Bodice Ripper: a love story

Holly M. Brinkman—MTC Up the Alley

Anastasia draws the curtain back and a breeze wafts through the open window. The fresh air caresses her face as she slides the band off her hair. Her flowing, red mane drapes down and spreads across her sculpted shoulders. The flimsy, fuchsia, silk top waves gently against her alabaster bosom as the wind gusts create a pulsating rhythm.

A gasp catches jolts her breath as a shadow emerges from the door. The shadow grows longer as the bronze torso draws her eyes away from his face. Without a word, Jacinto slides to her side, his hand gently brushing her flaming hair away from her left eye.

A fresh draft waves the curtain, and the wind causes the bead of sweat to glisten on her brow. Without a word, Jacinto pops the fourth button loose from her nightshirt. The shirt sits askew, brushing her neck on one side and falling off her shoulder on the other. The weight of the lapel pulls the delicate cloth relentlessly downward, exposing the top of her areola. Jacinto eases his teeth onto the next button and Anastasia shivers, the hairs on her arms stiffening…

I wrote that in 10 minutes, based on what I learned in Brinkman’s presentation. This is an improv-ish kind of show but I interpreted this as a one-hour workshop on how to create a romance story. In no time, she teaches you how to master the four essential parts of the romance: the meet-cute, the sexy plot, the crisis, and finally, the forever-ever after.

Fast-paced, fun and lively, this instructional kept me amused, despite having read one romance in my life (and hating it). Even if romance isn’t your genre, you’d have a good time here.

Ray Yuen