help a girl out?

All right, my Darlings, time to put your thinking caps on!

Now that Top Secret Project #2 is turned in, it’s time to start working on Top Secret Project #3.

I’ve got the skeleton of the characters & idea already—which, of course I can’t share just yet :May37 —but the details are a little shaky & I definitely need to nail them down before I start writing.

So here’s where I’m stuck & could use your help: :may20

What are some good reasons for the Hero & Heroine to divorce?

Keeping in mind that Top Secret Project #3 is going to be all about them getting back together! :may26

A few of the more typical ones have already crossed my mind, of course.  And a couple of those I’ve already used in previous books.  Like the suspicion of an affair  (Knock Me for a Loop) or wanting different things/growing apart/irreconcilable differences (Loves Me, Loves Me Knot).  So I’m not sure I want to use any of those again…though I’ve got to admit, they would work. :may19

What are some nice, solid reasons a couple might split, but that leaves room for them to get back together in the span of about 100 pages?

Or maybe more importantly, what reason would you like to read about in a sexy, funny upcoming story by Moi? :may15

Any & all suggestions will be gladly accepted.  Then I’ll mull them over, see how they fit in with the rest of the puzzle pieces I’ve already got in mind for this story, & see what fits. :mat27

Thanks in advance! :may7

Comments

24 Comments  •  Comments Feed

  1. Mary Kirkland says:

    Oh boy, I have to tone down my imagination for this one because I started out thinking all kinds of weirdo reasons like one of them had a nervous breakdown, was possessed by a ghost or that he went through a midlife crisis and bought a sports car that made her so furious she took a golf club to and destroyed.

    :may31

    But you wanted help with a “sexy, funny upcoming story” and those things are neither of those so here are some other ideas….

    Their pet horse passed away and they both blamed each other but have come to realize that it wasn’t their fault so they are no longer made at each other.

    One day a grown woman showed up on their door step saying she was his grown daughter by a woman he met before he and his now divorced wife ever met and he knew nothing about the baby until she showed up but it had been too much for his wife to take.

    Or … She wanted to try something a bit more kinky and she wanted him to be her sub and it freaked him out.

    :may18

    • Heidi says:

      LOL Hey, if I could have gone into the crazy, wild, paranormal world, I’ll bet I could have come up with some doozies, too. But, no, we must keep ourselves in check. :may8 (And P.S. I already did the vehicle-destruction-by-baseball bat…KNOCK ME FOR A LOOP, remember? :may19 )

      Hmm, I like the secret baby/grown kid thing, but will have to figure out if I can include a child within the parameters of this story. Or maybe…use it for another one down the road. Mind if I steal? :mat27

  2. Donna A says:

    She got tired of him not helping around the house and not being there for her emotionally. There is also the lost pregnancy messed with their heads.

    • Heidi says:

      Okay, well, I have to LOL at the “not helping around the house” part…cuz that’s *totally* a justification for divorce. :may23

      And I haven’t done anything baby- or pregnancy-related in any of these stories so far, so maybe… :may20

  3. Barbara Pomales says:

    I m a bit more dramatic … all about the money she made way more than him . He couldnt handle her working with a guy who thinks he just an employee .
    Hero is a foreign guy ( thinking Middle East ? Russia ? Africa?) Language barriers and culture barriers paid a role in their marriage.
    Or She is a rock star and hero like an accountant or something that is uber conservative.

    • Heidi says:

      Ah, you are a Presents-ish, suspense-ish fan. :mat27

      Well, I *am* thinking of doing something musician-related with the characters. A little different for me, but I think it could be fun. :may22

  4. Kathy P. says:

    I do like the suspected affair even though already used in Knock Me For A Loop. Another reason a couple might divorce if one of them put their career first before their relationship with each other. Therefore too many late nights at the office, out of town business trips, etc. caused missing birthdays, anniversaries, dinners (with no phone call) or even quiet time with each other.

  5. Heidi says:

    Hey, guys – I have running to do this afternoon & may not be back until late, but PLEASE don’t think I’m ignoring you! :may17 I love how helpful you guys have already been & fully intend to read every word (probably more than once) when I get home.

    So keep ’em coming & don’t be shy! :may18 I’ll reply as soon as I can!

  6. Karla says:

    woman finds out man is a russian spy and only married her to get information about a family member.. she finds out, is extremely upset…. fast forward 100 pages, she loves him, he loves her, sex is great and everything is all hunky dory.. lol…

    There ya go. 😀

    :may14

    • Karla says:

      or to be serious, maybe the loss of a child. I know it’s heart wrenching but it does happen.

      Maybe he can’t deal with her being successful and has jealousy issues

      maybe he can’t handle her being in a male dominated career path and suspects something with a coworker

      stress of life in general… argue all the time.. but realize they really do love each other

      job that requires a lot of travel and not a lot of time spent together.

    • Heidi says:

      LOL Well, there is going to be great sex & eventual hunky-dory. :may26 :mat27

  7. Laura J. says:

    I’m thinking a little trip to Vegas, too much vodka (but really is there such a thing as too much vodka–never mind, this is fiction-it works) maybe they knew each other already (friends, friends of friends) someone ends up with a permanent marker mustache (wait…that was an episode of Friends–Ross/Rachel). Go back a little–trip to Vegas, too much vodka, :may26 he’s a good guy wants to make it work, he’s hot so she figures what the heck, but it doesn’t really work (maybe long distance, he’s a workaholic, etc)

    Okay…I’m tired and maybe after the day at work I had I need vodka and a vacation. :may16

    • Heidi says:

      Okay, I’m reading these a little out of order, but see the comment I made to your comment below…? Ditto here—it’s actually a bit eerie. :may17

      I have actually been thinking of doing something with Vegas for this story. Not setting the entire story there & maybe not the drunk part…but a Vegas wedding, at least. Hmmm… :may4

  8. Laura J. says:

    She finds out she was part of a bet back in high school (or college) for him the hot guy to ask out the geeky girl and she gets really ticked off and divorces him when she finds out about.

    • Laura J. says:

      He of course, really liked her, but he was too chicken to admit that to his friends (maybe she tutored him or was his lab partner in a class).

    • Heidi says:

      Oh, Laura…Darling, Darling Laura… That’s actually pretty darn close to what I did in Top Secret Project #2. Did you hack my computer & read the first draft? :may23

  9. Dee says:

    Maybe she gave up her dreams for the marriage and a lack of communication highlighted the cracks in the foundation of their relationship but some kind of circumstance brings them back together?

  10. Heidi says:

    Thank you all, my Darlings! I love your ideas & your participation. :may7

    There are some great ideas here, & I’m going to sleep on them, mull them over, see what I think I can fit into the rest of what I have in mind. And I may not be able to share *exactly* what I’m doing along the way, but you’ll see how it turned out once I can actually share these stories! :may14

  11. Cindy Rushford says:

    :may35 :May10 Glad you kitty is ok and did not need surgery . I have not been here in quite sometime as I have been dealing with health issues and Ken my significant other had a stroke but is recovering well. will try and check in more often. Hugs Heidi.

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