tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post1788236024533148039..comments2024-01-28T15:12:32.881-08:00Comments on <center> Wolf Tales</center>: More Than Just Skin Deep--Creating Strong Female CharactersJennifer Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03569308594720227530noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-49669941617852223272010-08-03T16:33:20.071-07:002010-08-03T16:33:20.071-07:00Wonderful post, Jen (if I can come late to the par...Wonderful post, Jen (if I can come late to the party!). I totally agree with Molly about Robin McKinley's books. I'd add "Sunshine" to that list as Rae, the main character, describes herself as skinny and with wild hair. She's described as "fierce" once, but never simply beautiful.<br /><br />I spent most of my childhood looking for books with strong female leads and it was DANG hard. Part of the problem was I preferred to read fantasy and at the time, fantasy was almost entirely a male genre. I devoured the Alanna series by Tamora Pierce and kept looking for more!<br /><br />That need for strong female characters is what led me to write YA fiction with (I hope!) strong female leads.<br /><br />Other female leads I've admired?<br /><br />Syrah in "Overboard" by Justina Chen Headly<br />KJ in "Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me" by Kristen Chandler (NOT a werewolf book)<br />Janie in "Fade", "Wake", and "Gone" by Lisa McMann<br /><br />And for readers looking at science fiction:<br />Cordelia from "Barrayar" and "Shards of Honor" by Lois McMaster Bujold<br /><br />Oh, and YOUR book, too, Jen!Val Serdyhttp://www.eggandfeather.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-58517051163592169452010-07-15T09:25:37.953-07:002010-07-15T09:25:37.953-07:00Great post Jen! Boy, this is a topic we could go o...Great post Jen! Boy, this is a topic we could go on and on about. As a mother of a teenager I'm faced with the same challenge of helping my daughter sift through what the media bombards us with to recognize and embrace our own individuality and inner resilience. <br /><br />I purposely write stories that have girls for main characters who are smart and clever and find a way to solve their problems through their own ingenuity. Because in real life - that's what happens too!Kiki Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10952786303617206818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-75827482401262372502010-07-13T09:47:47.729-07:002010-07-13T09:47:47.729-07:00Thanks you so much for this post. I love that quot...Thanks you so much for this post. I love that quote by Elder Ballard, it was recently brought to my attention as well. I really appreciate your remarks on strong female characters.Brittany Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04582794992884772687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-43720262573495089362010-07-13T05:14:08.227-07:002010-07-13T05:14:08.227-07:00I think strong women become strong by persisting, ...I think strong women become strong by persisting, evolving, like Anne in Persuasion. She was influence by those around her initially but once she figured out who she really is (and part of that is know what you really want). She found her strength.<br /><br />Nice Blog!<br />From Britt Erin's other Aunt, KathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-71349023403082396012010-07-12T18:59:32.922-07:002010-07-12T18:59:32.922-07:00Excellent character examples Molly. Thanks for sha...Excellent character examples Molly. Thanks for sharing!Jennifer Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03569308594720227530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-421424764800701962010-07-12T18:59:06.918-07:002010-07-12T18:59:06.918-07:00thanks mom im glad i hav u as a mother 2 help prot...thanks mom im glad i hav u as a mother 2 help protect me from theses things :)lul (lots of luv 4 u non txt-aholics :))from my almost teenaged daughter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-52110044777570926642010-07-11T23:27:47.136-07:002010-07-11T23:27:47.136-07:00Great post! Favorite imperfect-but-strong women fr...Great post! Favorite imperfect-but-strong women from literature: Rosie and Katriona from Spindle's End. Robin McKinley does a great twist on the Sleeping Beauty story. The fairies give the princess all the usual "gifts", but they end up slightly askew. (Like, Rosie has a beautiful singing voice, but she always sings off key.) Aerin from The Hero and the Crown (also by Robin McKinley.) And Mattie from A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. One of the best books of all time! Mattie fights against these same cultural pressures, but also poverty, sexism, and a painful family life. She's an amazing character.Molly Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00750066072893963735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-43807549256688249712010-07-11T23:12:17.824-07:002010-07-11T23:12:17.824-07:00Oh, and since we're talking classics how about...Oh, and since we're talking classics how about Jane Austin's female characters (I especially like Elinor from SENSE AND SENSIBILITY), and Dorthea Brooks in MIDDLEMARCH. <br /><br />Ali, Your friend Monica sounds like a wonderful role model. (Or great character for a book.)Jennifer Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03569308594720227530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-59441881503940727082010-07-11T23:02:05.187-07:002010-07-11T23:02:05.187-07:00Thanks Teralyn. Love Jane Eyre. I should have ment...Thanks Teralyn. Love Jane Eyre. I should have mentioned her, especially since my son has to read that book for his freshman Honors English class.Jennifer Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03569308594720227530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-40292412970793380282010-07-11T16:52:47.599-07:002010-07-11T16:52:47.599-07:00I'm going to have to read some of these books ...I'm going to have to read some of these books as I need strong women in my life right now. <br />I am grateful to know some, one being my friend Monica, who is raising her three young children alone with a smile and an amazing amount of energy and talent.Alihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10256010502277040718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700199312336157399.post-60880314010505451662010-07-10T18:59:00.447-07:002010-07-10T18:59:00.447-07:00I really love Katniss for the reason you stated an...I really love Katniss for the reason you stated and also Jane Eyre because she was plain and simple by some people's standards but she changed people's lives. We all know girls from High School that were "beautiful" but then they opened their mouths. I believe Wayne called them scuds :) It can very much be the other way around (ex. Jane Eyre). If we are not beautiful to the world but are beautiful to those who know us best, we are the real pure beauties.Teralyn Youngnoreply@blogger.com