Man Scents - what should a hero smell of?

I know this has been discussed before, but, if I’m honest, I’m running out of ways to describe the way my hero smells.

Lynx have a man deodorant that they say smells of chocolate. I can't smell it myself - or rather I can smell the spray but not the chocolate. It's not a horrible smell, but it's definitely not chocolate.

In an attempt to harness the Lynx effect, the 14 year old boys at my daughter's school apparently bathe in the stuff. It's so overpowering, she thinks they all smell like they've rolled in cat's urine. In my day, the boys used Old Spice in the hope of attracting the opposite sex - the effect on girls was much the same as the eau de cat's pee, they used so much it repelled us.

But these are boys and I was talking about men - or at least fictional romantic heroes.

What should they smell of?

Citrus? Wood tones? Musk? Any more suggestions?

Personally, I might not like the chocolate Lynx, but if they ever invented a deodorant that smells of vanilla truffle, I think they might be onto a winner.

Writer's Guilt

Anyone who earns money from writing will tell you that writing is work like any other occupation. I don't feel guilty when I'm working at the day job, so why do I feel self-indulgent and lazy when I write?

Could it be because something that's this much fun shouldn't be classed as work?

I once sold cars for a living. And when I say once, I mean I lasted one week - and that included the residential training course. But one point made by our very entertaining trainer has stuck with me over the past twenty years: To be truly successful and wealthy, you must find a job you love above any other. That way leisure and work become one and the same thing - so, effectively, you spend your life at work, but it feels like you're at play.

So, I'm going to let go of writer's guilt and write when I can. And wait for success to follow.

What's it all about?

I already have a blog that's been updated regularly for the past two and a bit years. This is under my real name - which I've used for some of the short stories I've had published. Although originally intended to be about writing, over time, that first blog has become more personal than I'd planned.

Lovely visits from very lovely blogging friends have made me reluctant to change anything about that blog. So...I've decided to start a new one under the name I hope to use if (or should that be when? - I'm trying to think positive here) my novels are published.

This is going to be a place with no ranting, no whinging and no whining. Yes, folks, I'm going to change the habit of a lifetime and this will be just a happy, happy smiley me.