heart.
No force on Earth could ever keep us apart,
and I confess to you you're my one desire.
[chorus]
I thank God everyday for the way he brought you into my life,
how we came to meet was more than chance.
I thank God everyday for giving me a wonderful wife,
and His trail of foot steps in the sand
and His trail of foot steps in the sand
Here is a link to the song online:
Loving You
I am a professional songwriter, among other things, so writing a song was not difficult for me. I wrote both the lyrics and melody.
If you want to express your love in a song and all you write are lyrics, there are lots of melody makers out there. It is just a matter of finding someone who can put a melody to your words.
When I wrote "Loving You" I had written the melody while sitting in a cubicle on my lunch break (I was working in the computer industry at the time). The melody is the same one you'll hear in the link above. I built a mood and then I finally wrote the lyrics about six months later.
Normally, I write a song, both lyrics and melody, in about five minutes. That is just the way inspiration takes me. In this case, perhaps it was because I will writing for someone I had not even met, yet, but I built the mood and just played the tune on a regular basis until I figured out what I wanted to say.
Like love poems and letters, a love song must come from the heart. True love is the most powerful emotion in the universe... and music is the universal language.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Cadence and Rhyme
If you have ever attended a poetry reading, there are some people who read
verse much like prose. There are others who always read verse like a school kid:
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
That can get pretty old, pretty quick. It can put an audience to sleep pretty
quickly, too.
I had a chance to hear Patrick Stewart recite Shakespeare. Stewart is a master
of the art. Here is a link: Sonnet 30
Learning to read poetry aloud will enable you to read poetry to your lady and also facilitate poetry recital if you choose to memorize your poems. It also helps you become more adept at writing good poetry by understanding how verses flow. When you read it, does each line flow smoothly? Are there lines that make you stumble or lose your place?
Cadence is not necessarily like the school kid reading rhythm I mentioned above. Cadence is really movement. It is flow. It does not have to be regimented. Poetic verse should be easy to read, not tie your tongue in knots.
Rhyme does not have to be perfect or exact. In a phonetic sense, words that sound similar are fine. Works with the exact same ending sound, like box and sox are also fine. Words don't always have to rhyme, but rhyme helps tie everything together. To most people, poetry means rhyme and cadence. Any deviation is considered poetic license, oddly enough.
Here is an example of a poem where I use rhyme a little differently:
The Morning
by Mickey Maguire
The sun poured through my window
as yet the day was new
The songs of feathered minstrels
reminded me of you
Had this been a morn in spring
then, outside I would go
to see the dew-kissed petals
of the beautiful rambling rose
My thoughts, once more, return to you
the weekend that we shared
finding you beside me
to see you smiling there
Such joy has filled my lonely heart
I'm thanking God above
'cause loneliness has gone away
replaced by joy and love
My heart is light, I'm smiling
for I've been greatly blessed
Mornings when we're arm-in-arm
are the ones that I love best
The second verse, lines two and four end in “go” and “rose” respectively. The
third verse uses “shared” and “there” in the same manner. The use of rhyme is
important only in that it helps the ebb and flow of verse. It ties lines together and facilitates the reading of the piece.
Don't struggle with rhyme if you cannot find the right words to express yourself.
Rhyme is a tool, but, it is not an end-all. It is obvious that some people have
found the need for rhyme confining at times, hence the popularity of free-form
verse in some circles. It has become more popular among educated young
people, perhaps because of the sense of freedom that it espouses. There is less
structure and rigidity of thinking.
Here is a sample of a poem that does not steadfastly adhere to rules about
rhyme:
I Give to Thee My Heart
by Mickey Maguire
Oh, 'Tis true
it is but you
that bringeth me
to sigh
For I can see
thy pretty smile
and a twinkle
in thine eye
Maiden there
Oh, lady fair
Sweet Mary Rose
none can compare
I give to thee
my heart
Rules of rhyme are pretty much ignored in this poem. There is rhyme, and there
is not, depending on the verse. In fact, cadence is not perfect in this poem,
either. It did express my thoughts at the time I wrote it perfectly. That is really
what matters most.
What you want to learn from this post is that rhyme and cadence are tools,
like basic sentence structure is a tool. Basic rules of sentence structure are building blocks for anyone learning to write. So are rhyme and cadence.
verse much like prose. There are others who always read verse like a school kid:
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-dum, ta-da
That can get pretty old, pretty quick. It can put an audience to sleep pretty
quickly, too.
I had a chance to hear Patrick Stewart recite Shakespeare. Stewart is a master
of the art. Here is a link: Sonnet 30
Learning to read poetry aloud will enable you to read poetry to your lady and also facilitate poetry recital if you choose to memorize your poems. It also helps you become more adept at writing good poetry by understanding how verses flow. When you read it, does each line flow smoothly? Are there lines that make you stumble or lose your place?
Cadence is not necessarily like the school kid reading rhythm I mentioned above. Cadence is really movement. It is flow. It does not have to be regimented. Poetic verse should be easy to read, not tie your tongue in knots.
Rhyme does not have to be perfect or exact. In a phonetic sense, words that sound similar are fine. Works with the exact same ending sound, like box and sox are also fine. Words don't always have to rhyme, but rhyme helps tie everything together. To most people, poetry means rhyme and cadence. Any deviation is considered poetic license, oddly enough.
Here is an example of a poem where I use rhyme a little differently:
The Morning
by Mickey Maguire
The sun poured through my window
as yet the day was new
The songs of feathered minstrels
reminded me of you
Had this been a morn in spring
then, outside I would go
to see the dew-kissed petals
of the beautiful rambling rose
My thoughts, once more, return to you
the weekend that we shared
finding you beside me
to see you smiling there
Such joy has filled my lonely heart
I'm thanking God above
'cause loneliness has gone away
replaced by joy and love
My heart is light, I'm smiling
for I've been greatly blessed
Mornings when we're arm-in-arm
are the ones that I love best
The second verse, lines two and four end in “go” and “rose” respectively. The
third verse uses “shared” and “there” in the same manner. The use of rhyme is
important only in that it helps the ebb and flow of verse. It ties lines together and facilitates the reading of the piece.
Don't struggle with rhyme if you cannot find the right words to express yourself.
Rhyme is a tool, but, it is not an end-all. It is obvious that some people have
found the need for rhyme confining at times, hence the popularity of free-form
verse in some circles. It has become more popular among educated young
people, perhaps because of the sense of freedom that it espouses. There is less
structure and rigidity of thinking.
Here is a sample of a poem that does not steadfastly adhere to rules about
rhyme:
I Give to Thee My Heart
by Mickey Maguire
Oh, 'Tis true
it is but you
that bringeth me
to sigh
For I can see
thy pretty smile
and a twinkle
in thine eye
Maiden there
Oh, lady fair
Sweet Mary Rose
none can compare
I give to thee
my heart
Rules of rhyme are pretty much ignored in this poem. There is rhyme, and there
is not, depending on the verse. In fact, cadence is not perfect in this poem,
either. It did express my thoughts at the time I wrote it perfectly. That is really
what matters most.
What you want to learn from this post is that rhyme and cadence are tools,
like basic sentence structure is a tool. Basic rules of sentence structure are building blocks for anyone learning to write. So are rhyme and cadence.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Love Is In the Air
It's springtime and love is in the air.
