Quote of the Month ~ May 2016

Such a great one! Agreed? :)

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(Click here for previous Quotes of the Month on StJ!)

Heidi Peterson is a lover of wide-spreading land, summer dust, white pounding waterfalls, and mountain tops; also of good dark coffee and rich stories. Most of all she's a lover of the One who is the Word, the Word made flesh. You can visit her additional blog (where she shares more about books, movies, and further marvels of life) at: Along the Brandywine.

Visit and contact at: Sharing the Journey // Along the Brandywine // ladyofanorien(at)gmail(dot)com

3 Things I Love in a Good Story // Cordy

from Cordy

1. Situations requiring trust 

I know that it’s more common to have a main character who happens to be the ‘chosen one’ and does most of the work to accomplish a particular goal. When this, or any other storyline, is used, I wish there were more situations that required trust. Sometimes, I feel like more stories are creating characters where ‘lack of trust’ is somehow a badge of bravery and smarts. I disagree. When you have to trust someone that trust will often have to replace pride. I admire those moments where the main character simply can’t do everything and just rely on themselves, they have to put faith and trust in others to accomplish a task with more than just their personal skill. When trust is both offered and either betrayed or proven true it adds needed depth to a story. Naturally, I prefer when trust is well placed rather than when trust is betrayed. But that’s just me. :) 

2. Has to be moving 

I want to feel engaged and involved with the stories that I am reading or watching. I want to have an interest in the characters and their struggles. Emotional interest if possible. I want to be motivated, surprised (surprising me is huge!), I want to cry, I want to laugh, I want to feel betrayed, and I want to feel hope. Oh, one side note here, I don’t want to feel the remorseful emotions because of a death. ‘Need an emotional boost to your story? Kill someone.’ What?! No! Deaths are quickly becoming the answer to every emotional problem and I feel like that ‘tip’ is detrimental to true story telling. 

3. Happy endings 

I understand the whole idea of needing to stay true to a character and your story which means that sometimes happy endings don’t and can’t happen. However, I love the idea of redemptive happy endings. The happy endings that take you by surprise because they aren’t the realistic choice. In my opinion, we already live in reality where happy endings appear to be harder to come by. (I like to believe they aren’t as rare as they seem.) I’m okay having an unrealistic happy ending once in a while in a story. I know that I have been disappointed in a story because it hasn’t had a happy ending, but I haven’t ever been disappointed in an unplanned happy ending. There is so much hope and encouragement in happy endings! 

Thanks for having me, Heidi! I had a splendid time!

(Note from Heidi: Thank you so much for sharing, Cordy!! :))

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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! :))

Inkling Explorations Link-Up // May 2016

(Note: if you're interested in participating and new to the blog, you can find our link-up explanation/guidelines + more buttons here. :))

Hello everyone!! Wow. Getting engaged to be married at the end of April definitely made for some most wonderful, exciting and blessed adjustments in my schedule this month! ;D 

I know we're almost into June here, but (as we're still in the merry month of May) I wanted to do our Inklings post anyway. I was thrilled by all your wonderful entries last month (they were absolutely fantastic :)) and if you'd like to join in for this month during this last week I'd be equally delighted! 

This month's selection is: A scene making beautiful use of special effects/CGI in film

With all sorts of wedding plans blossoming, I've certainly been thinking (a lot) of a Certain Film, definitely including this particular scene. The blue, the swirl, the butterflies, the breath catching music... it's all pure and utter gorgeousness.

Tell me! Do you love this scene?

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Just leave your own link here in a comment and I'll add it to the post. As always, entries are open through the end of the month and I can't wait to see your selections!

Entrants:

Blessing ~ The coronation scene in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Cordy ~ Fawkes's rebirth in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

(Note from Heidi: I haven't personally read or seen the above, but the entry is definitely perfect!)

Kathy ~ The lamp post in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

*How to do it*

1. Post the Inklings button on your sidebar.

2. Do a post on your own blog relating to the month's selection/subject (a literary excerpt as short or as long as you like AND/OR—if specified that month—a screencap from a film with an explanation of how the scene builds/develops the story). Link back here somewhere in your post.

3. Come back here and paste your link in the comments box and I'll add it to the post. Then enjoy visiting and reading everyone else's contributions!

That's all there is to it!

Up next month: Roses in book or film