This week I was away at a funeral. Mr. Whimsy's grandmama passed away. I loved her like she was my own. She had this beautiful inexplicable way of making every one that knew her love her. Later (when we were all going through pictures) I came across a photo I immediately became smitten with and decided to share with you. Why do I love it so? Because grandmama looks so darn sassy. That got me thinking about the qualities and personality traits we are drawn to in real and fictional life. So here is my yackety-yak question for you:What quality or trait do you lovethat you also admire in literary characters?
I'm so sorry for your loss. :( I like spunk. And sarcasm. And some impulsiveness thrown in.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. She looks like an extraordinary woman.
ReplyDeleteI always need my female protagonists to be strong and opinionated, even if they don't know who they are yet.
And an appreciation of subtlety is something that I often find in characters, and delight in discovering within real people.
I'm sorry for your loss, my husband's grandma recently passed too, and we did the same thing. I love seeing those old photos. That is a great one by the way.
ReplyDeleteI love strong spunky fun female characters. The kind of woman that does not need a man's help to get something done. Like Alanna from the Song Of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce or Mercy from The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I absolutely adore these characters and I wish there were more books out there that had that kind of character. If you know of any I don't let me know :)
So sorry for your loss. That reaaly is a fabulous picture of her.
ReplyDeleteAs qualities I love in life and in books - I have to say, I have a thing for slightly neurotic people that don't let their neuroses get in the way of their lives.
Awww I love grandmas! I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI like reading about strong women.
Women who overcome things, like an abusive relationship, depression, addiction, etc.
hi juju! i'm sorry for your lost.
ReplyDeletetraits i love both in real life and fiction are integrity, never giving up despite many hardships, courage and independence (but knowing when to ask for help).
Oh, she does look sassy, doesn't she?! You can tell - just from that photo - that she had a wonderful personality. I'm sorry, Juju.
ReplyDeleteI admire the "The sun will come out tomorrow"attitiude - that no matter how bad things may be , there's a bright side. Those kinds of people are priceless!
I think the best thing that a character, fictional or otherwise, can have is the ability to recognize and acknowledge when they're wrong or have room for growth.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss, my husband's grandma passed 3 weeks ago :(
ReplyDeleteas for your question - someone who is strong and have their own opinion :)
So Sorry for your loss!
ReplyDeleteI like personal integrity more than anything else in real life. But I like vivacity for life in fictional characters. Those two don't seem to go together in real life though.
I love the positive way you are coping with your loss Juju. Thank you for sharing the photo with us.
ReplyDeleteI guess in real life I like people who embrace diversity, accept you for who you are, have a good sense of humour, are loyal and loving.
In fiction, I love characters to be a little quirky (like me) and to stand up for what they believe in. I love funny characters too.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Juju. I absolutely love the picture! You can tell that she was one smart and sassy lady!
ReplyDeleteI like strong and opinionated women characters...it also helps if they are witty and sarcastic, too!
She looked like a spunky lady....Sending a prayer for comfort in your family..:)
ReplyDeleteI love characters that are strong and stand up for what is right.
So sorry about your grandmama - love that you call her grandmama. That is a great picture. I love seeing pictures of grandparents and parents when they were young - we're so full of ourselves when we're young.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite characters are inspiring. In some way they inspire me to be better. Anne - from Anne of Green Gables, Jo - little women, Katniss - Hunger Games. Anne Elliot - Persuasion, Elizabeth Bennett - Pride and Prejudice. Melanie - Gone With the Wind - so many more.
Happy Mother's Day Juju - actually I don't even know if you have kids - all the same I hope you have a good day.
Wow Juju, this is terrible. I'm so sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteAs for qualities, I love it when I see characters that display empathy. It's such an important thing to have, especially in real life!
Thank you ladies for all your beautiful words of condolence. They each mean so much to me.4
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for for sharing all your favorite qualities.
What a super cool list we've made:
Empathy
inspire us to be better
strength
witty
sarcastic
quirky
vivacity
opinionated
recognize when they're wrong
positive outlook
integrity
tenacity
courage
independence
spunky
appreciation of subtlety
impulsive
sassy
Emidy: Fine choice! ;) One that is easily overlooked and so important.
Mary: I don't have any kids but thank you. Happy Mother's Day to you too :)
Tina: Thank you for the prayer :) A gal can never have too many of those.
Becky: Thank you sweetie *hugs*
Cherry: Sure they do! I bet you have tons of integrity and are super vivacious.
Jacqueline: What an awesome quality! One I know I struggle to have.
Shannon: Amen! I love people with positive attitudes and try to always have one.
Chelley: FAB well rounded choices.
Briz: :) You make me smile. You always come up with the coolest ideas.
BookRants: *hugs* It's tough isn't?
Emma: Wow. I like that one and would never have thought of it.
First, condolences on your loss.
ReplyDeleteAbout the character traits?
I like characters who are flawed, yet despite their damage, they endure whatever challenge faces them.
Sending condolences and (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteSending you condolences!! Death is always hard.
ReplyDeleteAs for character qualities, I most appreciate independence. I like it when characters think for themselves without being swayed by outside opinions.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Juju.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture, it's fantastic!! You're right, she looks so sassy and happy!!