Trees are popping out new leaves. The sunrise brings new opportunities. People are out and about. The long winter is fading quietly and warm breezes are coming from the west.
This is a time of renewal. Finding love is easier when you get involved in outdoor recreation activities or enjoy the sights and sounds about town. Sidewalk cafes are inviting and are a great place to meet people.
Grab yourself a great book-- I recommend something like Shakespeare or another poet or playwright of the romantic period. Enjoy a glass of wine and read. Don't forget to wear a smile.
One of the best ways to become a good poet is read a lot of poetry. When you become proficient with that, it is time to use visual imagery in prose. Master romantic writing and you will charm the lady of your dreams.
For the ladies, a man worth having will not laugh at something you have written and sent him. Instead, he will be intrigued and want to know more about you.
Grab a book. Grab a Kindle. Go out and read. Coffee, wine, tea, it matters not. Just get out there. And if you're already married, you and your spouse can still enjoy the atmosphere. It stimulates those creative juices.
Write now... :)
Trees are popping out new leaves. The sunrise brings new opportunities. People are out and about. The long winter is fading quietly and warm breezes are coming from the west.
This is a time of renewal. Finding love is easier when you get involved in outdoor recreation activities or enjoy the sights and sounds about town. Sidewalk cafes are inviting and are a great place to meet people.
Grab yourself a great book-- I recommend something like Shakespeare or another poet or playwright of the romantic period. Enjoy a glass of wine and read. Don't forget to wear a smile.
One of the best ways to become a good poet is read a lot of poetry. When you become proficient with that, it is time to use visual imagery in prose. Master romantic writing and you will charm the lady of your dreams.
For the ladies, a man worth having will not laugh at something you have written and sent him. Instead, he will be intrigued and want to know more about you.
Grab a book. Grab a Kindle. Go out and read. Coffee, wine, tea, it matters not. Just get out there. And if you're already married, you and your spouse can still enjoy the atmosphere. It stimulates those creative juices.
Write now... :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
A Genuine Romantic Will Love It
One of the most common fears about writing love poems and love letters is that the recipient might laugh at the author.
Rest assured... Almost without exception, a lady will treasure a sincere love letter or love poem. In fact, it is an inexpensive way to bring more joy to your wife or girl friend than you could ever imagine.
I have known many guys who would laugh about a poem or love letter that a girl sent him; however, that is just because the idea that he might be expected to reciprocate scares the living daylights out of him. Such a man is insecure. Such a man is not the sort that is worthy of a true lady if that attitude cannot be overcome.
The Art of the Love Letter
I was fortunate to have been exposed to great literary works growing up. I developed an appreciation for poetry and fine writing because my parents both appreciated poetry. My father quoted authors of the past and my mother came from a long line of poets and songwriters. I was raised with the thought that the ability to write a love letter or love poem was one of the highest social graces.
To win the heart of a lady is the dream of every knight.
Like Lancelot and Guinevere, you too can have a timeless romance. Learn the Art and Craft of Romance. It's much easier than you might think.
Rest assured... Almost without exception, a lady will treasure a sincere love letter or love poem. In fact, it is an inexpensive way to bring more joy to your wife or girl friend than you could ever imagine.
I have known many guys who would laugh about a poem or love letter that a girl sent him; however, that is just because the idea that he might be expected to reciprocate scares the living daylights out of him. Such a man is insecure. Such a man is not the sort that is worthy of a true lady if that attitude cannot be overcome.
The Art of the Love Letter
I was fortunate to have been exposed to great literary works growing up. I developed an appreciation for poetry and fine writing because my parents both appreciated poetry. My father quoted authors of the past and my mother came from a long line of poets and songwriters. I was raised with the thought that the ability to write a love letter or love poem was one of the highest social graces.
To win the heart of a lady is the dream of every knight.
Like Lancelot and Guinevere, you too can have a timeless romance. Learn the Art and Craft of Romance. It's much easier than you might think.
Monday, April 25, 2016
What Women Want Above All Else
Did you know that what women want above all else is a love letter? It's true.
My wife, Mary Rose Maguire, used to be a relationship coach. She specialized in helping middle-aged women find the love of their life. She held seminars and was a guest speaker on the evening news on more than one occasion. She was billed as the "Dating Revolutionist" and even wrote a book on finding love at middle-age.
In countless discussions with women, it came down to this: A love letter means more to a lady than expensive jewelry or costly gifts.
A nice, handwritten love letter, sentimental and genuine in its content, will win a lady's heart before anything else. You don't have to be the greatest poet, a simple love poem and a love letter will do.
The Art and Craft of Romance can teach you tricks of the trade, so to speak. Writing love letters is much easier when you learn a few simple concepts and practice those.
There is a link to Amazon where you can buy the book. It's just $2.99 for the Kindle edition. The Kindle Reader application for your PC or MAC computer is a free download. There are apps for Android and iOS phones, too. They are free.
Don't let the thought of writing a love letter scare you. Give it a whirl and you might discover your inner bard.
My wife, Mary Rose Maguire, used to be a relationship coach. She specialized in helping middle-aged women find the love of their life. She held seminars and was a guest speaker on the evening news on more than one occasion. She was billed as the "Dating Revolutionist" and even wrote a book on finding love at middle-age.
In countless discussions with women, it came down to this: A love letter means more to a lady than expensive jewelry or costly gifts.
A nice, handwritten love letter, sentimental and genuine in its content, will win a lady's heart before anything else. You don't have to be the greatest poet, a simple love poem and a love letter will do.
The Art and Craft of Romance can teach you tricks of the trade, so to speak. Writing love letters is much easier when you learn a few simple concepts and practice those.
There is a link to Amazon where you can buy the book. It's just $2.99 for the Kindle edition. The Kindle Reader application for your PC or MAC computer is a free download. There are apps for Android and iOS phones, too. They are free.
Don't let the thought of writing a love letter scare you. Give it a whirl and you might discover your inner bard.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
A New Day - A Love Poem
I wrote this love poem for my wife before we were married. It was one of many that I had written for her. She wrote many for me.
Early on, Mary Rose (my wife) was intrigued when I took interest in her poetry and told her things about herself that I could discern from what she had written.
By giving her feedback on her writing, my future wife could tell that I really had an interest in her. Better still, I not only had an interest in what she wrote, I was a poet as well, and I let her read things that I had written. Then, I started writing poetry specifically for her and about her.
A New Day
by Mickey Maguire
I wake to find myself
in shrouded veil of darkness
The sun has not yet risen
nor has dew begun its sweet caress
All about are sounds of night
the symphony is playing
The east horizon's not yet aglow
but, surely dawn is coming
I see images of Lady Fair
and think of her caress
her kisses and her loving touch
I'm captive, I confess
Even tho' I've just awakened
thoughts of her arouse me
and love, once distant and obscure
no longer seems a mystery
I shall rejoice when we, at last
are walking hand-in-hand
To gently hold you, softly kiss
in dawn's first light we stand
A new day comes sweet lady love
and all the joys of life
With you, my heart I'll gladly give
I'll take you as my wife
Early on, Mary Rose (my wife) was intrigued when I took interest in her poetry and told her things about herself that I could discern from what she had written.
By giving her feedback on her writing, my future wife could tell that I really had an interest in her. Better still, I not only had an interest in what she wrote, I was a poet as well, and I let her read things that I had written. Then, I started writing poetry specifically for her and about her.
