Writerly Non-Sex Kinks M-Type Thing

[dawn_felagund]

Taken from Oshun ...

Name five ‘non-sexual kinks’ you have as a reader/writer: that is, five writing techniques, themes, settings, or character types that really draw you into a story. (If they are different for you as a reader than as a writer, please name both!)

Comments

[dawn_felagund]

I wish the word "kick ass" were not so widely used.

I prefer "badass" myself. ;) All kidding aside, I can hold my own physically, especially "for a girl"--I have picked up and physically relocated students much larger than me during fights--but I do not see that as the source of my strength.

In theory, I have no problem with a woman in a warrior/fighting role--I likewise adore Brienne's character, one of the only characters whose book chapters I actually look forward to, and she is marvelous on the show as well--but this rings very true to me:

It is much too cheap and easy to take a quasi-medieval world and put a sword or a bow in a female character's hand and say, 'Whew! Done and done! strong woman accomplished.'

One of the reasons that I like Brienne's character so much is because, even though he made her very "kick-ass," GRRM also doesn't shy away from the implications of a woman in such a role in such a place as Westeros. She is a woman who can't win: She is mocked when she tries to be feminine, and she is mocked when she dons armor and picks up a sword. As much as I complain about GRRM's writing generally, one thing I do think he did very well is how he writes woman characters (even if there is sometimes an almost leering tone when he writes about misogyny that squicks me a little bit ... but that could just be me).

I had Tauriel and the fuss surrounding her in mind when I wrote #5. Especially since PJ originally had in mind--and even filmed!--Arwen's involvement at Helms Deep, so he seems precisely the kind of offender I had in mind for #5! :D I also minded her less in the film than I thought I would, but I also wish that if PJ felt he needed to add a major woman character to the trilogy--and I understand why he did and agree with him in principle--then he would have considered one in a non-combat role, and one who didn't ultimately end up a love interest for one of the male characters. I agree with what was said at Mythmoot about Tauriel serving in a role that will bring people (who tend to be isolationist) together ... but Legolas had a mum! That role could have gone to her in a diplomatic capacity and been very interesting, to see how she acts on her husband, son, and people. (I know ... I am doing what I hate when people read my stories and wishing something written as I would have done it!)

Women had and have the tools and/or can develop them, which allow them to have an effect upon their world that do not require superior size or strength.

Yes. And that's part of why I've enjoyed writing Silm women lately (although I haven't been able to get involved in Elleth's challenge yet ... :^\). Physically overpowering something is not interesting to me. Working within relationships and political circumstances to achieve something is.