tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post2847211563268998721..comments2023-10-15T10:25:22.469-05:00Comments on Arrogant Self-Reliance: Amy Reads the Week (of March 30th, 2007)Amy Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02571924705714110971noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-33657445484384641272007-04-07T15:14:00.000-05:002007-04-07T15:14:00.000-05:00Hi Matthew,I think it was probably the first one, ...Hi Matthew,<BR/><I>I think it was probably the first one, but I don't remember it well enough to be sure.<BR/>Maybe I'll give 'em another shot sometime, if the first book is atypical.</I><BR/><BR/>I think the first book is good; I just think the rest are much, much better. I think that you, in particular, might enjoy Mendoza in Hollywood, but it's one of those series that if you don't read the first, you probably won't understand the rest of the books.<BR/>Let me know what you think!<BR/>Ciao,<BR/>AmyAmy Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571924705714110971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-82889754048245606692007-04-07T07:18:00.000-05:002007-04-07T07:18:00.000-05:00I think it was probably the first one, but I don't...I think it was probably the first one, but I don't remember it well enough to be sure.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'll give 'em another shot sometime, if the first book is atypical.Matthew Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13601706197875450719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-51531894244136467072007-04-06T21:47:00.000-05:002007-04-06T21:47:00.000-05:00Hi Matthew,I read one of Kage Baker's books (quite...Hi Matthew,<BR/><I>I read one of Kage Baker's books (quite a while ago) and it didn't knock me out; I haven't been tempted to try more.</I><BR/><BR/>Which book was it? Mr. Reads couldn't get into the first book, either (Garden of Iden), but once you get to the next two, Sky Coyote and Mendoza in Hollywood, everything is so very worth it. This is the Company series, of course. Great fun, great reading.<BR/><BR/><I>I haven't seen Mulan II; I meant that she got to win two big fights in the first movie. Once in the snowy valley and once on the roof against the barbarian leader.</I><BR/><BR/>Ah! Gotcha :) I personally love how they manage to defeat the bad guys by both 1) using fashion and 2) subverting gender. Quite the great viewing, actually!<BR/><BR/>And yay Disney, they're now encouraging <A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070406/ap_on_re_us/disney_gay_weddings;_ylt=Aj6XjjCPeSVn6VXHnYY.51fMWM0F" REL="nofollow">gay couples to have Disney weddings</A>.<BR/>Ciao,<BR/>AmyAmy Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571924705714110971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-9770402369407889652007-04-03T20:43:00.000-05:002007-04-03T20:43:00.000-05:00I read one of Kage Baker's books (quite a while ag...I read one of Kage Baker's books (quite a while ago) and it didn't knock me out; I haven't been tempted to try more.<BR/><BR/>I haven't seen <I>Mulan II</I>; I meant that she got to win two big fights in the first movie. Once in the snowy valley and once on the roof against the barbarian leader.Matthew Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01007497367844755093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-47580652710061753662007-04-03T18:29:00.000-05:002007-04-03T18:29:00.000-05:00Hi Matthew,I confess, I put in the plea for lists ...Hi Matthew,<BR/>I confess, I put in the plea for lists rather than a list itself with exactly you in mind.<BR/>:)<BR/><BR/><I>Some notable and/or favourite girls/women in pop culture:<BR/>Babs Bunny, from the cartoon Tiny Toon Adventures. Sure, Buster Bunny shared top billing with her, and was supposed to be Bugs Bunny for a new generation, but Babs was always more interesting. Why? Because, unlike Buster, she was funny.</I><BR/><BR/>I adore Babs! And you're right; she was definitely funnier than Buster. I would also add Dot from the Animaniacs here, too!<BR/><BR/><I>Eilonwy, daughter of Angharad, from Lloyd Alexander's 'Prydain Chronicles' series. Indomitable, and has a gift for simile rivalled, in fiction or reality, only by my wife.</I><BR/><BR/>I love that Mrs. E has a gift for simile! What a fantastic gift to have. It's been years (and we're talking maybe 20+ here) since I've read The Black Cauldron, and I confess I don't remember her. <BR/><BR/><I>Kade Carrion, the Queen of Air and Darkness, from Martha Wells's novel The Element of Fire. Kade has to juggle faerie and human politics, personal and familial allegiances, and the boundary between good and evil, all at the same time, in the middle of a war. Good thing she's willing to get her hands dirty.</I><BR/><BR/>On the list, sir! Thanks!<BR/><BR/><I>Mulan, from the movie of the same name. She's the heroine of a Disney cartoon, and she's allowed to win the fight against the villain all by herself.<BR/>Twice.</I><BR/><BR/>I haven't seen Mulan II! Good, I take it? I very much enjoyed the first one, particularly in the suggestion of romantic interest rather than actual romantic interest!