Nope. It ain't happening.
Can I just say that I love almost kisses ALMOST better than I do a full blown kiss? Seriously, it takes some good writing to bring us to our knees when a kiss is thwarted. And let me just say, there are many ways to make an awesome almost kiss.
It's all in either the interruption or in a person's will power to pull away at the last second.
Let's look at some examples, shall we?
Okay, I tried to imbed this clip, but YouTube wouldn't allow it, so here is a link to a short scene where Lois Lane and Clark Kent almost kiss. Seriously, this has got to be one of the best!
Did you notice that there is hardly any talking whatsoever? I mean, Kent does not say one word! But the looks, the way he grabs her, the way he looks at her. It says a whole lot, doesn't it? And what about the interruption? His first love shows up after a long absence!!! Talk about conflict!
And now...the Jacob and Bella Almost Kiss.
Annnnd, we are saved by the bell...the phone rings to interrupt the kiss. It's a bit cliche, but you can get creative and think of a way to stop a kiss from happening.
Sometimes humor is a great way of messing up a good kiss. Check out this clip when the girl gets the giggles.
Yeah, dye your hair. That always works for me!
Okay, so let's take look at a different Superman and Lois Lane.
In this clip, we see Lois pull away because of a couple of reasons. One, she is engaged to a good man, who she does not want to hurt - integrity. Two, she is hurt because he has been gone a long time. Sometimes the pain of being hurt is enough to make you stand firm against a kiss. It's a way of guarding your heart against rejection. This can be an effective way to stage an almost kiss.
Here is an unusual clip that I have included to show that the Almost Kiss doesn't necessarily have to be a "lip-action" thing. Let's watch Mr. Knightley almost kiss Emma's hand. Watch Emma's face...so expressive. (Again, you will have to click on the link to watch.)
Of course, I couldn't conclude today's post without my favorite almost kiss...Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the rain. I couldn't embed the clip, but if you would like to view this masterful scene, just click on the link.
Sigh, wasn't that lovely? Did you notice his gaze falling on her lips from time to time? Even though they are in the midst of an argument, the attraction is strong - so strong he leans in, but then, being the gentleman he is, he begs her pardon. Oh yes, this was lovely, indeed.
So tell me, have you been writing an almost kisses? If not, why don't you try one out? Or tell me, what is your favorite almost kiss in a book or movie or TV show?
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This post is brought to you by
Sherrinda Ketchersid
Sherrinda is wife to "Pastor John" and mother to three giant sons and one gorgeous daughter. A born and bred Texan, she writes historical romance filled with fun, faith, and forever love.
16 comments:
Great post, Sherrinda! I,too, love the drama and sense of expectation of an almost kiss.
(BTW, I think you commented on my blog when I featured Marcia Moston's book Call of a Coward. I tried to get in touch to let you know you won a copy of her book. You could send your mailing address to me at reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com. Blessings!)
Thanks, Renee! And thank YOU for letting me know about Marcia's book! I'm so excited and will shoot you an email!!!!
Fun post, Sherrinda. :) I had no idea how many "almost kisses" were out there. :) I'll have to think on one or more and get back to you as to my fave. :)
I appreciate your insights. :)
Still utterly in love with the Almost Darcy-kiss. It's good! Because I always have a physical reaction of moving forward everytime I watch it...trying to encourage full-lipclosure :-) LOL
LOOOOOVVVVEEE the 'almost' kiss, Sherrinda (and that particular version of Emma too, btw- sister!)
Do believe this is the first post I ever read about an almost kiss! Love it. (Book is on the way)
Jeanne, I am sure you have one or two up your sleeve! Surely!!! :)
Pepper!!!! I do the same thing!!!! Sigh...I just love that scene and could watch it over and over. :)
Marcia, I don't know when anything I've ever written has been a first for someone. ;)
And I am so excited about your book...the post it was featured on really touched me. I can't wait!
So fun, Sherrinda. This post served as my break today, and wow, what a break! Thanks
I have an almost-kiss in my current historical romance WIP. It's one of my favourite scenes and it's a huge turning point in both the hero and heroine realising their feelings... and yet the overriding conflict stops the hero from going through with it. I tingle every time I read it :-)
So glad I could entertain, Mary!
Oh Charlotte, I am thrilled to hear you have an almost kiss in your WIP! They really are tingly, aren't they?
Loved the Skully/Mulder almost-kiss. The expression on her face cracked me up! Ah, the anticipation!-Sharon
Hey Anonymous! I thought it was great too! Humor is always one of my favorite things. :)
I Love LOVE writing the almost kiss, I have one in both of my last two manuscripts. I think it's a great way to build the romance, show where the characters are at, without releasing the tension you are building through a "consumated kiss". It's a bit like playing with the reader to build tension.
When I'm a reader, I don't mind, I enjoy groaning "Argh!" and shaking a fist at the writer for a moment before diving back into the story to get to the part where the real kiss surely must happen :)
Joanne!!! I feel the same way! Even though I may groan a bit, it makes me dive in for me....I know it's coming! It is an excellent tool for building tension, in my opinion.
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