A New Day
by Mickey Maguire
I wake to find myself
in shrouded veil of darkness
The sun has not yet risen
nor has dew begun its sweet caress
All about are sounds of night
the symphony is playing
The east horizon's not yet aglow
but, surely dawn is coming
I see images of Lady Fair
and think of her caress
her kisses and her loving touch
I'm captive, I confess
Even tho' I've just awakened
thoughts of her arouse me
and love, once distant and obscure
no longer seems a mystery
I shall rejoice when we, at last
are walking hand-in-hand
To gently hold you, softly kiss
in dawn's first light we stand
A new day comes sweet lady love
and all the joys of life
With you, my heart I'll gladly give
I'll take you as my wife
Writing Love Poems
The love poem is, perhaps, the most powerful tool in a genuine romantic's
arsenal. It is Cupid's arrow in the bard's quiver. It can melt the coldest heart and quicken the pulse of a lady beyond all else. But, writing a love poem takes talent. I believe it is a talent that can be learned. Keep in mind that not everyone can become the next Byron, Browning, or Shakespeare. But, the rudiments of this art and craft can be learned and refined with practice.
Even if you don't have the greatest vocabulary, you can weave words into a
tapestry that is sure to delight a genuine lady.
There is a beauty in simplicity, so, fear not if you use simple sentences and
restrict yourself to three-syllable words. This is a learning process. The longer
you cultivate this skill, the less confined you will feel. Your vocabulary will grow
and you will become more proficient in time.
The above paragraphs are an excerpt from my book, "The Art and Craft of Romance" --available at amazon
What intimidates most men when it comes to writing love letters is the fear that a lady might laugh, or she might not think it is good enough. Trust me, anything heartfelt will mean a lot to a genuine lady.
You have to remember that most men will poke fun at something when it intimidates the hell out of them. Because they are too afraid to actually write a love poem of their own, they will take pot-shots at someone who does write one. It's the same with love songs-- they call them sappy and make fun of them, but, trust me when I say that if you can actually write a love song and sing it to the lady in your life, she will treasure it.
Learning to write love poems is far easier than you might think. There are a few basic rules about rhyme and cadence, but after that, it is simply a matter of describing pictures and feelings with words.
"If you can write a simple letter..."
Don't underestimate the power of descriptive language. You want to evoke passion in your reader (the lady of your dreams). The Art and Craft of Romance can show you how.
arsenal. It is Cupid's arrow in the bard's quiver. It can melt the coldest heart and quicken the pulse of a lady beyond all else. But, writing a love poem takes talent. I believe it is a talent that can be learned. Keep in mind that not everyone can become the next Byron, Browning, or Shakespeare. But, the rudiments of this art and craft can be learned and refined with practice.
Even if you don't have the greatest vocabulary, you can weave words into a
tapestry that is sure to delight a genuine lady.
There is a beauty in simplicity, so, fear not if you use simple sentences and
restrict yourself to three-syllable words. This is a learning process. The longer
you cultivate this skill, the less confined you will feel. Your vocabulary will grow
and you will become more proficient in time.
The above paragraphs are an excerpt from my book, "The Art and Craft of Romance" --available at amazon
What intimidates most men when it comes to writing love letters is the fear that a lady might laugh, or she might not think it is good enough. Trust me, anything heartfelt will mean a lot to a genuine lady.
You have to remember that most men will poke fun at something when it intimidates the hell out of them. Because they are too afraid to actually write a love poem of their own, they will take pot-shots at someone who does write one. It's the same with love songs-- they call them sappy and make fun of them, but, trust me when I say that if you can actually write a love song and sing it to the lady in your life, she will treasure it.
Learning to write love poems is far easier than you might think. There are a few basic rules about rhyme and cadence, but after that, it is simply a matter of describing pictures and feelings with words.
"If you can write a simple letter..."
Don't underestimate the power of descriptive language. You want to evoke passion in your reader (the lady of your dreams). The Art and Craft of Romance can show you how.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Romance Is Alive and Well
Many people believe that genuine romance is dead. No, it's not!
Genuine romance, in the classical sense is alive and well, but, it is kept in the hands of a few masters of the art. The Art and Craft of Romance will teach you how to write romantic love letters and love poems that will warm the coldest heart.
The book covers romantic prose, poems, even love songs. Learn how to masterfully weave a tapestry of descriptive images into the mind of your lady.
Here is a little slide show to give you the highlights...
Genuine romance, in the classical sense is alive and well, but, it is kept in the hands of a few masters of the art. The Art and Craft of Romance will teach you how to write romantic love letters and love poems that will warm the coldest heart.
The book covers romantic prose, poems, even love songs. Learn how to masterfully weave a tapestry of descriptive images into the mind of your lady.
Here is a little slide show to give you the highlights...
Monday, April 18, 2016
Writing With Style
At one time, every serious writer had a copy of Strunk & White's “Elements of
Style” in their library. It is an inexpensive book and small in size, but it will teach you how to write a good, tight sentence.
Elements of Style's mantra is quite simply “waste no words” --but for our use,
beyond the basic need of proper sentence structure, our words must paint a vivid picture. We are not as interested in being concise as we are conveying a message that triggers emotions by sparking the imagination. We want the reader to see and hear the images we create in their own imaginations.
The most important thing to remember is that we want to use those iconic and
timeless images to create our scene. This will help the reader envision what we
have created with words. When they see the scene in their mind's eye, they will
feel the mood that we wanted to create.
If you run into a stumbling block or find that some sentence seems awkward,
that is the time to choose other words or consult Strunk & White.
Some people may want to add little visual embellishments to their letters or
poetry. It has been my experience that imagination is much more powerful than
illustration-- because imagination is, in essence, visualization. It is owned by the
reader, not the writer. Your reader's visions –triggered by your writing, are her
own. They will bring out far more emotions than an illustration.
The use of metaphor can be powerful. Here is an example:
“Love is the master key...” The rest of the quote is as follows: “...that unlocks the gates of happiness, of hatred, of jealousy, and most easily of all, the gate of fear.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
The risk of using a metaphor is that you give control of the phrase to common
usage. For example: “Love is a rose” will trigger this: “Love is a rose, but you
better not pick it.” At the least, this particular choice could be a distraction.
If you use common metaphors, use them wisely.
You must remember that you are writing to paint pictures in the mind of your
readers. That is the real power of romantic writing and that is why it is so
important for you to master it.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But words that paint pictures
in the imagination of the reader are worth far more than a physical picture or
illustration could ever be. That is because the words were written by you, but,
those images painted in the readers imagination belong to them. Those mental
images are far more powerful than photographs or illustrations because they are
accompanied by strong feelings of love and passion.
Now, you can understand the power of descriptive writing. It plants the image
you want to convey in your reader's imagination. That visualization brings out a
strong emotional reaction. In this case, passion and love.
Style” in their library. It is an inexpensive book and small in size, but it will teach you how to write a good, tight sentence.
Elements of Style's mantra is quite simply “waste no words” --but for our use,
beyond the basic need of proper sentence structure, our words must paint a vivid picture. We are not as interested in being concise as we are conveying a message that triggers emotions by sparking the imagination. We want the reader to see and hear the images we create in their own imaginations.
The most important thing to remember is that we want to use those iconic and
timeless images to create our scene. This will help the reader envision what we
have created with words. When they see the scene in their mind's eye, they will
feel the mood that we wanted to create.
