I really have liked everything of Storm Constantine's I've picked up so far -- I've got her next on my list after I finish a read of some Mary Doria Russell stuff.
I do think I lean toward more naturally writing a female protag who is more 'masculine' in the psychological sense of being more tough-minded, rather than just the interp I know some people have taken. Although it can be interesting to have a Buffy-style girl who is physically capable, it's also interesting to have a woman who is just more tough-minded (than the relatively soft Buffy.) One of the reasons I've always liked the female-authored Trinity Blood manga is because its females run the gamut of 'strong lady.' No matter where they fall, as far as gender norms and physical strengths go, they are all well-developed personalities, and even the ones who don't necessarily command a reader's empathy (cough Caterina cough) still command a reader's respect.
My hugest problem I think is coming from my preconceptions holding me back in a way that dulls my writing, subconsciously. I want to write just to write, but I also want to write because I need to try to sell. I recently suffered an illness that makes my former specialty (healthcare) something I can't pursue anymore, for a couple reasons, and all I have on hand beyond that training is three years of a four year degree (which is my fault.)
I really need to practice constructing a female lead that people immediately gel to. I know that I can make her believable -- likeable? That's another matter entirely. But maybe it's just the practice I need. Maybe the more I just keep at writing it because I want to, the more likely something will be to click, and I'll be able to write a lady who is likeable despite being, well, not likeable. The charm might be in the narrative.
It's also a possibility I need to shuck off my media-informed beliefs about what a protagonist is. I love the character of Angela Petrelli on Heroes. She isn't a central protag, but she COULD be, and why not?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-04-30 02:17 am (UTC)I do think I lean toward more naturally writing a female protag who is more 'masculine' in the psychological sense of being more tough-minded, rather than just the interp I know some people have taken. Although it can be interesting to have a Buffy-style girl who is physically capable, it's also interesting to have a woman who is just more tough-minded (than the relatively soft Buffy.) One of the reasons I've always liked the female-authored Trinity Blood manga is because its females run the gamut of 'strong lady.' No matter where they fall, as far as gender norms and physical strengths go, they are all well-developed personalities, and even the ones who don't necessarily command a reader's empathy (cough Caterina cough) still command a reader's respect.
My hugest problem I think is coming from my preconceptions holding me back in a way that dulls my writing, subconsciously. I want to write just to write, but I also want to write because I need to try to sell. I recently suffered an illness that makes my former specialty (healthcare) something I can't pursue anymore, for a couple reasons, and all I have on hand beyond that training is three years of a four year degree (which is my fault.)
I really need to practice constructing a female lead that people immediately gel to. I know that I can make her believable -- likeable? That's another matter entirely. But maybe it's just the practice I need. Maybe the more I just keep at writing it because I want to, the more likely something will be to click, and I'll be able to write a lady who is likeable despite being, well, not likeable. The charm might be in the narrative.
It's also a possibility I need to shuck off my media-informed beliefs about what a protagonist is. I love the character of Angela Petrelli on Heroes. She isn't a central protag, but she COULD be, and why not?