Thursday, January 22, 2009

the case of the giggling heroine


I've been doing a lot of reading lately and am running into more than a few giggling heroines. Heroine is an old-fashioned word (circa 1609, according to Webster's) for the female that propels a book. I prefer the word protagonist or main character. For the record, I have a hard time with heroines who giggle. They instantly lose credibility with me, maybe because I've never giggled in my entire life and I don't understand those who do.

I did a word search in all 3 of my books and was very relieved when the word 'giggle' appeared ZERO times. Chuckle and laugh, yes - but not giggle. Maybe I'm missing out by not being the giggling sort. Maybe my heroines are, too! I'm afraid I may be one of those folks "who have a hard machine to drive," according to C.S. Lewis. Life has always been serious to me.

I do find things very humorous around my house with 2 boys about, but for the most part my view of the world is more melancholy. At one point I prayed for a more merry heart but it didn't happen. I'm still the same old pensive person. I feel things deeply and often wish I didn't. I'd love a pair of rose-colored glasses:)

I've just discovered a Kentucky writer named Silas House. Isn't that a wonderful name for an author? I know, he's been around awhile and for good reason - this man can really write! And I think he plays the banjo too! This morning I read the first pages of his novel, "A Parchment of Leaves." The cover is one of the most stunning I've ever seen. If there was ever reason to pick up a book, this is the cover to covet.

But I'm not sure I can read it without skimming over the hard, heartbreaking parts. It is just too serious. I guess I'm somewhere between the giggling heroine and the heartbroken one. My books always end with hope and none of my characters get too messy.

Anyway, I've been giving away those books with giggling heroines to my giggling friends. Back to the pensive people on my pages!

8 comments:

  1. I'm from Kentucky and Silas House is one of my favorite authors. His other 2 books - Clay's Quilt and The Coal Tattoo - are continuations of the wonderful characters in Parchment of Leaves.

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  2. Hi Bobbi, I didn't realize they were a series so will be sure to read them in that order. House certainly has a strong descriptive voice. Thank you for stopping by! I love my Kentucky readers!

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  3. Hi Laura,
    I have to admit.....I "giggled" and enjoyed your post very much.....never quite realizing that you were that serious growing up and never "giggled" as you put it. I think I probably need to be more serious but enjoy giggling at everything I can.....We would balance each other out well. My Mom had a great sense of humor and I think she passed it down well to Polly and I. The more seriousness would have been from Papa Feagan, ha! Off to get my hair done. Talk with you soon.

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  4. Rhonda, I covet your giggling genes! You have a WONDERFUL sense of humor. I'm afraid I'm a bit like Papaw. And Granny. Go get your hair done - and don't forget to giggle while doing it:) Love ya!

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  5. If you come to the Frankfort Book Fair, I'll introduce you to Silas. Something tells me you'll enjoy listening to him talk. He has a true Kentucky mountain voice.

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  6. Wow, Gin - would love to! Good excuse to wait and buy all his books right there at the fair (if I go). Keep crossing those fingers!I had a feeling I might be hearing from you when I wrote this particular post:)

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  7. Just remembered...if you go to http://picasaweb.google.com/bereaartscouncil/ and scroll down to the very last album, you'll see pictures of Silas' reading at the Berea Arts Council. Several other Kentucky writers are pictured, including my husband.

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  8. Thanks, Gin! The BAC has some great photos. I envy your being there with all that literary history being made (among other things...)!

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