If you run into a stumbling block or find that some sentence seems awkward,
that is the time to choose other words or consult Strunk & White.
Some people may want to add little visual embellishments to their letters or
poetry. It has been my experience that imagination is much more powerful than
illustration-- because imagination is, in essence, visualization. It is owned by the
reader, not the writer. Your reader's visions –triggered by your writing, are her
own. They will bring out far more emotions than an illustration.
The use of metaphor can be powerful. Here is an example:
“Love is the master key...” The rest of the quote is as follows: “...that unlocks the gates of happiness, of hatred, of jealousy, and most easily of all, the gate of fear.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
The risk of using a metaphor is that you give control of the phrase to common
usage. For example: “Love is a rose” will trigger this: “Love is a rose, but you
better not pick it.” At the least, this particular choice could be a distraction.
If you use common metaphors, use them wisely.
You must remember that you are writing to paint pictures in the mind of your
readers. That is the real power of romantic writing and that is why it is so
important for you to master it.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But words that paint pictures
in the imagination of the reader are worth far more than a physical picture or
illustration could ever be. That is because the words were written by you, but,
those images painted in the readers imagination belong to them. Those mental
images are far more powerful than photographs or illustrations because they are
accompanied by strong feelings of love and passion.
Now, you can understand the power of descriptive writing. It plants the image
you want to convey in your reader's imagination. That visualization brings out a
strong emotional reaction. In this case, passion and love.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
A Tale of Two Letters
Imagine Lancelot trying to win the heart of Lady Guinevere:
Dearest Guinevere:
I awoke with lingering thoughts of you. Our chance meeting by the river Thames was indeed a most serendipitous occasion. Ah, shall I compare thee to a summers day? I still recall the fragrance of lilac. Your perfume stirred my senses. Your laughter was music to my ears. I long to see you again. When can I be blessed with the pleasure of your company?
Affectionately yours,
Lance
There is another very important lesson in this example. The letter is all about
Guinevere. Lance is writing Guinevere to ask for a date, a time to see her again.
He doesn't waste time talking about himself. From the very first sentence, it is all about her. Lance woke with thoughts of Guinevere.
I'll rewrite the letter as if Lance is full of himself, not a romantic.
Hi Guinevere:
I woke up this morning and thought about our lucky meeting yesterday. I was on the Thames having a good time. It was a nice day and I usually try to get out and have some fun when the weather is good. I love to fish, hike, and spend time in the sun. Well, there you were. What do you say we get together. We can have a few laughs and I'll show you a good time.
Lance
In this new letter, Lance is saying that he likes getting out and doing things. He
mentions the meeting, but there was nothing to say that he was intrigued by
Guinevere. Even asking for a date, Lance says, “I'll show you a good time.”
Again, it's all about him.
The first letter made Guinevere the subject of every sentence. The second letter
did the opposite. The first letter closed in saying that having an opportunity to
see Guinevere again would be a pleasure and a blessing. In the second letter,
Lance says he'll show Guinevere a good time.
I wrote the two examples to teach an important lesson in relationships. A man
should show interest in his potential mate. He should find things of common
interest and build a relationship on that. In a modern world, men should make it
a point to learn about a lady's hobbies, interests, career, etc. Ladies should do
likewise with their men.
If you want to successfully win the heart of a potential mate, you really have to be interested in them and show it.
Dearest Guinevere:
I awoke with lingering thoughts of you. Our chance meeting by the river Thames was indeed a most serendipitous occasion. Ah, shall I compare thee to a summers day? I still recall the fragrance of lilac. Your perfume stirred my senses. Your laughter was music to my ears. I long to see you again. When can I be blessed with the pleasure of your company?
Affectionately yours,
Lance
There is another very important lesson in this example. The letter is all about
Guinevere. Lance is writing Guinevere to ask for a date, a time to see her again.
He doesn't waste time talking about himself. From the very first sentence, it is all about her. Lance woke with thoughts of Guinevere.
I'll rewrite the letter as if Lance is full of himself, not a romantic.
Hi Guinevere:
I woke up this morning and thought about our lucky meeting yesterday. I was on the Thames having a good time. It was a nice day and I usually try to get out and have some fun when the weather is good. I love to fish, hike, and spend time in the sun. Well, there you were. What do you say we get together. We can have a few laughs and I'll show you a good time.
Lance
In this new letter, Lance is saying that he likes getting out and doing things. He
mentions the meeting, but there was nothing to say that he was intrigued by
Guinevere. Even asking for a date, Lance says, “I'll show you a good time.”
Again, it's all about him.
The first letter made Guinevere the subject of every sentence. The second letter
did the opposite. The first letter closed in saying that having an opportunity to
see Guinevere again would be a pleasure and a blessing. In the second letter,
Lance says he'll show Guinevere a good time.
I wrote the two examples to teach an important lesson in relationships. A man
should show interest in his potential mate. He should find things of common
interest and build a relationship on that. In a modern world, men should make it
a point to learn about a lady's hobbies, interests, career, etc. Ladies should do
likewise with their men.
If you want to successfully win the heart of a potential mate, you really have to be interested in them and show it.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Romance Will Keep Love Alive
If you want a love that lasts a lifetime, keep romance alive. in turn, romance will keep love alive.
I have watched many couples marry with great enthusiasm and within a couple of years, they seem to be bored with their relationship. I have watched countless friends marry and divorce.
What attracts people to each other in the first place? So, what changed? Perhaps the novelty has just worn off. Nah, that's not it.
Relationships are built on love, admiration, trust, and devotion. A relationship that is built simply on good sex is doomed. It will not stand the test of time.
The first step in creating a successful relationship is having common interest. Aside from sex, what do you have in common? Without sex, do you enjoy spending time together? Why? How well do you really know each other?
If you can answer those questions, then how can you tell your mate what you love about her?
Keeping romance alive is really easy. Above all else, a woman wants to feel loved. And what women like that want more than anything else is a love letter. My wife and I have had discussions with lots of women who all say the same thing. A love letter from their husbands would mean more to them than any gift ever could. Most men think it's expensive jewelry or other gifts. Nope, it's a love letter or a love poem. It doesn't even have to be a literary masterpiece, just heartfelt and sincere.
Now, think of all the things you love about your wife or girlfriend. Write them down on a piece of paper. Then, write her a note to tell her.
If you want to learn how to write a great love letter or love poem, The Art and Craft of Romance (A Gentleman's Guide to Romancing A Lady) can help.
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Craft-Romance-Gentlemans-Romancing-ebook/dp/B00PMCLHJO
I have watched many couples marry with great enthusiasm and within a couple of years, they seem to be bored with their relationship. I have watched countless friends marry and divorce.
What attracts people to each other in the first place? So, what changed? Perhaps the novelty has just worn off. Nah, that's not it.
Relationships are built on love, admiration, trust, and devotion. A relationship that is built simply on good sex is doomed. It will not stand the test of time.
The first step in creating a successful relationship is having common interest. Aside from sex, what do you have in common? Without sex, do you enjoy spending time together? Why? How well do you really know each other?
If you can answer those questions, then how can you tell your mate what you love about her?
Keeping romance alive is really easy. Above all else, a woman wants to feel loved. And what women like that want more than anything else is a love letter. My wife and I have had discussions with lots of women who all say the same thing. A love letter from their husbands would mean more to them than any gift ever could. Most men think it's expensive jewelry or other gifts. Nope, it's a love letter or a love poem. It doesn't even have to be a literary masterpiece, just heartfelt and sincere.