<BR/><BR/><I>Eliza, from Neal Stephenson's mammoth 'Baroque Cycle' trilogy. Starts off as a slave girl in the Sultan's harem, but her ambitions carry her much higher than that. She survives a lot (betrayal, smallpox, having her children stolen), but also achieves a lot, financially, personally and idealistically. And she's one half of one of the dashedest love stories in fiction.</I><BR/><BR/>I am a *huge* fan of Stephenson, but Cryptonomicon has daunted even me, the Victorianist, used to reading 1000+ page novels. It's in the stack, though. Promise!<BR/><BR/><I>Jane, from Michael Swanwick's novel The Iron Dragon's Daughter. Jane puts herself through seven kinds of hell and degradation, because she's keeping her eyes on the prize: it's the only way for her to get out of this bizarre world she's in. But is it real or not?<BR/>Nancy Blackett, captain of the Amazon, from Arthur Ransome's 'Swallows and Amazons' series. I mentioned her once before; she's awesome.</I><BR/><BR/>You sell things very well, Matthew! Both of these are the (ever-growing) to read list.<BR/><BR/><I>Lyra Belacqua, from Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' series.</I><BR/><BR/>I *adore* Lyra! Huzzah!<BR/><BR/><I>Della Street, from Erle Stanley Gardner's 'Perry Mason' mysteries.<BR/>Granny Weatherwax, from several of Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' novels and short stories. I've mentioned her before, too.<BR/>Irene Adler, from Carole Nelson Douglas's Sherlock Holmes pastiches.<BR/>Flora Poste, from Stella Gibbons' novel Cold Comfort Farm. I like Flora because she's one of these characters who (like Granny Weatherwax, but in a completely different way) never gives anybody an inch.<BR/>Erin Grant, from Carl Hiaasen's novel Strip Tease. Avoid the movie; the book is funny and coherent; the movie is just all over the place.<BR/>Mara, Lady of the Acoma, from a trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. I've mentioned her before too.</I><BR/><BR/>All of these on the list as well. Thanks!<BR/><BR/><I>Slappy Squirrel, from the cartoon Animaniacs. Octogenarian veteran of the old-time cartoon scene, and under no circumstances to be trifled with.</I><BR/><BR/>Definitely one of my favorite characters :)<BR/><BR/><I>Escalla, Brightflower Maid, from Paul Kidd's trilogy of Greyhawk novels for TSR. Sure, Dungeons-and-Dragons-based fiction is disposable trash without any particular attempts at literary merit, but Kidd manages to elevate his material above the rest of it, with a swashbuckling attitude, strong characterization, creativity and some slapstick humour. And Escalla, the intrepid and provocative faerie sorceress, is his crowning achievement.</I><BR/><BR/>See above re: list :)<BR/>And one for you: have you read Kage Baker's Company series?<BR/>Ciao,<BR/>AmyAmy Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571924705714110971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-52473635414307636352007-04-03T18:23:00.000-05:002007-04-03T18:23:00.000-05:00Hi Klio,One of the frustratingly hard things to do...Hi Klio,<BR/><I>One of the frustratingly hard things to do in my webcomic is to make sure all the stereotypes of popular culture that I've absorbed over the years do not leak into my own depiction of women. I'm a little chagrined that I have to approach my own writing with a paranoia that I might do something I didn't intend. I hope I've had enough examples of strong characters not just in real life but in my reading life to help me break away from the standard "types"--if not examples of strong females, then strong male characters (usually those created by woman comic creators, since I read so much work by women or women-and-men teams) so well crafted that I can think to myself, Hmm, I like so-and-so; what if my [female] character had some of those qualities...?</I><BR/><BR/>What is your webcomic? Please send an address! I'd love to read it.<BR/>It's true that sometimes it's frustrating to be so self-conscious, particularly during the already-self-conscious act of writing. And honestly, sometimes certain tropes and types are *useful* in writing, especially in those moments when we break them down.<BR/><BR/><I>At least I know I'll never accidentally depict a woman fighting crime in high heels and a thong. If ever I do, there'll have to be a heckuva good reason for it....</I><BR/><BR/>Heh. I think the heckuva good reason would be quite fun indeed! There are some great uses and breakdowns of cheesecake *and* beefcake in pop culture. One of my favorite movies, for example, Galaxy Quest, has those great moments when the Commander keeps getting shirtless. Definitely using a stereotype to break one down!<BR/>Ciao,<BR/>AmyAmy Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571924705714110971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-17938405137749998632007-04-03T18:19:00.000-05:002007-04-03T18:19:00.000-05:00Hi Mr. Fanboy,It's Women's History Month? At least...Hi Mr. Fanboy,<BR/><I>It's Women's History Month? At least I recognize this fact with one hour and 46 min. to go (my time) so I'm not a total Shrub. See, I told you I've been busy.