However, after all that Important Grownup Discussion, I feel like returning to my normal madcap randomness today, hence FIVE THINGS ON FRIDAY!
1. This notebook. It is so pretty. But so expensive. But it has different coloured pages with illustrations. But I already have over seventy blank notebooks in my Writing Cave. But it has a Japanese woman on the front. But I don't need anymore notebooks. But SO PRETTY. Ach.
2. This post from author Marie Brennan on why people seriously need to stop tossing the term 'Mary-Sue' around when what they actually mean is 'I don't like this character' and why they should also stop and think a little about WHY they don't like the character, if the reason is that she's a) female and b) not useless. People have, in several reviews, called Alex from TSK a Mary Sue. I think even Zira got called a Mary-Sue once or twice. I may be flattering myself here, but I'm pretty sure I know what a Sue is, and I'm pretty sure I didn't write one in either case. If people don't connect with or believe in the character, that's fine, but I can't take them seriously if they just say 'Mary-Sue!' without having any understanding of what that actually means.
3. I am currently reading Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.
I luffs it. Go get a copy.4. Another awesome post by N.K. Jemisin on how/why to write disability in SF or fantasy. Very useful, this - but comes with an Adult Language Warning.
6. Yeah, that's right - random extra number! I'm just that crazy. Interesting article by author Malinda Lo on not judging books by their covers, and how our drive to encourage diversity ought not to result in being too harsh on writers and publishers.
Ah, that feels better. Have a great weekend everyone!
22 comments:
It's refreshing to have a good laugh after Wednesday's serious post. Thanks, Zoe! Finn is adorable.
I wasn't able to see the notebook when I clicked on the link! Argh. You should get it, anyway, if you love it so much. =D
Here you go: https://www.papayaart.com/product/NB002/InvisibleSpiralNotebook/
Don't get the notebook, Zoe... think of the trees! Okay... I'm just telling you every time I'm even in Tesco and trying to think of a reason why I need a shiny new notebook. As a result, about twenty half-filled notebooks are knocking about at home and at uni...
Also, Alex and Zira are far from Mary-Sues. I don't know if it's because people don't personally identify with a character so they immediately stamp a label on its head as bad product. It isn't fair at all.
telling you WHAT I TELL MYSELF*
Thank you!
I don't quite understand exactly what a Mary-Sue is. I've heard it plenty of times, but I still don't really get what it actually means.
I'll go check that notebook out now and tell you what I think in a few seconds...
Oh, dear. Erm, the thing is saying "the certificate for this website was signed by an unknown certifying authority. You might be connecting to a website that is pretending to be 'www.papyaart.com' which could put your confidential information at risk. Would you like to connect to the website anyway?" I'm... not sure I'm up to putting my confidential information at risk. Should I connect to the website anyway? :/
By the way, Zoë, the next book on my reading list is Unearthly . Sadie is reading it right now and she loves it. :) I can't wait to read it.
As Isabel said I am reading Unearthly which is so, so, so, so good. I can't believe that it is Cynthia Hand's first novel. Did you review it? Yes, I think you did. Anyway it is so good.
Alex: BUT IT IS SO PREEETTYYY. Ach, I know you're right. Maybe as a treat for my birthday...
Isabel: Well, if you follow the link to that article, that gives you a fairly good definition of a Mary-Sue. Basically, it's a character who the author likes a little too much, who may even be an author insert. A character to whom things come too easily, who people love a little too much, who never has to deal with the consequences. Never mind about the notebook. It's pretty, take it from me. Oh - and I bet you'll like Unearthly.
Sadie: Yes, I did review it and I really liked it a lot. Such a great take on the angel mythology.
Yes, I read a little bit of that article and now I get what it means. But I think Alexandra and especially Zira are the complete opposite of that! It's completely ridiculous for anyone to call either one of them a Mary-Sue. You shouldn't worry about it.
Unearthly looks really good - I really can't wait to read it once I finish Fire . Is there a specific reason why you thought I in particular would enjoy it?
I liked that article from Malinda. Also Cuuuuuuuuute doggie :)
Still need to read Paranormalcy (dammit) and I WILL send you a parcel soon, I just needed to get a bigger envelope from the shops LOL
Isabel: There was definitely a specific reason I thought it would really appeal to you, but I can't remember exactly what it was now. Anyway, it is very good.
Lynsey: That article was kind of my fault! Malinda posted on the Enchanted Inkpot LJ about Upcoming YA Bookcovers and I got my rant on (AGAIN) about how few covers actually depicted the POC within. Several commentors, including Malinda, ended up having a discussion in the comments which lead to Malinda trying to calm us all down on her own blog. Whoops. Spreading chaos and dissent wherever I go...
That spiral notebook is beautiful. If I were to buy it, I would probably just stare at its beauty. I don't think I could actually write in it.
Oh, yeah. I've heard of "Paranormalcy." The book cover's nice and I've read that the author is pretty funny.
I didn't read that whole article on masking diversity, but I did read some of her bullet points. The one I found most interesting was the second to last one, about people thinking books with people of color or LGBT are only for those people. Yeah it's sad, but let's leave that on Wednesday's post XD
What I found funny about the Mary Sue article was that the author quoted TV Tropes. A part of me was like "That's not the best resource to use." But the dorky part of me said "She's One Of Us!"
Oh. Tell me if you remember. :) Are there certain books you know I have read and enjoyed that are similar, maybe?
I agree. Unearthly is a great take on angel mythology. I just finished it. do you know of any other books like it?
Zoe: I would be too nervous to ever write in that notebook. Ever.
Nini: I had the She's One of Us moment too. Who doesn't love TV tropes? You can learn a lot on there, I reckon.
Isabel: I'm sure that we were discussing another book and why you had liked it, and I'd just finished UNEARTHLY and thought: Ah, this book is for her. But I can't remember which book, or when!
Sadie: to be honest, I generally steer clear of Angel/Demon books, because I think it can very easily be treated offensively, so I don't really have any other Angel recommendations! Sorry.
Megha: It turns out I can't actually get one anyway, since they're only sold in London! I can't go all the way to London just for a notebook. Ah, well.
Argh! I'll try to remember. I'll tell you if I do....
Zoe: I'm glad I live in London :D .
It's fine. Thanks though! I think I will read Demon's Lexicon next.
Sadie: Can I read it after you? I'm interested to see what it's all about. :) Hence Zoe's vlog in which she obsessively praised it. XD XD
Yes.
Awesome!
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