My Twitter-wife Holly Smale has brought to the attention of her Twitter-followers, of which I am one, this here magazine article entitled "I Hate Strong Female Characters" — http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/08/i-hate-strong-female-characters — and I have to say I agree with it wholeheartedly.
For those of you too time-constricted/lazy to read it, it basically holds up a hand in the classroom and has the temerity to ask "Why are vibrant female characters called strong?" Why are they limited to such a thing? More to the point, however, is why is the word "strong" slung in there at all? If you take away the strong bit, that leaves "female character"— but isn't a female character just as inherently strong as a male character? Why do they need "strong" in there at all?
People say to me all the time "Derek, you're great," and I can't argue with them. They go on to say "I love your black shirt/blue jeans combo" and I nod wisely, agreeing with them but not needing to put it into words. Then they say "It's so cool that your books have strong female characters" and I shrug, and say "Hey, I'm a pretty awesome guy. Now go get me some Skittles."
Valkyrie is a strong female character. As in, she's strong, she's female, and she's a character. But she is not a Strong Female Character. She's not a role model — not really. She's deeply, DEEPLY flawed. Over the course of these eight books, she's done some outstandingly heroic things, but she's also done some downright mean and nasty and selfish things. She's hurt people. She's become arrogant (and not in the cool way that I am).
Here's what Holly has to Twitter-say about the subject:
"Strength" is one dimensional. It's saying "women can be strong like men", NOT "women are flawed, complex, brilliant, weak LIKE MEN."
I love it when readers don't like Valkyrie. I love it when they actively dislike her for the things she's done and the way she's behaved. But it's like they're surprised. It's like they can't compute. "Okay, wait, so... she saves the world but... but she's cheating on her boyfriend?? How is that POSSIBLE?"
Valkyrie is a character. She's as messed up as any male character I could ever write. That's what makes her real to me.
Having a girl as the protagonist in an action/adventure/horror/fantasy/whatever means things are going to get physical, and you all know how much I love my fight scenes. But having her kick ass is not why she's a good character.
Years ago, I was yapping to my mother about Buffy and Xena and talking about how great it is that we now have these TV shows about such strong female characters. My mother, who admittedly has never watched either show, asked me if these really WERE strong female characters, or if they were merely male characters with boobs.
Having a blonde cheerleader save the world with her martial arts skills doesn't equal feminism, she said. That's a male tactic. How about her saving the day using tactics that aren't all about punching and kicking and killing?
I didn't have an answer for her then. I still don't, even now. There's a whole debate to be had that I'm just not ready for, that I may never be ready for. My mother is a pacifist. I am not. We see the world differently, we operate differently, even though we want the same things. We both want equality and peace. My mother is the sort to talk her way to equality and peace. I'm the sort to talk to the point where I reckon more talk won't do any good, and then smash my way through to an understanding. It is not an enlightened viewpoint I hold. It is a crass, brutish viewpoint — but in a crass, brutish world, I believe my way is the way to go. Mum believes otherwise.
And that's the difference, I think, between us. We live in a world carved by men, where fear and oppression and violence are a part of our lives. I can't even IMAGINE a world sculpted by women, where other values have taken hold. I'm limited in that way. I could try not to be, but I honestly wouldn't know where to start. That's kind of sad, when you think about it. For all my imagination, I can't even imagine that...
... (turns to stare hauntingly out the window).
FIRST DEREK GO ON
ReplyDeleteDEREK LANDY YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME YOU MUST ANSWER OMG YES YOU MUST DEREK LANDY THIS IS A DIRECT ORDER FROM AN ELDER
ReplyDeleteYOU. MUST.OBEY.
Love you Derek!!!
ReplyDeleteNyaaaaaaaaaa
ReplyDeleteThe Golden God has spoken O.O
ReplyDeleteThat just made me smile Derek sir!
ReplyDeletePlease come on Mr. Derek? I heard so many good things about you from my mother!
ReplyDelete*Smiles* Derek, I made Sue Lawson read SP!!
ReplyDeleteA world run by women? Well I guess Zafira kind of proved that its possible she is American Grand Mage
ReplyDeleteThat's why I never let people save me... I dislike being saved... I AM STRONG!!!
