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Intersectionality is a concept often used in critical theories to describe the ways in which oppressive institutions (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, classism, etc.) are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another.(1) In the case of writing femslash, I would like to share the joy, conflict, and struggle in trying to incorporate intersectionality in writing femslash.
My background: I mostly write in Marvel comics and Disney Princess fandom. I identify as Hong Kong Chinese. When I look back at my work, I write 9 out of 24 femslsh stories with characters of colour as protagonists, and 4 out of 24 with disabled characters as protagonists, 1 out of 24 is labeled with class issue.
The first thing about intersectionality is to aim for diversity in general as well as gender-balance and women-friendliness in particular. On AO3, there're 507 femslsh out of 3048 work labelled with characters of colour, 42 work out of 627 with disabled characters labeled, 8 out of 75 work labelled class issues are femslash, so people are writing, and conscious enough to label them.
When I started writing less than three years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to Misty Knight and Colleen Wing in Marvel comics. Misty is an ex-New York cop with a cybernetic arm. Colleen is a samurai in United States. Together they fight crime. They have a relationship that transcends beyond friends or sisters, and in one issue Misty's love for Colleen is strong enough to break free of mind control. It's great shipping materials. But back then on the AO3, there was only one drabble featuring both of them. I surfed the Internet and could only find two fic on LJ. A google search shows 3 work with Misty Knight on fanfiction.net. Simply put, they may as well be invisible. The reasons seem to be clear: They're not in a major comics series, do not star in movie or TV or animations. I hate to speculate, but that they're female characters of colour may play a strong part in their being ignored by Marvel and the fans.
So I write.
There is joy, simply because I have materials to read about them together. Judging from the hits and kudoes, they 're read by people other than me. There's frustration and challenge. Because I'm not them. Colleen was raised in Japan and received samurai training. Then she moved to US. I don't have the relevant background to understand all these impact on her. Misty is a Black ex-New York cop. What does she experience because she's a Black woman everyday? I can't say. Looking back I think I go for the canon route, to write about them s superhero, as lovers, but to downplay these kinds of issues. Even if I were a Black disabled woman who lived in New York, we might not share the same experience. I can do research as best as possible, but the distance 's always here, and I need to respect it.
Another example is Belle/Esmeralda (Disney), which is inspired by a fanvid. They live in a dangerous time for love, and Esmeralda's raised as a Romani. The cross race relationship brings the factor of power in. I want to say that I handle the issue well, but in fact I evade it by writing AU for them. It's Disney, and they deserve a happy ending.
And I want to tell you my bad example of doing it wrong. Destiny/Mystique is a canon bisexual couple in Marvel comics, and Destiny's blind. When I write a certain story bout them and reread it, a scene comes out totally wrong: I totally forget that Destiny's blind when writing that scene. This's my privilege and lazy writing showing.
When I write the characters, I try to ask myself some questions: Do my characters avoid to be stereotypes? Do they have agency of their own? Do they live in a world that reflects the diversity of the reality? I try to achieve all of them, and I can say I do my best in them. But is it enough? I don't know.
The benchmark of Bechdel's test is "...Plenty of female characters, with stories told from their POV, and stories that are not entirely cliche, and with agency in those storylines that is not usually taken away from them, and have relationship with other women..." (2) and I just want to add one thing: let the female characters be outside the able-bodied, white, or other privileged norm.
(1)http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Intersectionality
(2)http://ivanolix.livejournal.com/199285.html
My background: I mostly write in Marvel comics and Disney Princess fandom. I identify as Hong Kong Chinese. When I look back at my work, I write 9 out of 24 femslsh stories with characters of colour as protagonists, and 4 out of 24 with disabled characters as protagonists, 1 out of 24 is labeled with class issue.
The first thing about intersectionality is to aim for diversity in general as well as gender-balance and women-friendliness in particular. On AO3, there're 507 femslsh out of 3048 work labelled with characters of colour, 42 work out of 627 with disabled characters labeled, 8 out of 75 work labelled class issues are femslash, so people are writing, and conscious enough to label them.
