from Natalie
1. A character I will remember
I love stories that stick with you after I read or watch them. And usually this is because of the characters. Characters are the main drive of a story for me. If I don't like any of them, I probably won't like the story! I don't need to necessarily relate to the characters-but I want to care about them. A main character that I neither relate with or admire or feel anything positive for is not going to interest me much.
So, whether it's wanting them to be happy in life, wanting them to succeed on their quest, wanting to see them become a better man or woman--I need characters that I will root for and cry for. There must be something in their personality and story that will not let me easily forget them.
2. A sweet romance
I love a romantic angle entwined somehow within the story. It should be pure, God-honoring, and memorable. I just love reading a book or watching a movie and discovering two characters that I just NEED to be together.
I prefer the romance to be part of a larger plot, but there are stories I love that, despite various themes and plots within the story, the main focus IS on two people learning to love each other (-cough cough-most of my favorite period dramas -cough-). But I want it done well. If there's literally no plot but the two characters falling in love, it probably will not be a good story to me.
3. A part that makes me cry
Lastly, I love it when a book or movie makes me cry. This tells me that it touched something in me and I know I won't easily forget it (The fact that I cry easily over emotional things makes no difference!).
Happiness, sadness, nostalgia, excitement, pity--all of these emotions can bring forth tears from me, and when they do I feel happy because the story succeeded in what should be its ultimate main goal-touching the feelings of its reader (or watcher).
~ ~ ~
And... would you like to share three of your favorite things in a guest post? You don’t have to be a writer to qualify! This series is by story lovers for story lovers.
For post specifics/guidelines you can see the initial post here, then send Heidi a quick email at ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com. Don’t be shy. I’d love to have you!
For post specifics/guidelines you can see the initial post here, then send Heidi a quick email at ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com. Don’t be shy. I’d love to have you!
Thanks again, Heidi! -subscribes to comments-
ReplyDeletewow very impressed! great job Natalie!
DeleteAww, thank you!! ;)
DeleteYes, Sweet Romances. Books Must Have Romance Or Else They Are Boring. Well, not always. But seriously, books always attract me more when they have some kind of romancey plots. It's the romantic inside me. :-D
ReplyDeleteYES. WHEN A BOOK MAKES ME CRYYYY. That's the BEST. I also have loved books that have not made me cry, but YES. When a book makes me cry I automatically rate it five stars on Goodreads. :-D
Loved this Natalie!
~ Naomi
Heehee, yes! There are some VERY good stories I love without a speck of romance in them, but they're usually the exceptions to the case. ;)
DeleteI KNOW. Glad you feel the same!
Thank you so much!
I'd love to be a guest-poster in this series, Heidi! Should I email you?
ReplyDeleteNaomi,
DeleteAbsolutely! ;) Yes, just send me an email and I can answer any questions and then we can figure out the next month that's open.
I agree with all three points, Natalie! Yes! You have to care about the characters and LIKE them. And yes, romantic stories are very good, but it is nice when the romance is not the entire focus of the story...unless of course it's done very well indeed. And lastly, parts that make you cry. Ooooh! I love crying over stories. I don't cry as much over books as I do over movies, but yeah. I like a good tear-filled--yet happy--story.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very well written post, Natalie! Good job!
~Miss March
Aw, I'm glad you can relate!
DeleteYes! Like all of Jane Austen's stories for example. They are mainly focused on a romance, and yet there are so many interesting subplots. :)
Thank you so much!
I know exactly what you mean--if the author just doesn't make you CARE about the characters, what's the point?
ReplyDeleteI can't really use the "crying test" because I hardly ever cry over stories or movies--and when I do it's usually just having tears fill my eyes, not actually fall. A lot of my favorite books have never once made me cry . . . but on the other hand, the books that DID are pretty special, too.
Right! Books that have characters I don't like are so boring. Or annoying.
DeleteNot all my favorite books have made me cry either, although there are plenty that do. I sometimes count tearing up, though. haha :)
Thank you so much for commenting!
Yes, yes, yes!!! All three of these:D I love a good romance, too! I admit it, I'm a BIT of a "hopeless romantic"--but only a bit;) I have to say that I don't typically like stories as well if there isn't at least a little romance.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Natalie!:)
Heehee, yes, I too can totally relate to being a bit of a hopeless romantic. ;)
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
I do love your three points, Natalie!! :D Yes indeed. I'm afraid I'm a diehard for romance. I don't like it mushy, but I'm afraid it's just hard for me to 'stick' with the story if it doesn't have a little something. I've read a few start to finish that didn't have it and that I love, but in their case I think they were just so riveting there was no helping it. :) Two I'm thinking of are actually more non-fiction/memoirs, but Chaim Potok's The Chosen is another that comes to mind. Incidentally, that was one of the three books that made me cry, too, which leads right to your third point. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Heidi!
DeleteOoh, I'll have to look into that one that you mention.
Haha yes, books that I love without romance are certainly an exception, although it does make me happy when there are some. I feel a little less...hmm..overly-romantic or dreamy if I can list a few non-romantic favorites! :D
Although, of course, there's nothing wrong with loving beautiful, pure romantic stories. :)
Natalie,
DeleteYes! And on The Chosen... I thought I'd give you just a couple notes. :) It takes place among two Jewish sects in NYC during/just after WWII. It's been a long time since I read it and, content wise, I'm pretty sure one teacher figure uses the "C" word a couple times early on (in a situation of dire stress), but as best I can remember I think that's about it. And later one extremely short conversation takes place in a men's room.
Altogether though -- exploring the relationship between two pairs of fathers and sons and also a Jonathan and David type friendship -- it's an absolutely incredible coming-of-age story and definitely made a huge impression on me. :)
Heidi,
DeleteThank you so much for the notes!! I'll definitely tell you if and when I read it. :)