ReplyDeleteBOB THE BUILDER CAN WE FIX IT
ReplyDeleteA WORLD RUN BY WOMEN IS TERRIBLE!! JULIA GILLARD SHOWED US AUSSIES!!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I totally agree! I always used to wonder why Valkyrie was, at times, so disagreeable; even unlike able. That's what makes her though, because of those flaws she IS a character.
ReplyDeleteAll we have to do is kill of Gillard. Then it would be perfect.
ReplyDelete*brings out scythe* a hunting I will go a hunting I will go
I never EVER do things with help. And I also believe women can take charge because look at my own character! How many Elders in the entire SP world we know of are women? 3. Madame Mist, Morweena Crow, and Zafira Kerias. I bet if any of the three were Grand Mage that they would do well. Just because they are women does not mean they cannot lead their country. I'm honestly amazed Derek even let me be an Elder. And I doubt he's reading this mini speech.
ReplyDelete*Brings out daggers* Wanna go a round, Luna?
ReplyDelete*claps* Gorgeous
ReplyDeleteDerek, you are going to be astounded by the fact that I too, as a girl, do not get your mother's viewpoint either...now THAT'S sad! :-)
ReplyDeleteP.s. Looking forward to reading book eight way out here in the Evergreen state.
Nope I'd win
ReplyDeleteYou're on! *Throws knives*
ReplyDeleteByeya! *vanishes*
ReplyDeleteI truly and honestly want to KILL Valkyrie half the time. I really do. I am so hoping Derek had Zaf punch her because I would enjoy that. Punching Valkyrie really hard in the face would be a fun thing :)
ReplyDeleteKay... Bye Luna...
ReplyDelete*comes back, arms filled with bacon* NomNomNom
ReplyDeleteDEREK
ReplyDeleteListen to Bethy!!!
ReplyDeleteokay bye
ReplyDeleteHe never comments here guys
ReplyDeleteOMG DEREK!
ReplyDeleteDay after day all the prince ever does is practice practice practice!
Swan princesssssssssssssssssss
Also, I completely agree with this post. I love it. It's perfect. And it's accurate.
ReplyDeletePLEASE COME ON, DEREK!
Hmmmm DEREK I WILL EXPLODE IRELAND IF YOU DONT COMMENT IN BLOGLAND
ReplyDeleteDerek, I won't give you a purple banana...
ReplyDeleteDEREK, perhaps you could answer my questions?
ReplyDelete*shrinks*
Pwetty pwease?
Yeah, and Valkyrie drives me nuts a lot!!
ReplyDeleteShe's honestly a brat half the time!
But, then again, aren't we all?
And I think what makes characters so cool is that they have to have some good in them if they're bad and they have to have some bad in them if they're good.
*opens umbrella*
*flies away*
*unless Derek returns*
*then I shall stay*
Okay Zaf's BRILLIANT PLAN we all chant his name for a half hour everytime we comment we add: DEREK COME ON BLOGLAND
ReplyDeleteand if he doesnt come on we start a #DerekCommentOnBlogland i mean he'll HAVE to listen! If we Minions all revolt against the Golden God
Derek, if you answer us, I will give you a flamethrower umbrella.
ReplyDeleteYou know you want one.
The only way he'll HAVE to listen is if we show up at his house with firearms.
ReplyDeleteAnd knowing our mental state, he'll probably die, and then WHO IS GOING TO WRITE THE NINTH BOOK?
DEREK COME ON BLOGLAND!
ReplyDeleteTO THE BARRICADES!!!
ReplyDeleteDEREK COME ON BLOGLAND
DEREK COME ON BLOGLAND!
ReplyDeleteUgh.
ReplyDeleteMight I DED to this?
It pisses me off that in a show, men are automatically assumed to be strong and brave- but it is different for a woman. Unfortunately, men still looks down upon women in our time- not all men- but a good number do.
How many women here have been told to stay in the kitchen or make a sandwich? Even as a joke. But it is the fact that it is a joke is what appals me. Women aren't jokes. And men who think they can walk around and are superior must have some microscopic dick to think that (Sorry).
But seriously.
If you think that it is okay to look down on women, or that we are weak, then remember:
SCIENTISTS HAVE FOUND A WAY TO MAKE CHILDREN USING BONE MARROW.