When I started writing less than three years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to Misty Knight and Colleen Wing in Marvel comics. Misty is an ex-New York cop with a cybernetic arm. Colleen is a samurai in United States. Together they fight crime. They have a relationship that transcends beyond friends or sisters, and in one issue Misty's love for Colleen is strong enough to break free of mind control. It's great shipping materials. But back then on the AO3, there was only one drabble featuring both of them. I surfed the Internet and could only find two fic on LJ. A google search shows 3 work with Misty Knight on fanfiction.net. Simply put, they may as well be invisible. The reasons seem to be clear: They're not in a major comics series, do not star in movie or TV or animations. I hate to speculate, but that they're female characters of colour may play a strong part in their being ignored by Marvel and the fans.
So I write.
There is joy, simply because I have materials to read about them together. Judging from the hits and kudoes, they 're read by people other than me. There's frustration and challenge. Because I'm not them. Colleen was raised in Japan and received samurai training. Then she moved to US. I don't have the relevant background to understand all these impact on her. Misty is a Black ex-New York cop. What does she experience because she's a Black woman everyday? I can't say. Looking back I think I go for the canon route, to write about them s superhero, as lovers, but to downplay these kinds of issues. Even if I were a Black disabled woman who lived in New York, we might not share the same experience. I can do research as best as possible, but the distance 's always here, and I need to respect it.
Another example is Belle/Esmeralda (Disney), which is inspired by a fanvid. They live in a dangerous time for love, and Esmeralda's raised as a Romani. The cross race relationship brings the factor of power in. I want to say that I handle the issue well, but in fact I evade it by writing AU for them. It's Disney, and they deserve a happy ending.
And I want to tell you my bad example of doing it wrong. Destiny/Mystique is a canon bisexual couple in Marvel comics, and Destiny's blind. When I write a certain story bout them and reread it, a scene comes out totally wrong: I totally forget that Destiny's blind when writing that scene. This's my privilege and lazy writing showing.
When I write the characters, I try to ask myself some questions: Do my characters avoid to be stereotypes? Do they have agency of their own? Do they live in a world that reflects the diversity of the reality? I try to achieve all of them, and I can say I do my best in them. But is it enough? I don't know.
The benchmark of Bechdel's test is "...Plenty of female characters, with stories told from their POV, and stories that are not entirely cliche, and with agency in those storylines that is not usually taken away from them, and have relationship with other women..." (2) and I just want to add one thing: let the female characters be outside the able-bodied, white, or other privileged norm.
(1)http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Intersectionality
(2)http://ivanolix.livejournal.com/199285.html
Evaluating the first drug to show improvement in subtype of autism
Even positive stereotypes can hinder performance (removes locus of control)
Tor drop DRM on their ebooks. Charlie Stross points out how this in their best interests.
XNA is synthetic DNA that’s stronger than the real thing – Start your sci fi plot ideas…
Marijuana – In Focus – The Atlantic – So apparently the best way to get rid pot farms is to set them on fire?
slabText – a jQuery plugin for creating big, bold & responsive headlines –
Biological Superiority: The World’s Most Dangerous and Deadly Idea – I just thought I'd save this link because it's not something people would expect of Dworkin
First description of a triple DNA helix in a vacuum – Start your sci fi plot ideas…
Even positive stereotypes can hinder performance (removes locus of control)
Tor drop DRM on their ebooks. Charlie Stross points out how this in their best interests.
XNA is synthetic DNA that’s stronger than the real thing – Start your sci fi plot ideas…
Marijuana – In Focus – The Atlantic – So apparently the best way to get rid pot farms is to set them on fire?
slabText – a jQuery plugin for creating big, bold & responsive headlines –
Biological Superiority: The World’s Most Dangerous and Deadly Idea – I just thought I'd save this link because it's not something people would expect of Dworkin
First description of a triple DNA helix in a vacuum – Start your sci fi plot ideas…
Misty is a Black former New York cop turned PI with a cyborb arm. Colleen is a mixed-race last Samurai. Together they fight crime!