Now, think of all the things you love about your wife or girlfriend. Write them down on a piece of paper. Then, write her a note to tell her.
If you want to learn how to write a great love letter or love poem, The Art and Craft of Romance (A Gentleman's Guide to Romancing A Lady) can help.
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Craft-Romance-Gentlemans-Romancing-ebook/dp/B00PMCLHJO
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Innuendo v. Eroticism
Passionate poetry is powerful. But remember, there is a difference between
passion and pornography, innuendo and sexual imagery. Sex and pornography
are not the same. One may be erotic, but, it is love, nevertheless. The other is
just exploitation. There is no love in it.
The ultimate use of eroticism in poetry is seduction. That is why I say use
restraint and be aware that timing is critical when sending someone erotic
poetry. Consider, then, that there are two basic types of poetry for building
passion and desire in a reader, innuendo-- that is, the suggestion of sexual
content, and eroticism-- it is passion-filled and sex is more than implied. Keep
this in mind: There is a difference between sensual and sexual. Many people
don't understand this. Sensual images can be highly provocative and even erotic
at times. Sexual imagery is generally more graphic. It is not subtle and it doesn't pretend to be.
Women respond extremely well to sensual images. Most men respond more to
sexual images. That is just the way men are wired. The romantic, nonetheless
appreciates the sensual and has perfected how to use it.
Here is an example of innuendo:
Mesmerized
by Mickey Maguire
I heard a sound like songbirds
and knew that it was you
Sweet Lady, I drew near
'cause your heart was true
What love had grown within me
When I gazed upon your face
with racing heart and arms outstretched
we met in warm embrace
My mind spun in pirouettes
and feet just blindly followed
at rise and fall of tender breasts
my breathing became shallow
My thoughts had wandered far away
somewhere beyond the moon
My mind was lost in azure blue
'twas crazy as a loon
Moon struck, mesmerized, in a trance
my limbs began to tingle
Lost in passion's dreamy dance
our bodies intermingled
There is definitely arousal and innuendo, but, there is no overtly sexual content.
The last line starts to drift and let the imagination take over.
If you want to read an example of purely erotic poetry, the next example in my book leaves nothing to the imagination, but you won't read it here.
The book is available at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Craft-Romance-Gentlemans-Romancing-ebook/dp/B00PMCLHJO
passion and pornography, innuendo and sexual imagery. Sex and pornography
are not the same. One may be erotic, but, it is love, nevertheless. The other is
just exploitation. There is no love in it.
The ultimate use of eroticism in poetry is seduction. That is why I say use
restraint and be aware that timing is critical when sending someone erotic
poetry. Consider, then, that there are two basic types of poetry for building
passion and desire in a reader, innuendo-- that is, the suggestion of sexual
content, and eroticism-- it is passion-filled and sex is more than implied. Keep
this in mind: There is a difference between sensual and sexual. Many people
don't understand this. Sensual images can be highly provocative and even erotic
at times. Sexual imagery is generally more graphic. It is not subtle and it doesn't pretend to be.
Women respond extremely well to sensual images. Most men respond more to
sexual images. That is just the way men are wired. The romantic, nonetheless
appreciates the sensual and has perfected how to use it.
Here is an example of innuendo:
Mesmerized
by Mickey Maguire
I heard a sound like songbirds
and knew that it was you
Sweet Lady, I drew near
'cause your heart was true
What love had grown within me
When I gazed upon your face
with racing heart and arms outstretched
we met in warm embrace
My mind spun in pirouettes
and feet just blindly followed
at rise and fall of tender breasts
my breathing became shallow
My thoughts had wandered far away
somewhere beyond the moon
My mind was lost in azure blue
'twas crazy as a loon
Moon struck, mesmerized, in a trance
my limbs began to tingle
Lost in passion's dreamy dance
our bodies intermingled
There is definitely arousal and innuendo, but, there is no overtly sexual content.
The last line starts to drift and let the imagination take over.
If you want to read an example of purely erotic poetry, the next example in my book leaves nothing to the imagination, but you won't read it here.
The book is available at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Craft-Romance-Gentlemans-Romancing-ebook/dp/B00PMCLHJO
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
The Heart of A Poet
The goal of a romantic is to develop the heart of a poet. That is totally different
than becoming a pickup artist. This is not about sex. It is about romance. At some level, sexual pleasure becomes a part of any meaningful relationship, but, it is the heart of a poet you want.
A pickup artist might have a strong command of the English language (or any
other language for that matter), but, sooner or later, the tiger will reveal his
stripes. It is unfortunate when a pickup artist is proficient with the art and craft
of romance. Any lady that has fallen victim to one of those flim-flam artists will
become suspicious of the genuine romantics that do exist. That is why you must
be patient.
When it comes to love, treat it like fine wine. Love should be better with age. The more time you take to cultivate it, the stronger and more savory it becomes. True love casts out fear and doubt.
The pickup artist wants sex. The pickup artist wants a fast score. The pickup
artist is in the relationship game only for the fast-track. Anything that takes too long is no longer worthy or pursuit. Some of them will wait longer than others, but, the more people they have been with previously, the less likely they are to wait. Although, some of them will be playing multiple ladies at the same time.
The genuine romantic is very unlikely to be interested in more than one woman
at a time, unless all are kept at a distance while he searches for a genuinely
romantic lady.
At one time, I had been seeing four different women in casual situations. I was
looking for a life-long relationship. Of the four, two of the ladies might have
become a life-long thing if certain circumstances did not exist. In both cases, I
had plans to spend my son's teen years with him and that meant I had to relocate and take the lady with me. Neither of those two possible mates would be easily convinced to move. Therefore, I did not try to take the relationships to the next level.
In the same situation, the pickup artist would have taken the ladies to bed with
him and not cared a thing about it.
The goal of the romantic is finding someone with whom to spend the rest of your life. Remember, like a fine wine, love gets better with age. Your attachment to each other, and your commitment to each other should be stronger with the passing of seasons, of years, of decades.
And remember, at eighty, you can still pop the cork-- you just have to let it breathe a little longer afterward. :)
than becoming a pickup artist. This is not about sex. It is about romance. At some level, sexual pleasure becomes a part of any meaningful relationship, but, it is the heart of a poet you want.
A pickup artist might have a strong command of the English language (or any
other language for that matter), but, sooner or later, the tiger will reveal his
stripes. It is unfortunate when a pickup artist is proficient with the art and craft
of romance. Any lady that has fallen victim to one of those flim-flam artists will
become suspicious of the genuine romantics that do exist. That is why you must
be patient.
When it comes to love, treat it like fine wine. Love should be better with age. The more time you take to cultivate it, the stronger and more savory it becomes. True love casts out fear and doubt.
The pickup artist wants sex. The pickup artist wants a fast score. The pickup
artist is in the relationship game only for the fast-track. Anything that takes too long is no longer worthy or pursuit. Some of them will wait longer than others, but, the more people they have been with previously, the less likely they are to wait. Although, some of them will be playing multiple ladies at the same time.
The genuine romantic is very unlikely to be interested in more than one woman
at a time, unless all are kept at a distance while he searches for a genuinely
romantic lady.
