Once Upon a Time Long Ago
Feb 14th 2007
Suzanne EnochOn Writing!
I became a writer because of Han Solo. Now this is only the first of many blogs in which I will likely mention Star Wars, because my love for the saga — especially the “classic” movies — is deep and obsessive, but more on that later. I’d actually always planned on being a writer, though my brain didn’t form that into an actual statement until after I’d read Born Free and In the Shadow of Man in the fifth and sixth grade.
I was going to Africa. I would camp in a tent and take notes on the animals I saw there, and then use my portable manual typewriter to translate my notes into a bestselling nonfiction novel. I didn’t practice on local birds or cats or dogs or anything, because that would have been, well, boring. Neither did I want to waste the great words and presumably limited number of words I had stored up on Snoopy, my salt-crazy Dachshund.
And then I watched a particular episode of Wild Kingdom, one about the world’s deadliest snakes. Apparently at the time most of them were considered to be in Africa. My Africa, dammit all. Like Indiana Jones, I don’t like snakes. I can’t help it.
Anyway, a year or so later, I went to the movies with my family and saw, yes, Star Wars for the first time. This was before it was Episode IV, before it had the subtitle of A New Hope. It was just Star Wars. And it blew me away.
I read a great deal as a kid and a teenager, stacks of books on loan from the library. Fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, romance, history – you name it, I read it. But nothing hit me like Star Wars. And no character in Star Wars hit me like Han Solo. I wanted to create a guy like that – cocky, cool, a little less sure of himself than he’d like other people to know. Then I realized that the key point in all this was the word CREATE. I could make it up. No snakes in a tent for me, bub.
Many, many years later, all that making up of things (some might call it creative lying) finally paid off. Two Regency romances, thirteen Historical romances, two anthologies, and three Contemporary Romantic Suspenses later, and I made a second discovery. Saving up my words for that one perfect novel was silly. My brain does feel emptied out from time to time, but it gets refilled. And if I get worried about that, all I have to do is pop my Star Wars dvd (either the original version or the special edition or the extra special edition) in and spend two hours getting re-inspired.
Do you write? Do you have someone or something in particular that lit that spark or that continually inspires you? Do you think Han Solo is just the coolest hero ever?
Suzanne Enoch
51 Comments »
51 Responses to “Once Upon a Time Long Ago”
KarenR on 14 Feb 2007 at 1:21 pm #
Now Han Solo I can totally appreciate! I personally had a crush on Luke the first time I saw the movie, but I was only 12 or so. Later, when I was a mature woman of thirteen, I saw it again and said, oy, that Luke is whiny. “When do I get to leave the planet?” (in a whiny voice). Han Solo was the man! I’ve been a Harrison Ford fan ever since. “I love you.” “I know.” Sighhhh.
Karen Hawkins on 14 Feb 2007 at 1:24 pm #
I looooved Hans Solo, so yes, he was cool. NOT as cool as Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, BUT still cool. Not everyone can be a cool as Hugh.
I love alllll bad boy heroes from Hans to Cap’n Jack to Wolverine. Which would be Huge, er Hugh again. They all have a cutting sense of humor, are devastatingly handsome, and have that devil-take-it light in their eyes … YUMMMM!!!
Many of you don’t know this, but I room with Suzie at Romance Writers of America’s National Conference, and she carries a life size cut out of Hans Solo with her everywhere she goes. Makes it awkward trying to get a taxi, but hey! Whatever floats her boat!
Karen (aka Mrs. Huge Jackman)
Laura on 14 Feb 2007 at 1:38 pm #
I love Han Solo. I love Harrison Ford. But, I love him as Indiana Jones! I’ll watch one of those movies any day!
Karen H in NC on 14 Feb 2007 at 2:01 pm #
DITTO: I love Han Solo. I love Harrison Ford. I love the line from Raiders where he says: “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go!”…just sort of fits any character Harrison plays…including Han Solo.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Julia London on 14 Feb 2007 at 2:05 pm #
Oh, I loved him too. I can remember when Star Wars came out my friends and I saved our money and made a trip to the big town of Amarillo to see it. I was blown away by the whole thing, but Hans Solo lived on in my imagination.
.
But I have to say it wasn’t until Colin Firth took a turn as Mr. D’Arcy that I finally realized I had to CREATE. To this day I am still creating opportunities for me to step into another world and get swept away by various versions of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, Lord Darcy, The Duke of Darcy…He’s even shown up in some of my contemporary romances as a Thrillseeker named Eli, Jack, or Cooper.
