I dream romance, read romance, believe in the power of romance.
Even though I’m as single as they come.
Yup, 40 and never been married.
Forty, and I haven’t had one romantic moment in my life.
Or, at least, not romantic (enough) for me.
Sure, I’ve dated lots. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the old maid type who wears 20-year-old long skirts, peasant blouses, and Birkenstocks.
No, I sell stocks; yes, I’m a stockbroker, and I work around tons of testosterone.
But there’s little romance in testosterone, let me tell you.
I’ve learned early to not date stockbrokers. Yuck. Materialistic, selfish, and sad.
So, I date their brothers, who tend to be college professors or store clerks.
The professors are too academic (“There is no such thing as love.”) and the clerks too casual (“Wanna come over and watch the fish in my aquarium?”).
I’ve dated surfers (but I hate swimming), bank tellers (see above about store clerks), consultants (they think they know everything), and engineers (they know they know everything).
About a year ago, I gave up.
Until last night, when the bartender at my favorite watering hole invites me to visit the modern museum’s newest collection with him today.
For some strange (dare I say, romantic?) reason, I agree.
We’re standing together now in one of the large museum rooms, perusing a pen and ink drawing that looks like an inkblot.
“Let’s each write down what we think this is,” Michael suggests. “Then share.”
I find two index cards in my purse, and two pens.
He looks impressed.
We write.
Mine says, “Two dancers locking lips at a costume party.”
Michael’s says: “You and me, after a night of passion, vowing to love each other for all eternity.”
Oh my. I’m hooked.
Our romance begins.
Heheh! Very interesting!!
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Love is always complicated… And interesting❣
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Love this one, Pam.
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Thank you! I have to admit this was really fun to write. 😉
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Who could resist that man or this story.
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I am really glad you couldn’t resist the story. I think time will tell to see if she resists the man. 😉
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I see two poodles.
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Ah, always the realist, Karen. 😄
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Excellent story!
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Thank you! The “love” story in your latest post, and mine, are polar opposites. ;=0
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This has the ring of truth? Oh and I’m a consultant … an odd one! As each year goes by I realise how little I know but I can tell a convincing ‘story’ and get paid for it!
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Smiling. This is a truly fictional piece (I try to fit one of those in this blog every two months or so). However, I will admit that my guy is both an engineer AND a consultant, so I did have a bit of fun with that. Ha Ha. I like odd consultants…. 🙂
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..and odd consultants clearly like you!
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❤
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Yeah, I see poodles too. Good luck!
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Yes, I made myself look past the poodles. Made for a more fun fictional story. 🙂
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I saw what you saw, Pamela, and I’ll have more of the same – he, he!
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There’s a woman (and writer) after my own heart. ❤
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When two kindred souls intersect to share a vision, there planted is the seed of love.
Although, I must say Pamela, I was questioning everything about the origin until I reached the part about fictional creative writing prompt. I love the places fiction can take you 🙂
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I know, Dave. Most of my blog posts are non-fictional – the real deal. But every once in a while I like to show off my fictional chops. Sometimes I think I have too much fun. 🙂 🙂
But, as always, you have a wise thought about the origin of a story – fictional or not.
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Yep…I’d be hooked too! Great story, Pam…very similar to my own. 🙂
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Hmmm, really? I want a clarification, Jill. My Inkblot Romance story is similar to your OWN romance, or that in your book??
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My own. 🙂
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Well, how cool is that??? ❤ ❤ ❤
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Lovelovelove this! I think you need to write more of it and continue the story.
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I’m a little afraid, Amy, that there might not be a good ending to this story. I might just keep it romanticized and hope for the best. 🙂
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Fingers crossed for the best! 🙂
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Wow, I didn’t know you were a stockbroker. Writing is your creative outlet and balance to a lot of pressure. I really enjoyed your story. Not sure if it’s fact or fiction. Love the inkblot — I see two poodles dancing or a butterfly.