Misty Knight and Colleen Wing art linkspam:
http://awyeahmona.tumblr.com/post/4901302540/image-fanart-of-misty-knight-and-colleen-wing: Colleen and Misty roller skating
http://stormseye.livejournal.com/37908.html: Misty and Colleen in action. I like how strong they look.
http://duskflare.deviantart.com/art/Colleen-and-Misty-207743353: Misty and Colleen as roller derby queen. Lovely colour.
http://daughtersofthedragon.tumblr.com/post/5122678864/misty-and-colleen-by-ming-doyle: Misty and Colleen sketch by Ming Doyle
http://chiroptophobia.tumblr.com/post/3353409194/inexcusably-bad-damnit-schoolwork-o: Another lovely Misty and Colleen art work
http://germanacviana.deviantart.com/art/Daughters-of-the-Dragon-2-198312906 Daughter of te Dragon fanart
http://fuckyeahlongbox.tumblr.com/post/2865881275 Misty and Colleen in wooden colour
http://daughtersofthedragon.tumblr.com/post/2621428479/by-tony-salmons Misty and Colleen by Tony Salmons
NSFW
http://daughtersofthedragon.tumblr.com/post/3315105387/source Misty/Colleen, chair
Misty Knight and Colleen Wing art linkspam:
http://awyeahmona.tumblr.com/post/4901302540/image-fanart-of-misty-knight-and-colleen-wing: Colleen and Misty roller skating
http://stormseye.livejournal.com/37908.html: Misty and Colleen in action. I like how strong they look.
http://duskflare.deviantart.com/art/Colleen-and-Misty-207743353: Misty and Colleen as roller derby queen. Lovely colour.
http://daughtersofthedragon.tumblr.com/post/5122678864/misty-and-colleen-by-ming-doyle: Misty and Colleen sketch by Ming Doyle
http://chiroptophobia.tumblr.com/post/3353409194/inexcusably-bad-damnit-schoolwork-o: Another lovely Misty and Colleen art work
http://germanacviana.deviantart.com/art/Daughters-of-the-Dragon-2-198312906 Daughter of te Dragon fanart
http://fuckyeahlongbox.tumblr.com/post/2865881275 Misty and Colleen in wooden colour
http://daughtersofthedragon.tumblr.com/post/2621428479/by-tony-salmons Misty and Colleen by Tony Salmons
NSFW
http://daughtersofthedragon.tumblr.com/post/3315105387/source Misty/Colleen, chair
When I'm discussing the lack of femslash in fandom, I'm enabled to hold a fest celebrating relationship between female-identified characters in canon. Well, it's very meaningful but......
ETA: I started![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
female_fest, a pan fandom fest celebrating female relationship. It's quite empty yet, but hopefully I'll add on tonight.
Do appreciate signal boost and help.
ETA: I started
female_fest, a pan fandom fest celebrating female relationship. It's quite empty yet, but hopefully I'll add on tonight.Do appreciate signal boost and help.
Tabletop rpg meme
May. 11th, 2011 01:07 pmHow I get into tabletop rpg.
I discovered tabletop rpg on my own on the Internet. The game is Top Secret S.I., a 80's spy rpg game. It's my first love - I plays with the character generation for minute. My first game, though, was a super game that I played with my brother using rock, scissor and paper to decide on result. I was GM then, and the trend continued.
generic or specific system?
Both have their place, I think. It depends which one is suitable for the setting I'll use
Fantasy or sci-fi?
Sci-fi. Because I like to explore the future and technology in games.
random or point-buy character generation?
I like to have some control in the character, so I prefer point buy. But random power for superheroes can be fun too.
crunchy or rule-light?
I'm lazy so I appreciate anything without much prep-work.
Style or substance?
I am know to be lured to RPG with good layout, but I also happen to think the brievity of GURPS book is a great style, so.
Narrative or simulationist?
I prefer narrative more because I can wing more things easier.
GM or Player?
