Not many writers think about including St. Patrick’s Day
into their stories. But your characters don’t need to be Irish for them to have
a little fun on St. Patrick’s Day. Throw this holiday in for a quick reprieve
for your characters in a mystery/thriller to step away from their cases to have
a pint of green beer. Or it could be a fun date for a couple in a romance
story.
Here are a few things you can add to your St. Patrick’s Day scene:
1. Wear Green
I still wear green on St. Patrick’s Day and your MC can
do the same. Picture a strong woman wearing a green dress and black pumps to
the office. I’d want to be her! Or a well-dressed man with a shamrock tie. I’d
like to know him! So show your readers how your characters got into the spirit
of St. Patrick’s Day.
2. Green Beer
Let your characters kick back with a mug of green beer.
This could give them a nice break from a work or be a good bonding opportunity
for two of your characters to get to know each other.
3. Cabbage and Corned Beef
This is a traditional meal for St. Patrick’s Day and
would go perfect with that green beer. Give your characters in your romance a
good dinner date.
4. Kiss me, I’m Irish!
Here is a great opportunity for a couple to get passionate.
One kiss could lead to a lot more. If you take this idea a little further, you
could turn it into a morbid trademark for a murderer.
5. Festivals
Many states and countries hold St. Patrick’s Day
festivals with drinking, food, green face paint, and beads. A festival like
this would be fun for a NA novel for college friends to have a good time. It
could also be a crime scene....
Did you know...?
The Chicago River is dyed green every
year for St. Patrick's Day.
My R.A.N.T. today has to do with the Oscars.
I do like to watch the Oscars. I'm one of those people who usually gets inspired when I see actors (or even singers) win awards for their talent and hard work; it makes me want to have that one day. Except, as an author that won't happen. I know there are book awards, but they aren't televised. And so many books these days are made into movies, but do the authors get any recognition for having created the story and characters in the first place? The only time I ever saw that happen was with J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer.
I've seen many awards, hoping someone would thank the writer who wrote the book these movies were adapted from and...nothing. Well, that's not entirely true. I don't remember who it was or what movie it was for but one guy said something like, "And thanks to the guy who wrote the book." WHAT? You don't know his name? You wouldn't have received this award if he hadn't written the book, BUD! It's disappointing. To this day, writers aren't getting the acknowledgement they should.
I do like to watch the Oscars. I'm one of those people who usually gets inspired when I see actors (or even singers) win awards for their talent and hard work; it makes me want to have that one day. Except, as an author that won't happen. I know there are book awards, but they aren't televised. And so many books these days are made into movies, but do the authors get any recognition for having created the story and characters in the first place? The only time I ever saw that happen was with J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer.
I've seen many awards, hoping someone would thank the writer who wrote the book these movies were adapted from and...nothing. Well, that's not entirely true. I don't remember who it was or what movie it was for but one guy said something like, "And thanks to the guy who wrote the book." WHAT? You don't know his name? You wouldn't have received this award if he hadn't written the book, BUD! It's disappointing. To this day, writers aren't getting the acknowledgement they should.
Don't get me started about the fact that the nominated
movies are ones that hardly any one goes to see. What about the movies that are
at the top of the Box Office Charts throughout the year?
I agree on both counts! And adapted screenplay is not the same.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I even own anything green...
Not a single green shirt? :O
DeleteI made a green cake one year and my kids wouldn't eat it. Said it looked 'spoiled'. As for Oscar movies, I have seen some real duds that I could not even finish watching. Makes me wonder.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Kids can be silly. I think my nephews would love a green cake.
DeleteJust the other week I had Irish Soda bread, and I even drank some Guinness. That's about it for me for St. Patrick's Day. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Irish Soda Bread!
DeleteI can't wear green. It casts a shade of green over my face, and I look as if I'll barf. My dad's birthday was St. Patrick's Day. I'm Irish if Irish is Norwegian and a bit of German.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh no! And we wouldn't want you to look like you're going to barf. I'm Irish if Irish is Russian and German. ;)
DeleteMy one trip to London in 1999 coincided with St. Patrick's Day. They started celebrating with green beer extra early that day.
ReplyDeleteGreen actually looks good on me. I'll have to remember to ear it tomorrow.
Green looks good on me too. :)
DeleteAlways wore green growing up for Saint Patrick's Day; otherwise we would get pinched! I did see over the weekend Chicago dying the river green for the day :)
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your rant; they should thank the author and they should even read the book somewhere along the line.
betty
So do I. LOL And I got so into it that idk wear everything green I owned. ;)
DeleteI have a green shirt I think. But it is Saint Me Day so I can wear what I want lol ugg, agreed with the dumb awards. Without the author none of them would get the award.