At one time, I had been seeing four different women in casual situations. I was
looking for a life-long relationship. Of the four, two of the ladies might have
become a life-long thing if certain circumstances did not exist. In both cases, I
had plans to spend my son's teen years with him and that meant I had to relocate and take the lady with me. Neither of those two possible mates would be easily convinced to move. Therefore, I did not try to take the relationships to the next level.
In the same situation, the pickup artist would have taken the ladies to bed with
him and not cared a thing about it.
The goal of the romantic is finding someone with whom to spend the rest of your life. Remember, like a fine wine, love gets better with age. Your attachment to each other, and your commitment to each other should be stronger with the passing of seasons, of years, of decades.
And remember, at eighty, you can still pop the cork-- you just have to let it breathe a little longer afterward. :)
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
It's All About Passion
When it comes to romance, passion is everything. Passion brings power to the
written word. You have heard that the pen is mightier than the sword. It is true.
That is because a pen, guided by passion, has the ability to warm hearts or turn
them stone cold. The difference between finding and enchanting the love of a
lifetime or striking out is what you say and how you say it.
When you write, remember that your focus is not on pornographic images. Don't
fiddle around with eroticism lightly. Innuendo is powerful when it creates passion in your reader. Images that are reminiscent of cheap, porn movies or magazines will kill the mood you really want. Porn devalues women. Be careful with eroticism.
Here is a poem I wrote that contains innuendo. Even the name has passionate
connotations. The imagery is very clear, yet, the reader is not left with the feeling that they are reading some trashy porn magazine. We'll take a closer look at a few lines after the poem.
Fire
by Mickey Maguire
What fills me with desire?
It's that fragrance I know,
bodies ebb and flow,
the warmth of eyes aglow.
What fills me with desire?
Soft and silky flesh,
the dew on petals fresh,
limbs surround, enmesh.
What fills me with desire?
It is the smile you wear,
I wake to find you there,
it's love beyond compare.
It is obvious that we are talking about desire. The image of bodies moving is
introduced in the first stanza (bodies ebb and flow). Glowing eyes give the
impression of candle light or being by a fireplace without mentioning it.
Soft and silky flesh... this image is very clear, there is skin contact. Dew on petals is moisture. The connotation here is foreplay and increasing desire. Followed by limbs enmeshed... obviously there is some sort of physical intimacy happening.
The last stanza is taking place after the heat of passion. There are smiles, waking up in the morning, and feelings of incomparable love.
You can see that the poem creates a very passionate scene, but, it is not cheap
and tawdry. It is genuine, passionate love. That is the dream of every romantic
woman.
written word. You have heard that the pen is mightier than the sword. It is true.
That is because a pen, guided by passion, has the ability to warm hearts or turn
them stone cold. The difference between finding and enchanting the love of a
lifetime or striking out is what you say and how you say it.
When you write, remember that your focus is not on pornographic images. Don't
fiddle around with eroticism lightly. Innuendo is powerful when it creates passion in your reader. Images that are reminiscent of cheap, porn movies or magazines will kill the mood you really want. Porn devalues women. Be careful with eroticism.
Here is a poem I wrote that contains innuendo. Even the name has passionate
connotations. The imagery is very clear, yet, the reader is not left with the feeling that they are reading some trashy porn magazine. We'll take a closer look at a few lines after the poem.
Fire
by Mickey Maguire
What fills me with desire?
It's that fragrance I know,
bodies ebb and flow,
the warmth of eyes aglow.
What fills me with desire?
Soft and silky flesh,
the dew on petals fresh,
limbs surround, enmesh.
What fills me with desire?
It is the smile you wear,
I wake to find you there,
it's love beyond compare.
It is obvious that we are talking about desire. The image of bodies moving is
introduced in the first stanza (bodies ebb and flow). Glowing eyes give the
impression of candle light or being by a fireplace without mentioning it.
Soft and silky flesh... this image is very clear, there is skin contact. Dew on petals is moisture. The connotation here is foreplay and increasing desire. Followed by limbs enmeshed... obviously there is some sort of physical intimacy happening.
The last stanza is taking place after the heat of passion. There are smiles, waking up in the morning, and feelings of incomparable love.
You can see that the poem creates a very passionate scene, but, it is not cheap
and tawdry. It is genuine, passionate love. That is the dream of every romantic
woman.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Use Iconic Imagery
The use of iconic or timeless imagery adds power to romantic writing. The
reason is that those images are known to everyone. They are similar to product
branding in modern-day marketing. Take the shape of a Coke® bottle. At a
glance, anyone knows what it is. The same holds true with iconic and timeless
images.
We have all seen the beauty of autumn leaves. When fall colors emerge in the
rolling hills of Appalachia, that is an iconic image. Sunrises and sunsets are
timeless. Every day, they come and go and we have all enjoyed their splendor.
There are countless images that we can use in poetic verse and prose. There are
various flowers kissed by the morning dew. There are birds welcoming the new
day with song. There are babbling brooks running down mountain-sides. There
are waves breaking on the shores of the sea. There are moonlit nights, starry
skies, and meteorites.
Indeed, images are plentiful. Every cloud has a silver lining and every rain has a
rainbow. Every forest has its beauty and every mountain has its majesty. The
wilderness is filled with wildlife and every farm is ripe for the harvest.
Old farm houses have their charm and quaint villages are tucked in the hills all
over America and Western Europe.
The world is, indeed, a beautiful place and life consists of happy times, sad times, and everything in between. There is much to celebrate and it is your job to find the things worth celebrating and write about them with passion.
reason is that those images are known to everyone. They are similar to product
branding in modern-day marketing. Take the shape of a Coke® bottle. At a
glance, anyone knows what it is. The same holds true with iconic and timeless
images.
We have all seen the beauty of autumn leaves. When fall colors emerge in the
rolling hills of Appalachia, that is an iconic image. Sunrises and sunsets are
timeless. Every day, they come and go and we have all enjoyed their splendor.
There are countless images that we can use in poetic verse and prose. There are
various flowers kissed by the morning dew. There are birds welcoming the new
day with song. There are babbling brooks running down mountain-sides. There
are waves breaking on the shores of the sea. There are moonlit nights, starry
skies, and meteorites.
Indeed, images are plentiful. Every cloud has a silver lining and every rain has a
rainbow. Every forest has its beauty and every mountain has its majesty. The
wilderness is filled with wildlife and every farm is ripe for the harvest.
Old farm houses have their charm and quaint villages are tucked in the hills all
over America and Western Europe.
The world is, indeed, a beautiful place and life consists of happy times, sad times, and everything in between. There is much to celebrate and it is your job to find the things worth celebrating and write about them with passion.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Love Notes Make Great Decorations
Last year, I made this little love note for my wife. It is now framed and matted and hangs on the wall in her home office.
I am a calligrapher. I also have good penmanship. It is easy for me to create nice handwritten notes and love letters. If you have beautiful hand-writing, the ultimate love letter is one written by hand. If your hand-writing is chicken scratch at best, then, by all means, use a computer and pick a calligraphy style font-- they are the best for this sort of application. Then, use a nice linen paper or parchment and, if possible, print the note with a laser printer.
I wrote the note pictured here with a medium width nib on a calligraphy pen. You can find inexpensive calligraphy pens at Michael's Crafts and Dick Blick Art Supplies. Fountain pens are easy to use and refills are cheap.
Now, discover your inner poet.
Note: The poem in the piece above is from a song I wrote for my wife titled "Loving You" and is part of the chorus.
