Monday, April 11, 2011

Inkheart--The Storyteller's Art

~~In honor of all the A to Z bloggers, today's letter is I. Even if I don't have the stamina to post for every letter of the alphabet, I can make sure my posts are the correct letter of the day. ; )

~~Have you ever read a story that came alive as you read it. The characters are real. They live and breathe. They speak directly to you. It's magic. It's the storyteller's art. I've read many great books and seen many great stories made into movies over the years, but last week I saw a movie that hinged on this very idea. The movie was Inkheart based on a book by Cornelia Funke. The movie came out in 2008, but neither of us had heard of it until we found it in our Netflix suggested movie list. And we're glad we tried it. Of course, John had to endure my endless comments of the magic of writing stories as we watched.

~~Mo "Silvertongue" Folchart is a bookbinder with a secret talent. When he reads a story out loud, the characters become alive and some cross over into his world. Unfortunately, his wife crosses into the world of the book he is reading, Inkheart. His art as a storyteller creates a problem he has to fix, but he can't find a copy of the book. His quest leads to the action. I won't give you the entire synopsis. For more check HERE.

~~What I want to discuss is the art that storytellers use when the story steps off the page. The reader becomes lost in a new world. They can't stop reading. They have to know what happens next. The creation of such a story is beyond amazing. It's magic. And don't we all want to be able to do exactly that when we write? ; )

13 comments:

  1. I haven't seen that movie yet either. Sounds like I'll have to order it on Netflix soon tho.

    I know you know I get that "character coming alive feeling" since we share love of the same set of characters - Jamie and Claire. They are real.

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  2. we all want that magic - all hope it will come of - love to hear from our readers that it has

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  3. Tara,
    You're right, Jamie and Claire are real and alive. I just hope I come close to that with my crew. By all means, rent it! I've been told the book is good, too. It's the first in a YA trilogy.

    Alberta,
    Oh, yes! We all want that magic charm of life for our people.

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  4. Yes, of course, Outlander!
    I didn't know that's what Inkheart was about, and it's YA too?? I might have to add it to the wishlist.
    I do hope my story can be like that...
    Um, you know what? I think our Houseparties have that feel, every single time.

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  5. Oooh, houseparties! Yes, they take on a life of their own. I still muse about the things I've learned from Cherry Hill and Istanbul. My people just keep growing and I'm afraid I don't have the craft to tell the story as it needs to be told. (sigh) Don't mind me, I'm just tired. ; )

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  6. If that truly happened when I wrote I think I'd only write about rainbows, chocolate and happiness ;)

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  7. LOL! Lynda, you have a good point there. ; )

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  8. Yes, I love reading (or writing) a story when I have that sense that the characters are taking me into their own world.

    I'm starting up a 'Critiquing Crusaders' program, where participants in the Second Crusade can find other writers to exchange critiques with or form critiquing circles. If you're interested, come by The Kelworth Files to check it out!

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  9. Thanks! That's an opportunity that will be greatly appreciated by a lot of us Crusaders.

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  10. That is a good book, and I noticed my daughter has the second book at her house. I wonder if she would notice if it went missing?

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  11. ha ha! She might, but why shouldn't a daughter share with her mother? ; )

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  12. I haven't seen that movie, it sounds awesome! the nearest thing I can relate that to is The Time Traveller's wife, which I loved.

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  13. I haven't seen The Time Traveler's Wife, so we're even. ; ) You should see this one. It's wonderful.

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