WE TECHNICALLY SHOULDN'T NEED MEN TO CREATE CHILDREN BY THE YEAT 2020.
MATRIMONY, YO.
*raises chalice*
HEAR
BLOODY
HEAR.
I JUST TWEETED HIM
ReplyDeleteDEREK COME ON BLOGLAND
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete*YEAR
ReplyDeleteGOD DAMN SPELL CHECK
UGH
PEOPLE. ANNOY ME
HEAR BLOODY HEAR ADDY!!
ReplyDeleteYEAH!
ReplyDeleteUnfo, like I said, women will never be considered equal unless we all get together, plan a revolution, then gun all the men down with firearms.
I'm kinda in a firearmy mood right now :P
ReplyDeleteCOME ON BLOGLAND DEREK
SCREW THE PAPER, LETS ALL GRAB GUNS!!!
ReplyDelete*raises dynamite stick* HEAR HEAR ADRA HEAR BLOODY FUCKING HEAR!
ReplyDeleteMATRIARCHY
ReplyDeleteFUCK
I'M SORRY MY MIND IS MELTING
LET'S GO START A REVOLUTION
COME ON BLOGLAND DEREK
ReplyDelete*nods to dynamite tree forest* harvest dynamite guys we storm Rush tonight! TO THE BARRICADES!
*Sings*
ReplyDeleteI wanna start a revolution
A type of person no solution
DEREK COME ON BLOGLAND!
ReplyDelete*dons red colored clothing*
ReplyDeleteVIVE LA RESISTANCE!
*taps ipod*
ReplyDeleteIs this thing on?
*Cheers*
ReplyDeleteRevolution!!!!
A revolution against what?
ReplyDeleteMy time has come.
ReplyDeleteI know what I am Empress of.
THE AMAZONS!
*raises spear*
*dawns red outfit* EVERYONE GET A DYNAMITE STICK WE STORM DEREK'S HOUSE TONIGHT
ReplyDeleteWhose there? BLOGLAND REVOLUTION
DEREK COME ON BLOGLAND
*sings*
ReplyDeleteDaylight
See the dew on the sunflower
And a rose that is fading
Roses whither away
Like the sunflower
I yearn to turn my face to the dawn
I am waiting for the day . . .
Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan
Memory
All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
Every streetlamp
Seems to beat a fatalistic warning
Someone mutters
And the streetlamp gutters
And soon it will be morning
Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I musn't give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale cold smell of morning
The streetlamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning
Touch me
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me
You'll understand what happiness is
Look
A new day has begun
AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE HUGE ARSES.
ReplyDeleteBUT NOT JUST TO WOMEN, NO. TO ASSHOLES EVERYWHERE
REVOLUTION!! *Grabs dynamite*
ReplyDeleteWe are reolting because Derek will not comment here
ReplyDeleteDEREK COME ON BLOGLAND
What Adra said too!
ReplyDelete*raises dynamite stick*
Maybe he is a ghost? And is ghosting around the blog?
ReplyDelete*grabs flare, shooting it in the sky*
ReplyDeleteNEVERMORE, MOTHER EARTH. NEVER MORE WILL YOUR DAUGHTERS STAND IN THE SHADOWS
WE WILL BURN WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE GODS!
*war cry*
He told me he feels 'awkward' on Blogland wnd he doesnt have time but oh he used to *nods* I am so screwed on the 29th I am being Skyped to meet Derek m
ReplyDeleteDEREK COME ON BLOGLAND
*Roars* WHAT ADRA DARK SAID!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour all going mad.... *turns into tiny fluffy kitten* Meww.......
ReplyDeleteI think Adra's rebelling for female rights and the rest of you are rebelling for Derek.
ReplyDelete*Kicks kitten*
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMATRIARCHYYYYYY!!!!!!!
MATRIARCHYYYYYY!!!!!!!MATRIARCHYYYYYY!!!!!!!MATRIARCHYYYYYY!!!!!!!MATRIARCHYYYYYY!!!!!!!
HELL YEAH ITS TIME WOMEN TAKE ACTION IN THE WORLD
ReplyDeleteThey say us women are weak? WEAK? We are not weak we are strong! Society is so bent on men dominant well guess what men? Not all of us women are little cowards we WILL FIGHT lets not forget who gave birth to the men who nutured them! WOMEN
And also, Adra, we prejudice against men as well.
