I am one who leans towards a feminist bent in my point of view. Now saying that, It isn’t because I hate men or any such crazy thing as that. I merely think gender equality should be a duh statement. Part of this is because I am female. Part is because I have a daughter. Too often women are told that they should not be strong and independent. Media has come along way in the last two decades. There was so few in my late teens. When I was growing to adulthood there was Linda Carter as Wonder woman. Really on television (unless you were into British tv) she was it.
However in the last few decades strong female roles have popped up all over the place. My favorites (again limited to American television ) are Abby from Ncis, Bones from Bones, Abby from sleepy hollow, Claire from Outlander, Clarke from the 100, Whiskey from the dollhouse, Deanna Troi and Beverly Crusher from ST:NG, Ivanova from Babylon 5, Regina from Once upon a time. There are a few others, but the principal ideas are there. Many of those are strong intelligent women trying to survive in what is traditionally men’s jobs. That is what I think of as a good female role.
As a writer and a reader that is what I look for in my female character development. What do you look for? Which are your favorites on television?
Category: inspiration
What is in a name?
“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Names are unfortunately a necessary evil. There are so many meanings and so many options where names are concerned. Many grow to dislike the name that was given them, for various reasons. Some seek to change the name given them. As a writer I have often used a brain exercise involving names to clear my mind. It’s actually even a semi interesting game. Choose a letter… any one will do. I often do all the letters to expand my mind, but all that is necessary is one. Then using the chosen letter list every name you can think of. For example if I choose “f” I would likely do a list like this:
Forest Fredrick Francine Frank Franco Francis Flicka Flora Florence Flo Fred Frieda Fanny Franny Filla Francisco Francois Fenton Fester Fang Fresca Fip Frack Faith Ford Fessa Fry Frost Fauna Fenella Fena Fenelle Flava Fish
Admitted I usually do better but this was just an example. The only rules are that it must be a name or make sense if used as one. Now as a writer this has more than one purpose.
First it really is a brain exercise. It causes you to concentrate. Thinking of those names are harder than you think. Find it too easy? Set a goal for how many names you will think of. Brain exercises are something that gets your mind thinking, not always something that requires genius levels of thought.
Second it can clear the mind for writing. Sitting down to write is sometimes complicated by the random thoughts bouncing around in your mind. Meditation helps but some fun can as well.
And lastly, it gives you a list of names to help to flesh out various characters in your story with.
This is a easy game to use in both solitary and community play. Set a time frame. A minute or five. Then whomever gets the most names in the time allowed wins.
Remember unusual names are more possibility. Especially if you can give a neat background on the name. For example, My little brother is named Shane. My parents had a difficult time naming him. My father wanted to name him John ad a relative. My Mom felt the name John too common. So they reached a compromise. Shane is a derivative of john. This adds to the story of who the character of Shane is.
So what is your favorite name? And why? What does the name mean? Sometimes choosing the meaning of the character name will help you to build a character that sticks in your reader’s mind. Keep in mind that if the person grew in some societies with an odd or unusual name it may not have been a pleasant thing. Or when they had said name. For example. I had an aunt named Beulah. Now days this name is fairly antiquated. This would cause cruel treatment from the peers of any child with the bad luck to be given it.
So cmon…names…. discuss.
Character development
What is it that makes memorable? All writer’s try to make the characters they write pop. It’s more than just good description. It is in personality and interaction. In some ways a really good story is a puzzle. Just one piece out of place will cause the story to be ruined. The pieces of a really great story, the ones that keep it strong in the reader’s mind, are strong characters and a good plot. There are so many smaller elements, still I believe without the major building blocks of character and plot, stories don’t stick.
I love complex characters who are very realistic. Ones who have flaws and seem to have more than one dimension. Emotions are not always easy to express well. So a well written scene is a wonderful treat for a reader. So what traits make the character most memorable for you?
Personal faith in self
Each creative person goes through it. The crippling self doubt. One often expects encouragement from those in the life of said person. And it really doesn’t always happen. I’m not alone there. For me it’s just a baffling thing. I am seven time published. Four volumes of poetry, two children’s books and a novella. Still there are days when I wonder if my writing is any good. And since my family doesn’t seem to be proud of me and what I have done… it seems to wear on my confidence in what I do.
Then my bestie, my sister I chose, who is also a writer asked for my help. It doesn’t seem like much to a outsider I am sure… but for me this was huge. It felt like validation of my writing. My writing is such a big part of who I am… this felt like I was being accepted. So it got me thinking. Why does my family, my blood, not accept what I do? Really the only thing I can think of is that to them, since I have always been a writer, it is simply nothing new. So perhaps I am going to have to accept the idea that those who are not showing pride in me aren’t doing it in cruelty. Perhaps it is in ignorance.
So perhaps I should not expect the world to have faith in me, and be thankful when it does. Instead I should have faith in me.
Day 26
Things I would say to an ex. Honestly it depends upon the ex. There are always good reasons why they are ex’s. Still usually… it’s hello, how have you been? I see no reason not to be polite. The only reason not to would be if they hurt me…and since I have moved on…the hurt must not have been as bad as it felt then.
Sometimes I write poetry not meant for the Wip
Occasionally on my personal Facebook page I will post a good night that is a small poem….something not truly long enough in my opinion for inclusion in a poetry volume.
This is last night’s.
Well today was hell.
The night as well.
Time for me
To let life be.
Rest my head
In my bed.
Time to wish for all the best
And pass it to all of you,
Nothing else but sweet dreams
And gentle rest,
Till the morrow comes.
Day twenty four
Hmmm something I miss… cartoons. Saturday mornings with cereal and early morning cartoons. The cartoons of today really are subpar. I have tried to introduce my daughter to the cartoons of my childhood, but to be honest, it really saddens me that cartoons are no longer like that.
Late night ponderings.
So. I am awake. It happens. And oddly enough when it does I manage to do some of my best writings. It’s like this is when my mind is clearest. When I fight with the demon known as insomnia. I already added two poems to my poetry W.i.p. and now I am going to ramble here. My thoughts are this….
Is social media truly being social? We have been asking this question as a society for a while now. These sites allow us to lie. To become people we wish we were. There is a serious issue there. Still it also allows us to communicate with people who are so very far away. It makes the world seem so much less. It allows family and friends who are far away to connect it ways that would be impossible otherwise… but that’s not always a good thing. I personally use it to promote my books and sell my crafts. I use it to keep in touch with those who I have known and love. For me…the recluse writer…yes it is social activity. However I am strange… what? Did you really not know that? Lol. What about you? What do you think? Is social media truly being social? I wonder for the non introverted people out there, if social media is something else? Perhaps it is tedious. If so do you only do them for your family? What is your reasons for being on them? Which do you use? There are so many choices.
Discipline
Nary a thought
to organization,
Not one to abide
Micro managing
My time.
As long as I do
Does it matter when?
Or can it be late
When my mind refuses
To quiet at all?
Or early morning
As I watch the dawn?
Discipline in my work
Is not the same as
For another.
For me know that I
am doing.
And it is enough.
Posted earlier on my personal Facebook
It really is the little things that hurt…and heal. Seeing affection and pride felt by those whom you wish were proud of you. Or who paid enough attention to see who you really were. So I end up feeling the little green eyed monster creep in. And then I self recriminate because I see myself as better than that. I don’t do my writing or my crafts or my art for the recognition. I really don’t. I do all of it for me. However, the primal urge for recognition exists in everyone. Then along with the self doubt, a few someone’s stood up for me. It heals the little cracks in my soul.
Pattimouse 