The Heroine’s Journey: Defining Concepts
Last year the blog introduced the series Seeking Strong Female Heroines. This year we’re adding a complementary series: the Heroine’s Journey.
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Storytelling and Writing
Everyday Heroes – Muses, Passion Projects, and Changing the Status Quo
While it’s important that some people choose to challenge the system directly, sometimes just making the most of the opportunities given can make a difference, as well. I can’t thank my grandparents enough for giving me the inspiration to face those challenges. In the end, it was their examples that reminded me that the only person that can let you believe you’re not worthy is yourself.
Read moreShaping a Heroine – A Daughter’s Mother
In my first entry to Shaping a Heroine, a series of blogs discussing the design of my novel’s heroine, Vespa Wynde, I talked about her father. When I tried to identify a woman or women as character references for Vespa’s mother, Utara Fireheart, picking someone proved an impossible task.
Read moreThe Clone Wars – Thinking Outside The Box
Last week’s episode of The Clone Wars has yielded some interesting discussions. Check out Megan’s review to see her reaction to “The Box.” We’re both enjoying the arc. I hope to go into some more detail on the storytelling and philosophical ideas in the arc when it’s complete, but for now here are a few things to think about.
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Seeking SFH: Kate Beckett
When seeking strong female heroines, a comedy-drama police-procedural television series like ABC’s Castle probably wouldn’t be at the top of most people’s list of places to start. Yet the show’s female lead – homicide detective Kate Beckett, played by Stana Katic – is a great example of a well-designed, successful character who also fits the bill as strong, female, and heroic.
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REVIEW: Red Tails
Is Red Tails a perfect movie? Of course not. Is it a fun, exciting, entertaining action movie with a vein of serious social commentary? Absolutely. Our review has the details.
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Surprises and Synergy in the Star Wars Fandom
Remember when I talked about liking the unexpected in my 2012 look-ahead blog? Well, it’s just a little bit past the middle of January, and I’ve already had a few of my wishes granted. Some I can’t talk about yet, but one I’d better let out of the bag because it’s happening tomorrow – I’m back on the Clone Wars Roundtable with Jason and Jimmy Mac from the ForceCast!
Read moreWhat Is Strong?
The call for strong female characters is often met with pursed lips and furrowed brows. What exactly is a strong female character?
Read moreSix Figures and Counting!
I’m not talking money, just the word count on my novel Wynde.
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How Raising the Bar for Women in Storytelling is Good for Everyone
How does this relate to the message of my blog? Sometimes people hear the message “we need more and better portrayals of female characters” and misunderstand it to mean that the women expressing it want the portrayals of male characters to be brought down a notch. This is an unfounded fear, though. Just like I’ve seen in my cross-training as an artist and an engineer, better portrayals of female characters will only make their male counterparts, and the stories they are in, that much better. Here are a couple of examples I noticed this week in the television industry.
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