A Cinderella Story... Or Not!
When I first started writing The Man Who Could Never Love (titled, incidentally, The Bride’s Awakening in the UK), it was going to be a Cinderella story. The hero Vittorio suggests a marriage of convenience to the heroine Anamaria; he is not attracted to her at all. I couldn’t wait to write about how she is transformed in his eyes from ugly duckling to beautiful swan (I know I’m mixing fairy tales here, but they’re variations of the same theme, right?), planned on showing how stunning she looked in a gorgeous dress with great make up.
Yet as I got into the story, I found my characters had other ideas. The first time Vittorio took Ana shopping, she got mad. I wanted her to swoon over all the gorgeous clothes, but instead she turned them down:
“Ana,” Vittorio murmured, “you will look beautiful in these clothes. Surely you want to look beautiful?”
“Perhaps I just want to be myself,” Ana said quietly. She didn’t add that she was afraid she wouldn’t look beautiful in these clothes, or that she wished he thought she looked beautiful already. It was too difficult to explain, too absurd even to feel. She didn’t want Vittorio to want to change her, even if she was willing to be changed. She shook her head and pushed past him to the door. “I’m sorry, Vittorio, but I’m not going to be your Cinderella project.”
Ana leaves the boutique, much to Vittorio’s frustration and confusion. Yet at that moment he begins to want to understand her, and slowly he awakens to the beauty she already possesses--without any fancy clothes or makeup.
It occurred to me then that I was writing a different kind of fairy tale, one where the Prince starts to fall in love with Cinderella while she’s still in rags; the other ducks see the beauty of that little swan when they still think he’s a strange looking duckling. Ultimately Vittorio falls in love with Ana as she really is, without wanting to change her, and that, for me anyway, became a more powerful story than one of only outward transformation.
Do you enjoy reading Cinderella stories? I have a copy of my Balfour Brides book, Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon, to give away to one person who comments or emails me at katehewitt@kate-hewitt.com! Happy reading,
Kate
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThe Cindrella story with your own unique twist was fabulous in THE MAN WHO COULD NEVER LOVE!
I loved the story, as you can see from what I say about it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Could-Never-Harlequin-Presents-Extra/dp/0373528175/ref=cm_cr-mr-title
While I do love the Cinderella-like feel of a lot of Presents (who doesn't want to go shopping for a dress that makes her feel beautiful?), I love that your hero falls in love with your Ana despite her appearance. That seems even more romantic and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteI love the Presents books. I do love a Cinderella story with a HEA.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, yes, Cinderella stories are fab to get lost and immersed in, makes you dream that your own Cinderella stories are just around the corner :D
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for stopping by! I love both kinds of Cinderella stories--different things can work for different books!
ReplyDeleteNas, so glad you enjoyed the story!
Julia, I'm glad you like the idea behind The Man Who Could Never Love!
Runner10, I love Presents too :)
TashNz, yes, Cinderella stories are fantasies that can truly take you away!
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI not long ago read Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon and was really swept away by the story. It was brilliant. I will look forward to reading this one and yes, I love Cinderella stories!
Thanks everyone for your responses! Elaine Seymour is the winner of a copy of Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon! Please email me with your details, Elaine. Thanks again! -Kate
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie for your kind comments! I hope you enjoy The Man Who Could Never Love too :)
ReplyDelete