ReplyDeleteExactly. The movie wouldn't exist without the book and they wouldn’t have had a job!
DeleteLots of fun tips, Chrys! Irish folklore and proverbs are often inspirational as well. "To the Irish, talking is a dance"
ReplyDeleteI agree, since every movie, screenplay, sitcom, etc. originates from a story, where is the recognition for the writer(s)? Though I understand you relinquish rights when signing to the big screen.
I do have Irish in me and love everything about it. I always try to wear green on St. Patrick's Day but green beer (the color) makes me think it might taste as awful as cabbage smells - ha!
One of my favorite Irish sayings is "An old broom knows the corners best" Having a character who quips little gems of wisdom is also a way of incorporating the holiday into your story;-)
I understand requesting rights but the writer was the brainchild. They should get recognition.
DeleteI've never had green beer because I don't like beer.
Love that saying!
That's why I have the delusional fantasy that I'll adapt my own book into a screenplay and get the award myself! ;)
ReplyDeleteHey, it does happen sometimes...
I have that delusional fantasy too. ;)
DeleteI think it's important to write about 'the day after' St. Patrick's day. A lot of coffee is drunk the following day, if you take my meaning. Another good sandwich served on St. Patrick's day (My personal favourite) is the Reuben. Corned beef, sauerkraut and spicy mustard. I love it, as long as it's not served on the rye bread with caraway seeds. I can't stand them.
ReplyDeleteRant - I just got mine out. Being sick on the weekend is no fun when you want to get a post out on Monday. Which is partially my r.a.n.t. LOL
Ha! The day after St. Patrick's Day would be fun to write about. Oh yes. I don't eat them anymore (vegetarian) but I know about Reubens. But my mom always made it with Thousand Island salad dressing.
DeleteI personally don't wear much green, but I am very fond of the green in nature: trees,leaves and grass.
ReplyDeleteI love green in nature too. :)
DeleteI've requested that my significant other make me an Irish Cream cake that I found on Pinterest. That, and some Irish whiskey is probably how I'll celebrate the 17th. I usually wear green if I think of it.
ReplyDeleteThat dessert sounds yummy. You'll have a nice St. Patrick's Day!
DeleteI don't do anything special on St. Patty's day but my best friend has her birthday that day. Good point about never thanking the writer of the book. I did see vid of the actors on the TV show The 100 thanking the writer of those books. They even did interviews with her even though the books and show are that similar.
ReplyDeleteGood for the actors of The 100. That's awesome!
DeleteHi Chrys, I have a little bit 'o Irish in me. I enjoy the festivities of St. Patty's day and last year went out and celebrated with some girlfriends. It's a little nutty and I honestly don't remember it being such a big deal when I was young.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, the Oscars? I thought they were terribly boring this year! One of the nominees was the worst movie I've ever seen (40 Years-I think that's what it was called). Terrible. How could the actors, directors not know the name of the author they have adapted their movie from? That's incredibly ignorant! ARGH.
The Oscars was boring. I didn't care about any of the movies, but I was happy Leonardo won.
DeleteSt. Patrick's Day is my uncle's Jahrzeit (death anniversary), so it's not exactly a day I feel like celebrating. Sometimes I'll have characters drinking green beer or making shamrocks in art class.
ReplyDeleteMy nine-greats-grandpap may have been Irish, but other sources claim he immigrated from England. I prefer the story about him coming to the Colony of Virginia to escape Oliver Cromwell, since that's more interesting than a story about another immigrant from England.
I'm sorry, Carrie-Anne. I understand how you'd not want to celebrate that day.
DeleteThat's is a more interesting story and family history.
I remember how the Chicago River was dyed green every year; I also remember all the Chicagoans running around with shamrock necklaces and yelling (because they had already started drinking before noon). :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard that writers often aren't involved that much with the production of movies that are based on their books; I think they should be, because then maybe there'd be fewer movies that aren't as good as the books. (The one exception would be E.L. James and 50 Shades of Grey, who I heard was a little TOO involved in her movie, to the point that the director doesn't want to work with her anymore and left the franchise.)
I'd love to see the Chicago River green.
DeleteEven if they aren't involved in the making of the movie, the script wouldn't exist without what they created. Haha! That part about E.L. James made me chuckle.
If we want to write in some Irish, just call Koopmans.
