Friday 5 April 2013

It Takes Two to Tango

 
My story 'It takes Two to Tango' is in this month's Take a Break Fiction Feast. I expect  you won't be surprised that it is another story featuring dancing - after all, as you probably know, it is my main hobby. They also bought another story today so I like them very much!
 
This month's story is about a married woman who goes away on a dance weekend with a rather flighty friend. I won't spoil it be telling you what happens but I will tell you how I got the inspiration.
 
For many years, since I started dancing in my mid thirties, I have been on dance weekends - both jive and salsa. These are great fun and I've been both with groups of friends and in more recent years, with my husband (as he is a dancer as well).
 
The weekends provide the opportunity to learn to dance better, eat well and socialise and of course they provide a backdrop for intrigue for those who are looking for it! In my book, there could be no better setting for a story.
 
For some reason (probably because the dance is more sensuous than jive) I decided to send my heroine on an Argentine tango weekend - which was strange as, at the time of writing, it was one of the few dances I hadn't learnt. This meant all the dance moves had to be researched and I was thankful, having just completed several months of Argentine Tango lessons, that when I read the story today, I actually recognised the steps I had written about!
 
We are planning to film our tango routine to help us remember it and if it's not too horrendous we may put the clip on my blog (but please remember we are only amateurs!)
 
In the meantime, here is a clip of some professionals performing this amazing dance.
 
 
An odd thing came out of this story though. At the beginning, my heroine hides receipts for a new dress to take on her weekend, under potato peelings in the bin. My husband proof read the story months ago but he's never forgotten that part. He's pretty convinced that this is what I must do (has he not heard of fiction?)
 
In two weeks time we are off to Hayling Island for a jive weekend with some friends. I've bought a new dress but my husband won't find the receipt... it's under the potato peelings!


14 comments:

  1. I'll look out for your story, Wendy. I love hearing about the story behind the story - where that germ of an idea sprang from. Have a great weekend.

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  2. Well done on yet more sales, Wenduy - I definitely want to read that Tango one! I've always adored dancing and need to find a class again. Tango is the one I'm longing to try. Wish they'd use the proper music on Strictly for this dance!

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  3. You must try and find a class, Rosemary. We really love it - I would so like to wear the dress!

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  4. Thx for reminding me to get TAB this month Wendy - can't wait to read this story. Am looking forward to that video too. Last w/e there were some jive dancers in centre of Worthing and it looked such fun. And an excellent way to keep fit too. Have a great time in Hayling.

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    1. The jive dancers in Worthing would have been from the dance classes that I used to go to. I did a few open air things back in the day. It was fun. Have only danced jive a couple fo times since Hayling Island last year (our ballroom and tango has taken over) so I hope I can remember what to do!

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  5. Congratulations on the stories and what a brilliant hobby to have. Sadly, my interest stays with Strictly!

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    1. Thanks, Maggie. Yes it is a good hobbie - especially if you sit on your backside writing for half the day!

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  6. Well done on your latest story. Like Maggie above, I love to watch Strictly. The Argentine Tango looks so complex. All that flinging the legs around! Ouch!

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  7. Yes! it's in my own interest to know exactly what my foot is doing at all times when I am dancing!

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  8. Well done, Wendy. I'll go out and get TaB FF. I've got one coming up in there soon. I've never managed to crack WW though.

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    1. I have one in WW very soon but they are the ones I have sold the least to. I'll look out for yours in FF.

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  9. I think when you draw upon your other personal interests in a story, your own enthusiasm for the subject comes across, which the reader picks up, which only adds more realism to your tale.

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    1. You are absolutely right, Simon. Thanks for popping over.

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