ReplyDeleteMany people think of men when they think of rapists, pedophiles, murderers, and physical bullies. We also assume that men torment and cheat on their girlfriends more than we assume the other way round.
I HAVE MY PRIORITES SET, EMBER
ReplyDeleteI DON'T NEED AN ARMY! I DON'T NEED WEAPONS WHEN MY TONGUE IS AS SHARP AS A SABRE AND CUTS THROUGH THE NORMS OF SOCIETY
Just one question... Can we kill Gillard? She annoys me...
ReplyDeleteMerow! *turns into demon form* HOW DARE YOU! *Skeletons rise grabbing Deathy tying her down. *turns back into human* *sits on Deathy under skeletons*
ReplyDelete*I don't*
ReplyDelete*but there are assholes out there*
*but men aren't told that their place is in the kitchen and that they are all weak*
*not by everyone*
*but by enough*
*raises dynamite stick* Can we explode all the men?
ReplyDeleteGUYS
ReplyDeleteTHERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN WIN A REVOLUTION UNLESS YOU HARM PEOPLE.
IMAGES CANNOT CHANGE UNLESS WE LITERALLY TAKE OVER WITH FORCE.
It's the way we've been designed. The alpha male. What more can we do? You can't change what people think! Women can already vote, women can have tons of different jobs, men are not (normally) allowed to have more than one wife... what else can we do?
Damn you Luna! *Glares at skeletons and Luna* *Jumps up*
ReplyDeleteBad deathy *adds more skeletons*
ReplyDeleteWe are leaving!!
ReplyDeleteTime, September.
ReplyDeleteA thousand years ago, people were sacrificed to gods in the sky. People need an example. You have to show them, not tell them
Men are called weak and they're teased if they're not wild and boisterous!
ReplyDeleteI dont care anymore! Its slowly changing even in a fiction book!
ReplyDeleteI asked to be an Elder now Derek could have easily denied it but he said yes. He actually put my female character in a position of power! I may not be head honcho but I got my character to be an Elder...third one in the SP universe people
You can only achieve things by force or by a deep and moving motivation.
ReplyDelete(That sounded stupid.)
Guys
ReplyDeletePutting a character in a book is not the same thing as CHANGING PEOPLE'S OPINIONS OF WOMEN.
YOU CANNOT CHANGE OPINIONS.
You can't by force. But you can give them something to see- something to believe in- something to agree with.
ReplyDeleteDont help Ember dont I see you are brainwashed by society
ReplyDeleteI am not brainwashed.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely not brainwashed.
I just know that you can't have a goal like WE ARE GOING TO MAKE MEN RESPECT WOMEN.
You have to say, "WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE LET WOMEN BE THE FIRST TO GO TO MARS".
Or "WE ARE GOING TO INSPIRE WOMEN TO BREAK RECORDS SET BY MEN."
Or "LET'S PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN TO GO TO IVY LEAGUES."
Or collect stories about women. Powerful women.
You have to be more specific.
Or, better yet, you can say, "I AM GOING TO GROW UP, BE SOMETHING SPECIAL, AND SHOW EVERYBODY THAT I AM A WOMAN AND YET I CAN SUCCEED."
ReplyDelete*sees the explosive tree marked 'Ireland' about to go off* NOOOOOOOOOO *throws the bundles into the lake* *collapses against sand* phew! Almost exploded Ireland
ReplyDeleteThat was low, Zafira.
ReplyDeleteWe all are victims of society, really. We are a collective, but that doesn't mean that we are the same.
Ember made a good point, but I stand by what I said. No, not all men are evil, no, not all women are good. Of course it will never fully be gone from society- because every tree has a few bad apples, but we can certainly clean up our act a bit.
The fact that there is even something called "feminism"appals me.
I blame the Dark Ages. Before then, WAAAY long ago, things were different- then everything dropped. Huzzah.
*glares at history*
But that doesn't matter. Sexism on both sides should be gone.
I mean we are pretty low on the totem pole! A free slave male could vote before a woman. Back then freedmen were low but even they could vote before a white woman! So when I am 18 I will exercise my right to vote because I sure as hell am lucky to have it
ReplyDeleteWhere does Ari go? She'd be bloody useful on this topic
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm eighteen I'm moving to Ireland, whatevs
ReplyDeleteWhy would you move to IRELAND?! I could never...I couldnt leave family behind!