I want to be simply a player, but so far I can't find people to GM for me.
I discovered tabletop rpg on my own on the Internet. The game is Top Secret S.I., a 80's spy rpg game. It's my first love - I plays with the character generation for minute. My first game, though, was a super game that I played with my brother using rock, scissor and paper to decide on result. I was GM then, and the trend continued.
generic or specific system?
Both have their place, I think. It depends which one is suitable for the setting I'll use
Fantasy or sci-fi?
Sci-fi. Because I like to explore the future and technology in games.
random or point-buy character generation?
I like to have some control in the character, so I prefer point buy. But random power for superheroes can be fun too.
crunchy or rule-light?
I'm lazy so I appreciate anything without much prep-work.
Style or substance?
I am know to be lured to RPG with good layout, but I also happen to think the brievity of GURPS book is a great style, so.
Narrative or simulationist?
I prefer narrative more because I can wing more things easier.
GM or Player?
I want to be simply a player, but so far I can't find people to GM for me.
Where 're the femslash little black dress
May. 8th, 2011 02:58 pmSome anecdotes
I love Sherlock Holmes, so I can't resist the lure of the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film. It has Mary and Irene in a greater role than in the book, but the movie's never about them, never told in their POV. They pretty much respond to the action. I return from the cinema with a vague thought that I would like a gun-swinging Mary partnered with Irene in a steampunk Victorian London, but I don't really get the characters enough. Because the movie doesn't give me this.
When I watch the earlier season of Stargate: Atlantis, there are only two female favourite characters. They are shown as friends, and the fandom pretty much pair them as the spare. Later in the season there were more female characters introduced and filmed interaction between Teyla and them. While the amount of fic produced is not much as far as I know, Teyla launched several ships, Teyla/Kate, Teyla/Keller, Teyla/Sam. While the canon is not good enough, it at least gives a starting point to write and passes the Bechdel's test in some episodes.
My hypothesis about the lack of femslash little black dress is thus:
There're just not enough female characters. Even nowadays a show can be without one female major character. Supernatural, for example is a big offender.
When there are finally some, the writers often screw up on the female characters. The stories are often not about them, the story not told in their POV, they often go without agency or sacrificed for some dramatic effect. These combined don't encourage fans of female characters. When the show finally pass Bechdel's Test, there are usually no multiple female relationships, not to mention multiple female friendships.
And when there are such examples, people don't know about it.
In conclusion, with the current trend, we're less likely to see femslash little black dress.
I love Sherlock Holmes, so I can't resist the lure of the 2009 Sherlock Holmes film. It has Mary and Irene in a greater role than in the book, but the movie's never about them, never told in their POV. They pretty much respond to the action. I return from the cinema with a vague thought that I would like a gun-swinging Mary partnered with Irene in a steampunk Victorian London, but I don't really get the characters enough. Because the movie doesn't give me this.
When I watch the earlier season of Stargate: Atlantis, there are only two female favourite characters. They are shown as friends, and the fandom pretty much pair them as the spare. Later in the season there were more female characters introduced and filmed interaction between Teyla and them. While the amount of fic produced is not much as far as I know, Teyla launched several ships, Teyla/Kate, Teyla/Keller, Teyla/Sam. While the canon is not good enough, it at least gives a starting point to write and passes the Bechdel's test in some episodes.
My hypothesis about the lack of femslash little black dress is thus:
There're just not enough female characters. Even nowadays a show can be without one female major character. Supernatural, for example is a big offender.
When there are finally some, the writers often screw up on the female characters. The stories are often not about them, the story not told in their POV, they often go without agency or sacrificed for some dramatic effect. These combined don't encourage fans of female characters. When the show finally pass Bechdel's Test, there are usually no multiple female relationships, not to mention multiple female friendships.
And when there are such examples, people don't know about it.
In conclusion, with the current trend, we're less likely to see femslash little black dress.
30 days of Marvel meme
May. 8th, 2011 10:23 amI'm doing it out of order.