Mr. Darcy if you are out there, I would like to ask you to pleeeeeeease be my valentine!
.
AndreaW on 14 Feb 2007 at 2:25 pm #
Ah, Han Solo…now THERE’S a real hero…*sigh*…and Indiana Jones…*sigh*… I agree, I love Harrison Ford in anything!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Terry Jo on 14 Feb 2007 at 2:45 pm #
I love Harrison Ford, and I actually am such a geek about it that I am thrilled to say, I share his birthday, not his birthyear, mind you. I think he is like Sean Connery, they just age so much better than your average man.
Karen Hawkins on 14 Feb 2007 at 3:02 pm #
Terry Jo, you are so right! MEN age better than your average man. Oh to be thought sexy with white hair and deep creases!
It’s not fair, is it? But true. Some men get SEXIER with age … Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Hugh Jackman. The list marches on and YUMMY.
Laura T on 14 Feb 2007 at 3:02 pm #
Yaaaaaaaaay~!!!!
I am so so so glad you guys have a group blog. I am a big fan and I followed Karen H over here from Squawk Radio…
Terry Jo… are you the same Terry Jo who posts on romanticinks.. and also the one I called Terru Jo on AvonFanLit?? & guess what the new Indiana Jones movie is going to have Sean Connery and of course Harrison Ford in it.
Anyway, this is a lot of fun, and I love the look, goddesses!
Suzanne, I LOVE Han Solo… and with Star Wars airing on TV seemingly all month… it’s been nice… I am also so so so glad he inspired you to write romances~! lol
Laura T on 14 Feb 2007 at 3:12 pm #
Ok… I went to see if Star Wars was on… and it’s on HBO right now lol… look what you did… now I’m snowed in with Han Solo… .
Although on a day like today I should be watching Empire.
Karen Hawkins on 14 Feb 2007 at 3:41 pm #
Oh, oh, oh! I just heard about the new Indiana Jones movie but HADN’T heard that Connery was going to be in it! WOOOOHOOOOOOOOO
You guys just made my day.
Btw, I’m going to see the new Hugh Grant movie tonight. I think he’s adorable, but not in an older guy way, but in a bumbling cute way. He’s a guy you’d like to snuggle on the couch with and watch movies.
And oh, a man with an English or a Scottish accent! YUM!!!! One day, I’ll have to blog about the guy who came to fix my roof. Sheesh. And they say guys like that only live in romance novels!
Suzanne Enoch on 14 Feb 2007 at 3:45 pm #
I’m glad so many people share my Han Solo obsession, just like I share KarenH’s for Hugh Jackman. And the Han Solo I carry around is NOT life-sized — I couldn’t risk getting him dented.
I actually get inspired by a great many people and things. Sometimes all it takes is hearing the right word in the right voice or the right circumstances, and it sparks an idea for a whole story.
Noelani on 14 Feb 2007 at 3:52 pm #
Remind me to send a letter to George Lucas and thank him personally for creating Star Wars and in turn creating Han Solo. Because without him, who knows, there might never have been any books by the wonderful SuzieE!! And sad, would that not be? (trying to channel YoDa there). I am a major Star Wars fan as well. My eldest brother and I used to Quiz each other on Star Wars trivia and try to stump each other!! As a kid I had a crush on Luke, but now that I’m older, give me Han Solo any day!!!
Janelle on 14 Feb 2007 at 4:16 pm #
Suzie -
Han Solo is the best hero ever. I think I’m probably the biggest Star Wars fan in the universe. I practically live in a galaxy far, far away.
Yay, for finally opening up this site! Was beginning to think the “stay tuned” sign would be on forever!
(Apparently, I’m a “user.” It says “Users: Janelle, 8 guests”. What am I “using?” I can’t “use” anything! I’m pregnant!
Di R on 14 Feb 2007 at 4:41 pm #
*sigh* I would watch Harrison Ford read the phone book.
My brother had all the action figures, from when the Star Wars movies were first released. I always told him I wanted to play Princess Leia, of course he let our sister have her. Then he’d hand me Han Solo. Yep, he never did figure out that I really wanted him. My brother was always Darth Vader.
Good memories.
Di
Claudia Dain on 14 Feb 2007 at 5:17 pm #
Oooh, Han Solo. My favorite scene is when he’s looming over Princess Leia, backing her against the ship, and says she needs a bad boy in her life. Yum. But, pound for pound, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (or any life form) is my poison of choice.
Julia London on 14 Feb 2007 at 5:48 pm #
So am I just really out on a limb by myself with Colin Firth? Mr. Darcy, people!
