Everything's Coming Up Roses--Symbolism, Meaning, and Romance By Connie Vines #BWL Insider Author Blog, #Roses, #June Birthdays

 My favorite flower is the Rose. 

While gardening in Southern California isn't as challenging as in other climates, all rose bushes have thorns. Unfortunately, I've discovered that the most fragrant rose bushes possess thorns that hook or attack your tender flesh like shark teeth.

Connie's Garden 2024

One of the most recognizable flowers in the world, the rose is widely regarded as the best representation of love.

Fossil evidence indicates that the rose has existed for over 30 million years. Roses were used for medicinal purposes and as perfume.

Connie's Garden 2024

The symbolic meaning of Roses.

The red rose signifies enduring passion and love.

The white rose signifies innocence.

The pink rose signifies gratitude, admiration, and appreciation.

The purple rose signifies love at first sight and enchantment.

The yellow rose expresses joy and friendship.

Connie Garden 2024

In alchemy, a rose with seven petals symbolizes order, acceptance, and inclusion.

For those of us (me) who love Homer and mythology, the rose is often associated with the goddess of love, Aphrodite.

Connie's Garden 2024

Beyond this flower's symbolism, history, and beauty, roses make me happy!

Flowers trigger dopamine release, often called the "pleasure hormone."

Dopamine is associated with positive emotions like happiness, joy, and love. And it's not just their smell that makes us feel good -- it's the sight of flowers, too.

* Please post your favorite flower in the comments area. Why is it your favorite?

Happy Almost Summer, 

Connie

https://bookswelove.net/vines-connie/

https://books.apple.com/us/author/connie-vines/id624802082

Website and additional links: https://connievines-author.com/

Cinderella Never Asked for a Prince (Getting to Know your Characters) By Connie Vines #Writing Tips, #Characterization, #Cinderella #Prince Charming

How well do you know the characters in your novel?

This is a question every novelist ponders over and over again. 

 
What motivates the heroine?

What motivates the hero?

As every author knows, what motivates a character is never the same as the last novel or a future novel, nor is it what motivates the author (that would be too simple). 

Characters are independent and decidedly stubborn. You can't force them to change simply because it would make your life simpler. 

No, your heroine and hero are running the show. And the author is not sleeping at night, drinking coffee all day, and surviving on whatever leftovers are in the fridge or canned goods in the pantry. And fashion is no longer a consideration for the author because she is entrenched in research.  📚🔎🔏

This brings us to the classic story:  Cinderella has survived for centuries.

"The Little Glass Slipper" is a folk tale. The story of Rhodopis was recounted by the Greek geographer Strabo (between 7 BC and AD 23). And numerous other versions came into existence. However, in 1697 Charles Perrault published the French version. This is the story most widely known today.

Now back to motivation.

Cinderella's motivations are not set upon looking for a prince. Cinderella wants to wear a dress (and shoes), get a night off, and enjoy an evening of dancing!

The painting in my office 👠

 

Chanel dressed in her princess finery

What motivates our Prince Charming?

Prince Charming is not a hero. He doesn't fight anyone, he faces no danger (at least at the Ball).  We simply see him as a well-dressed man using a glass shoe to interview a unmarried women in the kingdom as a potential wife.

Let's not be too hard on the guy. He is a man of his word. Is he role model for young boys? Perhaps. He carries a sword, is physically fit,  honorable and is respected by his subjects.

The Happily Ever After 💕💕

Cinderella is a strong character. She is honorable. How she deals with her never-ending abuse (displaying self-compassion), and how, in fact, she saves herself in the end. 

Happy Reading!

Connie

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