Day #29: Your favorite series you would suggest to read
Marvel Adventures: Avengers - great fun, characters as heroes and friends, interesting villains, good plot. I love it.
Daughters of Dragon: a series packed with action and woman kicking ass.
White Tiger: Great characterization and development plot
Ultimates vol. 1 and 2. The characters are harsher, but good reading.
Day #29: Your favorite series you would suggest to read
Marvel Adventures: Avengers - great fun, characters as heroes and friends, interesting villains, good plot. I love it.
Daughters of Dragon: a series packed with action and woman kicking ass.
White Tiger: Great characterization and development plot
Ultimates vol. 1 and 2. The characters are harsher, but good reading.
Follow Friday: linkspam
May. 7th, 2011 09:12 amPeople to follow
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
boundbooks: I like her book review, concise and to the point.
coffeeandink: Same as above
oyceter: Same as above
Community to follow:
asexual_fandom: great discussion about asexuality.
fanart_recs: For the pretty fanart.
fem_thoughts: Femslash meta
forkedtongues: Language and translation always fascinate me.
boundbooks: I like her book review, concise and to the point.coffeeandink: Same as aboveoyceter: Same as aboveCommunity to follow:
asexual_fandom: great discussion about asexuality.fanart_recs: For the pretty fanart.fem_thoughts: Femslash metaforkedtongues: Language and translation always fascinate me.
May writing meme: Day 21-25
May. 5th, 2011 06:47 pmI made a crhomatic Marvel comics icon post and a Sailor Moon icon post to a challenge.
Do you ever participate in writing challenges? Which ones?
Yes. Yuletide, remix redux, Junetide cap-ironman winter exchange and two bigbang.
Out of all the characters you've ever written, which one is your favorite? Which one has surprised you the most?
Xi Yue. She's just fun to write. Ult. Steve surprised me most because I'm told that I get his voice.
Do you use unreliable narrators? Why or why not?
I did, when I'm writing horror. It enhanced the atmosphere.
What do you like most about writing? What do you dislike?
I like it when a good idea comes through. I dislike it when I need to scrap my word count.
Give some examples of how various story ideas have come to you. What forms did they come in?
Sometimes I read others prompts and just obsess about it. Then I elaborate it, mold it until it became a new one. Sometimes I put the characters into a new setting to see what'll happen.
Do you ever participate in writing challenges? Which ones?
Yes. Yuletide, remix redux, Junetide cap-ironman winter exchange and two bigbang.
Out of all the characters you've ever written, which one is your favorite? Which one has surprised you the most?
Xi Yue. She's just fun to write. Ult. Steve surprised me most because I'm told that I get his voice.
Do you use unreliable narrators? Why or why not?
I did, when I'm writing horror. It enhanced the atmosphere.
What do you like most about writing? What do you dislike?
I like it when a good idea comes through. I dislike it when I need to scrap my word count.
Give some examples of how various story ideas have come to you. What forms did they come in?
Sometimes I read others prompts and just obsess about it. Then I elaborate it, mold it until it became a new one. Sometimes I put the characters into a new setting to see what'll happen.
May Writing meme: Day 16-20
May. 4th, 2011 12:52 pmHow do you support your themes? How do you make sure your language reflects them, and how do you decide whether something belongs in the plot or the theme category?
I make sure my plot fits the theme.
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be Simple
What genres have you written in?
Humour, adventure, mystery, character study, romance, horror.
Do you write long stories, short stories, or both? What's challenging about writing a particular story length?
I usually write short stories (<7000). I easily lose motivation when I write long fic.
Is your writing generally plot- or character-driven? Why?
Plot-driven. I can't write when I don't have a vague plot in mind
I make sure my plot fits the theme.
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever gotten?
Be Simple
What genres have you written in?
Humour, adventure, mystery, character study, romance, horror.
Do you write long stories, short stories, or both? What's challenging about writing a particular story length?
I usually write short stories (<7000). I easily lose motivation when I write long fic.
Is your writing generally plot- or character-driven? Why?