Laura T on 14 Feb 2007 at 6:17 pm #
oh no… no no no… Colin is the man… actually I love all the men.
LOL.
Nicole Jordan on 14 Feb 2007 at 6:25 pm #
>>>>Julia London
So am I just really out on a limb by myself with Colin Firth? Mr. Darcy, people!
No, no, you’re not all alone, Julia! I drool over Harrison (he’s the ideal devilish, cynical, sexy hero in both SW’s and I.JONES) but I adore, adore, adore Colin. I actually just watched his recent movie, WHAT A GIRL WANTS, twice, even though he plays an uptight politician, just to bask in his glory. And Pride and Prejudice was the book that started me writing. So I’m with you all the way out on that limb.
NicoleJ
helen on 14 Feb 2007 at 7:24 pm #
Han Solo alias Harrison Ford Yum I love star wars as well we have all the movies on DVD and often watch them one after the other over a weekend.
Have Fun
Helen
Rachel Gibson on 14 Feb 2007 at 7:37 pm #
My oldest child is a huge Star Wars fan. She has all the movies, books, toys and posters all over her apartment. It makes Christmas and b-day easier.
Rachel
Suzanne Enoch on 14 Feb 2007 at 7:56 pm #
LOL, Rachel — I’m easy to shop for, too, except that I have to supply a detailed list. I seem to own most readily-available Star Wars items. *g*
And yes, guys, Colin Firth’s a gorgeous guy, too.
Thanks, Noelani. If you write George, let him know I have a great idea for a movie series about an ex-cat burglar and her British billionaire boyfriend. (heh heh)
SuzieE
OV_099 on 14 Feb 2007 at 8:05 pm #
Alas, when it comes to Star Wars, yep, Han Solo has the cute factor, but I’m a huuuuuuuge Darth Vader fan. Been since I was a kid. . . and I get to say I grew up with Star Wars, since we’re both 30.
And when it comes to Indiana Jones, don’t get me wrong, love him. . . but I love his father even more.
But geez, Colin Firth is like the god of Mr. Darcys. I think he spoiled me for every other Darcy!!!!! LOL
Lois
Julia London on 14 Feb 2007 at 9:35 pm #
Thank you! For a minute there I thought I’d somehow turned into a bigger nerd.
lvk104 on 14 Feb 2007 at 9:42 pm #
I’m working on writing a romance novel, but the work is taking place in the back of my mind while I write papers for college
As for inspiration and influence, there are two:
1) every man I’ve ever met – ::sigh:: they’re all complicated and fascinating and I want to put each and every one of them into a story.
2) Marie de France – every plot I want to write, she’s done.
Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Feb 2007 at 12:17 am #
Y’all may not know this, but Suzanne is actually famous for her Star Wars stuff. Before the second prequel movie came out, she was interviewed on one of the major TV channels (forgot which one–but it was all about Star Wars), and they solicited her commentary on the romantic relationship between Anakin and Padme. She did a great job, too! My only complaint about the program was that I didn’t get to see more of her collection. I’ve heard so much about it through the years!
gensmith88 on 15 Feb 2007 at 12:22 am #
First let me say that I love your books and can’t wait for the new ones. I just returned home (Florida) from my son’s house in California. I just bask in the company of my two grandchildren out there! Since you mentioned Star Wars I just have to tell you that my 3 1/2 year old grandson, Will, is a Star Wars enthusiast! At that young and tender age he has seen all six movies again and again. He know every character and their history. He can tell you almost anything about any of the movies and specifically what occurs in each scene! During my two weeks there with him I learned so much that I didn’t know and I got to see 2 and 3 which I hadn’t seen before. I now know what color light saber each character uses and that Darth Mall has a double light saber.
Before Star Wars his passion was Ray Charles! He knows all the words to all his songs! I can’t imagine how full of knowledge his brain will be by the time he’s five!!
Genny Smith
Janelle on 15 Feb 2007 at 4:33 am #
Suzie (and other Star Wars enthusiasts) -
I have some links you might enjoy…
http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html
and
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4wGR4-SeuJ0
Enjoy!
Janelle
KC on 15 Feb 2007 at 2:21 pm #
This is great! I’m very excited about being able to blog with all of my favourite authors. I love your books!
Yes, I DO think that Han Solo was the coolest ever. I too grew up with Han Solo and Star Wars as the ultimate fantasy epic, and I owe it to my childhood to always think of Harrison Ford as the ultimate Hero.