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Hi Patricia. This Inkblot piece was total fiction (unlike most of my posts – I like to switch it up every once in a while). I like the humor in this character’s voice – but I have no idea where she came from! :-0
Ah, a butterfly dancing – that’s beautiful. xo
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Brilliant Pam! You had me hooked from the first line.I just love a happy ending. Two poodles having a love in by my mind. 🙂
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I must agree with you, if it was me looking at this inkblot, I’d also see two poodles kissing it up. Fortunately, my character and her ‘potential romancer’ had a better view. 🙂
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I LOVE it!!!
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Ah, are you a closet romantic, Anneli? Actually, your books all have some romance along with the message-within-a-plot, which is why they’re such good reads.
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Thanks, Pam. And yes, I am! Got that from my mother, I think. She was always up for something romantic and gushy.
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❤ ❤
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I see poodles with pompadours!
On a completely unrelated note, I’m reading Sleeping with the Fishes by Mary Janice Davidson. It’s about a downright cranky Mermaid named Fred who works at the New England Aquarium.
Given your recent encounter on the beach, I thought I should mention it.
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Thanks for telling me about Sleeping with Fishes – never heard of the book, but the cover certainly includes a curvaceous lovely mermaid! I hope the mermaid I spied was a bit nicer than Fred – cranky indeed. 🙂
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She’s a fun mermaid ~ allergic to fish and is grossed out by seaweed. The 3 book series didn’t get great reviews, but I got a kick out of her cranky.
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A great piece of writing. I love the prompt, What do you see?
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I like the idea of seeing beyond the poodles in the inkblot, and instead learning what’s really in a person’s heart. ❤
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I love this. The voice is witty and conversational and independent. Well done, Pam.
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Your praise means a lot Dianne. This woman’s voice is rather fun, isn’t it? 🙂
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Fabulous writing, Pam. I saw that Sally picked it up too. Well-deserved. I want more! Have a great labor day 🙂
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Wow.
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That’s what HE said. 🙂
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So much fun, Pam, and a great response to the prompt. Your classes must be fun.
I love the note cards in the purse–my kind of person. 🙂
I definitely see figures kissing. They could be poodles, or women with 18th century high hair–that French court was pretty wild. 🙂
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I think you have a romantic heart, like me…and the character in this story. Romance is catching. ❤
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Yes, it is. 🙂
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Great job!
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Thanks Elizabeth, and thanks for sharing this piece of flash fiction on your FB and Twitter pages. xo
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The lady in your story must have finally found Mr. Right. I like this story very much. Maybe it should become a book?
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I have so many stories in me, and so many books-to-be. I’m working on the third one right now, a sequel to The Right Wrong Man. Thanks for enjoying this flash fiction and wanting to hear more about these characters!
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Oh that’s great that you are working on a sequel.
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I just love it Pam, can this story have a happy ending?
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The answer to ‘can this story have a happy ending’ probably depends on how you view the inkblot! 🙂
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I see two poodles kissing.
She had my sympathy from the beginning–Forty and never been married and yet a romantic. Then I was starting to get mad at her–too picky. And then the promise of a happy ending. The story was short and successful.
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I’m thrilled that this piece of flash fiction led you to many different emotional responses. THANK YOU!!
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Oh my, what fun! We have such high expectations of love and romance I believe, which on the one hand is no bad thing, but on the other can result in missing out on simple sweet beginnings that ripen with time, even if they’re not full of fireworks to start with. There’s a lot to be said for the slow burn. And anyone who likes museums and art galleries can’t be bad…in my book 🙂 Love and hugs, Harula xxx
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Well, you may have just given me a title to one of my (future) romantic suspense novels —- THE SLOW BURN. Wouldn’t that be perfect? 🙂
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Love it Pam and it is going in the Mention in Dispatches later.. xx
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I’m thrilled that my Inkblot flash fiction was mentioned in your Dispatches. Many thanks.