</I><BR/><BR/>Good of you to notice, even at this late hour! On behalf of women, or at least, on behalf of me, I forgive you ;)<BR/>Ciao,<BR/>AmyAmy Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571924705714110971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-66331197280200049092007-04-02T13:37:00.000-05:002007-04-02T13:37:00.000-05:00Some notable and/or favourite girls/women in pop c...Some notable and/or favourite girls/women in pop culture:<BR/><BR/>Babs Bunny, from the cartoon <I>Tiny Toon Adventures</I>. Sure, Buster Bunny shared top billing with her, and was supposed to be Bugs Bunny for a new generation, but Babs was always more interesting. Why? Because, unlike Buster, she was <I>funny</I>.<BR/><BR/>Eilonwy, daughter of Angharad, from Lloyd Alexander's 'Prydain Chronicles' series. Indomitable, and has a gift for simile rivalled, in fiction or reality, only by my wife.<BR/><BR/>Kade Carrion, the Queen of Air and Darkness, from Martha Wells's novel <I>The Element of Fire</I>. Kade has to juggle faerie and human politics, personal and familial allegiances, and the boundary between good and evil, all at the same time, in the middle of a war. Good thing she's willing to get her hands dirty.<BR/><BR/>Mulan, from the movie of the same name. She's the heroine of a Disney cartoon, and she's allowed to win the fight against the villain <I>all by herself</I>.<BR/><BR/><B>Twice</B>.<BR/><BR/>Eliza, from Neal Stephenson's mammoth 'Baroque Cycle' trilogy. Starts off as a slave girl in the Sultan's harem, but her ambitions carry her much higher than that. She survives a lot (betrayal, smallpox, having her children stolen), but also achieves a lot, financially, personally and idealistically. And she's one half of one of the dashedest love stories in fiction.<BR/><BR/>Jane, from Michael Swanwick's novel <I>The Iron Dragon's Daughter</I>. Jane puts herself through seven kinds of hell and degradation, because she's keeping her eyes on the prize: it's the only way for her to get <I>out</I> of this bizarre world she's in. But is it real or not?<BR/><BR/>Nancy Blackett, captain of the <I>Amazon</I>, from Arthur Ransome's 'Swallows and Amazons' series. I mentioned her once before; she's awesome.<BR/><BR/>Lyra Belacqua, from Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' series.<BR/><BR/>Della Street, from Erle Stanley Gardner's 'Perry Mason' mysteries.<BR/><BR/>Granny Weatherwax, from several of Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' novels and short stories. I've mentioned her before, too.<BR/><BR/>Irene Adler, from Carole Nelson Douglas's Sherlock Holmes pastiches.<BR/><BR/>Flora Poste, from Stella Gibbons' novel <I>Cold Comfort Farm</I>. I like Flora because she's one of these characters who (like Granny Weatherwax, but in a completely different way) never gives anybody an inch.<BR/><BR/>Erin Grant, from Carl Hiaasen's novel <I>Strip Tease</I>. Avoid the movie; the book is funny and coherent; the movie is just all over the place.<BR/><BR/>Mara, Lady of the Acoma, from a trilogy by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. I've mentioned her before too.<BR/><BR/>Slappy Squirrel, from the cartoon <I>Animaniacs</I>. Octogenarian veteran of the old-time cartoon scene, and under no circumstances to be trifled with.<BR/><BR/>Escalla, Brightflower Maid, from Paul Kidd's trilogy of Greyhawk novels for TSR. Sure, Dungeons-and-Dragons-based fiction is disposable trash without any particular attempts at literary merit, but Kidd manages to elevate his material above the rest of it, with a swashbuckling attitude, strong characterization, creativity and some slapstick humour. And Escalla, the intrepid and provocative faerie sorceress, is his crowning achievement.Matthew Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13601706197875450719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-87075156504973844772007-04-01T12:34:00.000-05:002007-04-01T12:34:00.000-05:00One of the frustratingly hard things to do in my w...One of the frustratingly hard things to do in my webcomic is to make sure all the stereotypes of popular culture that I've absorbed over the years do not leak into my own depiction of women. I'm a little chagrined that I have to approach my own writing with a paranoia that I might do something I didn't intend. I hope I've had enough examples of strong characters not just in real life but in my reading life to help me break away from the standard "types"--if not examples of strong females, then strong male characters (usually those created by woman comic creators, since I read so much work by women or women-and-men teams) so well crafted that I can think to myself, <I>Hmm, I like so-and-so; what if my [female] character had some of those qualities...?</I><BR/><BR/>At least I know I'll never accidentally depict a woman fighting crime in high heels and a thong. If ever I do, there'll have to be a heckuva good reason for it....kliohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02916616636061597316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38498648.post-12018646726964198102007-04-01T00:25:00.000-05:002007-04-01T00:25:00.000-05:00It's Women's History Month? At least I recognize t...It's Women's History Month? At least I recognize this fact with one hour and 46 min. to go (my time) so I'm not a total Shrub. See, I told you I've been busy.Fanboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16689739089464311987noreply@blogger.com