THINGS MY CHILDREN TAUGHT ME TO LOVE
Les Miserables
Doctor Who
Amos Lee
FAVORITE SONGS…list changes often!
For The Good Times, Ray Price
Take Me Back, Little Anthony and the Imperials
Violin, Amos Lee
FAVORITE MOVIES…list changes rarely!
Romeo and Juliet, sixties style!
Moulin Rouge
The English Patient
FAVORITE BOOKS…hard to find a book that could bump one of these off!
The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett
Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer
SUGGEST A THREE!
…you give me a category, and I’ll narrow it down!
FAVORITE MALE NAMES
….requested by Cathy Cook
MICHAEL–My father’s name, and my son’s. I’ve used in MICHAEL’S SILENCE, one of my Harlequin Presents titles, and in all the Firefly Glen books, including QUIET AS THE GRAVE, which featured Mike Frome and Suzie Strickland.
MATTHEW–My uncle’s name–my father’s twin brother! I used this name in one of my favorite Superromances, THE REDEMPTION OF MATTHEW QUINN.
DANIEL–It sounds so strong… Or maybe it’s the “Danny Boy” associations! Or, let’s be honest, it’s probably because I once had a serious crush on Daniel Day Lewis. 🙂
FAVORITE WEEKEND GETAWAYS
….requested by Carol Woodruff
Indian Rocks Beach–a quiet, idyllic little pocket beach on Florida’s west coast. It hasn’t been overrun by tourists, its cottages are still old Florida, and the beach is exactly the right size, not too wide, and not too narrow. Dolphins, seashells and snack shacks with great Cuban sandwiches and ice cream abound!
Sanibel Island–a tropical paradise! I spent my honeymoon here, and though it’s a long drive, and I don’t get down often enough, my heart smiles the minute I cross the bridge!
Mount Dora–a quaint little Florida town with quirky shops, beautiful old Florida architecture, and shady, mossy trees. A lake view and a couple of awesome tea rooms. If you go to the English tea room, try the plowman’s lunch!
FAVORITE COLORS, AND WHY
….requested by Ann Evans
Blue–probably because, when I was a first-grader walking in the May parade at convent school, we had to follow behind the beautiful high school girls, who all wore these pale blue satin cloaks. I thought they were the most gorgeous things on this earth. I’d like a ball gown made of that fabric even today!
Green–because it’s so corny-Irish, and I’m corny-Irish through and through.
Lavender–Because it’s so soft and Victorian and girly. I can’t see one of the light lavender-colored violets without thinking of my mother, who loved them.
FAVORITE CHARACTERISTICS IN A FICTIONAL HERO
…..requested by Mary Anne Landers
Laughter
Brains
Courage
I discussed this topic at length, actually, in a blog I did for Author Sound Relations recently. If you’d like to see it, here’s the link: http://authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com/search?q=kathleen+o%27brien
FAVORITE CHARACTERISTICS IN A FICTIONAL HEROINE
…..requested by Mary Anne Landers
Humor–the heroine I enjoyed writing the most was Natalie Granville of THE REDEMPTION OF MATTHEW QUINN. Natalie loves life, and she knows how to have fun!
Generosity of spirit–forgiveness and tolerance are qualities I admire in everyone, including my fictional people. Sometimes my plots revolve around my heroine’s struggle to find these things.
Courage–I like a heroine who has the spunk to be herself, even when that’s not easy. The bravest heroine I ever wrote was Suzie, first seen in FIREFLY GLEN, later in HAPPILY NEVER AFTER.
FAVORITE GIFTS
…..requested by Jane Squires
A heart necklace, from my husband–On our tenth anniversary, in a charming, second-floor restaurant in Charleston, my husband gave me a diamond pendant in the shape of a heart. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve taken it off since. You’ll probably never see a picture of me without it. It stands for everything that gives me courage and makes me smile.
A hand-made calendar, from my sister–When I was only about fifteen, my older sister had the typical teenage dilemma. She was broke. So she made a calendar for me, cutting out photographs from a book for illustrations, and hand-printing quotes from her favorite poems for captions. I have it still, and will cherish it always. It began with this beautiful quote: “Can it be right to give what I can give? Beloved, I love thee. Let it pass.” Wow…I can choke up just typing the words! LOL. She’s always introduced me to wonderful new word worlds.