*big hug* stay strong i know its hard, but keep your head up and remember the good times, she seems so happy in that picture it is rather sad, i hope you pull through! i come on good news anyway,
ReplyDeleteyou have a award @ my blog :)
Juju - I'm so sorry! I was always quite jealous to hear of people's fantastic relationships with their grandparents until I married my husband and fell in love with his. Sounds a lot like you. His grandmother's are both incredible people, sassy, strong, gentle, kind, articulate and experienced. As children I think we see grandparents (adults in general) as just old people and that wisdom they carry doesn't quite hit us until we are older and can understand it better. That's what I love though, both in life and in the character's I read. An experience that goes beyond words, just something about how they carry themselves that makes them beautiful no matter how they look physically.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm rambling, but I just want you to know, I'm so sorry and I hope your heart heals quickly, as well as your husbands. Wishing you happiness. -Your friend.
1st daughter: Oh darling....so well said. It takes so long to appreciate their wisdom. Thank you my friend for your love and support. You really are a sweet, friendly, kind soul and I appreciate you. I will carry your words and thoughts with me.
ReplyDeleteFreda: Thanks sweetie :) *hugs*
Blueice & Carrie: Thanks :D
Aths: Ain't that the truth :) *high five*
Miel: What a good point. Flawed yet victorious people remind us even the flawed can overcome :) Excellent point :)
Juju. I'm so sorry about your loss..Seems like she is a great grandma.. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for you. I hope you are feeling a little better now that the memorial has passed.
ReplyDeleteI admire characters who have their own way of saying things. People too.
Lisa: Lovely point. I would never have thought of that :)
ReplyDeleteDarlyn: Thanks sweetie :)
Juju, I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the picture with us, it does seems like she was a fierce woman!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Juju. She looks like an incredible woman of laughter and strength!
ReplyDeleteSassy indeed! It's wonderful to have a grandma (or mother) as a role model. I'm drawn to characters and people who are self-confident and self-fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is FABULOUS. I'm always drawn to humor - in books and in real life. If someone can do witty and clever (or even absurd), I'm happy and entertained.
ReplyDeleteCelia: *smile* Thanks :) Humor? Of course! What would life be without humor? Great choice :)
ReplyDeleteMaya: Self fulfilled? I love it! Good one :)
Lily: She really really was *sniffle* Thanks ;)
Nina: She was pretty darn fierce too :) Thank you :)
What an AWESOME picture! I'm sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing it with us =)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite qualities in characters is strength. Not the physical kind, but strength of conviction (especially in female characters)! I love reading about characters that believe in something so much that they are almost stubborn to a fault. I hate reading about whiny, weak or shy characters. I have a hard time relating to them. I also love sarcasm. Dark humor makes me laugh :)
♥Isalys
I'm so sorry JujU for your loss and your husband. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeletei do love that picture though.
I admire honesty in the people in my life and the characters in which I read.
Isa: Amen girl! I am the same way ;) I always want to ask whiny characters if they would like some cheese with that wine ;)
ReplyDeleteMichelle: Thank you :) Honesty is by far one of my most cherished qualities.
So sorry for your loss. I love lots of confidence. Women who don't take any junk from anyone, and carry themselves with class and spunk all at once. I'm new to your blog by the way, and I'm following.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry about your loss. The picture is absolutely adorable. She definitely looks like she was a sassy woman.
ReplyDeleteI like characters that are risk takers and that don’t take themselves seriously. They must be willing to have fun.
Alee: Welcome Alee :) Confidence is so amazing. I love how confidence can make a person more appealing. For example: I love Adrien Brody (the actor) not because he's necessarily handsome but he exudes confidence.
ReplyDeleteMama: Risk takers rock! :) Oh and I love people that don't take themselves too seriously. I would love to be more like that.
I'm really glad you're back safely and again I am so sorry for yours and your husband's loss. Your Grandmama looks like a true beauty in every way.
ReplyDeleteWhat quality do I like? a sense of adventure....a willingness to jump on a plane and move to San Diego if the mood strikes, chase after a crazy god like Ares in The Lightning Thief for Zeus' lightning bolt and Hades' helm...etc. etc.
What is YOUR quality???
Very sorry for your loss...but thank you for sharing her memory with us! I can definitely see her spunkiness in the photo...it shines through perfectly from her smile to her stance. ^_^
ReplyDeleteStacy: Oh thank you! *hugs* Oh I love that you picked adventure. I love that. So true! :) My favorite quality is definitely spunk and sass. I like characters with bite :)
ReplyDeleteGMR: Thank you hon *hug*
So sorry for your loss dear...big ((HUGS)) I would have to say that my favorite quality in a character courage. I love when you have a character that you think can't hack it and they pull out all the stops. That will keep me coming back for more!
ReplyDeleteEmily: Thank you :) And thank you for visiting. I know what you mean about courage. I like when a character surprises me and themselves with courage.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for you and Mr. Whimsy's loss, Juju. Losing a family member is heartbreaking. Mr. Whimsy's grandma looks like she was a special lady :)
ReplyDeleteAs for qualities that I admire in a character, it'd have to be intelligence, a sense of humor, loyalty and an endless capacity to love. (Did I just describe Ian O'Shea? yup, I think I just did!)
Juju, I'm so sorry to hear about Grandma Whimsy. Love and prayers coming to you and your family.
ReplyDeletePirate: It is and she definitely was. Thank you for your kind words :)
ReplyDeleteLOL LOVE that Ian. Can't wait to see him on screen.
Carrie: Thank you sweetie. We can definitely use those prayers.