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Monthly Archives: April 2015
Guest Post from Anne Leonard: Writing “Strong Female Characters” in a Patriarchal Secondary World Fantasy
Yes, this is another post about writing “strong female characters.” I am coming to this issue from the position of someone who likes traditional epic fantasy with pseudo-medieval (or at least pre-industrial) cultures. This is my comfort read, and it is what I like to write. This is partly because that was what I grew up on, partly because I’m enough of a romantic to still have a soft spot for heroes, and partly because I like to interrogate that social structure. For me, interesting female characters are the ones who have to face social oppression – the same social oppression I do – and who fight against it within the limitations of their own beliefs about their roles. Feminist fantasy with matriarchal or egalitarian societies isn’t as interesting to me as a writer because it avoids the very problems I want to get my teeth into – what is a woman to do when oppressed? What if she doesn’t know she’s oppressed?
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Documents of Tabat: An Auction Handbill
A flyer, kept carefully folded, in the top drawer of Bella Kanto’s dresser. Dated some twenty-five years earlier, the paper crumbling and worn, and never looked at since being placed there. VALUABLE GROUP OF ASSORTED BEASTS AND ANIMALS Trained by … Continue reading
A Glimpse From the College of Mages
In the lull between bells, the campus walks were deserted and their scent trails stale, the pupils all in their classes this late morning. They worked them hard at the College of Mages, and no student would have a break … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: Artists of Tabat
An Instructive Listing of the Major Artists of Tabat, being Pamphlet #5 of the series of “A Visitor’s Guide to Notables of Tabat,” Spinner Press, author unknown. Tabat’s art tradition is well established, and not a mere copy of the … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: Flowers of Tabat
An Instructive Listing of the Flowers of Tabat, being Pamphlet #3 of the fifth series of “A Visitor’s Guide to Tabat,” Spinner Press, author unknown. Winter roses were originally created by Elora Two Sails as an ornament for the winter … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: Gardens of Tabat
An Instructive Listing of the Major Gardens of Tabat, being Pamphlet #4 of the second series of “A Visitor’s Guide to Tabat,” Spinner Press, author unknown. Despite the city’s fierce weather, the cliffs that shelter it on the northwest and … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: Street Foods of Tabat
An Instructive Listing of the Street Foods of Tabat, being Pamphlet #5 of the first series of “A Visitor’s Guide to Tabat,” Spinner Press, author unknown. The visitor to Tabat will find themselves faced with a multitude of new things, … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: Fashions of Tabat
An Instructive Listing of the Fashions of Tabat, being Pamphlet #2 of the first series of “A Visitor’s Guide to Tabat,” Spinner Press, author unknown. Tabat, like any city, has fashions that distinguish it, often shaped by the city’s history … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: The Statues of Tabat
“An Educational and Instructive Listing of Notable Statues of Salt Way,” being Pamphlet #17 of the third series of A Visitor’s Guide to Tabat, Spinner Press, author unknown. Lining the incline of Salt Way as it runs uphill towards the … Continue reading
Documents of Tabat: The Markets of Tabat
An Instructive Listing of the Notable Markets of Tabat, being Pamphlet #4 of the first series of “A Visitor’s Guide to Tabat,” Spinner Press, author unknown. The Rain Market: To the north and east of Tabat lie the great marshes, … Continue reading