I am a calligrapher. I also have good penmanship. It is easy for me to create nice handwritten notes and love letters. If you have beautiful hand-writing, the ultimate love letter is one written by hand. If your hand-writing is chicken scratch at best, then, by all means, use a computer and pick a calligraphy style font-- they are the best for this sort of application. Then, use a nice linen paper or parchment and, if possible, print the note with a laser printer.
I wrote the note pictured here with a medium width nib on a calligraphy pen. You can find inexpensive calligraphy pens at Michael's Crafts and Dick Blick Art Supplies. Fountain pens are easy to use and refills are cheap.
Now, discover your inner poet.
Note: The poem in the piece above is from a song I wrote for my wife titled "Loving You" and is part of the chorus.
Love Notes on the Mirror
My wife and I leave each other love notes on the bathroom mirror.
When I take a shower in the morning I use a small hair dryer to evaporate the steam on the mirror so that I can shave. Then, one day I had the idea of writing a little love note for my wife on the mirror before I turn on the hair dryer to clear it before I shave.
Like magic, when my wife takes her shower, my little love note magically appears as the mirror gets coated with moisture.
There are times when I write a little note and leave it on my wife's laptop keyboard. When she goes into her office to write, there's my note. It's another nice little surprise.
It's the Little Things...
It's the little gestures that mean the most to a lady. It only takes a few seconds to write some little note and leave it on my wife's computer. She typically sets it somewhere nearby and glances at it from time to time when she is working. It's a little thing, really, and it only took a brief moment in time, but the pleasure it gives my wife is priceless.
There are many ways to say I love you. Make your spouse a cup of coffee or tea. Pour a glass of wine and toast each other (we do that every evening). Rub your wife's neck or shoulders to give her a brief break at the keyboard. Buy your wife a little bottle of perfume and make a card to say "I Love You" without a special occasion... happy Tuesday!
You don't have to write like Shakespeare. It's the thought that counts. If and when you master the art and craft of romantic writing, your wife will treasure all the little poems and love letters all the more.
You have nothing to lose and greater love than you could ever imagine to gain.
When I take a shower in the morning I use a small hair dryer to evaporate the steam on the mirror so that I can shave. Then, one day I had the idea of writing a little love note for my wife on the mirror before I turn on the hair dryer to clear it before I shave.
Like magic, when my wife takes her shower, my little love note magically appears as the mirror gets coated with moisture.
There are times when I write a little note and leave it on my wife's laptop keyboard. When she goes into her office to write, there's my note. It's another nice little surprise.
It's the Little Things...
It's the little gestures that mean the most to a lady. It only takes a few seconds to write some little note and leave it on my wife's computer. She typically sets it somewhere nearby and glances at it from time to time when she is working. It's a little thing, really, and it only took a brief moment in time, but the pleasure it gives my wife is priceless.
There are many ways to say I love you. Make your spouse a cup of coffee or tea. Pour a glass of wine and toast each other (we do that every evening). Rub your wife's neck or shoulders to give her a brief break at the keyboard. Buy your wife a little bottle of perfume and make a card to say "I Love You" without a special occasion... happy Tuesday!
You don't have to write like Shakespeare. It's the thought that counts. If and when you master the art and craft of romantic writing, your wife will treasure all the little poems and love letters all the more.
You have nothing to lose and greater love than you could ever imagine to gain.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
The Art and Craft of Romance Promotional Slideshow
I uploaded a slideshow promotional advertisement for my book...
The Art and Craft of Romance (A Gentleman's Guide to Romancing A Lady)
Friday, April 8, 2016
A Love Poem...
A love poem does not have to be lengthy in order to express your feelings and win the heart of a lady. My wife and I have exchanged many poems over the years. Most of them have been short like this one.
Dawn Visions (by Mickey Maguire)
I long to watch the sunrise
beside the one I love
First rays of light advancing
stars fading high above
Golden dewdrops glistening
on leaf and stem and petal
Her eyes brightly shining
as if some precious metal
Her hair a golden halo
lit by the morning sun
the Bard and his Lady
and two hearts beat as one
----
This short poem paints a vivid picture of two people watching the morning sunrise. I can imagine the sun slowly rising and light reflecting off dew-laden foliage. I can see the light reflected in my wife's eyes.
Powerful poetry paints vivid pictures in the reader's mind. That brings out stronger emotions than a photograph ever will because the "vision" actually belongs to the reader; but, a photo belongs to the person who clicked the shutter.
Your goal is to paint pictures with words to elicit an emotional response in your reader. Doing that will definitely make a lasting impression.
Dawn Visions (by Mickey Maguire)
I long to watch the sunrise
beside the one I love
First rays of light advancing
stars fading high above
Golden dewdrops glistening
on leaf and stem and petal
Her eyes brightly shining
as if some precious metal
Her hair a golden halo
lit by the morning sun
the Bard and his Lady
and two hearts beat as one
----
This short poem paints a vivid picture of two people watching the morning sunrise. I can imagine the sun slowly rising and light reflecting off dew-laden foliage. I can see the light reflected in my wife's eyes.
Powerful poetry paints vivid pictures in the reader's mind. That brings out stronger emotions than a photograph ever will because the "vision" actually belongs to the reader; but, a photo belongs to the person who clicked the shutter.
Your goal is to paint pictures with words to elicit an emotional response in your reader. Doing that will definitely make a lasting impression.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
A Sample Love Letter
A couple of years ago, my wife was in Vermont on a writing retreat. She stayed at a cozy bed & breakfast in the Green Mountain region. There were twelve other writers there and the instructor for the event.
One morning during the event, I sent my wife a message, via e-mail, telling her
that I was proud of her and telling her that while I was alone, my thoughts were
with her.
Here is that letter:
Good Morning, Sweet Mary Rose:
I’ve been thinking of you since I woke up this morning. It is rare, indeed, when I am all alone. I look forward to your homecoming, yet, I want to celebrate your
learning and discovering things about yourself. Inspiration comes from all manner of events. This may be a very important development for you. Even if just a scenic get-away, you will take home great memories of the beauty you saw in upstate New York and Vermont.
I love the sound of small, meandering trout streams as they tumble over rock
and rubble, cutting their way through pastures and hillsides. For thousands of
years, they have left their mark on the mountains and brought life to valleys
below.
There is a quiet beauty in autumn mornings, when the dew is laid gently upon
velvet rose buds. Sunlight shimmering on moist foliage looks like the gold of my
Claddagh ring– it symbolizes the harmony of two hearts beating as one. I feel
rich on mornings such as those. I feel rich when we are sleeping in, then
enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Ah, the richness of Kauai coffee freshly brewed
and a crisp, fall morning before winter. I remember those times well. I want
more of the same.
I am proud of you.
Love,
Mickey
Some people might call this a love letter, others might not think of it that way,
but, it really is a romantic letter in the classical sense. My wife shared the letter
with all the other writers at the retreat and it received a lot of praise. The instructor in the writing retreat and several participants really loved it. Many of the ladies said that they wished their husband could write like that.
From “I love the sound of small, meandering trout streams...” through “...like the gold of my Claddagh ring--” those words could easily be written in a book or
article about the beauty of Vermont in autumn.
That is part of what makes romantic writing so powerful. It is poetic, but it is not poetry, per se. It is highly descriptive. It arouses the senses and it stirs the soul.