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It was a great story Pam… delighted to fearture. xx
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Uh oh, I thought as I read. I have a twenty year old skirt I still wear (and live). No Birkenstocks though. Earth shoes. Same idea. It’s a lovely story and I want it to be true.
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I did have to laugh when this character kind of stereotyped “old maids,” so to speak, and how they dress. I, on the other hand, would never do that! I think one of the most fun parts of writing is the author’s surprise at some of the things her character thinks or says out loud.
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Nice story! Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, as they say. 🙂
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Only the inkblot knows….if a friendship grows.
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Great. I particularly enjoyed the quick-fire analysis of the romantic potential of the different men by their occupations.
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She was pretty funny about her past romantic attempts, wasn’t she? I think my character spoke as I’ve heard many a single lady relate a bad date….!
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You always have us hooked from the very start. Love a happy story too.
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Hooking is my forte… or at least that’s what I like to think. 🙂 Thanks much for enjoying.
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Loved it.Do check my blog,you’ll love it
cheers 🙂
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Ah, High in Love, indeed. Romance and love are the ingredients most people want out of life.
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This is great, Pam. Love it! 😀
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Ahhh, romance is in the air. ❤
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WoW………
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🙂
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Any man who is duly impressed by the provision of index cards is definitely a keeper, if you ask me! Great story!
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Ha Ha. Well, he’s obviously a smart man. 🙂
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Loved this Pam!:)
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Thank you for enjoying my flash fiction, AND for tweeting it. You are great. ❤
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Love this, Pam! 😀 Maybe it should be a test used for all relationships!
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I think that’s a great idea!
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Oh, you! I should have known this was fictional when you said you pulled two index cards from your purse! 😉 Nice job!
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Hmm, so you think I’m not that organized? Right you are!! 🙂 I considered starting the story with a disclaimer (THIS IS FICTION) but didn’t want to stop the reader for going on…
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Wow I live this. So well written. I enjoyed every line. Funny and dramatic.
Peta
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May be always live our LOVE! 🙂 Thanks for reading and enjoying my Inkblot story.
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Live = love
Excuse the typo.
But fitting….live life love
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Love it! Still think they’re poodles smooching. 🙂
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Poodles need a love life too!
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This one is a lot of fun. Great open ended story
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My fiction does tend to be ‘fun’; I like characters with a sense of humor. 🙂 Thanks for enjoying my flash fiction.
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How in the world did I miss this fun and romantic short story, Pam? I must have focused on the grandson and didn’t move backwards that week(?)
I like looking at clouds, so I imagine Rorschach patterns and modern art would all lead me to romantic and sexy thoughts! This romance between them makes sense since she needs fun and frivolous moments after her busy and serious professional life all day!
Perfect, Pam. ❤
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I like to think of this couple as finding lots more in common, including many visits to the city’s museums. ❤
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I have a similar vision, Pam. 🙂 I agree, the city’s museums, gazebo concerts and walking in woods seem in their future.
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Love it!
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We all love to read about love, don’t you think? xoxo
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I enjoyed that!
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I enjoyed writing it – had no idea what the inkblot would reveal until I followed the words on my page. I ❤ writing that way.
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If only things like this wasn’t just fiction. Beautiful piece,
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Ohh, I think romance is hidden in every corner, if we just know where to look. xo
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Love it!
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I love that you love it. I like to think that romance….and love…. always win in the end. 🙂
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I enjoyed reading. And everyone finds love. Age is just a number
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Thanks for enjoying this story – age IS just a number, and romance is more than just seven letters. xo
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Haha! Well said
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🙂
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Love this!
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Lovely! 😍
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I love romance – and find it in every corner, don’t you?
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I second you here. 🙂 It makes one feel beautiful and charming!
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I like your style
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Many thanks!
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Oh, I’m swooning, too! 💕 You are really great at writing in sparse details yet setting a story and playing it out in only a few words. 🤗
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Loved it… fun one!
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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This is a lovely story!!!☺
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Thanks! Much luck with your blog.
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