A very interesting set of thoughts. Are you re-writing that particular plot this year, with both characters having agency, or are you writing another novel entirely? I am writing the same one I tried (and failed) to write last year. I'm not sure if this makes me tenacious and determined or boring and devoid of inspiration...!
I am jeanniemckeown on the Nanowrimo site; I discovered the Buddies option earlier and have a few. If you make use of the site in that way, and would like to, please do be a buddy!
I'm actually not rewriting it, but writing an additional 50,000 words for the novel I started last year. A lot of it will be sections from the guy's POV, unsurprisingly. I had thought of writing a sequel, but the first one isn't done yet, so maybe not! Lol.
I honestly don't really use the site that much, and like to keep it separate from LJ, as it has more real life info up there than I usually like to share in fandom. (Paranoid? Me? Lol)
It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you...! :) I have put very little real life info up on the site myself, so I quite understand! And I like the idea of building on, rather than rewriting.
I am trying to get my latest commissioned work done (new Library on campus, two page spread in local press, 5000 words in ten 500 word short articles - harder than it sounds!) and all I want to do is write Nano. I hope I feel this enthused about it once the paper goes to bed and I'm free again.
I actually tried to write a universe where women were in power, a matriarchy essentially, where the men are not 'technically' or legally discriminated against, but still are marginalized in practice without anyone really acknowledging it. I just wanted to see how that would work.
I guess I also have a point of disconnect with the romance genre when romance comes to be equated specifically with love, commitment, marriage, and babies. That can certainly be something people want and have a reason to want, but I don't think that defines what makes something romantic. Or at least not in my screwy head. Lol.
I think that the way we perceive realtionships is very structured and stereotypical.I think that characters in essence are under the same stereotypes. It sucks. As you said, there is that whole discomfort when the roles are switched. Like the male character is missing a backbone and the female is too 'strong' to be real. Writers often do write about a submissive female character who needs a man to rescue her, but we rarely see a man in that positon. Males tend to become defensive about perceived weakness, and believe that to be a 'man' they have to be the one who offers strength. Its that whole knight in shining armour bit that drives me crazy. There is still that idea, despite feministic protests, that the man is in control and provides strength. Good on you for trying to dig deeper into character roles like that. More power to you A!
Re: *thumbs up*surreallisNovember 6 2010, 16:44:20 UTC
*butting in*
Writers often do write about a submissive female character who needs a man to rescue her, but we rarely see a man in that positon.
Or, if they are, they're played for laughs, like "Hahahaha! HE'S A GIRL!"
And which I still laugh at from time to time, because we've been raised in a culture that finds that funny, and then I'm horribly disgusted with myself. FEH!
Re: *thumbs up*annerbhpNovember 6 2010, 18:30:15 UTC
That really is the flip side of the power structure, that just like women are given very little agency, men are often pigeon-holed into a concept of masculinity that allows very little wiggle room. The only difference, of course, is that men are still in a position of power, even if they don't feel like they can change things. It sucks on both sides.
It's definitely a self-perpetuating cycle. One we really need to nip in the bud at some point.
Your set up makes total sense to me. I was absolutely BAFFLED recently when my sister's husband had been considering staying home with the kids, and my family acted like this was the most insane thing ever. I wanted to ask what decade they thought we were living in, that on the one hand they can bitch that kids don't get the attention at home that they need, but god forbid it come from the father. For God's sake, people.
Unfortunately it's one of those things that still challenges "societal norms" (I live in Minneapolis and I really think it's probably more normal to see two dudes holding hands than to talk about dad staying home while mom works...)
Even my husband struggles with it. He feels like he has to qualify his time to other people (he's working on a distance graduate degree). But I mean, it's valuable to us to have him home with kiddo.
Thankfully my family has all sorts (the benefit of a family that's scattered across the globe and a military father who took you globe-trotting while growing up) - so they're more of the "whatever works". Makes it so much easier.
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I am jeanniemckeown on the Nanowrimo site; I discovered the Buddies option earlier and have a few. If you make use of the site in that way, and would like to, please do be a buddy!
Reply
I honestly don't really use the site that much, and like to keep it separate from LJ, as it has more real life info up there than I usually like to share in fandom. (Paranoid? Me? Lol)
Reply
I am trying to get my latest commissioned work done (new Library on campus, two page spread in local press, 5000 words in ten 500 word short articles - harder than it sounds!) and all I want to do is write Nano. I hope I feel this enthused about it once the paper goes to bed and I'm free again.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I guess I also have a point of disconnect with the romance genre when romance comes to be equated specifically with love, commitment, marriage, and babies. That can certainly be something people want and have a reason to want, but I don't think that defines what makes something romantic. Or at least not in my screwy head. Lol.
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Writers often do write about a submissive female character who needs a man to rescue her, but we rarely see a man in that positon.
Or, if they are, they're played for laughs, like "Hahahaha! HE'S A GIRL!"
And which I still laugh at from time to time, because we've been raised in a culture that finds that funny, and then I'm horribly disgusted with myself. FEH!
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Your set up makes total sense to me. I was absolutely BAFFLED recently when my sister's husband had been considering staying home with the kids, and my family acted like this was the most insane thing ever. I wanted to ask what decade they thought we were living in, that on the one hand they can bitch that kids don't get the attention at home that they need, but god forbid it come from the father. For God's sake, people.
Reply
Even my husband struggles with it. He feels like he has to qualify his time to other people (he's working on a distance graduate degree). But I mean, it's valuable to us to have him home with kiddo.
Thankfully my family has all sorts (the benefit of a family that's scattered across the globe and a military father who took you globe-trotting while growing up) - so they're more of the "whatever works". Makes it so much easier.
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