NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: HEAD AND HEART – Blog # 11.
As I write my new fictional Paris book, I wonder what the balance of head and heart should be. It is Paris, after all, the City of Love! But true love does not always run smooth and hence the head must do some thinking about choices, or not, in love. Preferably not over-thinking though!
‘Head’ is, of course, the logical expressions in the novel, whereas ‘heart’ is, of course, the emotional expressions in the novel. Let’s have a look at some questions to consider.
Head:
Is love imagined or are there mixed messages? Is the pain of potential love in the mind or in reality?
Is love and caring better kept at a distance to avoid all pain? Is there too much over-thinking or too much over-caring and sharing?
Why do people ‘lose their head’ and all sense of reason when love comes in and when love goes out?
Does logic interfere with the heart when love is unconventional, unacceptable, and inappropriate? Who are the judges anyway and how much influence do they have on the characters’ decisions? Is there a moral dilemma here?
Heart:
Who cares about the main character and who doesn’t? Who does the main character care about? Is there a match, an overlap, or a complete gap between the two individuals or groups, and what difference does that make in the novel?
Who can be trusted in love and who can’t?
Is love dangerous? Who is afraid of it and who is bold? Does getting too close to the flame lead to an explosion of fire, a lot of steam, or a painful burn?
Who or what is the competition in love – another person, work, or commitments? What does shared history have to do with love?
What are the messages of love, joy, pleasure, passion, compassion, or recklessness that need to be told?
There are many more head and heart decisions and factors and dilemmas in any story, and particularly one set in Paris. I’m sure there’ll be further blogs about that as I proceed with my novel.
Photographs: Rodin Museum, Paris
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