It’s probably sickenly sappy, but I really do use my own husband as inspiration for my heroes. He’s not an emotionally damaged trained killer…but there’s no one with more compassion or love in his heart, and when my hero is able to let himself have those feelings for his own heroine, I try to help him express it just as deeply and truly as my own guy does.
SittleLister on 15 Feb 2007 at 6:08 pm #
I loooooove Harrison Ford in anything and everything! But, Ladies, have you forgotten Gerard Butler?
foreverdelayed on 15 Feb 2007 at 6:58 pm #
I have always been a Han Solo girl. I could never see the appeal of Luke Skywalker. One of my favorite Christmas ornaments is my Hallmark Han Solo!
kimber on 15 Feb 2007 at 7:09 pm #
hey SittleLister, Gerard Butler is not forgotten, at least not by me. I mentioned him in my “catch up” post on the next blog. He is the one I picture when I read about a Scottish hero. YUMMM!
leanna on 15 Feb 2007 at 10:47 pm #
I so wanted Han Solo to “be my boyfriend”. Think Young Dr. Frankenstein here! I’m glad to see some of my favorite blogging. I have to admit that I haven’t read all of you, but I ‘m sure that I can remedy that soon!
Great Luck to you all!
leanna on 15 Feb 2007 at 10:48 pm #
Oops! I left out the word authors. Its my Abbynormal brain!
Lori on 18 Feb 2007 at 6:13 pm #
I love Han Solo too. I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time and everyone stood up and cheered when the movie ended. Thus began a love of the Star Wars movies. I also love Harrison in the Indiana Jones movies, especially the first one. Suzy I wanted to tell you that your books about Sam Jellicoe and Rick Addison are just wonderful. Keep on writing them. I can hardly wait until the next one is available!
TheNightPoet on 19 Feb 2007 at 1:06 pm #
I am one of the biggest night owls out there!! Well maybe not that big, but, I, like Suzanne, can’t seem to be productive much during the day. My brain seems to be sluggish when it comes to thinking during the day, but then come night time when all is quiet, my brain turns on and that’s when I can think and I start writing and getting ideas. Granite I can write during the day when I get hit with an idea for a poem or a short story character. But I seem to be able to study better at night time. I can stay up late and then sleep in late in the morning. (except when I have a morning class that I must get up for) I do however get tired enough at a certain point in the night and then I have to just give up and go to bed. If I were to stay up all night, I would be horribly tired the next day and then I would be a grouch! (which I’m not friendly when I’m tired! lol)
~Andrea
P.S. Julie London, you’re not alone on the Colin Firth thing! One of my best friends LOVES Colin Firth!
Pam on 21 Feb 2007 at 4:27 pm #
Hugh Jackman was at his best in Kate and Leopold. I now realy like Hugh Grant in “music and lyrics” and 2 Week’s Notice. I like my hero’s with a sence of humor. Hugh Jackman would be a great Rick Addison. you need a movie deal.
Is the lifetime Channel doing any of the other authors besides Nora Roberts??
Stephanie on 21 Feb 2007 at 7:33 pm #
I am huge Star Wars fan. I love Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Indiana Jones. But, I love Anakin Skywalker in Episode III, too.
Susan K on 22 Feb 2007 at 8:51 am #
I love Star Wars! When I was a kid and my parents fighting got to be too much, I would lock myself in my room and pretend I was in the Star Wars universe. I even made up my own characters. I wanted Han Solo to be my dad and Luke Skywalker to be my boyfriend. Of course now that I’m older it’s all about Han Solo/Harrison Ford. And I’m also a fan of the classics. Don’t get me started on the Special Editions. (George Lucas desecrated my movies!) And now with the Prequals I do have to say that Anakin Skywalker is HOT!!!!
I do try to write. Try being the operative word. But I’m determined. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was in High School. Now if I could just turn off that stupid voice in my head that’s always telling me I can’t do it and my ideas are stupid.
Muskoka on 24 Feb 2007 at 11:29 pm #
Han Solo!! Harrison Ford is the man. I have watch all the movies he is in. I write for myself. I share my stories with people and they enjoy them and tell me to write but I am lost. A freind gave me a tape recorder to talk into when I daydream or try to put my self to sleep. Haven’t done that yet. I daydream and finish the story in my thoughs and it disappears. As for inspiration I just think of a type of person I would like to be or who to meet, places like cafe, food,hospital,travel to other countries and my little story teller mind starts to weave a web of delighful tales.
Ladies this is great. Thanks for thinking of the Blogs.
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