Last week, I shared with those who have been following along a little snippet from my upcoming book THE MUSE UNLOCKED, and introduced its leads Cate Mullen and Oliver Sand. Cate, 38, is an established author and TV and film screenwriter, and Oliver, 28, a rising young star who has experienced some early success in television and in supporting film roles. He has been cast to star as the leading man in Cate’s latest film project Madly.
Recently, I blogged about my reasons for writing a book, and in particular, for writing this book and for this genre. I’ve appreciated the encouraging feedback I’ve received about that blog as well as the one book teaser I’ve released so far. I was thrilled that a handful of you were already demanding a little more. Those of you who know me know that I am, after all, a people pleaser, so…I didn’t want to disappoint.
I do hope that you will continue to enjoy getting to know the characters as much as I have these past six months. Here is another little peek into Cate and Oliver’s lives as I share a new, slightly more extended scene with you as the two chat at her suburban L.A. home.
Happy reading!
ck
Cate reached down to her coffee table and moved aside a landscape photography book to pull out a collection of Impressionist works. She thumbed through the index and located the page, straddling the large book across both of their laps so Oliver could view it.
“Wow, I see what you’re talking about. She doesn’t seem to be the least bothered that someone is poking their head into the room. She’s just there on display, peach buds and all,” he grinned slyly as he looked up at Cate who chuckled.
“At least she had the decency to cover up her naughty bits. And wear a flower in her hair,” she smiled back at him. “The painting wasn’t really appreciated very much then, but I think in its own way, it was as beautiful and magical as earlier works by some of the Renaissance artists who liked to place great goddesses on a pedestal. Literally. It’s a double standard. I think that’s why I like Manet so much. He didn’t worry about what people were going to think. He just created what he felt he needed to create and let the chips fall afterward.” She took a sip of her wine and looked over at him as he watched her, mouth slightly open and faint smile overtaking his lips.
“I like this Manet guy. Not worrying about what others think, just going with his gut.” Oliver studied his glass of wine. “I try to listen to my instinct but it can be tough.”
“In what way?”
“Out here in Hollywood, you have a lot of voices in your ear at all times telling you what they think you should be doing. But you learn right away that many of them aren’t looking out for you at all.”
Cate tilted her head and set the bottom of the glass on her lap. “So how do you do it? Manage all of that…noise?”
Oliver stopped studying his wine to look up at her. “I have to tune out any of those voices that aren’t in my best interest and focus only on those that are.”
“But how do you know?”
“You don’t. So you do what that painter did. You trust your gut and you let the chips fall. You listen to your heart, to what it’s telling you.”
Cate found herself gazing at the fullness of his lips and spoke quietly. “What is yours telling you now?”
Oliver lifted his glass and held it in Cate’s direction. “It’s telling me that I’m sitting across from a smart, funny, sexy woman and if I even think of leaving, I’m a crazy fool. So I’m staying put, if that’s alright with you.” He smirked and took a sip.
Cate felt the butterflies nestled in her abdomen do a jig at this last remark. She nervously tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled shyly.
Oliver stood up to walk across the room and examine the other prints on the walls. “How do you know all of this? I didn’t realize you were such an art expert.” Oliver seemed smitten by the new discovery.
Cate shook her head. “Believe me, I’m the furthest thing from an expert. I’m just an appreciative fan and when I was younger – much younger – I had a chance to study some of these artists in school and in Paris, as part of a study group.”
Oliver swung his body around and eyed her with amusement.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Cate was puzzled at his reaction.
He shook his head. “You’re always surprising me.” Oliver sniffed across the rim of his glass and took another sip. “I like this. Is it cabernet?”
“No, shiraz. Not everyone enjoys its richness but I thought I’d take a chance and see what you thought.” She rested the bottom of her glass on her thigh again and tucked her feet beneath her.
Oliver smiled back at her. “I’m glad you took a chance.”
Chris,
Rooting for you in NC …. how cool to share your journey as you follow your dream. Just wanted to say hi — and keep it up!
Blast from the h.s. past — Barb 🙂
Thanks,Barb…the support means a lot to me! 🙂
Very tantalizing tidbit here!
Why, thank you. I just write what my little dirty mind compels me to write.