Yes, that’s me playing “get to know you” with a llama.
Ah, the things novelists do for the sake of research.
What do llamas have to do with inspirational contemporary romance?
Some would say nothing. But since I am the author of Wish You Were Here, I would say llamas add a whole other layer of fun to a romance novel — and I don’t mean the kissing kind of fun.
I’m not quite sure how the idea of llamas first came up. I think my husband and I were driving around Estes Park, CO with our 11-year-old daughter. And, yes, we were discussing my novel, which was then very much a work in progress. Someone — and I really, really think it was my husband — suggested adding llamas to the story. And I thought, “Sounds like fun.”
After spending several hours at the Touch the Earth Ranch, I discovered that I like llamas — yes, even their funny “come nose to nose with you and exhale a huff of air” kisses. Ultimately a trio of bad-boy llamas — Pancha, Kuzko and Banzai — became part of Wish You Were Here.
In Your Words: Llamas and romance — who knew? What other odd things — animals, maybe — have shown up in a romance you’ve read lately?
0 I like this!
I loved reading about the llamas. They added a new layer to the story.
Colleen Coble adds a variety of animals to her novels.
The llamas were fun … Who knew they worked so well in romantic fiction?
Your llamas and huff of air kisses do add a layer of fun. I remember a destructive goat in one of Susan May Warren’s P. J. Sugar books. We’re having fun considering critters, maybe even several llamas, or smaller alpacas eventually, for our farm.
Ah, Susie May’s goat. Yes, yes … the poor goat …
And alpacas have surged in popularity past llamas.
Just llamas. They appear to be perfect.
I would agree.
I wondered where the llamas came from. :>) But they added just the right touch in Wish You Were Here.
Llamas = random thought.
And fun!
Llamas….at least it wasn’t aliens.
Let’s see, hurricanes came up in the book I just finished, Sweet Caroline, by Rachel Hauck, along with pluff mud pie. I love the creativity that writers bring to their stories!
Isn’t it fun? Pluff mud pie, eh?
Okay…now I’m *really* curious. I’m going to have to get this book!
I’ll keep dropping hints about it until you do, Leslie …
So far, all my books have donkeys in them. I think it comes from a life-or-death experience I had with a donkey as a kid (a city-kid, at that!). But I love the llamas in Wish You Were Here. And the names crack me up. Love that movie.
~Debbie
I had fun naming the llamas too — and Banzai is the name of my favorite llama at Touch the Earth Ranch.
Okay, now I want a llama. Adorable!
Yes, they are adorable!
Hi Beth,
I tagged you for a blog quizz. http://breathenbreatheout.blogspot.com/2012/04/just-for-fun.html
I thought it was fun because it’s writerly but if it’s not your thing, no big deal. =)