One morning during the event, I sent my wife a message, via e-mail, telling her
that I was proud of her and telling her that while I was alone, my thoughts were
with her.
Here is that letter:
Good Morning, Sweet Mary Rose:
I’ve been thinking of you since I woke up this morning. It is rare, indeed, when I am all alone. I look forward to your homecoming, yet, I want to celebrate your
learning and discovering things about yourself. Inspiration comes from all manner of events. This may be a very important development for you. Even if just a scenic get-away, you will take home great memories of the beauty you saw in upstate New York and Vermont.
I love the sound of small, meandering trout streams as they tumble over rock
and rubble, cutting their way through pastures and hillsides. For thousands of
years, they have left their mark on the mountains and brought life to valleys
below.
There is a quiet beauty in autumn mornings, when the dew is laid gently upon
velvet rose buds. Sunlight shimmering on moist foliage looks like the gold of my
Claddagh ring– it symbolizes the harmony of two hearts beating as one. I feel
rich on mornings such as those. I feel rich when we are sleeping in, then
enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Ah, the richness of Kauai coffee freshly brewed
and a crisp, fall morning before winter. I remember those times well. I want
more of the same.
I am proud of you.
Love,
Mickey
Some people might call this a love letter, others might not think of it that way,
but, it really is a romantic letter in the classical sense. My wife shared the letter
with all the other writers at the retreat and it received a lot of praise. The instructor in the writing retreat and several participants really loved it. Many of the ladies said that they wished their husband could write like that.
From “I love the sound of small, meandering trout streams...” through “...like the gold of my Claddagh ring--” those words could easily be written in a book or
article about the beauty of Vermont in autumn.
That is part of what makes romantic writing so powerful. It is poetic, but it is not poetry, per se. It is highly descriptive. It arouses the senses and it stirs the soul.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
The Language of Love
When we talk about romantic prose, we refer to a romantic style of writing, not
producing heaving bosom books (cheap romance paperbacks).
There is an art and craft in romantic writing. Its power is in using descriptive
language to trigger emotional responses in your readers. What you say is not as
important as how you say it. Your goal is not simply to convey a thought or
message. When you are writing romantically, you want to choose words that get
emotional reactions. You want to paint vivid pictures in the mind of your reader.
The power of the written word is in descriptive language. You don't have to be
William Shakespeare to master the art of descriptive language. It is important to
understand basic sentence structure, but, it is far more important to broaden
your vocabulary.
Adjectives are descriptive words. They embellish sentences. They are used to
describe people, places, and things. Adverbs are also descriptive words. They are used to describe actions-- they modify verbs. They add more detailed information to verbs-- hence the name, adverb.
Using adjectives and adverbs enables the romantic writer to better illustrate a
scene when painting that mental picture in your reader's mind. Basic
descriptions, of course, convey a message or tell as story, but, the romantic
writer wants to paint such vivid pictures in the reader's mind that his words
evoke passion.
What is Romanticism?
Romanticism, according to the Yahoo!® dictionary, is defined as follows:
"An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 1700s
and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the
individual's expression of emotion and imagination..."
For our purposes, we want to concentrate on the "heightened interest in nature"
and "individual's expression of emotion" which provokes "imagination" in the
reader. The expression: "the mind's eye" refers to imagination. Using descriptive language enables you to create vivid mental imagery in the reader's imagination. That imagery is what triggers their emotional reaction to your writing.
Painting Pictures with Words...
The two examples below illustrate the difference between writing a description
of a waterfall and doing the same thing in romantic style.
Basic Description:
Going down a long stairway, we heard nothing but the sound of Brandywine
Falls. It is prettier in late summer than in springtime. The water was low and
clear. I like it.
Romantic Description:
Descending the long, steep stairway, one leaves the sounds of the world behind.
City noises are washed away by the music of rushing water. Brandywine Falls is
running low this time of year. While the flow of water is not as powerful now, it is far more beautiful. In early season, the grandeur of Brandywine is its raw power. Now, it is the sweet song of cascading waters tripping over the rocks in a
symphony that only nature can provide. I am spellbound.
In the first example, the writing is pragmatic and does convey the story, but
there is little emotional reaction to it.
In the second example, it is clear that there is a long stairway. Once down there, the sounds of the world are gone and all you hear is the waterfall. The sound is like a symphony to a nature lover. The waterfall is beautiful. The experience is almost hypnotic.
Clearly, the second account is far more beautiful than the first. The second will
trigger the emotions the way we want. The first will not.
You Can Do This...
This blog will help you learn the art and craft of romance-- that is writing love poems and love letters. It's all about painting pictures with words.
producing heaving bosom books (cheap romance paperbacks).
There is an art and craft in romantic writing. Its power is in using descriptive
language to trigger emotional responses in your readers. What you say is not as
important as how you say it. Your goal is not simply to convey a thought or
message. When you are writing romantically, you want to choose words that get
emotional reactions. You want to paint vivid pictures in the mind of your reader.
The power of the written word is in descriptive language. You don't have to be
William Shakespeare to master the art of descriptive language. It is important to
understand basic sentence structure, but, it is far more important to broaden
your vocabulary.
Adjectives are descriptive words. They embellish sentences. They are used to
describe people, places, and things. Adverbs are also descriptive words. They are used to describe actions-- they modify verbs. They add more detailed information to verbs-- hence the name, adverb.
Using adjectives and adverbs enables the romantic writer to better illustrate a
scene when painting that mental picture in your reader's mind. Basic
descriptions, of course, convey a message or tell as story, but, the romantic
writer wants to paint such vivid pictures in the reader's mind that his words
evoke passion.
What is Romanticism?
Romanticism, according to the Yahoo!® dictionary, is defined as follows:
"An artistic and intellectual movement originating in Europe in the late 1700s
and characterized by a heightened interest in nature, emphasis on the
individual's expression of emotion and imagination..."
For our purposes, we want to concentrate on the "heightened interest in nature"
and "individual's expression of emotion" which provokes "imagination" in the
reader. The expression: "the mind's eye" refers to imagination. Using descriptive language enables you to create vivid mental imagery in the reader's imagination. That imagery is what triggers their emotional reaction to your writing.
Painting Pictures with Words...
The two examples below illustrate the difference between writing a description
of a waterfall and doing the same thing in romantic style.
Basic Description:
Going down a long stairway, we heard nothing but the sound of Brandywine
Falls. It is prettier in late summer than in springtime. The water was low and
clear. I like it.
Romantic Description:
Descending the long, steep stairway, one leaves the sounds of the world behind.
City noises are washed away by the music of rushing water. Brandywine Falls is
running low this time of year. While the flow of water is not as powerful now, it is far more beautiful. In early season, the grandeur of Brandywine is its raw power. Now, it is the sweet song of cascading waters tripping over the rocks in a
symphony that only nature can provide. I am spellbound.
In the first example, the writing is pragmatic and does convey the story, but
there is little emotional reaction to it.
In the second example, it is clear that there is a long stairway. Once down there, the sounds of the world are gone and all you hear is the waterfall. The sound is like a symphony to a nature lover. The waterfall is beautiful. The experience is almost hypnotic.
Clearly, the second account is far more beautiful than the first. The second will
trigger the emotions the way we want. The first will not.
You Can Do This...
This blog will help you learn the art and craft of romance-- that is writing love poems and love letters. It's all about painting pictures with words.
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