Into the Fire

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Lines . . .

 

What came to mind when you read the word “lines”?

 

Parallel lines? Aesthetic lines? Great one-liners? Pick-up phrases? Opening lines? Geometric lines? Clothes lines? A-lines? Wichita Lineman? Standing in lines?

 

Do you think of lines for stories and write them down to use in a future book?

 

I don’t think I’ve ever known a movie that had so many memorable lines as the first Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl. So many zingers. Almost a language all its own. Terrific lines. Outstanding writing and acting.

 

Do you have favorite lines from books or movies?

 

 

Father, thank you for the beauty of words when used to glorify you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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11 responses to “Lines . . .”

  1. Josh Olds. Avatar
    Josh Olds.

    I’ve begun writing down memorable lines I come across when reading, so I can remember them later. It’s something I wish I’d begun a lot sooner. From that list:
    “In this age, faith remained acceptable, but recognizing a dark supernatural aspect to life could make a rational man feel foolish and gullible. The Evil of all evils thrived on the denial of its existence.” – What the Night Knows, Dean Koontz
    Christ lives in me, sir. His spirit rages through my body. I feel it now. I hear it. The only reason you can’t is because your eyes and ears are clogged by this world. But there’s another world at work here. It’s Christ’s kingdom, and it bristles with his power. – The Martyr’s Song, Ted Dekker
    And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

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  2. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    I tend to recall far fewer lines from books (in fact Zane Grey’s “Forlorn River” and Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities” are the only books where I can think of quotable lines off the top of my head.
    However, the king of quotables is ths series and movies of Star Trek (the original, thank you very much). Never in my life have I seen a series as quotable as Star Trek. It is a phenomenon I discuss with friends quite often because it is so remarkable. Probably every month I end up spouting off the cuff a quote from Star Trek that is applicable to some situation I’m in.
    Both the 3 year series run and the movies were exceptional in this regard. Star Trek II, in addition to the regular characters, had a masterful performance by Ricardo Montalban (I regret I never found a way to write and thank him for that performance. I hope I will see him in heaven so I can take care of that). In that movie, they use quotes from “Moby Dick” and “A Tale of Two Cities.”
    Actually, Star Trek II is the reason I’m now trying to read “A Tale of Two Cities”. Unfortunately, I’m several chapters in and thus far have no idea what’s going on. *-)
    I have tried to understand why some series or books are so quotable and so many are not. My first instinct is to say that the more powerful a book or series characters are, the more quotable they are. But I’ve read other powerful books and watched other powerful series where they were not all that quotable. So that can’t be the sole defining factor.
    Maybe it also has something to do with the quotes and characters’ ability to transcend time and generations. I don’t know. I just thank God for the blessing of Star Trek.

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  3. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Oh, I did read one other memorable first line from the historical fiction “Journey To Riverbend” by Henry McLauglin:
    “The crowd was small for a hanging.”

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  4. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I think I’m going to steal Josh’s idea. I’ve never written down memorable lines and should start keeping a journal just for that.
    Brenda, my son is reading A Tale of Two Cities right now for class. I’ll have to dig out The Wrath of Kahn and have him watch it again. Maybe he’ll appreciate the classics more. Star Trek does have memorable lines throughout, doesn’t it?
    As for the movie with my favorite lines, it would have to be Pixar’s The Incredibles. It may be a cartoon, but it’s very wise. Actually, many of Pixar’s films have an underlying intelligence you don’t see in other movies, much less cartoons.

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  5. dayle Avatar
    dayle

    Ricardo Montalban had a great delivery. He could take good lines and make them great.

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  6. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Brenda A, maybe your son can share his book report with me if he’s doing one for A Tale of Two Cities. LOL!
    I vow to read to the end. War and Peace started slow too but I absolutely loved it.

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  7. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Josh, great quotes. Exceptional. And kudos to you for writing them down. I love the opening line and chapter of James Scott Bell’s Try Darkness. He had a few in that novel.
    Star Trek’s “Beam me up” continues. Fun series. Boy, I just can’t read Dickens. Just can’t.
    Ricardo Montalban had just enough expression to imply so many things with simple lines.

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  8. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Oh, and that’s a telling line from Journey to Riverbend, Brenda. Wow.

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  9. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    Speaking of famous or profound lines, a friend recorded several in her blog post today that really hit home with me: http://inkspirationalmessages.com/2011/02/hearts-desire/.

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  10. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Star Trek has many usable quotes. Some, only Trekkies getting together and finishing lines would appreciate (I love love LOVE Khan’s “For hate’s sake, I spit my last breath…at thee.” You have to say it with all the right pauses and emphasis 8-)).
    Some have universal appeal.
    One comes from Scotty in ST III: “The more you overtake the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain” (ie. how easy it was for him to disable the brand new, technologically advanced starship Excelsior). If that one isn’t applicable to our present age of technology, I don’t know what is.
    Then adapted variations of McCoy’s crusty “I’m a DOCTOR not a brick-layer” always come in handy in various work situations.
    And of course Spock made the word “fascinating” well…fascinating.
    And then of course, when you get a paper cut or stub your toe, there’s “I am a Vulcan. There. Is. No. Pain.”
    Oh dear I fear I’m starting to warm to the subject so I better stop now…

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  11. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Brenda, you’re hilarious.
    Brenda A., Sharon Souza tackled the subject with a bit different look at Novel Matters today, too. Weird. 😉

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