A small, hand-made Pandora’s box, from three of my closest friends–When my friends and I went to a New York RWA conference, we stole some time to shop. We found a store full of gorgeous, imaginative art, and I fell in love with the Pandora’s box. It was way outside my budget’s reach, so I admired and moved on without too much whining. Two years later, for my birthday, my friends went in together and bought it for me. I keep it on my desk always, to remind me that whatever fears and sadness may come my way, I also have the support of the world’s most wonderful friends.
FAVORITE READER THREES…you send me yours, and I’ll post some of the coolest ones here!
Thanks for the lists, Kathleen.
How about your three favorite traits in a man, either a real-life one or a romance hero? And the three you dislike the most? Ditto for a woman.
Mary Anne, those are great categories! They’ll take a little thought…there’s so much to choose from. I’ll post them as soon as I can make myself narrow it down!
Thank you, Kathleen.
Here’s the link:
http://authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com/search?q=kathleen+o%27brien
I should have remembered your blog. I not only read it; I commented on it. Very touching tribute to your original hero, your father.
If I might ask another “Kathleen’s Threes” questions, what are your three favorite settings for your fiction? Why?
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the correct link, Mary Anne! I do remember that you commented on that blog…that was where I first “met” you, I think!
That’s another great Threes possibility. Keep ’em coming! You’re awesome!
How about children, grandchildren and great grandchildren?
It would be hard for me to pick my top three favorite books. Songs not so hard.
My favorite colors became blue and maroon only after I married and all the dresses my husband bought me were that color. It has remained that way for 30 plus years now.
How about top three presents? I turn 60 on Wed. and I have to save I wish my husband would learn that one.
Sometimes I wish he would pick me out something instead of having me pick it out and paying for it. It would show he really knew me – which believe after 30 years – he hasn’t a clue.
How about top three foods?
What are your Top Three vacation spots and why?
What are your Top Three favorite male names?
Here’s another “top three” question: What are your top three goals that you’re still working toward?
What are your Top Three favorite family vacation spots?
What are your Top Three romantic vacation spots?
What are your Top Three week-end getaways?
I seem to be stuck on vacations.
How about:
Top three childhood memories and why
Top three unforgetable moments
Top three acomplishments
I love the image of a May parade led by beautiful high school girls in pale blue cloaks. Wow. And you didn’t make that up?
I remember being that age where teen-aged girls seemed so glamorous. My favorite babysitter looked like Lori Partridge, and I loved having her all to myself when my parents went out.
I like the idea of doing the Top 3 places you’d like to visit if you could go anywhere (including during any time period/era.
Or how about your Top 3 Pet Peeves in a book – is it errors, pages that don’t open right, text blurry, a hero who isn’t masculine enough, a heroine who is a whiner?
Or how about your Top 3 worst moments in history.
Or how about your Top 3 best moments in history.
Or how about your Top 3 things you would do if you only had 3 things you could do before you die (ANY 3 THINGS).
Hi, Wilma! Thanks for the suggestion, which is a great one! Unfortunately, I haven’t even got three to include! I’ve got two grown-up, fabulous children, but neither of them has any kids of their own yet. I can’t wait till the day when I can get at least a top three! 🙂
Jane, that is just too funny about your favorite colors and the clothes your husband picked out! Love it! We do adapt, don’t we? 😉 I love your ideas for lists, and I think I’ll start working on the top three presents right away! It might take a while, though, as His Highness is super about recognizing the special days. Just one of his charms! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Pam, what intriguing ideas! I love them…and the top childhood moments particularly appeals to me. I really am sentimental, and I treasure my past. Thanks for the great suggestions–and for coming to see the site!
Caroline, no, I didn’t make it up. It was staggeringly beautiful, and even as I child I understood it. They carried flowers, too. As I remember, it was the girls who had the highest grades in Catechism, which was a great incentive to study!
LOL about your babysitter. I spent many a year wishing I could BE Lori Partridge. Annoying thing was my best friend actually looked a lot like Susan Dey! What a great memory…thanks for helping me get back to it!
And thanks so much for coming to the site. I wish we had more chance to see each other, and this is a nice little substitute!
Donna, awesome suggestions! I’m writing them all down now, so that I’ll never run out of ideas! You’re terrific to take the time to think of so many! Love seeing you here!