ReplyDeleteBecause I like it there. And my mom loves Scotland. One of my brothers is probably going to Seattle. As for the other... I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not afraid of change. I have never been at a school for longer than three years and I switches states. I started. At a new school six days ago.
I'm pretty indifferent.
Seriously....I would love to move to Ireland but...I doubt I could
ReplyDeleteVal's coming with me :D
ReplyDeleteTRINITY COLLEGE
YUSSSS
Oh...*nods* I could never get a scholarship to a school in Ireland
ReplyDeleteOh... *shrugs* I'll certainly try! But I am getting there.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I want to live.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere in a big city in a first-world country.
Not the same country as my family, definitely.
ReplyDeleteI dont have the brains to be honest I dont I probably would never be allowed to study abroad either *sighs*
ReplyDeleteBtw, I think my final point is just that if you want to do an anti-sexism-towards-females thing, you need to target the women themselves, not the men.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you have the brains, Zaffy :)
ReplyDelete☂Yay! I got the umbrellas back!☂
ReplyDeleteThat or, like..
ReplyDeleteI just want to travel. I love travelling!
*grins*
I have to sleep now.
Night lovelies! *hugs*
☂Goonight, my good and darling dear!☂
ReplyDelete☂...☂
☂So, Zaf, did all of you get the Grand Mage thing sorted out?☂
Night Adra!
ReplyDeleteMeh I dont have the brains...*sighs* Aretha Tesla is so gonna be the first one i slap she is back but all day she hasnt been on and all yesterday night
((I strongly disagree, but that is just me. Both sides need to be looked at, yeah. But not just completely females. Males can be very oppressive sometimes. Jus sayin.
ReplyDeleteRight.
Slumber!!))
☂The first one?☂
ReplyDelete☂There are more??? XD☂
No I dont have Javier back yet. He hasnt been transferred and I just want my husband home
ReplyDelete☂((fair enough. Opinions are opinions. Rest well!))☂
ReplyDelete☂No, but seriously, outside all the roleplaying, are you actually annoyed that your husband is wherever he is?☂
ReplyDeleteI have been worried for quite some time as to my feelings for Valkyrie, she lost my suppor the moment she cheated on Fletcher.
ReplyDeleteVile girl.
I am actually still pretty mad. I mean now im left with no character who Zaf can talk to
ReplyDeleteTanya I hated her from that moment on
Interesting...
ReplyDeleteI don't have the energy to come up with an intelligent reply of any kind.
#ChaseForBook9
☂Tanya, EXACTLY.☂
ReplyDelete☂Hi Fabi!!!!☂
☂And thanks *hugs*☂
☂Please stay for a little, Fabi!☂
ReplyDelete((She did NOT just say 'Vile girl'))
ReplyDeleteOMFG I AM DEAD
*sleeps*
☂"Vile girl"☂
ReplyDelete☂Suddenly I see a Lord Vile connection and I am just so happy☂
No problemo, Ember. [hugs back]
ReplyDeleteVal has her idiot moments and her good moments, like the rest of us. [shrugs]
Cheating on Fletcher was definitely one of the stupid ones.
#ChaseForBook9
*nods*
ReplyDelete☂*nods*☂
ReplyDeleteAnd I was supposed to be off the computer twenty minutes ago, and I'm exhausted and angry, but I'll stay as long as I can.
ReplyDelete#ChaseForBook9
☂So. Fabi. Where do you want to live once you can move out?☂
ReplyDelete☂Oh, why are you angry?☂
ReplyDeleteOn the old computer, it doesn't recognize the existence of the umbrellas...
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, is this one?
☂
#ChaseForBook9
Ooh not good Fabi
ReplyDeleteThats an umbrella
ReplyDeleteI don't know... Not near my family. Except maybe my sister.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere wilderness-ish, but not too too far from civilization.
Like, a suburb. Of someplace that doesn't get ridiculously warm in the summer.
#ChaseForBook9
Heat scare you Fabi?
ReplyDeleteOkay... It's a little box with numbers in it on this computer...
