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I never know how I’ll find inspiration for my beachy rom com. Cue visits to the near-to-me North Carolina coast. Its gazillion bridges set off creative light bulbs.
Read on to see how bridges helped me highlight my fictional Gull Island setting AND play up differences between my two main characters, City Gal Kate and Island Guy Luke. 
Photo by Cat Michaels: Bridge to Roanoke Island and the Outer Banks
Bridges and Main Guy, Islander Luke
Imagine a balmy, sub-tropical May morning on my fictional Gull Island, North Carolina. Now ride along with my rom com's Main Guy Luke as he crosses the Intracoastal Waterway on his way to work. 
Bridge-spiration Photo Check out the photo below I snapped last summer. It's a real bridge we often travel over North Carolina's Intracoastal Waterway. You might say it's my bridge-spiration -:D. 
Inspiration photo by Cat Michaels: Bridge over ICW to Ocean Isle Beach
Bridges and Main Gal, City Gal Kate Island newcomer Kate is up next. She just arrived from her Connecticut home town for a summer contract gig on Gull Island. She's crossing the same bridge Luke and having her own bridge experience. 
Want more beach-y, bridge-y love?
Meet me at my YouTube channel for more coastal inspirations that are bringing my rom com to life.
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Your Turn
Writerly inspiration comes from anywhere....even bridges! I hope you enjoyed this peek into my rom com, and it has you wanting more.
* What summertime vibes did you pick up in these excerpts? * What did you discover about Luke? Kate? * Are you on team Kate or team Luke when it comes to bridges? Love ‘em or hate ‘em? I’m ok with small bridges but long, tall ones? Not a fan. * Luke blasts Jimmy Buffet to get in a summertime mood. What's YOUR favorite summertime/beachy tune? Please share your thoughts in the comments. 
16 Comments
8/2/2022 10:26:26 am
I can't wait to hear how Kate and Luke find that common ground between their two (at first glance) opposite personalities. Luke seems so carefree and open to life while Kate has walls that probably took a long time to put up. Interesting times ;-)
Cat Michaels
8/2/2022 05:39:53 pm
Smiling here, Michelle, because you could write my book blurb <wink>! You got my two character exactly right. Can’t wait to share more with you about how things might play out for Kate and Luke! 8/3/2022 05:48:18 am
I have always found it interesting how a writer can come up with so many, and better yet, ideas to keep our attention for a book. Can't wait to follow along on these adventures.
Cat Michaels
8/3/2022 01:51:32 pm
It’s all about tuning the senses to what’s around right in front of us, especially small moments and everyday things. I appreciate your company on this writing journey, Rosemary! 8/4/2022 09:59:30 am
I can't wait to meet Luke and Kate either.
Cat Michaels
8/4/2022 10:53:58 am
Ooooooo, those swaying bridges are THE worst, Rosie, and there are lots of them around NYC. The old Tappan Zee bridge over the Hudson River north of the city gave me shivers. LOL…I I have Beach Boys tunes running through my head now. Thanks for the suggestion! 8/4/2022 12:57:14 pm
Found it interesting how these characters had completely different viewpoints on the bridge. I have a fear of heights, so bridges aren't my favorite thing. My husband is the biggest Jimmy Buffet fan. We've attended his concert and his play based on his music. When we were visiting the Keys in Florida (which also has tons of bridges), his music was constantly blasting in our car with the windows down, so I could relate. Thought you captured those summertime vibes perfectly. Have fun writing your adventure. Can't wait to read it!
Cat Michaels
8/5/2022 08:16:40 am
Smiling here, Julie, imagining your Jimmy Buffet-fueled jaunt through the Keys. I’m glad JB resonates as a summertime listening favorite. 8/6/2022 01:12:49 am
Hi Cat, I loved this peak into North Carolina and your new Rom Com. I can't wait to read it. The two different perspectives crossing the same bridge is a perfect introduction to your main characters. I really like Luke's upbeat attitude, although I'd be more than likely playing the Beach Boys :) The video is a fabulous idea too, it was brilliant to see where you get your inspiration.
Cat Michaels
8/6/2022 12:17:34 pm
Thanks for riding along with me, Sandra! My two characters have opposite personalities, so I wanted to show the contrasts in their unique bridge-speriences. Ahhhh, Mist add Beach Boys to Luke’s playlist!
Cat Michaels
8/7/2022 07:55:48 pm
All it takes is time to look at everyday things with new perspective and fresh eyes, Julie.
Cat Michaels
8/7/2022 07:59:15 pm
Thanks so much, Carmela!. Crafting polar opposite characters is a sure way to make rom coms fun to read. Can’t wait to share more of my characters with you -:D.
Carmela
8/6/2022 11:15:12 pm
I am so excited for your new romcom (one of my favorite genres to read)! I also liked how the characters had different viewpoints on the bridge. I can't wait to read it when it comes out. 8/11/2022 02:29:10 pm
Love, love, love it! The two main characters are deliciously opposite and that's exactly how I like my rom com books to flow. Expect the unexpected with several snafus, right? I'm with Kate, and you, Cat, when it comes to bridge crossings. White knuckling my way across the Coronado Bridge in San Diego has at times set my anxiety beyond upper-lip perspiration. It's more like a drenching! Can't wait to hear more about your latest writing adventure with this unlikely matchup... or possibly frenemies : ) And have you entertained this concept as a potential series? Great reading intrigue on the blog post, Cat!
Cat Michaels
8/13/2022 10:20:06 am
Holding on here with you over your Coronado bridge experience, Toby! Smiling that my characters found their way to you. Thinking about your series idea, but tbh, gotta finish this one before I can decide on what’s next Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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