Hand-Written Edits Are Finished
I just finished the read-through and markup of the printed manuscript of Menu for Romance, and I’m still a little giggly over the ending I wrote for this one. I had so much fun with the characters and situations—especially Major’s mother, Beverly.
I always take it as a pretty good sign when what I’ve written makes me laugh when I go back and re-read it.
The final written word count came out at 100,624. But I’ve decided to cut a whole chapter (3,118 words), so once I’m finished adding and deleting words in the edit/revision I’ll do Monday (and maybe Tuesday), the ms. will probably end up between 97,000 and 98,000 words.
Now, for anyone interested . . .
I chose John Wayne’s movies as the cultural reference in this book (like Dean Martin’s music in Stand-In Groom), so here’s a list of all the films of his I mention in the book. Hmmm . . . I’m seeing a movie give-away when this book comes out.
Flying Leathernecks
Fort Apache
North to Alaska
The Searchers
Rio Bravo
The Quiet Man
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
The Fighting Seabees
Without Reservations
Stagecoach
Sands of Iwo Jima
Donovan’s Reef
Why make a list? Because I realized I needed to go on Amazon to look them all up to make sure they’re out on DVD!
I also reference and describe this movie poster:
Oh, and there’s an “Easter egg” (hidden) reference to the cultural icon I’ll be using in the third book, as well. I’d thought about using One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—both the movie and book—as the reference, but changed my mind when another idea came to me. But I think I’m going to keep that a secret until MFR comes out and see if anyone can figure it out. 🙂
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KayeDacus.com 
I LOVE “The Quiet Man”–it made me want to go to Ireland, and when I did go, I purposely went to many of the filming locations on the days I didn’t have class. Can’t wait to read about that in MFR!
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Congrats, Kaye! Love that you’re all “giggly” over the end. That is an awesome feeling.
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is certifiably awesome, but I’m somewhat sad to say I don’t think I’ve seen a single John Wayne movie.
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Congrats, Kaye! And very interesting film list…looking forward to seeing how all of these movies are incorporated in MFR. I love North to Alaska, that’s one of my favorite John Wayne films…and The Quiet Man is one of my Dad’s all-time favorite movies. If it’s on TV he will stop everything to watch it (nevermind that I got him a copy of the DVD as a present a few years ago! LOL!).
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I know you’ve posted about this, but I wish you would do a series on how you mention pop culture in your books. I’m trying to work in some music without being too corny or cliche (or obscure or pointless) and I’d be interested to know how you go about it.
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I can’t wait to see how you worked all of those in! Love Donovan’s Reef, but have never seen The Quiet Man all the way through.
My fave is missing from the list though, McLintock.
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