Literary Heroine Blog Party - 2013

{Kellie over at Accordion to Kellie is having a Literary Heroine Blog Party for the next week and a half. Plus an awesome giveaway! Click over to check it out. Lots of great things up for grabs!}

Literary Heroines. When you hear that term, what's the first thing that pops up in your brain? Several different ladies come to my mind, each for this reason or that reason. Which is why I'm planning to have a few posts on some of my favorites and why I like them so much coming up in the next week or so.

See, here's the thing. When I thought about all the following questions, my answers kept getting longer and longer and longer (you know I like to blather a lot) until I decided it would be waaaayy easier on everyone to give simple answers today. Then save my long thoughts for separate posts.

You're welcome.

So be on the lookout! :)

In other words, come back to visit in a day or two if you'd like to read more about my thoughts on these wonderful ladies!

Or not.

Anyhoo, on to the questions. (Be warned-there's a lot.)

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

 Hi! *waves hand* I love to read. Always have actually, I can't remember a time when I haven't. Happily for me my mother loves to read also and always had stacks of books around. So there was usually something to pick up whenever I wanted. (Especially when my mother didn't want me to, like when she needed me to unload the dishwasher or vacuum.) Yellow is my favorite color. Also I don't like bacon. Love ham and sausage and other kinds of pork, but refuse to eat bacon if I can get away with it. How's that for random?

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

Someone who has enough quirks to make them feel real, who has a heart full of wonder and joy at the beauty of the world and the people in it, who goes through adversity and comes out stronger on the other side, and who has a story to tell that doesn't ever grow old.

3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

 Anne Shirley {Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery}, Anne Elliot {Persuasion by Jane Austen}, Judy Abbott {Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster}

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?

Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz, The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?

Judy Abbott from Daddy Long Legs. Her drawings! Her descriptions! Her openness and friendliness yet being so stubborn! I loved her from the first moment I read her story and through countless re-reads, I've yet to tire of her. :)

6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

It's hard to limit it to just one, but I suppose I'll go with Admiral Croft from Persuasion. He doesn't get a whole lot of page time, but his thoughts just come right out of his mouth and I love him for it. He's such a good man, and I really like his wife also. I can just picture Anne and Wentworth getting along with the Crofts splendidly through the years.

7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do  there?

 I had a Latin teacher in high school that had been to Italy several times. Her enthusiasm rubbed off on me and I still have a desire to go to Italy some day. No particular plan really, just for sure want to visit Rome. After that, I'm willing to see whatever I can. :) Also I'd love to visit England one day and walk where Jane Austen walked.

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

England in late 1700s to middle 1800s. You know, Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell's time period. :D But I do read a lot of contemporary fiction also.

9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

 First of all, I cannot stand to be the center of attention in a large group, let alone on stage! But in my head, as long as I wouldn't actually have to do it, I'd probably sing. I think I'm a halfway decent singer. I certainly couldn't do comedy. I'd be so nervous, either the joke would fall flat on its face or I would. Or both!

10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

 I'd love to say Anne Shirley, but sadly no red hair for me. So I would probably go with a Jane Austen girl (any of them) because I've always thought it would be fun to wear one of those kinds of dresses. :)

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

 I'll take it! When are you sending it to me?

12. Favorite author(s)?

Jane Austen, Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, Sharlene MacLaren, Janice Thompson, Erynn Mangum, Lisa McKay, Susan Meissner, Siri Mitchell, Sherwood Smith, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Rogers Spinola, Megan Whalen Turner, Stephanie Grace Whitson, Camy Tang, Susan May Warren, Stephanie Perkins

Hey, you asked. (And that's not nearly all of them!)

13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

 Books, more books, and.....well you get the picture.

14. In which century were most of the books you read written?

 I mostly read ones that were written in my lifetime. (Which covers two centuries you know!) (No I'm not 200 years old, but I was born in the 20th century and we're now living in the 21st century......)

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

 The ultimate? I suppose I'll have to be different and say I can't pick just one. There are many I love and they each are just perfect for the heroines they choose.

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place.

 It has to have loads of bookshelves filled with lovely, lovely stories.

17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

 Casual and comfy. (Emphasis on comfy! I'm a far cry from being a fashion plate.)

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

 Yes, I have. I do know that authors probably spend a great deal time coming up with just the right names for their characters, so I would never actually make a suggestion to the author to do that. (That would just be rude!) But in my head, there are some names that I just can't seem to like. They do grow on me sometimes. And they have NO bearing on whether I like the character themselves.

19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

 Yeah see, I have a dilemma again. There are lots of villains I don't like. Really, any villain who doesn't get a believable redemption by the end of the book or series, I never do like them. Especially if they are responsible for keeping a beloved pair apart!

20. Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Front of the Class by Brad Cohen, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Love at the Speed of Email by Lisa McKay

21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

 Reading. (I know. I'm predictable by now huh?) Although, if it's summer I'd prefer to do the reading out of doors.

22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

 Oh gracious. I don't know. Perhaps something floppy and squishable, that would pop back into shape easily if sat on or stashed in my purse or closet. Preferably with yellow on it somewhere or somehow. Not quite sure what that says about my character..........

23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Probably the most significant one is the ongoing one. My mother has Parkinson's Disease, has had it for around 20 years or so. But the last four have been the hardest as our family watches her go downhill quite fast. Four years ago, she could do everything for herself. Now she uses a wheelchair or scooter everywhere and needs help with almost everything. It's hard. Really hard. But God is faithful and I'm thankful to still have her around to talk to.

 I've mentioned it a few times on here, so I hope any regular reader isn't tired of hearing about it. If so, I'm sorry. It's just such a big part of my life and my thoughts, that it's hard not to mention it.

24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

"And God's peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil. 4:7 amp

Toodle-loo kangaroos! Thanks for sticking with me til the end. :)