{"id":28576,"date":"2012-01-12T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2012-01-12T13:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shilohwalker.com\/website\/?p=28576"},"modified":"2012-01-12T08:06:06","modified_gmt":"2012-01-12T13:06:06","slug":"gorillas-gorillas-theyre-everywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shilohwalker.com\/website\/2012\/01\/gorillas-gorillas-theyre-everywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"Gorillas! Gorillas! They’re everywhere! #giveaway"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ok, that’s not what Amy wanted this called. Sulk.<\/span><\/p>\n

We have a guest today. \u00a0And a prize. *G* Prepare to be amused.<\/span><\/p>\n

And say hi to Amy Ruttan<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A gorilla or how brainstorming can get those creative juices flowing.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

While I was writing my little 1920\u2019s romance Bentley Gal I was twittering because hey it was my only outlet to real people since I had my youngest in 2009, anyways I was writing a scene where the hero and heroine who aren\u2019t supposed<\/em> to be together are in a boat on a river in England.<\/span><\/p>\n

I wanted to overturn them in the water, because I\u2019m cruel like that and I knew how I was going to accomplish this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sure, they\u2019re all graceful and pretty and they have a tragically beautiful ballet named after them, but swans are mean<\/em> sons of a \u2026*ahem* you get my point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before my hero and heroine were overturned they were trying to find a way to deter the swans and it made me pause because firstly what scares a swan and secondly what kind of predator in 1920\u2019s southern England who be roaming the countryside?<\/span><\/p>\n

Hmmm. My writing came to a halt.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was trying to show the heroine how the hero was trying to save her from being overturned into the cold wet river, especially since she was wearing designer clothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a swan scared of. Truly\u2026not much. They\u2019re mean birds. Their claws are venomous and will give you a nasty infection if they scratch you and the males or cobs won\u2019t hesitate to bite you if you\u2019re intruding on their territory. Also, in England, swan meant had been a form of delicacy since the time of Elizabeth I. So granted, swans are going to be a bit protective.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was on Twitter, what did I have to lose?<\/span><\/p>\n

I posed the question. What is a swan afraid of?<\/span><\/p>\n

Only one answer came back from Shiloh Walker.<\/span><\/p>\n

@shilohwalker A gorilla?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I explained it was 1920\u2019s England and it would be hard pressed to find a gorilla. However she countered she would be afraid of an angry gorilla and I had to concur. Gorillas, especially silverbacks are insanely strong. They may look like gentle creatures and for the most part are, but if they had to defend themselves they will hurt you \u2026badly. Hey, a swan and a gorilla given the right circumstances could be natural enemies. Right?<\/span><\/p>\n

Hence this scene occurred:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a\u2014\u201d he didn\u2019t get to finish as the boat was whapped from the side, rocking back and forth he tumbled over the side into the cold water of the Thames. When he surfaced he saw Davina still was in the boat, but the oars had drifted away and the cob was circling, making a beeline toward him. Its honking sounded like it was coming from the depths of Hell itself. It backed off a little way letting out another god-awful honk while it flapped its wings. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do I do?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Davina screeched, but he could hear the humor in her voice.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat animals are swans afraid of?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Davina\u2019s eyes were wide. She shrugged her shoulders. \u201cGorillas?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGorillas? Why would a swan be afraid of a gorilla?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would be afraid of an angry gorilla,\u201d she suggested.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow does a gorilla act?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Davina shrugged again, stifling a laugh.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re loads of help.\u201d He swam over to the boat and clung to the edge, trying to get in. The swan whacked him with its wings and jabbed him with its beak. \u201cDammit all to hell,\u201d George cursed, the blow stinging his back. The cob circled again, but George made it into the boat this time. \u201cChrist that hurt.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Davina was hiding her laughter behind her hand. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have skipped that rock so close to him yesterday.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHa ha ha, very funny.\u201d He rubbed the sore spot on his back. \u201cI didn\u2019t know swans held grudges.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cApparently.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh lord, here he comes again. I\u2019m sorry Sir Swan, just let us be.\u201d George\u2019s plea seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, start flapping your arms and honk louder.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what will you do, darling, laugh?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe swans seemed to be scared of my father\u2019s pointers, perhaps if I imitated the dogs?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, worth a shot.\u201d George began to flap his arms and mimicked the swan to the best of his honking abilities, while Davina barked like some kind of rabid dog behind him. It didn\u2019t work, for the cob busked their boat, and this time the row boat rolled over on its side, depositing them both in the Thames.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t recall if I intended the scene to be humorous, but thanks to Shiloh\u2019s ribbing and the addition to a gorilla the scene became humorous and it worked for the story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, now any time I mention anything with a question Miss Smarty Pants always quips:<\/span><\/p>\n

@shilohwalker Is there a gorilla in it?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There are plans for t-shirts if we ever end up in the same conference, right Shiloh? I\u2019m totally game for that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyways, my point is (and I swear I have one) sometimes you have to look outside the box for answers, the most unexpected tool can help you brainstorm an idea you never planned on in the first place and that suggestion could really work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trust me, not all brainstorms work, but heck brainstorming and trying ideas in your writing are better than hitting the proverbial brick wall and thus not writing anything further. I\u2019ve been there before too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just keep writing and don\u2019t be afraid to try something new or unexpected, you\u2019ll never know where it will take you.<\/span><\/p>\n

And thanks Shiloh for throwing a gorilla in the mix, so because of that I\u2019m giving one lucky commenter an eBook copy of Bentley Gal and a mini stuffed gorilla.<\/span><\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t he cute?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

BENTLEY GAL:<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Now available from Ellora\u2019s Cave *Blush* <\/em><\/strong>http:\/\/www.jasminejade.com\/p-9763-bentley-gal.aspx<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Superstar of the Brooklands racing circuit David Garr makes all the ladies swoon. Too bad he\u2019s actually a lady too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Davina Wentworth should be happy, she has it all\u2014money, a gorgeous fianc\u00e9, but ever since her brother\u2019s death the good life is not enough. Dressing as a man and racing under the name David Garr gives her the thrill she needs\u2014until George Dyson becomes her number one rival, both on track and off.<\/span><\/p>\n

George left the States to escape prohibition and his broken heart. He vowed never to trust a woman again, until he meets his sponsor\u2019s fianc\u00e9e who captivates him. Though he knows he shouldn\u2019t pursue her, he can\u2019t help himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Davina has only ever felt alive behind the wheel of her Bentley, until George crashes through the barriers of her heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where to find me:<\/span><\/p>\n

www.amyruttan.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/amyruttan.blogspot.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

www.twitter.com\/ruttanamy<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Disclaimer<\/p>\n