From: Alina Klein <alinabklein_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:30:41 -0400

What a great discussion! I'll say that the first strong female characters that came to my mind are the heroines of several out-of-print books by Madeleine Brent. One was a Caucasian girl raised by Aborigines. Shunned for her appearance, she became more like the boys learning to hunt with a boomerang. Later those skills saved her life and several others (Golden Urchin). Another was a spoiled aristocrat who ran away after overhearing someone call her fat and spotty (or something like that) and became an acrobat in the circus from sheer determination (Stranger at Wildings). And another who grew up in an orphanage in Tibet who ended up the sole provider of the rest of the orphans (all girls) and had to resort to theft to feed them. These characters always underplayed their strength if someone complimented them on it.

Were they strong because they took on masculine characteristics? I suppose some could look at it like that. Hunting with a boomerang is probably pretty manly. But, then again, I raise and process my own poultry and my husband would never dream of participating--so is it a masculine endeavor, then? I just don't know where to draw the line between masculine and feminine anymore and don't wish to.

In my novel, due next year, there is a friendship that develops between two female characters that were once enemies. I'd like to think that they are both strong and admirable and that others will find them so as well.

Best, Alina Klein -- www.alinabklein.com
Received on Mon 14 Mar 2011 08:30:41 PM CDT