ReplyDeleteWeird
#ChaseForBook9
No, I just don't like it.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me really really irritable.
#ChaseForBook9
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ReplyDeleteAh oka
ReplyDeleteI'm gone, sorry.
ReplyDelete#ChaseForBook9
Bye
ReplyDeleteHai?
ReplyDeleteHai!! I haz a foreboding feeling like something had is going to happen... I don't know what.... Deathy scared...
ReplyDelete*bad
ReplyDeleteI havent heard from Ari since yesterday...
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard from Ari for ages...
ReplyDeleteShe emailed me breifly when on holiday and then yesterday i asked if she'd collab with me for Nameless she replied sure and i asked if i should start and i havent heard back
ReplyDeleteShe's probably tired... *Hugs*
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm nervous about her its not like her to be so silent
ReplyDeleteWhat's the time for you?
ReplyDelete11:39pm
ReplyDeleteYeah, my guess is alseep. It's 1:39pm here!!
ReplyDeleteShe hasnt been on all day today
ReplyDeleteHmmm... *Tilts head* Wifi problems? Maybe getting ready for school? Simply forgot? It's okay. Nothing can keep Ari down... I'm slightly scared that she's after me...
ReplyDeleteAri goes back next Monday *shrugs* I just worry Niccolo drove her insane because she says he's in her head....but she said he's been quiet
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOmg crying
ReplyDeleteGonna go to bed...
ReplyDelete[Waves to Zaf and hugs]
ReplyDelete#ChaseForBook9
Never mind i shall stay up
ReplyDeleteOkay.
ReplyDeleteHi then.
I have maybe an hour... I borrowed a cable from Mom for like twenty minutes, so there's a little bit of charge on my iPod now.
#ChaseForBook9
Yay! And omg I watched Toy Story 3...
ReplyDeleteWas it good?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've even seen the first one... I don't watch much of anything.
#ChaseForBook9
It was! Sad....*nods* You know you can buy cables basically anywhere for iPods
ReplyDeleteBack...
ReplyDeleteHey Death! *sighs* I hope Ari goes on tomorrow and when i get up i need someone to help break into the New Delhi Sanctuary
ReplyDeleteI can help with breaking in! *Tosses teleporting bracelet over* You type in where you want to go with the dial things on the side and you click the really big red button that says 'DON'T PUSH'!
ReplyDeleteYeah, last time a cable broke, though, my dad was all like "I have plenty of extras, why did you buy a new one?"
ReplyDeleteSo when we went to the store, I didn't get a cable, assuming that Dad had plenty of extras.
And he does...somewhere.
[Sigh]
We're going shopping again Wednesday.
Hi Death
#ChaseForBook9
*puts it on* thanks Deathy! *grins* I gotta break into New Delhi Sanctuary and luckily for me I saw it through Javier's eyes and im not one to do illegal stuff but eh whats a little bit of crime eh?
ReplyDeleteNo offense, but I don't condone breaking and entering and as such did not hear any of this conversation.
ReplyDelete[Yawns]
Sorry... A formality.
#ChaseForBook9
I have no problem breaking and entering if i get Javier back thats all i care about
ReplyDeleteMSD
*Sprints back to base and grabs her own teleporting bracelet* *Runs back to Zaffy and presses several buttons on both their bracelets*
ReplyDeleteAnd, just press the big button and I'll meet you there! *Presses button and teleports*
((I actually don't have a problem with breaking and entering for a good cause, but I don't really believe in this cause. Javier keeps torturing his family, I'm not helping to rescue him. The only reason I'm not trying to stop you is because Javier is your character and you keep getting annoyed irl, so it's really not worth it. Like I said before, I'm staying out of this one.))
ReplyDelete#ChaseForBook9
Ah. You all appear to be busy.
ReplyDeleteI may just go then.
[Waves]
Until later.
#ChaseForBook9
I'm not busy!! I'm getting my nails painted (again) in the name of science!!
ReplyDeleteWell... I'm sort of here.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing, though.
#ChaseForBook9
And I'm doing a prac!!))
ReplyDelete*Jumps into New Delhi and gasps* HOT!
Gtg, sorry.
ReplyDeleteGoing to try to sleep...
