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Post by whdean on Feb 11, 2014 12:06:30 GMT -5
By the way, I’m not trying to portray myself as Mr. Enlightened Gender-Sensitive Male Who Cares Too Much to Express in Words. I’m not (ask my wife for proof). The reality is that I don’t write (or try not to write) stereotypical female characters because it’s lazy and it makes for unrealistic and uninteresting stories. In fact, I’ve observed that it’s easy to add interest to a story by having interesting female characters because people are so used to expecting weak and stereotypical ones. Is that the stereotype? These days, it's almost the opposite. The tough, bossy woman who doesn't take shit from men has become stereotypical. I agree. There’s a new “strong” female character that is basically the old “weak” female character inverted—and she’s as unbelievable as her predecessor. My favourite example comes from BSG, a show that had both one of the worst and one of the best female characters in SF. Starbuck was basically a male character with a female actress cast in the role. It didn’t work for me at all. But President Roslin was an absolutely brilliant strong female character, and the writers used that to great advantage. |
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Post by whdean on Feb 11, 2014 12:12:19 GMT -5
I think you should post it, WH. Talking about it hypothetically just isn't going to do the trick. Altogether, we probably represent a bunch of readers with different outlooks on things, so you'll get reactions from different angles. Making the student male would be a good solution. Feeling you have to stick so fully to her/his real-life inspiration, such that you can't change genders, might be putting you into an unnecessary quandary. Think of it this way: I bet Rusty Dreadlocks was really, really annoying, eh? Now you've given her a new way to cause you trouble. Why let her control who *your* character is?  Well, there are two problems with changing the gender. One is that the dynamics change between the people. Two males and a male and female talking don’t play the same. Second, I think there’s some latent symbolism and foreshadowing that would be lost—which, I admit, is more gut feel than anything else. |
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Post by vrabinec on Feb 11, 2014 12:12:31 GMT -5
Think of it this way: I bet Rusty Dreadlocks was really, really annoying, eh? Now you've given her a new way to cause you trouble. Why let her control who *your* character is? Don't be using your cheap Jedi mind tricks on WH. If he wants to have his pain in the ass student be a chick, let him be. |
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Post by Suzy on Feb 11, 2014 12:23:01 GMT -5
I think it would be more interesting to have a woman in that role. Sexual tension and all that...
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Post by Mr. Peabody on Feb 11, 2014 12:35:21 GMT -5
I agree with Fred. (I usually do.) But allow me to add: if you're going to write to PC standards, you're always going to piss someone off. Write to please yourself, and if you do, there will be plenty of others who like it as well.
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Post by Suzy on Feb 11, 2014 12:45:31 GMT -5
David, if you want to be a member again, Please register.
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Post by Becca Mills on Feb 11, 2014 18:10:59 GMT -5
Think of it this way: I bet Rusty Dreadlocks was really, really annoying, eh? Now you've given her a new way to cause you trouble. Why let her control who *your* character is? Don't be using your cheap Jedi mind tricks on WH. If he wants to have his pain in the ass student be a chick, let him be. Okay, okay!  |
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Post by Becca Mills on Feb 11, 2014 18:13:14 GMT -5
I agree with Fred. (I usually do.) But allow me to add: if you're going to write to PC standards, you're always going to piss someone off. Write to please yourself, and if you do, there will be plenty of others who like it as well. That's WH's avatar. Get off. |
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Post by whdean on Feb 11, 2014 20:55:10 GMT -5
I think it would be more interesting to have a woman in that role. Sexual tension and all that... Exactly. Suzy is reading my mind more successfully than the Jedi. |
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Post by Suzy on Feb 12, 2014 4:35:24 GMT -5
I think it would be more interesting to have a woman in that role. Sexual tension and all that... Exactly. Suzy is reading my mind more successfully than the Jedi. Of course. I'm a Viking. We have much stronger powers than those silly Jedi.  |
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Post by Becca Mills on Feb 12, 2014 23:23:18 GMT -5
I think it would be more interesting to have a woman in that role. Sexual tension and all that... Exactly. Suzy is reading my mind more successfully than the Jedi. Er ... Napoleon? Really? |
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Post by whdean on Feb 12, 2014 23:28:40 GMT -5
I did have Gunnery Sgt. Hartman (Full Metal Jacket) earlier on, but it seemed to earthy for my ego.
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Post by Becca Mills on Feb 13, 2014 3:19:14 GMT -5
You seem to be picking avatars who didn't meet happy fates!
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