ReplyDeleteYeah, writers don't really get the credit, but then we also don't get the headache of being put out to pasture if we get too old or too chubby. Hollywood has to be tough on the self-esteem.
LOL! Will do. ;)
DeleteMy mom's family were named Riley and Murray, so I'm part Irish, and I can't remember a St. Patrick's Day without Corned Beef and Cabbage. Green beer, no. Haven't done that.
ReplyDeleteI always wished I was Irish in some way or another.
DeleteAgreed on the Oscars. Every time it's made from a book, I wait for them to acknowledge the author. I think I've seen it at least once before, but boy are they full of themselves. Forget coming up with ideas of their own.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who waits for that. And gets annoyed by it when they don't.
DeleteI usually wear green on St. Patrick's Day. I'm not too surprised they don't acknowledge the writer(s) on awards shows. I know if I won an award, I'd have a hard time thinking of who I should thank in the limited time they give them. Someone always gets left off the list.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. But they only think of who helped them in the film-making process.
DeleteI usually end up wearing green by accident on St. Patty's day.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of movies that are based on books or inspired by, so yeah, they totally need to add 'awesome author award' to the Oscars/Golden Globes/whatever show I never watch cuz yawn.
Yes! With author awards for the adapted books it would be fair.
DeleteI'd like more recognition for writers. I haven't incorporated St. Patrick's Day in my writing, but you've given me ideas.
ReplyDeleteGlad to give ideas. :)
DeleteKinda have to wear green to school on the 17th. Although, the kiddos don't get all that into it at the high school level anymore. I'm not big on it, although I do have some Irish in my background.
ReplyDeleteYes, little kids are more into the pinching. lol
DeleteWhat if you drank green beer and your skin turned green? Corned beef and cabbage sounds like a bet I lost and now I have to eat that blechh. :) I always wear green on St. Patrick's Day even though I have no Irish in me whatsoever. As for the Oscars, you are so right about this and it was not always the case. Back in the '30's and 40's, the studios would make films and, at times, showcase the author of the book at the beginning of the film like, The Good Earth. The studios hired Steinbeck amd Fitzgerald among others. Now, many films that are big are Fast and Furious 17 or whatever number they are at or comic book films. It is a shame.
ReplyDeleteHaha! That reminds me of a children's story my mom wrote, but of course it wasn't beer. :p
DeleteYeah, I've noticed that too. It's really infuriating.
ReplyDeleteGod and mom are thanked much more often than the author.
Exactly. But the author should be up there somewhere.
DeleteFunny, and I don't mean haha, I always thought all movies started out as a book. Only recently did I find out this was all in my head.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
LOL! But so many movies nowadays are books first.
DeleteYep.. Irish and I wear my green (or I get pinched!) and I agree about authors never getting credit.. pisses me off too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who gets pissed off by that.
DeleteIt's fun to see how an author will incorporate green something into a story for St Patricks Day.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to see that. :)
DeleteWe were in Ocean City for their St Patrick's Day celebration, they went all out with a parade etc. It was lovely! But I've never considered using it in my story. Maybe another story though, because Quaid is part Irish.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to a St. Patrick's Day parade. I wish there was one held where I live.
DeleteHeh, heh, 'movies nobody goes to see' is like the Man Booker Prize and other literary fiction awards for the books nobody reads. But let's be happy for anyone who wins an award although from what I can see the Oscars are politically motivated which is why it is often a surprise to see the winners--did they have more money for their publicity machine?
ReplyDeleteYep. I'm part Irish and I love that being part of my heritage. I don't particularly wear green or drink Guinness (hate the stuff) but I celebrate it whatever way comes up...maybe a procession through the city etc.
I won't be around the blogs in April, but I'll promo for you in May. :-)
I am happy for the people who win awards, but I wish more would acknowledge the writer of the book the film was taken from.
DeleteI always wished I was Irish.
Thank you! :) I'll email you soon.
Valid rant! I think the authors don't get that recognition because once a company buys the film rights to a book, they will then hire someone else to adapt the novel into a screenplay. Unless an author has some serious clout behind them (like Terry McMillan or Gillian Flynn), they probably will unfortunately not be able to get the studio to hire them to write the screenplay. Sad but true!
ReplyDeleteI understand that but without the book there'd be nothing to adapt to a screenplay.
DeleteSavannah has a big St Paddy's day celebration and it essentially screws up traffic for a week! They dye the fountain at Forsyth Park green (it would take too much dye to do the Savannah River).
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how much dye they'd need.
Delete