#ChaseForBook9
Night Fabulous!!! *Hugs*)))
ReplyDelete*Looks around quickly* Okay... Sanctuary... Sanctuary... *Walks around*
*Taps random person on the shoulder* Do you know where the Sanctuary is? *Man points to random direction* Thankies! *Hugs man and runs towards the way he pointed*
ReplyDeleteAwesome! A new post! :D
ReplyDeletelol you never fail to crack me up, Derek, that last line was funny :P
Hi/bye everyone! I was just checking my usual stuff before I went to bed and saw that he had posted again and thought i'd say something real quick *hands whoever is still online cookies*
*hands Derek cookies too*
Night all!
*Takes cookie via RPDHM* Thank you raven!! *Sends hug via RPDHM*
ReplyDeleteHello Mr. Landy!
ReplyDeleteYour point about women is extremely valid. That said, I have noticed a distinct lack of POC, that is to say, People of Color in your work. The only one I can remember is Frightening Jones. Therefore, good sir, I challenge you! In your next major work, I challenge you to have a complex nonwhite character as your protagonist, with several minor characters being POC as well. If you are worried about misrepresentation, I advise you to research, and talk to people of that race. POC need to see positive and diverse representations of themselves in popular media, because it really, truly matters. Keep in mind that stereotypes are harmful. We don't want to be seen as maids, drug dealers, or the comedic sidekick. We want to be viewed as heroes too. Fantasy is a genre that really lacks POC, and this is an area that could be improved upon. You don't have to accept my challenge, but it would be nice if you thought about it. Thank you for your time, and keep writing your magical stories.
I personally like Valkyrie's character - not that anyone would find that surprising. I like how she acts, with all the stubbornness and the comebacks and not taking other people's crap even if it means punching them in the face to get to the point. I like that she's flawed because most main characters aren't. And even though she's done some bad stuff - cheating on Fletcher for a hot but annoying vampire, turning into Darquesse and shamelessly killing people for her amusement, etc. - she tries to do good, even if there's a bad side effect. But she's flawed, and she messes up, and I like her character for that. I can see why people would strongly dislike her too, though. I mean, she's not the nicest. And she likes things to go her way. And she's different than most characters. But I like her because, and I know it sounds cheesy, I can relate. I mean, hey, I'm easy to dislike. I'm really easy to dislike. I'm mean and annoying and obnoxious and I never do what I'm told simply for the sake of pissing off the people around me. But Valkyrie kind of does that too. And I like it. I think she's an awesome character. She's got issues, yeah, but she's still awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd, quite frankly, I can't picture the world ruled by women either. To be honest, I think it could be just as worse, because in reality, women hate each other just as much, as if not more, than men hate each other. We just hide it better. It's just a rule - people hate each other.
huh... okay
ReplyDeletehia!!
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ReplyDeleteyeah... um, anyway, i feel like doing a rant i have been building u for a while and this post appears to be the one to do it in.
ReplyDeleteso here we go:
human beings are flawed.
we say we are brave, yet peaceful. but we aren't peaceful.
we say we would welcome aliens.
would wouldn't. if ET showed up, arms open for a hug, humans would shoot at him, saying he was threatening to strangle them.
my point here is, humans say they are peaceful, but they get scared so easily. they say "we wouldn't harm an alien" but if a spaceship appeared in the sky, we would shoot. this is because we get scared, and so, when we get scared, we make the peaceful thing seem scary, make it the enemy, so we have a good reason to shoot it.
what i am saying, really, is that when humans get scared, they shoot things.
this is an awful way to act.
rant over.
death??
ReplyDelete*Looks up* I don't... I... I... *Cries harder*
ReplyDeletedeath?? why are you crying???
ReplyDelete*Shakes head and buries face in knees*
ReplyDelete*hugs death*
ReplyDeletetell me!!
*Shakes head*
ReplyDeletedeath... *hugs again*
ReplyDeletewhy? *hand apple cake* at least say something...
Gun... Head... *Huddles tighter*
ReplyDelete??
ReplyDeletedeath... *is worried*
(Seriously... I was held at gun point just before...))
ReplyDelete*Tries to make self as small as possible*
*blinks*
ReplyDeleteare you okay???
Scared out of my mind... *Covers head* I don't want to be... I don't want to go anywhere... I want to disappear...
ReplyDelete*hugs death*
ReplyDelete