The Literary Heroine Blog Party: My Answers

There's a blog party over at Accordion to Kellie, and I have joined. Here are my answers to the questions:

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

I am Celtic Traveler, reader, writer, and artist. I believe that life is awesome and the bad things are just small bumps on the way that we can overcome by trusting in God. I love art history (and other history), old literature, stargazing, sunsets, Enya, Celtic music, and The Lord of the Rings.
I dislike eggplants, any pasta that has sauce on it, and people-who-think-they-know-you-but-they-don't-and-yet-they-keep-telling-you-who-they-think-you-are-and-it's-way-off-mark.

Ahem.

I long to travel the world and write full-time. I also want to learn all the Gaelic languages, including Welsh.
Random: I read travel guides. Like regular books. They're fascinating.


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

Someone who can rescue herself (meaning they're not a Damsel In Distress). But in modern literature, that seems to mean making the heroine tough and sorta harsh. The true Heroine is tough, but still retains her kindness. She helps others but stays true to herself.

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

Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice
Princess Cimorene from Dealing with Dragons
Hermione Granger from Harry Potter
Miriam from The Kingdom and the Crown

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?

Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Kingdom and the Crown by Gerald N. Lund (Ok, that's a series)
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
And I'm currently reading Ivanhoe and enjoying it. So.

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

Simeon from The Kingdom and the Crown. He has lots of character growth, and I also love how he can be so sarcastic and witty at times.

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

Mr. Thornton from North and South. Such a great character with lots of depth.

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

Ireland! I'd see every castle and abbey I could. (I'd try to stay in one--or maybe a cottage.) I'd visit as many prehistoric megaliths as possible. I'd eat bubble and squeak in a restaurant while listening to a live Irish Band. I'd go see my favorite singers who never come on tour in America. I'd see Giant's Causeway and visit the Omagh Memorial. Oh yes, and skip around in the rain.

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

Anything in Medieval Great Britain. Preferably about knights.

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

Oh, dear. Lot's of people. I think I'd recite a very short poem. Like a couplet.

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

Maid Marian.

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

Ah, chocolate, mon amour. Mmmmmmmm....

12. Favorite author(s)?

J.R.R. Tolkien
Agatha Christie
Howard Pyle
Brian Jacques
Mark Twain
E. Nesbit

(Hmmm...why are most of these British?)

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

A thirst for adventure.

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

 Mostly during the 1800's.

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

Frodo. And if you don't know what he's from, I pity you. (Poor dear.)

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A homey little cottage with a large library, and round windows and round doors, someplace very green...Heck, how about a nice hobbit hole in Hobbiton?

17. Sum up your fashion style in five words.

Well, I just throw on a t-shirt and some jeans and call it good. My new year's resolution was to find a way to dress nicer, but it's difficult when you're not attracted to clothing styles:)

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

Whenever I read a fantasy book where the characters name are like Xenix or Khaz'ak'lan, then, yes.

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

Count Olaf from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Despicable.

20. Three favorite Non-fiction books?

The Road to There: Mapmakers and Their Stories by Val Ross
Life in a Medieval Village by Joseph Gies and Frances Gies
Life in a Medieval City by Joseph Gies and Frances Gies

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

I honestly don't know. Usually I spend carefree afternoons reading. But how I would choose to spend it...I don't really know.  Maybe it's good as is.

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

A hat that best portrays my character would be no hat at all. Just my short, messy brown hair.

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

I finally figured out that if you want to get a book done, you write. For an hour. Every day. Whether you're inspired or not (you can always go back and edit).

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

John 16: 33 (King James Bible): These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.